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Try Embroidery Digitizing 100% Free

Get The Free Digitizing-Made-Easy Challenge Today and Enjoy Hands-On Digitizing Lessons Taught By The World’s Most Awarded Digitizer.

Free Files, Lessons, and Software Trial Included

Join thousands of embroiderers (just like you) who want to learn how to create and edit embroidery designs in this FREE Embroidery Digitizing Made Easy Challenge. This free challenge created by John Deer is the perfect starting point for you if you are eager to try your hand at digitizing. It’s simpler than you’d think!

Digitize & Create 6 Embroidery Designs Yourself

This Challenge is a free way to challenge yourself to try embroidery digitizing if you never have before. Many embroiderers are intimidated by the word “digitizing.” They think it’s overly complicated or you have to be a “computer person” to do it. The truth is, it’s not that complicated if you have the right instructor, good software, and an open mind to challenge yourself and give it a try.

Whether you currently own embroidery software or have never used it, this 30-day Challenge will take you by the hand and show you how easy it can be to create and edit your own designs using a 30-day free trial of Hatch embroidery software. In this free Challenge, you’ll follow along 7 bite-sized video lessons with John Deer, the world’s most awarded embroidery digitizer, and create 6 designs yourself from start to finish! Skip the frustration and stop trying to learn how to digitize from sources that may have never done it at a professional or commercial level. The name of our site says it all: Digitizing Made Easy. Are you up for the Challenge?

Learn Digitizing From The World’s Most Awarded Digitizer

“Hi, I’m John Deer, CEO of The Deer’s Embroidery Legacy, and I’m so happy you’re here!

Being an embroidery digitizer since I was 17 years old, I know how fun digitizing is… but I also know how frustrating and overwhelming it can be to first learn how to do it. That’s why I created this challenge! It’s my mission to teach embroiderers just like you how to have fun creating and editing their own custom designs.

Now, I know that digitizing software is expensive, so if you don’t already have software that’s no problem. We got you a free 30 day trial of the software I use to teach this challenge! I’ll show you how to get it, along with the challenge later on this page.”

John Deer Embroidery Portrait

Winning 30 commercial digitizing awards and working with dozens of fortune 500 companies, John Deer has been the most awarded embroidery digitizer in the world for over two decades now.

As a 4th generation embroiderer, John has an incredibly unique history in the embroidery digitizing industry as he is the last remaining Schiffli Master Digitizer still alive and teaching in North America. John learned and apprenticed under Swiss Schiffli Master Digitizers (then known as “punchers”) over 35 years ago in his grandparents’ factory, before computers even entered the digitizing world.

John has run 2 commercial embroidery factories, owned one of the world’s largest production digitizing houses, wrote the book “Digitizing Made Easy” (which has sold over 51,000 copies), and coached 100,000+ home and commercial embroiderers globally.

Are You Ready To Start The Digitizing Made Easy Challenge?

30 days

2 – 3 hours per week

There are 4 parts to this challenge, you should aim to complete 1 part per week. We teach this challenge in Hatch, one of the world’s leading embroidery software programs. But if you don’t have Hatch, that’s no problem! We got you a FREE 30-day trial! All you have to do is start your 30-day free Hatch trial here on our website by filling out the form below.

hatch official reseller logo

If you already own Hatch, click here to fill out a form and we’ll email you a link to download the Challenge files and get started.

Our Education has Proven Results

Here’s What Other Embroiderers Have to Say…

Barbara Richter embroidery digitizing testimonial image

“Thank you John Deer for challenging me to do something I never thought I could, and for opening up a world of possibilities for me!

Recently I decided to take the Embroidery Challenge and I am so happy I did!  I learned so much in the lessons, and became so much more confident in my digitizing abilities… John Deer’s ability to teach it by digitizing actual designs, step by step is the reason I am successful!  I never thought I would be this “good” and now I just want to keep learning!

– Barbara Richter

“John is very thorough with his lessons and explains so anyone can understand

I have never, ever digitized. I have been purchasing embroidery designs online and just using as is. I could never adjust or make my own. I wanted to design my own so I did my research and discovered Hatch. I downloaded the trial and fell in love immediately. With the trial, I accepted the 30 day challenge and already created 3 designs. I know this is just the start but… it was so easy and with John Deer’s help, I can learn at my own pace. Thank you John Deer for helping me learn how to digitize.

– Mary Lesh

Sandy Harvey Embroidery Digitizing Testimonial Image

“I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning how to digitize the right way and create beautiful designs that stitch out well every time

Ever since I found the book Digitizing Made Easy, I’ve followed Embroidery Legacy.  I have been digitizing for a while, but am no expert for sure.  I have learned most of what I know about digitizing from John at Embroidery Legacy and I always learn something new.  In this class it was Branching, wow, what a time saver!  John is an incredible teacher and mentor.  His classroom style is both educational and entertaining.

– Sandy Harvey

Pat Yliniemi Embroidery Digitizing Testimonial Image

“To all who embroider, please do not miss this opportunity to learn digitizing from John Deer

I was truly afraid that I would not understand digitizing, I even owned the Wilcom Hatch software for over a year and I loved the program, but I was limited with doing the basics. John opened a door into a whole new world of understanding embroidery and there are no limits to what can be done. Even if you do not become a digitizer, you will still learn how to recognize good digitizing in designs that you purchase. He makes it so easy to understand. I am so blessed to be able to say I learned from the best!

