PE-Design 10: Fit Embroidery Text to Any Custom Path (Without Stitching the Guide Line)

The Evolution of Text Fitting in PE-Design

If you have ever attempted to make embroidery lettering follow a trajectory other than a mathematically perfect circle—such as a flowing ribbon, a stylized hand-drawn underline, or the organic edge of a company logo—you have likely encountered a frustrating reality: in PE-Design, "curved text" can mean two entirely different technical operations.

As an embroidery educator with two decades of experience, I see beginners struggle here constantly. They fight the software, trying to force a rigid tool to do a flexible job.

In this industry-standard guide, we will deconstruct the exact workflow Kathleen McKee demonstrates in PE-Design 10 (and PE-Design Next). We will move beyond simple buttons and teach you how to draw a free-form guide path, convert that path into a "ghost" guide (non-stitching), and fit text to it so the letters flow organically.

We will also contrast legacy methods with modern features. Understanding this evolution isn't just trivia—it is the difference between a 5-minute job and a 30-minute frustration cycle.

What you’ll be able to do after this

• Master the Curve: Differentiate between simple "Transform" arcs and complex mapped paths.
• Create Custom Geometry: Fit text to completely irregular, hand-drawn vector lines.
• Prevent Disasters: Ensure your guide line is set to Not Sewn (avoiding the nightmare of stitching a black line through your text).
• Control Alignment: Manipulate the text position (Above/On/Below) using the A-B-C icon indicators.
• Manage Spacing: Use the Stretch command effectively to span the full length of a design without destroying readability.

Why 'Transform' Isn't Always Enough

In the world of embroidery digitizing, we have "Cookie Cutters" and we have "Sculpting Tools."

PE-Design 10/Next made basic curved text (the Cookie Cutter) much easier: you simply select a text object, navigate to the Text Attribute tab, check the Transform box, and select a preset arc or circle. It is fast, clean, and mathematically precise—perfect for school seals or round patches.

However, Transform has a hard ceiling. It is bound by standard geometry. When a client hands you a logo with text that waves like a flag, follows the contour of a flower petal, or creates an irregular "swoosh," the standard Transform tool fails. This is where you must graduate to the "fit to outline/path" workflow.

Pro tip (quality mindset)

When professional digitizers assess a design, they look for "visual flow."

1. Intentionality: Does the text sit on the baseline naturally, or does it look warped?
2. Kerning (Spacing): Is the text readable? Preset transforms often pinch letters together at the top of a curve. Custom paths give you control over this geometry.

Step 1: Drawing Your Custom Guide Path

This step acts as the architectural blueprint. You are creating the invisible rail that your letters will ride upon.

Step-by-step

1. Locate the Tool: Navigate to the Home ribbon. Click the Shapes/Line tool.
2. Select the Type: Choose Manual Curve. This is crucial—do not use the straight line tool.
3. Draw the Flow: Click on your canvas to place "Anchor Points."
   • Click 1: Start point.
   • Click 2: Peak of the wave.
   • Click 3: Trough of the wave.
   • Double Click: End the line.

Checkpoints

• Visual Check: You define a thin vector line on the canvas that mimics your desired text flow.
• Directionality: The line must be drawn left-to-right (or in the direction you want the text to read).

Expected outcome

A clean, bezier-style vector line that represents the exact baseline for your lettering.

Watch out (The "Angle of Attack")

If you draw a path with jagged, 90-degree turns, your text will break. Embroidery letters are rectangular blocks; they cannot turn tight corners without overlapping.

• Sensory Check: If your path looks like a shark tooth, smooth it out until it looks like a rolling hill.

Step 2: The Secret 'Not Sewn' Setting

STOP. This is the most critical safety step in the entire process. If you skip this, your machine will sew a solid line of mismatched thread right through your beautiful lettering, ruining the garment.

1. Select: Click your newly drawn wavy line (you will see the selection handles).
2. Locate Attribute: Find the Line Sew dropdown on the top ribbon (it often defaults to "Running Stitch" or "Zigzag").
3. Neutralize: Change this setting to Not Sewn.

Why this matters (the “why” behind the click)

In digitizing software, objects serve two purposes: Output (stitches) or Reference (guides). By default, the software assumes everything you draw is for Output. You must manually tell it, "This is just a Reference."

Warning: The "Ghost Stitch" Hazard. Before exporting to .PES or .DST, always view your design in "Realistic Preview" mode. If you see your guide line rendered, you failed this step. Do not send the file to the machine until that line is invisible.

Expert note (general guidance)

Treat every vector object as a "loaded gun"—it will fire stitches unless you engage the safety (Not Sewn). Developing this habit prevents wasted production runs.

Step 3: Joining Text and Path Perfectly

This interaction causes the most cognitive friction for new users. It requires a specific "multi-select" coordination that feels unnatural if you are used to standard word processors.

