Sequins
The sequin device, mounted on a head, pushes a sequin under the needle at each command; the needle fixes it with a stitch in the centre and then places a holding stitch beside it. In the DST file, the command is coded by specific control bits (sequin mode, eject) that only DST carries: the other formats receive plain stitches. In the studio (Atelier+), sequins are a running-stitch style: diameter (3, 4, 5, 6 mm), spacing (generally the diameter plus 0.5 mm for a tight row, or double for a scatter), eject in the centre then tack stitch, discs drawn on screen for the preview. A machine stop is inserted before (to engage the device) and after, and the hardware is flagged on the run sheet and in the quality check.
Settings
- Spacing equal to the diameter + 0.5 mm for a continuous row; overlapping (spacing smaller than the diameter) gives a scale effect.
- Speed reduced to 500 to 600 rpm during the sequins.
- 40-weight polyester thread; 75/11 needle with a fine point.
- No sequins within 3 mm of a satin: the device foot catches.
Cording
The cording foot guides a cord (1 to 3 mm) under the needle, which fixes it with a couching zigzag. In the studio, cording is a running-stitch style: the zigzag has a width equal to the cord diameter + 0.8 mm and an adjustable pitch (2 to 3 mm); a machine stop is inserted before and after to mount and remove the foot. Cording has no specific machine code: it is an ordinary zigzag that the foot turns into couching.
Settings
- 2.5 mm pitch for a 2 mm cord; shorter on tight curves.
- Minimum bend radius equal to 3 times the cord diameter.
- Speed 400 to 500 rpm.
- Start and finish with a lock stitch outside the path to cut the cord cleanly.
On which machines
Sequins: Tajima (TSD device), Barudan, SWF, ZSK, Ricoma on request, and equipped Chinese machines. Cording: same list, the cording foot is a common accessory. Domestic machines have neither; the sequin style produces useless plain stitches on them.
Frequently asked questions
Does PES carry sequins?
No. Sequin codes exist only in DST (and in a few native industrial formats). The other formats receive plain stitches.
Can I mix sequins and embroidery?
Yes, with a stop between the two and a 3 mm margin around the sequins; sew the sequins last.
What size of sequins?
3 mm for details, 5 mm for surfaces, 6 mm and more for a scale effect.
Go further
The studio is free to draw, open and check designs. Your first machine file takes five minutes.
Updated 2026-09-24.