Embroidery file formats

.JEF embroidery files (Janome embroidery stitch file)

JEF is Janome's stitch format, also used by Elna and Kenmore machines. It keeps color changes and thread colors from a fixed Janome palette. Brother and Baby Lock do not list it, so it needs converting for them.

Extension	.JEF
Comes from	Janome
Native on	Janome, Elna, Kenmore
Stores thread colours?	Yes
Editable outlines?	No: it is a stitch file (resizing a lot can spoil it)
Machines in our guide that read it	4

About .JEF files

JEF is the stitch file used by Janome embroidery machines, and Wilcom lists it for Janome, Elna and Kenmore machines. It stores stitch moves, color-change commands and a thread list. The colors are numbers from a fixed Janome palette of about 78 threads, so they are stored as palette entries rather than exact values.

Two related files turn up around Janome machines. JEF+ adds a header and extra detail data to ordinary JEF stitches, and the plain JEF data can be pulled out of it. SEW is an older, simpler Janome format that holds at most 12 colors.

JEF is the format to look for when buying designs for a Janome. A retailer's spec sheet lists JEF, JEF+, JPX and DST for the Memory Craft 550E, so check the manual for your own model. Brother's machines read .pes, .phc and .dst but not JEF, and Baby Lock's pages list .pes, .phc, .pec and .dst, so a JEF file needs converting for those brands.

To make a JEF from a design in another format, convert it in software such as Embrilliance Essentials, Ink/Stitch or mySewnet. All three can write JEF.

How to convert .JEF files

Export JEF from the original editable file (such as EMB) when you have it, rather than converting another machine file.
Avoid converting PES straight to JEF. Embroidery Legacy's guide says converting between machine formats often damages the design.
If a converted design stitches oddly, check it as a DST or EXP first. Those show the actual stitches, which makes problems easier to spot.

Machines that read .JEF files

Janome

Janome Memory Craft 550E (embroidery only, 14 × 8 in field)
Janome Memory Craft 500E (embroidery only, 11 × 8 in field)
Janome MB-4S (multi-needle, 9.5 × 8 in field)
Janome Memory Craft 400E (embroidery only, 8 × 8 in field)

Frequently asked questions

Which machines use JEF files?

Janome, Elna and Kenmore embroidery machines, according to Wilcom's format list. Check your manual, because older Janome models may read a narrower set of files.

What is the difference between JEF and JEF+?

JEF+ is a JEF with extra header and detail data, and the plain JEF stitches can be extracted from it. If your machine reads only plain JEF, convert the design to JEF.

Can a Brother or Baby Lock machine read a JEF file?

Not directly. Brother lists .pes, .phc and .dst, and Baby Lock's pages list .pes, .phc, .pec and .dst. Convert the JEF to PES in software first.

Does JEF keep thread colors?

Yes, as numbers from a fixed Janome palette of about 78 colors. A color can shift slightly when you convert from another format, so check it on the machine screen.