Letter It in Amazing Designs: Clean Text, Correct Hoop Size, and a PES File Your Brother PE-700II Will Actually Stitch

Master Lettering on Brother PE-700II: An Empirical Guide to Amazing Designs Letter It

If you have ever stared at your screen thinking, “I swear I did everything right—why won’t it save, why is my text ugly, and why does my machine keep screaming about the hoop?” you are experiencing the standard learning curve of digital embroidery.

Embroidery is a game of physics, not just graphics. This guide rebuilds the workflow demonstrated in the video: using Amazing Designs Apps 1.0 → Letter It to control density, merge graphics, and export a .PES file specifically for a Brother PE-700II.

However, we are going deeper. We will address the sensory cues of a good stitch-out, the specific parameter "sweet spots" that prevent thread breaks, and the tool upgrades that professional shops use to solve physical hooping pain paints.

The Scope: What Letter It *Can* and *Can’t* Do

Letter It is a specialized module. In this specific workflow, we use it to:

• Match the Digital Hoop: Syncs with the Brother PE-700II format.
• Control Text Physics: Resizing to 1.00 inch height and altering fill styles for durability.
• Merge Files: Combining text with external graphics (Monkey/Heart designs).
• Arc Manipulation: Using Circle Text to wrap names around logos.
• Pre-Flight Check: Simulating stitch order to prevent color-change errors.

A Truth from the Trenches: The comments section often reveals two panic points:

1. "I can't save!" (Likely due to using the Trial/Demo version).
2. "Where are my settings?" (The Properties panel is collapsed).

We will solve both.

The "Hidden" Prep: Mental Model Before Mouse Clicks

Before you touch the software, you must visualize the physical output. Novices design for the screen; experts design for the needle.

1. Hoop Boundary: This is your electronic fence. If you design outside it, the machine will refuse to stitch.
2. Text durability: A 1-inch satin stitch on a towel will snag on a fingernail. You must change the fill style (explained below).
3. Sequence: Do you want the machine to stop between the name and the monkey?

Prep Checklist: The "Go/No-Go" Standard

• Machine Format: Confirmed .PES export for Brother.
• Physical Hoop Plan: Video selects 160mm × 260mm.
• Geometry: Decide on Straight vs. Arced text immediately to avoid rebuilding.
• Test Material: Always have a scrap of similar fabric ready (e.g., if stitching a towel, test on a washcloth).
• Consumables Check: Ensure you have enough bobbin thread (look for the "thump-thump" sound of a low bobbin or check visually).
  

Step 1: Lock the Digital Hoop (160×260mm Selection)

In the video, hoop selection happens through Tools → Select Hoop.

1. Go to Tools.
2. Choose Select Hoop.
3. Select 160mm × 260mm.
4. Check Rotate 90° to flip the hoop to landscape orientation.

Visual Check: You will see a distinct hoop outline appear on the grid workspace.

Why this matters: This is the moment many beginners fail. If you skip hoop selection, you are designing "into the void." When looking for a replacement or brother 5x7 hoop, remember that the physical hoop size must match the software definition exactly. The machine uses specific x/y coordinates; if your design exceeds the software hoop by even 1mm, the PE-700II will likely reject the file.

Step 2: Text Creation & The "Missing" Properties Panel

The video’s text workflow is linear:

1. Click the Text icon.
2. Choose a font (e.g., “Freeform”).
3. Type the name (e.g., “Tasha”).
4. Center the text in the hoop.
5. Open the Properties panel to set Height = 1.00.

Troubleshooting: "My Properties panel is missing"

A viewer noted they “do not have any properties available on the right side.” The Fix: Look for a small tab or orange marker on the far right edge of the screen. older software often collapses panels to save screen space. Pro Tip: You must select the object (click the text) for the properties to populate. The software cannot show properties for "nothing."

Step 3: Density & Stitch Physics (Crucial for Quality)

This is the difference between an amateur hobbyist and a pro.

• Select your text.
• In the Properties panel, go to the Fill tab.
• Change fill pattern from Standard (Satin) to Smooth.

The "Why": Satin vs. Fill

A Satin Stitch jumps from one side of the letter to the other. At 1.00 inch wide, that creates a long, loose loop of thread that will snag in the washing machine. A Smooth Fill (Tatami) places multiple needle penetrations inside the letter, creating a solid "carpet" of thread. This is durable.

The Density Sweet Spot

The video mentions density settings of "40" or "30." Translation: Standard density is usually 0.40mm (distance between lines of stitching).

• 0.40mm: Standard coverage.
• 0.35mm - 0.30mm (or "30"): Higher density. Use this for contrasting colors (e.g., black thread on white fabric) to prevent the fabric from showing through.

Sensory Concept: Good tension and density should look distinct and slightly raised, like a relief map. If it stitches flat and shows fabric gaps, increase density. If it feels stiff like cardboard or puckers the fabric, decrease density.

