Just thought I would share how I traced my text for making satin stitches without having to manually trace each letter.

STEPS

• type text and size to your requirements, it's easier if letters are separated
• with letter selected, menu- object to path
• menu- edit, preferences, node,always show outline
• now look at your letter and determine the best way to run your satin stitch
• now select the node that intersects the lines at the ends of your satin stitch runs
• break path at selected nodes, now move line end slightly away from other line to create a little space and so they don't cross each other, you might have to draw a line to connect the nodes that were attached to the other line to prevent portions of the new parts from being removed.
• make sure the separated shapes are not closed on each end, just repeat break path at node to create seperate lines
• select each line and make sure you reverse one line to match the other in the direction you want your stitch to run. menu-path-reverse
• select the two rails and combine
• now draw your rungs using the bezel tool to create your satin stitches

I have attached a svg file to show an example.

Cheers