Free online SEW to PEC converter

A Brother or Baby Lock embroidery machine may require .pec when it cannot read a Janome-compatible .sew design. Converting the file lets you transfer the existing stitch pattern to compatible equipment or software without recreating it.

What the SEW format is

SEW is a proprietary embroidery-stitch format associated primarily with older Janome machines and Janome-compatible software. It stores machine stitch data, including stitch coordinates, color-change information, and design dimensions, rather than editable vector artwork or the original object structure. SEW files are used by owners of older Janome equipment and by people working with designs exported for Janome-compatible systems.

What the PEC format is

PEC is a machine embroidery format developed for Brother equipment and supported by many Baby Lock and compatible machines and editors. A PEC file contains the stitch sequence, color-change blocks, and other machine-readable information needed to sew the design. Its broad support makes it suitable when the target machine or program accepts .pec but does not open .sew.

How to convert SEW to PEC

The built-in converter on 101convert.com can perform the conversion in a browser without installing software:

1. Open the SEW-to-PEC converter on 101convert.com.
2. Select the source file with the .sew extension.
3. Choose PEC as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .pec file.
5. Open the file in embroidery software or copy it to the machine’s supported USB media, card, or other transfer method.

For local conversion, use an embroidery editor such as Embird or Hatch if the installed version supports both SEW import and PEC export. Open the design with File → Open, then use File → Save As or File → Export and select PEC. Menu names and supported formats vary by edition and software version, so verify SEW input and PEC output before purchasing or installing a program.

Quality and compatibility limits

This conversion transfers stitch data; it does not reconstruct editable embroidery objects, vector outlines, satin-column settings, fill parameters, or underlay information that is absent from the source file. A SEW file may therefore be editable only as a stitch sequence after conversion.

Preview the PEC file before sewing. Check the hoop dimensions, design size, orientation, stitch count, color-change sequence, trims, and thread assignments. PEC color blocks may map to a generic palette rather than the exact thread brand or shade used in the original design, so assign physical thread colors manually when necessary.

Confirm that the converted design fits the target machine’s supported hoop and file workflow. Resize or split an oversized design in embroidery software instead of assuming the machine will scale it automatically. Keep the original SEW file, because conversion is not a substitute for a source backup and repeated conversions can make troubleshooting harder.