Combining Embroidery Motifs via the Wreath and Mirror Image Tools
I learned about some of the great features in the Bernina Embroidery software (V5) while assembling some of the blocks out of Jenny Haskin’s Aquamarine Ambiance book, such as the Wreath tool and veritcal alignment tool, and how to use the mirror image tools to digitize my reference “T’s”. I hope this pictorial helps you to do the same.
Click for larger viewStart by inserting your first design. Let’s make certain your design is set to auto center in the hoop before we go any further. Click on Settings from the menu, then Options. Click on the Hoop tab, select Automatic Centering, and click Okay.
Now we’re going to insert the next motif. Click on File, Insert Design, and browse to 
Click for larger viewthe directory your motif is in and choose the one you want. Once inserted, you need to take care to align it as perfectly as possible. Once you’re satisfied with it’s placement, you’re going to use the Wreath Tool to align 3 more matching motifs perfectly. Click on the Wreath Tool on the Arrange Tool Bar at the bottom, and enter “4” into the box. Now when you move your mouse, 3 more motifs are attached to the first motif, connected by a vertical line and a horizontal line that cross. Line your 4 motifs up where you want them to be, and try to make sure the vertical and horizontal line are smooth without jagged edges, that will ensure your motifs are perfectly aligned. Once you’re satisfied with the placement of the motifs, press Enter and they will be inserted.
Click for larger viewNow we’ll insert the next motif the same way. Go to File, Insert Design, and this time you’ll need to rotate the design so that it’s at the correct angle. Click once on the Rotate 45 Degree CCW/CW tool on the Edit Toolbar. Again, make certain you line this motif up exactly where it needs to be, as the placement of the other 3 are dependent on this motif.
Once again, use the Wreath Tool to add the other 3 motifs by entering “4” into the 
Click for larger viewbox. You’ll notice that when your vertical and horizontal lines intersect in the very center of the overall design, the cross hair turns white, indicating perfect placement in the center of the design. Unfortunately the “white” doesn’t show up in a screen shot, but I’ve circled the vertical and horizontal lines so you can see where I want you to look.
Click for larger viewThe block is now complete, with all the motifs inserted using the Wreath Tool. Now we’re going to digitize reference marks to aid in splitting the design, using the Mirror Image Tools. You want your digitized reference marks to land within the hoop area of the center block, but also when you split the block, one half of them will need to remain in the side block, so you need to place them accordingly. This screenshot is taken within the Multihooping view for clarification only, you will not be using the Multihoop feature. See how the tips of both sides of the side motifs overlap slightly in the center section? You’ll want to add your referene marks between the two.
Click for larger viewOn the Digitize Toolbar, select the Open Object Tool. We’re going to digitize “T’s” as the reference marks (my preference, but you can digitize any shape you like). Click within the design where you want the left side of the top of the “T” to begin, then click again where it should end, and press Enter. Voila! You’ve just digitized a line.
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Position your cursor once again in the middle of the line, click, then again position the cursor further down and click again, 
Click for larger viewthen press Enter to digitiz the remainder of the “T”. Now select both parts of the “T” by first switching back to the Select Object Tool, clicking on the first part of the “T”, and holding the Control key while selecting the 2nd part of the “T”.
On the Menu bar, click on Arrange, and then click on Group. Once again on the Menu bar, click on Settings, then Object Properties. (see the 3 photos below). Select the Outline Stitch tab, and change the stitch length to 7mm so it’s easy to rip out later.
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While you still have your “T” selected, click on the Color Tool on the Stitch and Color Bar, and choose a color 
Click for larger viewnot in your design for the “T”. I prefer red. Over on the Color Film bar, drag the Red color to the top of the design so that it stitches out first. For the center motif, you can choose to have it stitch last, but since the side motifs need to have the reference marks stitched out first, it’s simply easier to move it now and be done with it.
Click for larger viewThis time, instead of the Wreath Tool to duplicate our selection, we’ll use the Mirror Tools, which are also located on the Arrange Tool bar, next to the Wreath Tool.
Select the Mirror Merge Horizontal Tool and align the duplicate “T”, then click enter to 
Click for larger viewcomplete the process. Once again, if you pay attention, there is a vertical line that will turn white when it’s perfectly aligned in the center of the hoop. You now have the top of your reference marks digitized.
For clarification, I’m also showing these reference marks in the MultiHoop view, as it’s easier to see them.
Click for larger viewThey overlap both the center section of the motif as well as each side as this design will require 3 hoopings.
Select both “T”s. Now click on the Mirror Merge Vertical Tool, and again line up the 
Click for larger viewreference marks, then press Enter to complete the process. You now have 4 reference marks, perfectly aligned.
See how easy that was? You’re now ready to move on to the next pictorial, on splitting the design for a multiple hooping stitchout.