Step-by-step (exact selection order from the video)

1. Isolate the Guide: Click the path (your wavy line) first.
2. Engage Multi-Select: Press and HOLD the Control (Ctrl) key on your keyboard.
3. Add the Text: While keeping Ctrl pressed, click the text object.
   • Visual Verification: You should see selection handles (little squares) around both the text and the line.
4. Execute: Go to Home → Group section → click Fit Text to Outline.
5. Configure: In the pop-up dialog box, maintain the default alignment (usually "Top," indicated by the A-B-C icon hovering above the line). Click OK.

Checkpoints

• Selection check: If the "Fit Text to Outline" button is greyed out, you lost your multi-selection. Retry Step 1-3 carefully.
• Transformation: Upon clicking OK, the text should snap instantly to the curve defined by your line.

Expected outcome

Your text is no longer a straight block; it is now flowing like liquid along your custom path.

Comment-based clarification (common confusion)

Many users try to "drag" the text onto the line. This doesn't work. You are issuing a command to the software: "Take Object A (Text) and map it to Object B (Line)." This requires the Ctrl+Click logic.

Expert note (general guidance)

If you struggle with clicking the thin line, use the "Sewing Order" or "Object List" panel (usually on the right side of the screen). You can Ctrl+Click the layer names there instead of clicking the canvas.

Troubleshooting Sharp Curves and Spacing

Even with perfect software execution, physics can ruin the result. Thread has dimension; pixels do not. Here is how to troubleshoot like a pro.

Symptom → Cause → Fix

Spacing control: using Stretch

For a "Ribbon" or "Banner" effect, reopen the settings and check Stretch. This forces the text to justify from the very beginning node to the very end node of your line.

When Stretch is a good idea

• You are creating a rocker patch (top or bottom of a logo) where symmetry is mandatory.
• You need the text to fill a specific defined space.

When Stretch can hurt

• Distortion: If you put a short word (e.g., "MOM") on a long path with Stretch enabled, the software will tear the letters apart to fill the gap, resulting in unreadable, alien spacing.

Pro tip (from a production mindset)

Readability > Effect. Just because you can curve text into a pretzel doesn't mean you should. Stitch density increases on the inside of tight curves, which can cause thread breaks and needle deflection. Keep curves gentle for high-speed production.

Primer (How this digitizing step connects to real stitch-outs)

We have covered the digital blueprint, but an embroidery file is only a set of instructions. The physical execution is where beginners often fail. Curved text is notoriously difficult to hoop because the grain of the fabric fights against the multidirectional pull of the stitches.

If you are stitching on unstable canvas (like a tote bag) or stretchy performance wear (polos), the "perfect" curve on your screen can turn into a wavy mess on the fabric. This is called "Registration Error."

The Commercial Reality: When you transition from a hobbyist making one shirt—where you can spend 20 minutes fiddling with a hoop—to a business needing to produce 50 shirts, your workflow must change. Fighting with traditional screw-hoops causes hand fatigue (Carpal Tunnel is a real risk in this industry) and leaves "hoop burn" (shiny rings) on dark fabrics.

Professionals solve this with physics. Terms like magnetic embroidery hoop are your gateways to understanding efficient production. Unlike mechanical hoops that pinch and distort bias grain, magnetic options clamp fabric flat without forced stretching, preserving the integrity of your curved text layout.

Prep

Success is 90% preparation and 10% execution. Before you click a single mouse button, ensure your environment is ready.

Hidden Consumables & Prep Checks

• The Right Stabilizer: For text, "Cutaway" is the gold standard. Tearaway allows too much movement, ruining the baseline of curved letters.
• Needle Check: A fresh 75/11 needle ensures crisp serifs on small lettering.
• Visual Hygiene: Zoom in on your software. Are there tiny "jagged" nodes in your path? Delete them. Smooth paths make smooth stitches.

If you are dealing with challenging production runs, many professionals search for how to use magnetic embroidery hoop when they encounter consistent hoop burn issues. The logic is simple: magnets distribute pressure evenly, whereas screws concentrate pressure, crimping the fibers.

Prep Checklist (Do this before you begin)

• Software: Confirm PE-Design 10 or Next is active.
• Geometry Check: Determine if you need a Simple Arc (Transform) or Organic Flow (Manual Curve).
• Text: Type your text object first.
• Path: Draw the guide path with minimal nodes (fewer click points = smoother curve).
• Safety: Rename the path layer to "GUIDE - DO NOT SEW" for clear identification.

Setup

This phase involves configuring your decisions based on the project scope.

Setup steps

1. Simple Geometry: If the curve is a standard circle/arc, use Text Attribute → Transform.
2. Complex Geometry: Draw the Manual Curve.
3. The Safety Lock: Immediately select the path and set Line Sew to Not Sewn.

Decision Tree: Which method (and tool) should you use?

