Brother Pe Design 7 Manual

							185
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)

Creating the design
1.
The Design Page appears on the screen as 
shown below.
2.Create the design, making sure that it meets 
the following conditions.
The size of one pattern must be no larger 
than 100 × 100 mm (or 130 × 180 mm).Each pattern must completely fit within a 
single area (a, b, or c).
1: The position of this pattern is correct since 
it fits completely within area a.
2: The position of this pattern is correct since 
it fits completely within either area b or 
area c.
3: The size of this pattern is acceptable, but 
its position must be corrected since it 
does not fit completely within any of the 
areas.
(It will be necessary to correct the position 
in order to fit in either b or c.)
4: This pattern must be corrected since it is 
too large.
(It will be necessary to correct the position 
and size in order to fit in either a, b, or c.)

Optimizing hoop changes
With the Optimize hoop change function, the sewing 
order of patterns in a Design Page for multi-position 
hoops is automatically optimized, therefore 
reducing the risk of the embroidery being sewn 
incorrectly or the fabric not feeding evenly when the 
hoop position is changed too often.
1.Click Sew, then Optimize hoop change.
bMemo:
Area a: Embroidering area when the multi-
position hoop is installed at the top installation 
position.
Area b: Embroidering area when the multi-
position hoop is installed at the middle 
installation position.
Area c: Embroidering area when the multi-
position hoop is installed at the bottom 
installation position.
The dotted lines separate each area.
a
b
c
a
b
c
4
3
2 1
aNote:
If a pattern does not meet the conditions 
mentioned above, a warning will appear 
when continuing to the next step. 
						

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Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)

Checking the pattern
1.
Click Option, then Design Property.
→At the same time that the Design 
Property dialog box appears, the Design 
Page is automatically zoomed in or out to 
fit in the entire window.
bMemo:
 A check mark appears when this function is 
turned on; no check mark is displayed when 
this function is turned off.
 When the Optimize hoop change function is 
turned on, the sewing order that you have 
set is optimized to reduce the number of 
times that the hoop installation position is 
changed.
For the example shown on this page, the 
sewing order is: a (pattern 1) 
→ b (pattern 2) 
→ a (patterns 3 & 5) → c (patterns 4 & 6)
If the Optimize hoop change function is 
turned off, each pattern is sewn according 
to the sewing order that you have set.
For the example shown on this page, the 
sewing order is: a (pattern 1) 
→ b (pattern 2) 
→ a (pattern 3) → c (pattern 4) → a (pattern 
5) → c (pattern 6)
Therefore, since the number of times for 
changing the hoop installation position is 
not optimized, it may be changed more 
often than if it was optimized.
aNote:
Since the pattern may not be sewn correctly 
or the fabric may not feed evenly if the hoop 
installation position is changed too often, we 
recommend turning on the Optimize hoop 
change function. Turning on this function will 
change the sewing order that you have set, 
therefore, check the sewing order before you 
begin embroidering.
a
b
c
4
21
3
5
6
aNote:
Make sure that no pattern has been selected 
before clicking this command. If a pattern 
has already been selected, only the 
information for that pattern is displayed.
bMemo:
 The first line of the dialog box shows the 
position in the hoop installation order for the 
currently displayed pattern.
 Only the patterns that would be sewn at the 
current position in the hoop installation 
order appear in the Design Page, and the 
embroidering area for the current hoop 
position is outlined in red.
 To display information for patterns at other 
positions in the hoop installation order, click 
Previous or Next. At this time, the 
corresponding pattern and hoop position 
appear in the Design Page.
aNote:
If a pattern is larger than the embroidery 
area or if a pattern is positioned so that it 
does not completely fit within an embroidery 
area, the error message “Please change the 
object size or position.” appears instead of 
this dialog box. After the pattern causing the 
error is displayed selected, change its size 
or position. 
						

							187
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)

Saving the design
1.
Click File, then Save or Save As, and then 
save the design.
→The entire design is saved as a single file 
(.pes).

Writing the design to an original 
card
1.
If your design is displayed in the Design Page, 
click File, then Write to Card, or click   on 
the Toolbar, and then write the design to an 
original card.
A design for a multi-position hoop is created 
by considering the pattern in each hoop 
installation position as one pattern, then 
combining them.
Therefore, when this type of design is written 
to an original card, one multi-position hoop 
design is saved as a combination of multiple 
patterns.If the design shown above is written to an 
original card and the written pattern is 
checked on the embroidery machine, it 
appears as shown below.
: This pattern is sewn when the hoop is 
installed at the top installation position 
(position a).
: This pattern is sewn when the hoop is 
installed at the middle installation position 
(position b).
: This pattern is sewn when the hoop is 
installed at the bottom installation position 
(position c).
Therefore, the frame installation position 
sewing order for the pattern shown above is b, 
a, then c.
bMemo:
If the file size or the number of color changes 
is larger than the specified number, or if one of 
the patterns does not completely fit within an 
embroidery area, the message “Please 
change the object size or position. Do you 
want to save the data anyway?” appears. 
						

