Embroidery data producing method and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for producing embroidery data which are used by a sewing machine to move a sewing needle and a work cloth relative to each other so as to form stitches filling a desired original pattern on the cloth, the embroidery data including sets of coordinate data each representing a stitch position where the needle penetrates the cloth, the apparatus including a first device specifying a plurality of first defining points defining a first curve including at least one first adjustable curve segment in series, and a plurality of second defining points defining a second curve including at least one second adjustable curve segment in series and cooperating with the first curve to approximate an outline of the original pattern; a second device establishing an embroidery area by connecting between each of both ends of the first curve and a corresponding one of both ends of the second curve, and producing first sets of coordinate data representing a plurality of first stitch positions including at least one position along the first curve, and second sets of coordinate data representing a plurality of second stitch positions including at least one position along the second curve; and a third device producing the embroidery data by using the first and second sets of coordinate data, so that the sewing machine forms embroidery stitches by alternately connecting with a sewing thread between the first stitch positions and the second stitch positions according to the embroidery data.