Warning: Mechanical Safety
When testing density, never keep your hands near the needle bar. If a needle breaks due to high density (striking a knot of thread), shards can fly. Wear glasses and keep fingers clear of the hoop path.

Step 4: Merging Designs Without Misalignment

If you stitch a monkey design first, unhoop it, and try to re-hoop to add a name, you will fail 90% of the time. The alignment will be off.

The Professional Approach:

1. Click Merge Design on the top toolbar.
2. Select your design file (monkey).
3. Overlay it in the same workspace as your text.

This creates a single, unified instruction file. If you are struggling with physical alignment and researching hooping for embroidery machine best practices, remember: Software alignment is free and perfect. Physical alignment is difficult and prone to error. Do the work on the screen.

Step 5: Circular Text & The "Black Dot" Handle

To arc the name:

1. Select Circle Text.
2. Click workspace and type the name.
3. The Secret Handle: Look for the black dot on the bounding box. Dragging this dot expands the arc radius.

Common Pitfall (Multi-line Text): If you need multiple arched lines (top and bottom), treat them as separate objects. Create Line 1. Click away. Create Line 2. This gives you independent control over the radius of each arc.

Step 6: The "Stuck Object" Reset

In the video, the monkey design temporarily freezes. The presenter creates a New Design. Lesson: Embroidery software, especially older suites, holds onto "memory" of previous actions. If you cannot select or move an object:

1. Copy the element you can select.
2. Open a new, blank file.
3. Paste it there.

It is faster to restart a file than to fight a glitch for 20 minutes.

Step 7: The Simulator (The Pre-Flight Check)

Never run a file without simulating it.

1. Use the playback slider.
2. Visual Check: Does the name stitch over the design or under it?
3. Stop Check: Does the simulator pause where you expect a thread color change?
   

Setup Checklist (Before Export)

• Boundary: Design is visually inside the 160×260mm line.
• Text Physics: Fill style is set to Smooth (not Satin) for any letter wider than 7mm.
• Layering: Text is not buried under a dense background fill check simulator).
• Start/End Points: Ensure the machine doesn't make a massive jump from the end of the Monkey to the start of the Text (rearrange order if needed).

Step 8: Exporting .PES to Drive E:

1. Click Save.
2. Select removable drive (e.g., E:).
3. Naming convention: Keep it short (e.g., monkey_nm).
4. Type: Baby Lock/Brother/Bernina (.PES).
   
   
   
   
   

Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Save?

Based on comment analysis, there are two distinct blocks:

Decision Tree: Stabilizer & Hooping Strategy

The software is done. Now the physical reality begins. Your choice of stabilizer determines if the letters sink or shine.

Q: What are you stitching on?

• A: T-Shirt (Knit/Stretchy)
  • Solution: Cutaway Stabilizer. Knits stretch; tearaway will eventually break and distort the letters. Cutaway provides permanent support.
  • Action: Use spray adhesive to float the shirt on the hoop to avoid "hoop burn."
• A: Towel (High Pile/Loops)
  • Solution: Tearaway (Back) + Water Soluble Topper (Front).
  • Physics: The topper pushes the loops down so the stitches sit on top of the fabric, not inside it.
• A: Woven Shirt/Canvas (No Stretch)
  • Solution: Tearaway Stabilizer. Clean and easy removal.

The Commercial Upgrade: Solving the "Wrist Pain" Bottleneck

Software solves the design, but hooping solves the production. If you are doing 20+ shirts, standard hoop rings become a nightmare. You will experience hand fatigue, and traditional inner rings can leave "hoop burn" (crushed fabric marks) that are hard to remove.

The Criteria for Upgrade: If you spend more than 2 minutes hooping a single item, or if you are ruining garments with hoop marks, it is time to upgrade your hardware.

The Solution: Professionals switch to magnetic systems. A magnetic hoop for brother allows you to clamp fabric instantly without forcing an inner ring into an outer ring. This reduces wrist strain and allows for quicker adjustments if the fabric is crooked.

Warning: Magnet Safety
Strong Pinch Hazard: Magnetic frames use powerful neodymium magnets. They can snap together with enough force to pinch fingers severely.
Medical Alert: Keep these magnets away from pacemakers, insulin pumps, and other medical devices.

If you are comparing tools, looking into a brother magnetic embroidery frame is not just about speed—it is about consistency. The magnets hold thick items (like the towels mentioned in the video) securely without popping open mid-stitch.

Final Operation Checklist

Letter It is your blueprint; the machine is the builder. Before you press the glowing green button:

• File Logic: File is .PES and visible on the machine screen.
• Physical Hoop: The hoop attached to the machine matches the size selected in software (160x260).
• Thread Path: Upper thread is threaded with the presser foot UP (to engage tension discs).
• Bobbin: Bobbin is wound correctly and inserted (thread tail cut to proper length).
• Clearance: Nothing is behind the hoop (walls, cables) that could obstruct movement.
• Hidden Consumables: Do you have your snips and new needles (always start a big project with a fresh needle) ready?

