Aligning a Section to Previous Sections
First, ensure the fabric is straight in the hoop, according to the marked positions of the hoop centers. After selecting the embroidery on the machine, use the machine controls to position the needle over the center point marked on the fabric.
Aligning With No Alignment Stitches
Use the 2D template or full size worksheet to confirm that the embroidery will connect correctly to previous sections. This is easier to do if you have printed the template or worksheet on transparency paper. If you created test stitchouts, this will help you judge the positioning according to the effect of the fabric properties. Alternatively, you may use special positioning features on some machines.
Aligning With Corner or Baste Alignment Stitches
The previous sections will have placed alignment stitches that mark the corner positions, either as a small set of corner stitches or lines of basting stitch that meet at the corner. Use the machine controls to step through the sequence of movement stitches that should match up to the corners.
Adjust the machine so that the needle is over the appropriate corner for each movement stitch position. If there are no split stitch areas around the edges of the section that need joining to previous sections, your alignment should now be accurate enough to start stitching.
As the number of sections that must be stitched out increases, the type of fabric and embroidery become even more relevant for obtaining a good stitchout. Accurately hooped fabric and the alignment aids will help, but test stitchouts are also important.
If the section must join to stitch areas in previous sections, use the 2D template or full size worksheet to confirm that the embroidery will connect correctly. This is easier to do if you have printed the template or worksheet on transparency paper. If the alignment is too far out, it may be necessary to hoop up your fabric again.
Before starting to stitch, check the alignment stitches of the previous sections, and trim any that may be overlapped by the section you are about to stitch out. New alignment stitches will be added at the end of this section, to replace any that you trim.