							188
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)
Notes on embroidering using the multi-
position hoop
Before embroidering your design, sew a trial 
sample of the design on a scrap piece of 
fabric from your design, making sure to use 
the same needle and thread.
Be sure to affix stabilizer material to the back 
of the fabric and tightly stretch the fabric 
within the hoop. When embroidering on thin 
or stretch fabrics, use two layers of stabilizer 
material. If no stabilizer material is used, the 
fabric may become over-stretched or 
wrinkled or the embroidery may not be sewn 
correctly.
For more ways to stabilize large designs, 
refer to “Attaching stabilizer to the fabric” on 
page 189
Use the zigzag stitch for sewing the outlines 
in order to prevent embroidering outside the 
outlines.
For patterns that require the hoop to be 
installed at different installation positions, 
design the embroidery pattern so that the 
various parts of the pattern overlap in order 
to prevent misalignment while embroidering.

Printing a Design Page for a multi-
position hoop
If a Design Page for a multi-position hoop is 
selected, a complete image of the Design Page is 
printed on the first page, followed by an image of 
each design section and its sewing information 
(dimensions of the embroidery, the hoop position, 
the sewing color order and the stitch count), so the 
number of pages depends on your design.
If a 130 × 300 mm Design Page is selected, 
the pattern is divided into sections of 130 × 
180 mm with each section printed on a 
separate page.
If a 100 × 172 mm Design Page is selected, 
the pattern is divided into sections of 100 × 
100 mm with each section printed on a 
separate page.
The Design Page is printed as described below.
When Actual Size is selected:
On the first page, the entire Design Page is 
printed at actual size. (However, for a 130 × 300 
mm Design Page, a reduced image of the 
Design Page is printed.) Afterwards, the pattern 
in each section of the Design Page is printed, 
starting with that sewn with the first hoop 
installation position, and is followed by the 
sewing information for that pattern on separate 
pages.
When Reduced Size is selected:
On the first page, the entire Design Page is 
printed at actual size. (However, for a 130 × 300 
mm Design Page, a reduced image of the 
Design Page is printed.) Afterwards, the pattern 
in each section of the Design Page is printed, 
starting with that sewn with the first hoop 
installation position, on the same page as the 
sewing information for that pattern.
bMemo:
When the menu command File – Print 
Preview
 is selected, each section of the 
design is displayed as described above. 
						

							189
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)
Embroidering large-size 
embroidery design (custom size)

Attaching stabilizer to the fabric
Stabilizer must always be used when embroidering 
to stabilize the fabric. There are many types of 
stabilizer; the type that you will use depends on the 
type of fabric that you are embroidering on. For 
large-size designs that are split into sections, the 
stabilizer must be adhered to the fabric, for 
example, by using iron-on stabilizer, sticky stabilizer 
or spray adhesive. 
When using spray adhesive, spray the adhesive 
onto a hooped piece of stabilizer that is strong 
enough for the entire large-size embroidery. In 
some cases, you may need to use two pieces of 
stabilizer for your embroidery.

Marking the embroidering position
Using the template for the size of hoop that you are 
using, mark the embroidering position on the fabric.
1.Punch a hole at the end of each arrow on the 
template.
2.Place the template on the fabric, and then 
insert the tip of a marking pen into each hole 
to mark the fabric.
3.Connect the points marked on the fabric to 
draw reference lines.
For a large embroidery pattern, reposition the 
template to draw the embroidering position for each 
section of the embroidery pattern.
1.Place the template on the fabric, and mark 
points A, B, C and D.
2.To mark an area to the right of the previously 
marked area, align points A and D on the 
template with marks B and C on the fabric.
aNote:
 For best results, attach the stabilizer to the 
fabric (as described on this page). Without 
the correct stabilizer, the design may 
become misaligned due to puckering in 
the fabric.
 Be sure to check the recommendations on 
the stabilizer package.
bMemo:
 The templates are included in the package.
 The templates are also in the 
Template 
folder and can be printed out with a printer.
 Template PDF files have been described 
within actual size completely. Please 
confirm the printing property of your Acrobat 
program. If some printing properties such 
like “Reduce/Enlarge to fit page” would be 
“Checked”, the Acrobat will resize the PDF 
automatically. So, please “Uncheck” these 
properties before your printing out.
AB
DC
AB
DCAB
DC 
						