If you are still struggling with alignment after mastering the software, consider that your tools might be the limit. High-quality magnetic embroidery hoops for brother are often the bridge between "struggling hobbyist" and "efficient producer."

FAQ

• Q: Why is the Save option greyed out in Amazing Designs Apps 1.0 → Letter It when exporting a .PES file for the Brother PE-700II?
  A: The most common cause is using a Demo/Trial version that allows editing but blocks saving/export.
  • Check: Confirm whether the installed Letter It is a Trial/Demo build and whether the license is activated.
  • Action: Activate/purchase the full version, then try Save again to the removable drive (for example, E:).
  • Success check: The Save function becomes available and the .PES file appears on the USB/removable drive.
  • If it still fails: Try saving with a short filename and confirm the selected file type is Baby Lock/Brother/Bernina (.PES).
• Q: How do you fix the “Design does not fit hoop” message on a Brother PE-700II when the design was created in Letter It?
  A: Make the design slightly smaller and keep it fully inside the selected hoop boundary in software.
  • Action: Go to Tools → Select Hoop and select 160mm × 260mm (and Rotate 90° if needed), then re-check the outline on the workspace.
  • Action: Reduce the design by about 1–2% if any element is touching the margin.
  • Success check: The entire design is clearly inside the 160×260 boundary line and the machine accepts the file without the hoop-fit warning.
  • If it still fails: Re-run the simulator and confirm no stitch objects extend past the boundary even briefly.
• Q: What should you do when the Properties panel is missing in Amazing Designs Letter It while setting text height (for example, Height = 1.00) for a Brother PE-700II design?
  A: Reveal the collapsed panel and make sure the text object is selected so Letter It can display its properties.
  • Action: Look for a small tab/orange marker on the far right edge and click it to expand the panel.
  • Action: Click directly on the text object (not the background) to populate the settings.
  • Success check: The right-side panel shows the text controls and the Height field can be edited to 1.00.
  • If it still fails: Close the file and reopen the design so the UI reloads, then select the text again.
• Q: How do you prevent snag-prone lettering on towels when using Amazing Designs Letter It for a Brother PE-700II, especially with 1.00 inch text?
  A: Switch wide lettering away from Satin and use the stabilizer pairing that supports towel pile.
  • Action: Select the text, go to Properties → Fill, and change from Standard (Satin) to Smooth (tatami-style fill).
  • Action: For towels, use Tearaway stabilizer (back) + Water Soluble topper (front) to keep stitches above the loops.
  • Success check: The letters stitch with a solid, durable surface that sits on top of the towel loops instead of sinking in or forming long loose threads.
  • If it still fails: Reduce letter width or re-check stitch order in the simulator to ensure the text is not being buried under dense fills.
• Q: What is the safe way to test higher density settings (for example, “40” or “30”) in Letter It without risking injury at the embroidery machine?
  A: Keep hands completely away from the needle/hoop path during density tests because needles can break and throw fragments.
  • Action: Run the test with the hoop fully mounted and keep fingers clear of the needle bar area at all times.
  • Action: Wear eye protection when pushing density higher, especially on tough fabrics or dense lettering.
  • Success check: The test stitch-out runs without needle strikes, and the result looks slightly raised and even (not flat with gaps, not stiff/puckered).
  • If it still fails: Back off density and re-test on scrap fabric similar to the final material before running the full design.
• Q: How do you fix a “stuck” or unselectable design object in Amazing Designs Letter It when building a Brother PE-700II .PES file?
  A: Reset the workspace by moving your usable elements into a new file instead of fighting the glitch.
  • Action: Copy any element you can select.
  • Action: Create a New Design (blank file) and paste the copied elements into the new workspace.
  • Success check: The pasted objects can be selected, moved, and edited normally again.
  • If it still fails: Save, fully close the software, reopen it, and repeat the copy-to-new-file method.
• Q: When should an embroidery user upgrade from standard hoops to a magnetic hoop to reduce hoop burn and wrist fatigue during Brother-style hooping workflows?
  A: Upgrade when hooping takes over 2 minutes per item or when hoop marks and hand strain are becoming the production bottleneck.
  • Action (Level 1): Improve process first—use the correct stabilizer for the fabric and use spray adhesive to float items like knits to reduce hoop burn.
  • Action (Level 2): Move to a magnetic hoop/frame to clamp fabric faster and adjust crooked placements without forcing inner/outer rings together.
  • Action (Level 3): If volume is growing (for example, batches like 20+ garments), consider a production upgrade such as a multi-needle setup to reduce downtime between jobs.
  • Success check: Hooping becomes faster and more consistent, garments show fewer crushed marks, and alignment rework decreases.
  • If it still fails: Stop and apply magnet safety rules—keep fingers clear of snap zones and keep strong magnets away from pacemakers/medical devices.