Pfaff's creative embroidery machines read VP3, the same format as Husqvarna Viking. VP3 keeps the exact color and name of every thread, so your design appears on the machine screen as you planned it.
The free digitizer turns a PNG, JPG or SVG into a VP3 in your browser. Create a VP3 file with no signup and no upload.
Which file format Pfaff machines use
VP3 is Pfaff's current embroidery format, shared with Husqvarna Viking and opened with full colors by mySewnet software. Older Pfaff machines used PCS and later VIP. If you have a much older Pfaff, check which of these it lists; the digitizer writes VP3 only.
Because VP3 stores full colors, you don't need a color sheet to thread a Pfaff, although the TXT sheet is still useful as a checklist of colors and stitch counts in sewing order.
How to get designs onto a Pfaff
Copy the .vp3 file to a USB stick, plug it into the machine and open the design from the embroidery screen. This works on Pfaff creative models with a USB port.
The creative icon and creative icon 2 are mySewnet-connected, so they can also open designs from the mySewnet Cloud folder on screen. Open your VP3 in mySewnet Embroidery Software, send it to the cloud, and it appears on the machine. Check mySewnet's machine list for other models.
Pfaff hoop sizes
Pfaff names its hoops rather than sizing them in inches, so it helps to know the millimeters:
| Hoop or machine | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| creative 120 Square Hoop | 120 × 120 mm | Included with the creative 4.5 large unit |
| creative Master Hoop | 240 × 150 mm | Fits many creative models |
| creative Deluxe Hoop | 360 × 200 mm | Included with the creative 4.5 large unit |
| creative 4.5 (large unit) | Up to 360 × 350 mm | Sewing and embroidery |
| creative icon 2 | Up to 360 × 350 mm | Sewing and embroidery |
Pfaff advertises the newer creative icon 3 with an embroidery area of up to 450 × 450 mm. Older creative 1.5 and creative ambition 640 machines top out at 240 × 150 mm.
Tips for Pfaff embroidery
- Size for the hoop you own. For the 240 × 150 mm Master Hoop, set the design to about 220 × 130 mm or smaller to leave a margin. The hoop size calculator does the math.
- Keep exact colors or match to a thread chart; VP3 stores whichever you choose.
- Rotate 90° when a design fits the hoop better sideways.
- Pick the fabric preset. Knits and stretch fabrics get heavy underlay and extra pull compensation automatically.
- Test first on matching fabric and stabilizer; see the stabilizer guide.
Convert other formats for your Pfaff
- PES to VP3 for designs made for Brother or Baby Lock
- JEF to VP3 for Janome designs
- DST to VP3 for commercial designs
- EXP to VP3 and XXX to VP3 for Bernina, Melco and Singer files
To start from a picture or logo, use SVG to VP3 or image to VP3.