A Stitchist guide

Free PEC embroidery file converter

Stitchist converts supported embroidery stitch files to PEC online. Conversion and preview are free; downloading requires a free account. Choose this route when you already have stitches. For a logo or image, start with Auto Digitize instead.

By StitchistUpdated 3 min read
Open the free converter

Free to convert and preview. Create a free account to download.

Same design. A new format.

.FILEYour stitch file.PECConverted file

Upload · Preview · Download

Check colors, dimensions and machine compatibility.

Step by step

  1. Start with the original file

    Choose the original embroidery file. Extract it first if it is in a ZIP. Keep the original extension; changing a filename is not conversion.

  2. Select PEC

    Open the Stitchist converter and choose PEC in the output selector. The link on this page selects it for you. Upload the file, then click Convert.

  3. Inspect the converted result

    Compare the displayed width, height, stitch count and color sequence. The preview is read from the written output, not just copied from the input.

  4. Download and check at the machine

    Sign in or create a free account to download the .pec file. Save it promptly: temporary results normally expire after 30 minutes and can disappear sooner after a restart. Check the file in your machine's workflow before sewing.

What is a PEC file?

PEC is a Brother-family stitch format, also used within PES files. Some machines and software accept standalone PEC, but PES is often the more familiar delivery choice. Use PEC when the recipient or machine specifically supports it.

PEC uses a limited thread palette. Approximate color matches can appear even when the stitch positions and color-change order are correct.

Which machines use PEC?

Compatible Brother and Baby Lock models are common examples, not a guarantee for every model.

Verify that the machine accepts a standalone PEC file. Do not assume that support for PES guarantees the same standalone-file workflow.

Choose the right input

Upload the original embroidery file, preserving its extension. Common inputs include PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3, U01, PEC, XXX, HUS, SHV, SEW, PCS, TAP and PHC. If your download is a ZIP, extract the stitch file first. A picture or PDF contains no usable machine stitch sequence.

Compare colors after conversion and keep the original thread chart. A palette change is different from losing an entire stitched area.

Review before you download

Read the converted file's dimensions and color sequence in the preview. Encoding rules can change coordinate precision and stitch count. A successful preview checks the file representation, not fabric behavior or guaranteed machine compatibility.

If you also need a different size, use the resizer or edit the source project. Conversion alone does not maintain density across a size change.

Choose your original format

Common questions

Can I convert any image to PEC here?
No. The file converter reads existing stitches. Use Studio's Auto Digitize or manual tracing for an image, then export the digitized design.
Do I need Pro to download PEC?
Not from the file converter. All eight converter outputs, including PEC, are free with an account. Studio's free direct exports are PES and DST; its other direct machine exports require Pro.
Why do some colors look different?
PEC uses a limited thread palette. Approximate color matches can appear even when the stitch positions and color-change order are correct.

Put it into practice

Free to convert and preview. Create a free account to download.

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