• Scenario A: High Volume Logic
  • Are you doing 20+ shirts?
  • Yes: Focus on hooping speed. Consider a machine embroidery hooping station to guarantee that your curved text lands in the exact same spot on every Size XL shirt.
  • No: Visual placement is acceptable.
• Scenario B: Fabric Type Logic
  • Is the fabric thick (Carhartt jacket/Towel)?
  • Yes: Traditional hoops struggle here. You risk popping the hoop mid-stitch (which destroys the design). A magnetic hoop for brother (or your specific machine brand) is recommended because the magnets adjust automatically to thickness without heavy screw tightening.
  • No: Standard hoops are fine, provided you watch tension.
• Scenario C: Design Logic
  • Is the text intricate script?
  • Yes: Use a gentle curve. Script text distorts badly on tight paths.
  • No: Block text can handle tighter radii.

Setup Checklist

• Visibility: Custom line matches intended flow.
• Safety: Line Sew = Not Sewn.
• Selection: Text object is separate from the line.
• Backup: 'Save As' performed before merging path and text.

Operation

This is the execution phase. Follow these steps meticulously.

Step-by-step operation

1. Select the Track: Click the guide path.
2. Add the Train: Hold Ctrl and click the text.
3. Merge: Navigate to Home → Group → Fit Text to Outline.
4. Align: In the dialog, verify the A-B-C icon sits above the line (Top Alignment). Click OK.
5. Refine: If the text bunching looks odd, reopen attributes and toggle Stretch to test spacing.

Checkpoints

• Pre-Flight: Both objects highlight with selection squares before you click the command.
• Post-Flight: Text follows the curve; guide line remains visible on screen as a dotted or distinct line (confirming it is Not Sewn).

Expected outcomes

• Text flows organically.
• No unexpected straight stitches appear in the simulation.
• Spacing is legible.

If you are scaling up operations, consistency is key. Just as software automates the curve, hardware automates the placement. Shops often integrate a hoopmaster hooping station alongside magnetic frames to ensure that the software's perfect center matches the shirt's physical center every single time.

Operation Checklist

• Sequence: Path first -> Ctrl+Click Text.
• Command: 'Fit Text to Outline' executed.
• Alignment: Verified visual check (Top/Bottom).
• Consumable Check: Can I read the text? If no, undo and adjust path.
• Final Safety: Verify Line Sew is explicitly Not Sewn.

Warning: Magnetic Pinch Hazard. If you upgrade to Magnetic Hoops for production efficiency, be aware: these use industrial-strength magnets (Neodymium). They snap together with enough force to pinch skin severely. Keep fingers clear of the contact zone and never place them near cardiac pacemakers.

Quality Checks

Digitizing is "Design," but Embroidery is "Manufacturing." Quality Control bridges the gap.

On-screen checks (The Digital Twin)

• Node Inspection: Zoom in to 400%. Do the letters distort? If the letter "I" looks like a banana, your curve is too sharp.
• Kerning: Are the letters touching? If they touch on screen, they will overlap and act as a "cut" on the fabric, potentially creating a hole.

Stitch-out reality checks (The Physical Proof)

Run a test on scrap fabric similar to your final garment.

• Listen to your machine. A rhythmic "thump-thump" is good. A harsh "slam" on the curves indicates the needle is fighting density.
• Check the bobbin. Turn the test over. You should see 1/3 white bobbin thread in the center of the column. If you see only top thread, your tension is too loose for the curve.

Many studios eventually move to a magnetic embroidery hoop system specifically to pass these quality checks more consistently: by holding the fabric tension tighter ("drum-tight"), the physical stitch-out matches the digital design more accurately than with loose, standard hooping.

Troubleshooting Sharp Curves and Spacing

(Quick Reference Guide)

• Symptom: Text looks crushed on the inside of the bend.
  
  Fix

  Your path radius is too small. Smooth the curve or reduce font size.
• Symptom: "Fit Text" command does nothing.
  
  Fix

  You missed the Ctrl+Click. The software doesn't know what to fit to what.
• Symptom: A black line is stitched through the text.
  
  Fix

  You forgot Step 2 (Set to Not Sewn).
• Symptom: Text looks "gappy" and weird.
  
  Fix

  Turn off Stretch. Standard spacing is usually better for readability.

Results

By mastering the Manual Curve and Not Sewn workflow, you have unlocked a skill that separates "Text Inputters" from "Digitizers." You can now drape text over rainbows, wrap logos around pocket curves, and create organic designs that look custom-made, not computer-generated.

As you refine your digital skills, remember that your physical tools must keep up. High-quality digitizing demands high-stability hooping. Whether you stick with standard hoops or upgrade to magnetic solutions for speed and safety, the unnecessary friction of fighting your tools is the enemy of creativity.

Warning: Always keep scissors, seam rippers, and small metal tools away from the embroidery area while the machine is running. High-speed embroidery machines (600-1000 SPM) have moving pantographs that can strike obstacles, causing needle shards to fly at high velocity. Wear eye protection if you are observing closely.