What is a DST format embroidery files? A DST file is a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file saved in the Data Stitch Tajima (DST) embroidery format. It stores instructions for stitching an embroidery design with a sewing machine and includes codes that tell the machine to stop, jump, and trim, which directs the sewing needle. You can open a DST file in the desktop versions of Autodesk AutoCAD (Windows, Mac).