====== Brother V3LE Embroidery Machine ======

{{ :assets:brother-v3le-machine.jpg?240|Brother V3LE}}
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 200x300, 130x180, 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 =====

  - Bring or choose: stabilizer, thread, fabric. Lab stock is available in the lab.

===== Workflow =====

  - **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.

===== Threading =====

  * 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.

===== Troubleshooting =====

^ 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 |

===== Manuals =====

  * {{:manuals:brother-v3le-quick-reference.pdf|Quick reference}}
  * {{:manuals:brother-v3le-manual-en.pdf|Operation manual (English)}}
  * {{:manuals:brother-v3le-manual-zh.pdf|操作手册（中文）}}

===== Videos =====

These currently link to platform searches so they all work. Replace each URL with a specific favorite video (Share > Copy Link on the post).

==== Getting started ====

  * **XHS** — [[https://www.xiaohongshu.com/search_result?keyword=brother绣花机|First embroidery on the Brother V3]]
  * **YouTube** — [[https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=machine+embroidery+hooping+basics|Hooping basics]]
  * **Bilibili** — [[https://search.bilibili.com/all?keyword=机绣衬布|Stabilizer types explained]]

==== Digitizing ====

  * **YouTube** — [[https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=inkstitch+tutorial|InkStitch tutorial]]
  * **Douyin** — [[https://www.douyin.com/search/刺绣打版|PES from an image]]