BriTon Leap makes embroidery software and components for both the hobby and commercial levels. We have been a Microsoft Certified Partner and Apple developers (since the 1980’s), so yes, we make embroidery products for various platforms: Windows XP/7/8/10, native Mac OSX / MacOS, and even iOS!
The unusual ‘BriTon Leap’ name comes from founders Brian and Tonya, who took a Leap of Faith in starting the company back in 1998.
We make products used by many companies including: Baby Lock USA, Designer’s Gallery, Adorable Ideas, Vikant Embroidery, Melco USA, Dakota Collectibles, Generations, and others.
The first embroidery product, HUSKeeper, was a shareware product for embroiderers to view and convert HUS files for their Husqvarna Viking machines. At the time, Brian and Tonya were Viking sewing machine retailers with a very active customer base.
The first commercial embroidery product, Designer’s Gallery, was commissioned by Tacony Corporation a year later, and debuted at Baby Lock Tech in 2000. After the success of Designer’s Gallery, we have released many more titles, over 50 now, with six patents issued and more pending.
Brian has been a popular speaker at embroidery events, such as the Love Of Sewing Retreats with Nancy Zieman, and at sewing machine dealer events everywhere, including Australia. The team also includes David, Tim, Lisa, Harper, Wilder, Drew and Jim, all of whom contribute to the artistic, engineering and support processes, not to mention the countless dealer partners we have all over the world.
Brian’s been making computer products since 1982, when his father, John got him an Apple 2+. “Here,” he said, “Computers are the future. Make yourself useful with this thing.” The first product was ‘Mr. Speaker’ which was the first-ever external speaker for a personal computer, complete with amplifier, volume control and headphone jack. It came out in 1983. And the products came on for years after that.
In 1990, Brian and John bought a sewing machine store in Reno, NV. The customers began teaching them how to sew, which, when coupled with the experienced product developers skills, launched a contract sewing and product development company. Clients quickly grew in numbers. Soon we were making products used in Fortune 500 companies, designing patterns, grading patterns, laying up fabric 10″ thick and 20′ long, and working all odd hours making stuff with nearly 20 commercial sewers. Eventually though, Brian and Tonya got some offers and decided to try out New Mexico for a while. It worked out great. Today they split their time, albeit unevenly, between New Mexico and the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy our products!