Welles

Here is a quick answer to a beginner's question about how to embroider text on cloth.

You can simply create the effect using Layer Styles (Bevel and Emboss and Pattern Overlay). Have your material on the background layer. Type your text, it will be on the layer above. I've made a quick pattern with two subtle variations which you can use on the text to make the thread effect. You can download them here...
http://homepage.mac.com/wellesgoodri...eSharing2.html
Once downloaded, unzip them and place place the .pat file in Applications/Adobe PhotoshopCS/Presets/Patterns.

Now double click on the text layer in the layers palette and the Layer Style dialog comes up. Click on the words "Bevel and Emboss" which will bring up the dialog for B&E and activate the check box. In the upper area, Structure, set the Style to Pillow Emboss. Set the Technique to Chisel Soft adjust the size with the slider, probably 3 px or so for screen images, larger for print resolutions.

Next, click on the words "Pattern Overlay" so it is activated and the dialog appears. Click on the square image of whatever pattern is showing to bring up a palette of patterns. You will now have to load the pattern file which you have downloaded and placed in your Presets folder. That is done by clicking on the circled triangle in the upper right corner of the patterns palette. Find the new pattern file in the menu which appears and select your new pattern. This will bring up a little dialog which allows you to add the file which contains three patterns to the rest in the menu by clicking on it and then "Append" in the load options window which pops up. They will be loaded as the last three patterns so chose on of them by clicking on it. (Hovering your cursor over one of the patterns will provide you with the name, similar to tool tips.) You can return to the Layer Style dialog by hitting Return or clicking on the Layer Style dialog box.

Once the pattern is loaded, set the Scale to 50%. You will have to experiment with the the blend mode and opacity. In all probability the Overlay mode will work but Multiply, Screen, or maybe even one of the others may give a better blend depending on your text color and contrast with the background image. Click OK and there you have it.

Here's a quick sample...