– Pat Yliniemi

Elisabeth Tringham Embroidery Digitizing Testimonial Image

“I wish this course had been available years ago

I recently completed the free Digitizing Made Easy Challenge and I really enjoyed it.  John is a great educator because he not only explains HOW to digitize better but also WHY.  I was learning the theory! I learnt how not to make my designs bullet proof and also how to have my machine run smoothly without unnecessary jumps and stops.  After watching my machine sew out purchased designs for over 20 years, (and also some of my old software trials), I now know how and why some could be improved.  From one very happy pupil.

– Elisabeth Tringham

Angel Corbett Embroidery Digitizing Testimonial Image

“I feel like the karate kid learning from the master. Black belt here I come!

Wow where do I begin!! Let’s start with the amazing staff at Embroidering made easy. They are phenomenal. Their customer service cannot be beat. Then there’s John… what a guy. He doesn’t go too fast. His lessons are amazing. He also has a great sense of humour if you watch his tutorials. There’s a reason he is number one and he is very likely to stay and hold that title for a very long time. From a total newbie, thank you John and your wonderful crew.

– Angel Corbett

Are you ready to start the Digitizing Made Easy Challenge
– For FREE? –

Simply start your free 30 day Hatch trial and we’ll send you everything you need for this challenge. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you rock this challenge and actually have FUN while doing it. Here’s what you get:

7 bite-sized video lessons taught by John Deer

7 design files, an .ESA quilters file and a PDF print off of John’s favorite Hatch hotkeys

Short motivational emails to keep them you on track with the Challenge

Digitizing Made Easy Challenge Video Lessons

Here’s an overview of the bite-sized video lessons you’ll be completing throughout the Challenge. Please note that you will need the design files, found exclusively on our website to complete these lessons.

Part 1: Introduction

Introduction Video: Welcome to Embroidery Legacy’s 30-day Embroidery Digitizing Made Easy Challenge! In this intro lesson, we’ll explain the interactive video lessons used in this challenge and get you familiar with some of the basic tools you’ll be using. To begin, we’ll introduce you to Hatch embroidery’s working environment, explain how to load native files, and save your designs so you can embroider your samples on your machine.

Lesson 1: Ready to start digitizing? In the first lesson, you’ll learn how to use outline tools correctly to create a simple but beautiful design. Once completing the outlines, we will show you how to use two different automated methods to path the design perfectly for “Redwork”, with exactly two passes of thread, and other stitch type choices to produce logical pathing. This lesson will also reveal the power of an object-based .EMB format with regards to resizing an embroidery file. Have a different brand of software other than Hatch? Click here to learn more about our fan-favorite Digitizer’s Dream Course taught in 10 of the industry’s most popular software brands.

Lesson 2: This next lesson will also focus on creating outlines but take things a step further. You’ll learn how to create closed objects to create fill stitches and add color within a design. Some basic logic for creating and resequencing objects and colors will also be covered. Thinking of purchasing Hatch? Click here to view our list of exclusive Hatch bonuses you’ll receive when placing your order through us.

Lesson 3: Great job on making it this far! Now that you’ve got some of the basics down, we’ll explore our artistic side by using both size and stitch types to create unique finished effects. In this lesson, we’ll create multiple filled objects alongside creating beautiful curved Florentine fill effects to add dimension and reflect light.

Lesson 4: To further expand our creativity, we’ll use multiple stitch types within the outlines of this design. You’ll see how using simplicity can create detail within designs. This sounds counterintuitive, I know. But just wait, you’ll see what I mean. We’ll also expand on fill stitches with basic blending and feathering effects.

Lesson 5: Thought you knew everything embroidery software could do? Think again! This lesson will expand and open a whole new embroidery world for you using object-based technology found in Hatch’s .ESA files. Although initially developed with fonts in mind, we have significantly expanded the embroidered possibilities to the limits of your imagination. Get ready to be amazed!

Lesson 6: Just when you thought you’d seen it all… This lesson will show you how to use Hatch’s .ESA files, software features, and the most basic digitizing tools to create an in-the-hoop quilting design that rivals the work of professional quilters.

Frequently Asked Questions

We teach the Challenge in Hatch for two reasons:

  1. Hatch is a powerful program that features many tools that other digitizing software programs do not. These tools are used throughout the Challenge to make digitizing easier. We sincerely believe that Hatch is the best digitizing software program available to home embroiderers and small business owners.
  2. Given we are official Hatch resellers, using the 30-day free trial of Hatch allows embroiderers from around the world to take this Challenge for free.

Click here to view a breakdown of our different digitizing education.

This Challenge is the perfect starting point for embroiderers curious about digitizing. It’s a great way to challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and try embroidery digitizing for free.

Now keep in mind, this Challenge only covers the basics. If you’d like to continue learning the beautiful art of embroidery digitizing after this Challenge, click here to learn more about our fan-favorite Digitizer’s Dream Course.

As an official Hatch reseller, if you choose to purchase Hatch during or after your 30-day free trial, we recommend placing your order through us to receive a ton of exclusive bonuses:

  • Embroidery designs
  • Extra ESA fonts, monograms & glyphs
  • Access to level 1 our fan-favorite Digitizer’s Dream Course
  • And sew much more

Click here to learn more about our exclusive bonuses and how to purchase Hatch through Embroidery Legacy now.

Have a different question or need help with the Challenge? Join our Hatch Facebook group to ask questions, share your work, and see what other embroiderers are up to!

The Only Risk is Not Starting Now!

The Challenge and Trial are both 100% FREE! No credit card required

Ready to try embroidery digitizing? Download your 30-day free Hatch trial though us to begin the Challenge & receive some other fun freebies. The artwork files required for the Challenge will be emailed to you after downloading your free Hatch trial through us or filling out the form above if you own or have downloaded Hatch before.