Brother V3LE Embroidery Machine

Two machines.

Type	Single-needle embroidery-only machine
Max embroidery area	200 × 300 mm
File format	`.dst` or `.pes` (we use `.dst` a lot)
File transfer	USB stick
Hoops in the lab	Brother 2-part 200×300, 130×180, Magnetic full metal: 3x 300 x 300, 2 x 200 x 200, 2 x 130 x 180, 3x 100 x 100, partial metal desogned for MK magnets 2x 130 x 180

Before you start

Design. Make or convert a design to .dst or .pes. Tools we use: Turtlestitch, InkStitch (Inkscape plugin), Hatch.
Load. Copy the .dst or .pes file to a USB stick, plug into the machine, select the design.
Hoop. Stabilizer under fabric, drum-tight, mounted on the machine.
Thread. Top thread and bobbin (steps below).
Stitch. Baste first if the fabric can shift. Stay near the machine.
Finish. Remove hoop, tear/cut away stabilizer, trim jump stitches.

Top thread: follow the numbered path printed on the machine, 1 through 7. Presser foot up while threading. Use the automatic needle threader.
Bobbin: use Brother 11.5 mm class bobbins only. Drop-in; thread through the slit until it clicks, trail out the back.

Symptom	First things to try
Thread breaks repeatedly	Rethread top (foot up), check needle not blunt/bent, slow the machine down
Bird's nest under fabric	Be sure to carefully remove all thread from under fabric and inside machine if necessary. Rethread top thread fully; the top thread missing the tension disks causes this, not the bobbin
Design not on USB menu	File must be `.dst` or `.pes` at the top level of the stick, FAT32 stick
Fabric puckering	More/heavier stabilizer, loosen hooping tension, reduce design density
Needle breaks	Stop immediately. Remove all parts of needle. Ask for help if you need it. Rethread

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