							190
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)
To mark an area below the previously marked 
area, align points A and B on the template with 
marks C and D on the fabric.
Hooping the fabric
Using the hoop’s plastic embroidery sheet, align the 
reference lines on the embroidery sheet with the marks on 
the fabric. Then, hoop the fabric while making sure that 
the fabric remains correctly aligned.
1.Insert the embroidery sheet into the inner ring 
of the embroidery hoop, and then place them 
on top of the fabric with the centerline on the 
embroidery sheet aligned with the reference 
lines (drawn on the fabric) for the first pattern 
section to be sewn.
2.Keeping the reference lines on the embroidery 
sheet aligned with the reference lines for the 
first pattern section, place the fabric and inner 
ring of the embroidery hoop into the outer ring 
of the hoop, and then pull the fabric so that it 
is tight.
3.Finish hooping the fabric, and then remove the 
embroidery sheet.
aNote:
 The intersection of the horizontal and 
vertical line indicates the center of the 
embroidery hoop.
While carefully considering how the fabric 
will be hooped, place the template on the 
fabric, and then draw lines to indicate the 
embroidering position. In addition, because 
all embroidery areas are not drawn on the 
template for large embroidery hoops, be 
careful that the embroidery area does not 
extend from the marked area on the fabric as 
shown below.
AB
DC
AB
DC 
						

							191
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)

Embroidering
Now, we are ready to embroider the design.
1.When large-size embroidery design are 
transferred to the embroidery machine, the 
patterns appear on the embroidery machine 
display as shown below. For this example, 
select the first embroidery pattern section (Aa).
2.Attach the embroidery hoop to the embroidery 
machine, and then using the machine’s layout 
adjusting functions, align the needle position 
with the intersection of the lines drawn on the 
fabric.
3.Embroider the selected pattern.
4.Remove the embroidery hoop from the 
embroidery machine, and then remove the 
fabric from the hoop.
5.Hoop the fabric for the next design section. 
(For details, refer to “Hooping the fabric” on 
page 190.)aNote:
 Place the fabric and hoop on a level 
surface, and then make sure that the inner 
ring is pressed in well enough that the top 
edge of the inner ring aligns with the top 
edge of the outer ring.
 If the embroidery sheet is not used, the 
marks on the embroidery hoop can be 
used to hoop the fabric vertically and 
horizontally.
However, since the center point on some 
embroidery machines is off center, the 
embroidery sheet should be used for best 
results.
 Another way to hoop the fabric is to use 
sticky stabilizer that can be hooped 
separately, tear away the protective 
paper, then carefully align the fabric onto 
the sticky surface using the embroidery 
sheet as a guide.
 Tip: The fabric can be hooped more easily 
if double-sided tape is affixed to the back 
of the inside frame, which is placed on top 
of the fabric, and then the fabric is 
clamped between the inside frame and the 
outside frame.
bMemo:
If there is no stitching in section Aa, select the 
first section that contains stitching. Select the 
menu command 
Option – Design Property 
to check the embroidering order.
bMemo:
When an embroidery design created in a 
custom Design Page is saved or transferred to 
an original card, alignment stitching (single 
lines of running stitches with the color 
NOT 
DEFINED, with a pitch of 7.0 mm, and starting 
with fixed stitches with a pitch of 0.3 mm) is 
added at the edges of the design sections. 
(The alignment stitching appears in the print 
preview and is printed in red.)
Example for hooping fabric using the 
alignment stitching with Largelace.pes (Largelace.pes can be found in the Sample\Design folder.):
1) Embroider the upper-left design section.
→Alignment stitching is sewn below and 
on the right side of the embroidered 
design section.
2) Hoop the fabric for the upper-right design 
section with the left side of the hoop 
aligned on the alignment stitching on the 
right side of the design section sewn in 
step 1, and then embroider the design.
→Before the design section is 
embroidered, alignment stitching is 
sewn on the left side. Make sure that 
this alignment stitching aligns with the 
alignment stitching sewn in step 1. 
After the design section is 
embroidered, alignment stitching is 
sewn below the design section. 
						

