Which embroidery file format does my machine use? Brand and model table

Every machine reads its maker's format, and most read a couple of others besides. The table below is what to write when you convert; the notes cover the models that are fussy.

Home and single-needle machines

| Brand | Native format | Also reads | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Brother | PES | PEC, PHC (older) | Version 1 PES sews on every model. Newer machines (Luminaire, Stellaire, NQ series) also read DST and PHC. | | Baby Lock | PES | PEC | Same machines as Brother under another name. | | Janome | JEF | JEF+, SEW (older) | The hoop code in the JEF header must match a hoop the machine has; see below. | | Elna | JEF | EMD (older), SEW | Elna machines are Janome-built. | | Kenmore | JEF | SEW | Janome-built. | | Bernina | EXP | ART (native, editing only), PES, DST on newer models | Bernina 5/7/8 series read EXP; the 770 QE, 790, 880 and later also read PES and DST. | | Husqvarna Viking | VP3 | HUS, SHV (older), VIP | VP4 is the native editing format of mySewnet software; export VP3 for the machine. | | Pfaff | VP3 | VIP, PCS, KSM (older) | Same platform as Husqvarna Viking since 2006. | | Singer | XXX | PES on some models | Futura and Legacy read XXX; newer Singer machines read PES and DST. | | Melco (Amaya, EMT16) | EXP | DST, CND (native) | Commercial single-head; EXP is the stitch format. |

Multi-needle and commercial machines

| Brand | Native | Also reads | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Tajima | DST | TBF | TBF keeps colours; DST does not. Send both if the shop accepts it. | | Barudan | U01 | DST, DSB | U01 addresses needles; DSB is Barudan's DST-style format. | | Ricoma | DST | PES, EXP, JEF, VP3 on most models | Check the model; DST always works. | | Happy | TAP | DST | TAP is a DST stream without a header. | | SWF | DST | EBD (native) | DST for anything you send. | | ZSK | Z01 / DSZ | DST | DSZ uses the Tajima header. | | Toyota | 10O | DST | Older machines; 10O is read by the converter. | | Brother multi-needle (PR series) | PES | DST, PHC | Same PES as home Brothers. | | Janome MB series | JEF | DST | | | Highland, Avancé, Meistergram and other DST-only imports | DST | | |

Model-specific things that trip people up

Janome hoop codes. A JEF header records which hoop the design was digitised for: 110 × 110, 50 × 50, 140 × 200, 126 × 110 or 200 × 200 mm. On some models (notably older Memory Craft machines) a file whose code names a hoop larger than the one attached is refused even if the stitches fit. The converter chooses the smallest hoop code that contains the design, which matches what the machine expects. If a design still will not load, check its size against the hoop in the hoop fit checker.

Brother and design size. A PES larger than the machine's largest hoop will not load, and the machine says so. Brother's stated fields: 100 × 100 mm (4 × 4), 130 × 180 (5 × 7), 160 × 260 (6 × 10), 200 × 200 (8 × 8), 200 × 300 (8 × 12), 240 × 360 (9.5 × 14), 272 × 408 (10.6 × 16 on the Luminaire and Stellaire). The hoop chart has every brand.

Bernina and EXP colour changes. EXP has no colours, so the Bernina shows stops and the operator reads a colour sheet. Newer Berninas reading PES show the palette colours.

Husqvarna Viking and VP4. mySewnet saves VP4, which the machines read but nothing else does. When you need to share or convert, export VP3 from mySewnet.

Singer Futura. The Futura is driven by a computer, and its software imports XXX and PES. Stand-alone Singer machines with a USB port read PES and DST.

Commercial machines and origin. Most commercial machines start at the design's origin. The converter centres designs on the origin by default; a design with its origin at a corner sews off-centre or off the frame.

What to send to a shop

DST, with a colour sheet and a preview image. If the shop names another format, send that as well. TBF for Tajima shops keeps the colours in the file. Details in DST explained.

If your machine is not listed

Look for the extension in the machine's manual, in the "Embroidery data" or "USB" section; it always says. If the manual is gone, the machine's maker tells you which of the families above it belongs to, and the converter writes all of them.