Getting Started Products Support Hatch Academy Resource Center Blog Menu

Sequence objects

The embroidery objects in a design form a stitching sequence. Initially, objects are stitched in the order in which they were created.

As a general rule, it is important to establish the stitching order so that objects in the foreground are sewn after those in the background. If you combine designs or design elements, you will also want to ensure that like-colors are sewn together.

You can change the position of selected objects by cutting and pasting elsewhere in the sequence. The Sequence docker provides various techniques for sequencing objects or entire color blocks in a design.

The Sequence docker provides an easy way to view color blocks and individual objects in a design. Use the 'Switch' buttons on the Sequence docker toolbar to toggle between color blocks and individual objects. The Design Colors toolbar offers an easy way to selectively view color blocks and embroidery objects. This is useful when re-sequencing. See also Design colors and Viewing methods.

Click Standard > Copy to copy the selection and place it on the clipboard. This tool is also available via Edit menu.
Click Standard > Cut to cut the selection and place it on the clipboard. This tool is also available via Edit menu.

Click Standard > Paste to paste contents of the clipboard. This tool is also available via Edit menu.

Sequence by cut & paste

You can sequence objects by cutting an object from the design and pasting it back at a different point in the sequence. This does not change the physical location of the object.

Cut the object to sequence and paste. By default, the object is pasted at the end of the sequence. Alternatively, travel to a point in the stitching sequence where you want to paste the object. You can paste between other objects or ‘nest’ the cut object within another object. 


Use Edit Objects > Sequence >> to open the Sequence docker. Click again to close. Also available via Windows > Dockers menu.

Use Sequence > Show Object List to display individual object thumbnails in the docker.

Use Sequence > Show More to show more details in the docker. Object thumbnails are not resizable.

Use Sequence > Show Less to show only summary details in the docker. Object thumbnails are not resizable.

Sequence by objects

The Sequence docker provides an easy way to select design objects and reposition them in the preferred sequence.

  • Switch to Object List view via the toggle.
  • Use the 'More' button to display more information about each design object, including object type, stitch type used, and number of stitches.
  • Click to select the object or objects you want to sequence. Hold down <Ctrl> to select multiples.

Use Sequence > Move Up to move the selection up one object or color block, depending on display mode.

Use Sequence > Move Down to move the selection down one object or color block, depending on display mode.

Use Sequence > Move to Top to move the selection to the top of the stitching sequence.

Use Sequence > Move to End to move the selection to the end of the stitching sequence.

  • Use the buttons on the toolbar to reposition the selection in the list. Alternatively, drag-and-drop to the required position. The list will scroll automatically.

The Apply Closest Join feature allows you to (re-)apply closest join to selected objects after editing. It is available from the Edit menu or by pressing <J>. See also Closest joins.


Use Sequence > Show Color List to display color blocks with included object thumbnails in the docker.

Use Sequence > Move Up to move the selection up one object or color block, depending on display mode.

Use Sequence > Move Down to move the selection down one object or color block, depending on display mode.

Use Sequence > Move to Top to move the selection to the top of the stitching sequence.

Use Sequence > Move to End to move the selection to the end of the stitching sequence.

Sequence by color list

The Sequence docker also provides an easy way to sequence designs by color. Switch to Color List view via the toggle. Select the color block or blocks you want to sequence. Hold down <Ctrl> to select multiples.

Use the buttons on the toolbar or drag-and-drop to reposition the selection.


Use Edit Objects / Sequence docker > Sequence by Selection Order to resequence objects in the order of selection. Hold down <Ctrl> and click to select.

Sequence by selection order

Another useful technique is to sequence objects by order of selection. This works in either object view or color view. Simply select the first object or color block you want to include in the sequence. Holding down <Ctrl>, select subsequent objects in the desired stitching order. You can do this on-screen or with the Sequence docker.

Click the Sequence by Selected Order button. The objects are sequenced in the order of selection.


Use Sequence > Sequence by Color to resequence selected color blocks in the Sequence docker toolbar. Hold down <Ctrl> and click colors to select.

Sequence by color block

Yet another sequencing technique is to sequence selected color blocks. Simply select the color blocks you want to include in the sequence. You can do this on-screen or with the Sequence docker. The Sequence By Color tool becomes available. Click to invoke the dialog.

Move colors up or down in the sequence via the 'Move' buttons, and click OK. Colors and component objects are sequenced in the selected color sequence.


Use Edit Objects > Optimize Color Changes to optimize design by reducing color changes to a minimum, while maintaining color layers.

Optimize color changes

It is important to be able to sequence objects by color. This reduces the number of potential color changes in a design. Use the docker to manually sequence objects of the same color. Alternatively, click the Optimize Color Changes button. This command optimizes production by reducing color changes to a minimum while maintaining color layers.

In many cases you can rely on the software to work out the optimum stitching sequence for you. The example shows the results of color sequencing on the right – 3 color changes as opposed to the original 14.

Don't rely on automatic color change optimization as there may be instances where you want the same color to be stitched at different stages.