							192
Arranging Embroidery Designs (Layout & Editing)
6.Continue hooping the fabric and embroidering 
until the entire embroidery design is sewn.3) Hoop the fabric for the lower-left design 
section with the top of the hoop aligned 
on the alignment stitching at the bottom 
of the design section sewn in step 1, and 
then embroider the design.
→Before the design section is 
embroidered, alignment stitching is 
sewn at the top. Make sure that this 
alignment stitching aligns with the 
alignment stitching sewn in step 1. 
After the design section is 
embroidered, alignment stitching is 
sewn on the right side of the design 
section.
4) Hoop the fabric for the lower-right design 
section with the left side of the hoop 
aligned on the alignment stitching on the 
right side of the design section sewn in 
step 3 and with the top of the hoop 
aligned on the alignment stitching at the 
bottom of the design section sewn in 
step 2, and then embroider the design.
→Before the design section is 
embroidered, alignment stitching is 
sewn on the left side and at the top. 
Make sure that this alignment 
stitching aligns with the alignment 
stitching sewn in step 3 and in step 2. 
						

							193
Manually Creating Embroidery Patterns From Images (Design Center)
Basic Operation Flow - Design Center
Design Center is used to manually create embroidery patterns from images created in other applications. With 
Design Center, you can also apply stitch patterns created with Programmable Stitch Creator to regions of the 
embroidery pattern. The resulting embroidery pattern can then be imported into the Layout & Editing Design 
Page and combined with other patterns.
The embroidery pattern is created in four stages:

Original Image Stage
In the Original Image Stage, you can open an image (or clip art) from various sources, such as, an image 
created in Paint®, a scanned drawing, or purchased clip art.
The image file must be in the uncompressed format, and its file name extension must be .bmp, .tif, .jpg, .j2k, 
.pcx, .wmf, .png, .eps, .pcd, or .fpx.
Note that image files in other formats can be converted into the specified format if you have the proper 
conversion software.
In the Original Image Stage, the image is displayed with its original colors and you cannot modify it.

Line Image Stage
When moving from the Original Image Stage to the Line Image Stage, select a maximum of five colors from 
the image that will be converted into black outlines. Unselected colors will be converted into white. You can 
then correct the black-and-white image using pens and erasers of different thicknesses.
If you save a file in the Line Image Stage, its file name extension will be .pel.

Figure Handle Stage
When you move to the Figure Handle Stage, the application automatically detects the outline (black areas) 
and replaces it with a set of broken lines. The broken lines can be edited (you can move and delete points or 
insert new points).
If you save a file in the Figure Handle Stage, its file name extension will be .pem.

Sew Setting Stage
You can set the sew type, thread color, and other sewing attributes for the outlines and regions to complete 
the embroidery pattern.
If you save a file in the Sew Setting Stage, its file name extension will be .pem.
If you have to interrupt your work at the Line Image Stage, the Figure Handle Stage or the Sew Setting Stage, 
save the file in order to retrieve it later to resume working on it. 
						

							194
Manually Creating Embroidery Patterns From Images (Design Center)
Original Image Stage
Importing an image using 
the wizard
This wizard provides a step-by-step guide for 
creating embroidery patterns.
1.Click File, then Wizard.
→The How do you want to produce 
embroidery? dialog box appears.
Position the pointer over any button, and the 
name of the function appears.
The functions for each button are described 
below.
1From Image
Click this button when creating embroidery 
pattern from an image.
Clicking this button displays the From Image 
dialog box, and then continues with a step-by-
step guide for creating embroidery patterns. 
cFor more details, refer to “When the From 
Image button is clicked” on this page.
2 New Line Image
Clicking this button opens a new Design Page in 
the Line Image Stage.
Click this button when you want to use the black 
pen and eraser tools to draw an image, then 
create an embroidery pattern from that image.
cFor more details, refer to “Drawing a New 
line image freehand” on page 197.
3New Figure
Clicking this button opens a new Design Page in 
the Figure Handle Stage.
Click this button when you want to draw a figure 
handle image, or when you want to create 
patterns from outlines taken from a previously 
saved .pem file. 
cFor more details, refer to “Drawing a New 
figure handle image freehand” on 
page 202.
4 Open PEM
Click this button when you want to edit a saved 
.pem file (saved in the Figure Handle Stage or 
the Sew Setting Stage).
Clicking this button displays the Open dialog 
box so that a .pem file can be selected.
5 Most Recently Used Files
A list of the most recently edited files are 
displayed.
From the list, click the name of the file that you 
want to edit, and then click Open.
6 Always show Wizard at Startup
Select this check box to start up the wizard each 
time Design Center is started up. 
7Cancel
Clicking this button closes this dialog box. 
When the From Image button is clicked
When you click the From Image button in the How 
do you want to produce embroidery? dialog box, 
the From Image dialog box appears.
Position the pointer over any button, and the name 
of the function appears.
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7
6
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