Adding a Knockdown Stitch or Its Equivalent in Machine Embroidery

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I sometimes receive free products for review. Please read disclosure for more information.

One problem with embroidering on fabric with lots of fluff (more technically known as nap, pile, or loft) is the stitching can sink into the fluff of the fabric and get lost.

While changing the design’s stitch density or size or even the thread weight used when stitching can help with visibility, one of the best solutions is to use a knockdown stitch, nap-tack stitch, or laydown stitch first.

To help expand the possibilities of what you can make with your embroidery machine, let’s talk about knockdown embroidery designs. 

I’ll teach you what a knockdown stitch is, how to use one, and finally, how to create your own knockdown stitches or the equivalent in several popular embroidery software.

Defining Knockdown Stitch™?

A knockdown stitch is a layer of stitching underneath an embroidery design that holds down fabric fluff, thus making the design more visible.

The specific term knockdown is trademarked by Embrilliance software.

However, other software manufacturers have their versions of this stitch. You might also hear it referred to as a laydown stitch, pile-down stitch, tack-down stitch, nap-tack stitch, or even a nap control stitch.

Nonetheless, this lightweight layer is stitched before your embroidery design and works great on fabrics with a high pile, meaning there is significant volume on the top of the fabric. Examples include extra lush towels, sherpa fleece, and fluffy robes or blankets.

Above is an example of a knockdown stitch on a robe I recently embroidered. There’s also water-soluble topping and a basting box around the design, so don’t worry too much about that.

As you can see, this is a very loosely stitched design that squishes the robe fibers down. If the design were very dense, it would be too difficult to stitch a design on top of it. A thicker stitch would also feel hard and dramatically change the feel of the fabric as well.

Indications for Using a Knockdown or Nap-Tack Embroidery Design

The embroidered sherpa blanket above was one of my most comical embroidery fails as a beginner.

Do you see the “Daddy” text hiding in there? Not only was the text too thin, but the fluff of the sherpa covered everything even though I used water-soluble topping. Turns out, using a base layer stitch on sherpa is a GREAT idea as is using a more appropriate text.

While I have no problems embroidering on towels and embroidering on fluffy blankets most times without a pile-down stitch, if you are choosing a design that can easily get lost in the fluff of the fabric, it’s a good idea to consider one.

For instance, if you’re embroidering a name on a towel with a high pile, the nap of the towel can obstruct some of the letters with small open spaces, which makes your text partially invisible. The knockdown stitch evens the playing field so all letters get a chance to be seen in full.

Choosing a Thread Color

If you’re looking to make your stitch as minimally invasive as possible, choose a thread color that closely matches your fabric color.

However, I’ve seen fun projects stitched with variegated thread or contrasting thread colors to make a statement with the knockdown stitch. Experiment with options and see what you like best!

Perimeter vs. Shape Stitching

There are two main types of embroidery base shapes you can create.

The design on the top left is an example of a shape that can accommodate many different interior embroidery designs. The design on the right, however, is a custom stitch made with an embroidery program and is shaped to the embroidery design. Depending on your project, desired effect, and available software, you can choose to use either type!

Do you still need water-soluble topping? What about stabilizer?

Even if I’m using a pile-down stitch on my embroidery design, I always still use a layer of water-soluble topping.

I’ve done side-by-side comparisons and found that perimeter stitches (think satin borders) are much cleaner and more visible with topping first. Shaped stitches that take up a larger area are less visibly improved with the addition of the layer of water-soluble topping. But, there is still a difference.

Also, pick your stabilizer based on the density of your design plus pile-down stitch density and then the characteristics of your fabric. Read my guide to stabilizer selection if you need help!

Free Knockdown Machine Embroidery Designs

While I create these stitches in my embroidery software, there was a time I didn’t have embroidery software and relied on freebies and purchasing designs from others.

Here are two free shapes for machine embroidery that you can use if you’re not quite ready to design or purchase your own.

1. Embossed circle shape from Creative Appliques
2. Simple rectangle shape from Creative Appliques

If you want more specific shapes or sizes, you can purchase stitch files from Etsy or your favorite designers’ websites.

How to Make a Knockdown Stitch and Its Equivalents

I’ll now show you how to make these stitches in three popular embroidery editing software. I prefer to always make my own rather than purchase or download embroidery files because I can get the exact size to match my design.

These are the most basic stitches that I’ll be showing you how to create. If you have digitizing software, you can create them with different textures and even add satin stitch edges. There are SO many options once you start experimenting.

1. How to Do a Knockdown Stitch™ in Embrilliance Enthusiast

Embrilliance Essentials does not have the ability to create a knockdown stitch, but Embrilliance Enthusiast does. To create a knockdown stitch that extends a few millimeters around your chosen design, hover over Utility and click on “Add Knockdown Stitching.”

That one simple click will add a perimeter knockdown stitch automatically.

You can make knockdown shapes in Embrilliance as well, but that requires a lot more effort than a single click. 

2. How to Add a Nap-Tack Stitch in SewWhat-Pro

In SewWhat-Pro, adding this base layer is called adding a nap-tack stitch. 

Sew What Pro gives you the option to create two types of nap-tack stitches. To access either of these nap-tack stitches, after you’ve imported your design, click on Tools and then Add Nap-Tack stitches as you’ll see below.

A window will pop up allowing you to choose the type of stitch you want and the stitch properties.

Here, you can choose from the two types of designs.

First, you can have the nap-tack stitch outline your design with a set margin from the edges. The default is a 4mm border, but you can change this to a larger or smaller number.

You also have the option of adjusting the nap height. For super fluffy, thick towels or robes, a denser stitch will be needed. Thus, adjust the nap (pile) height to Med-Hi. If you have a low-medium nap, keep this setting as it is at Lo-Med.

You can also change the nap angle if needed. Keep Select Border Shape unchecked, and then click OK. You will then get a perimeter stitch as you see below.

You can change the thread color by clicking on the oval with the 1 inside it (showing that it will stitch first) and then selecting a color in the bottom right window that will pop up.

Now, if you’d rather create a design that is a shape, you will go back to Tools and Add Nap-Tack stitch. Then, click the box that says Select Border Shape instead this time.

A box filled with all the shape options will pop up! You have your choice of shapes, so click on the one you’d like to use.

You will then be returned to the Nap-Tack properties window where you can change the properties to fit your taste. Click OK, change your stitch color, and view your created design!

I’ve found that sometimes with the border function of SewWhat-Pro I’ll have to play with the nap-tack stitch border properties to center it well. This is a small price to pay, though, for so many fun border shapes.

3. How to Add a Laydown Stitch in Hatch 3

Hatch embroidery software just released its Hatch 3 upgrade, which includes an easy-to-create laydown stitch. I love doing this with embroidery monograms.

To create a laydown stitch, simply click “Laydown Stitch” on the left side of the screen. 

A box with different parameters will show up. Click “OK.”

The laydown stitch layer will appear underneath your design. Simple as that!