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YOU CAN TURN AN OLD SEWING MACHINE INTO AN EMBROIDERY MACHINE

A 3D-printed XY frame moves the fabric under the needle, stitch by stitch, while an Arduino-based board runs open firmware.

by Martin (markol, LordOvervolt)

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

WorkshopAutomation

Built withArduino3D printing

difficulty
●●●●○
time
several weekends
license
GPL-3.0
repo
repo ACTIVE10 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Videos
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COMPAREE VERDICT

Embroiderino is a 2018 open project that turns an ordinary straight-stitch sewing machine into a digital embroidery machine. A 3D-printed XY plotter moves the hoop under the needle, the machine's own motor is speed-controlled through an encoder and a DIY power driver, and the Teathimble firmware (a trimmed fork of the Teacup 3D printer firmware) runs on AVR boards such as Arduino. A Python/Tk control app loads CSV designs from Embroidermodder2 or Ink/Stitch, or plain G-code. In the creator's test video from November 2018 it stitches a design onto a hoodie with speed limited to 700 stitches per minute; the whole design took about 14 minutes. Documentation is better than the repo alone suggests: the creator's write-up covers mounting, sensors, wiring notes, firmware configuration and motor tuning, and the Simple_plotter README lists the frame hardware. What you should know: the code has not been touched since November 2018, the creator calls it a test project in early-stage development, the board pinout must be configured by hand, and the motor driver switches mains voltage. If you have built a 3D printer from scratch, this is the same class of problem; if you have not, it will be harder than it looks.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —OpenSCAD files for the hoops, frame mounts and encoder parts are in the embroiderino repo; the XY plotter CAD is in Simple_plotter.
  • —KiCad files are included for the encoder sensor board and the motor power driver.
  • —BOM is partial: the Simple_plotter README lists the frame hardware, but not the electronics.
  • —Build documentation is the creator's write-up on lordovervolt.com, plus print notes on Printables.
  • —Teathimble firmware is open, AVR-only, last updated November 2018.
  • —All three repos are GPL v3.

Parts to buy

8 items

From our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.

  • Straight-stitch sewing machineFind
  • AVR (Arduino-compatible) board with drivers for two steppersFind
  • Two NEMA 17 steppersFind
  • EndstopsFind
  • RodsFind
  • Bearings and an MXL belt for the frameFind
  • Parts for the optical needle sensor and the motor driverfrom the repo files
  • 24-30 V supply for the steppersFind

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Can I build this?

PrintXY frame, mounts, encoder parts and hoops; the creator estimates about 12 hours of printing in PLA at 0.25 mm layers and at least 40% infill. Printable hoop work areas: 60x75 mm, 110x120 mm and 145x230 mm.
BuyA straight-stitch sewing machine, an AVR (Arduino-compatible) board with drivers for two steppers, two NEMA 17 steppers, endstops, rods, bearings and an MXL belt for the frame, parts for the optical needle sensor and the motor driver, and a 24-30 V supply for the steppers
Tools3D printer, soldering iron, basic hand tools, Arduino IDE or avr toolchain, and KiCad if you make the driver or sensor boards
SkillsIntermediate electronics (soldering, stepper drivers, sensors), mechanical setup of a sewing machine, configuring AVR firmware, and basic Python to run the control app
TimeSeveral weekends if you are experienced with motion control; longer if this is your first build of this kind
Cost$$, dominated by the sewing machine if you do not already own one, then the motion hardware and electronics
SafetyThe motor driver switches the sewing machine's mains-powered motor (the creator's design handles up to 250 V AC). Unplug before working on wiring, keep it enclosed, and keep fingers away from the needle and the moving hoop.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

Videos

Embroiderino test run4:32

Test run on a hoodie, speed limited to 700 stitches per minute; the whole design took about 14 minutes.

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Gallery

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the creator's build write-up first (It covers mounting, sensors, wiring notes, firmware configuration and motor tuning.)
  2. 2.Get the three GitLab repos: embroiderino (control app, electronics, mechanics), Teathimble_Firmware, and Simple_plotter (XY frame CAD) (All three are GPL v3 and last changed in November 2018.)
  3. 3.Print the frame and hoops and buy the frame hardware (The Simple_plotter README lists the non-printed parts. The creator suggests PLA, at least 40% infill, and about 12 hours of printing for all parts.)
  4. 4.Configure the firmware for your board, then mount the sensors and tune the motor (Pins, work area, steps and speed limits are set in config.h; motor tuning uses the M301 command.)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

KNOWN ISSUES

  • The repos have not been updated since November 2018 and the creator describes the project as early-stage, so you are building from a frozen test version with no later fixes.
  • Firmware supports AVR boards only, and the pinout for your board must be set by hand in config.h or boards.h.
  • The motor speed controller is a DIY board that switches the sewing machine's mains-powered motor; build and test it with care.
  • Needle position sensors are machine-specific: you have to mount them on your machine and adjust their timing, and the creator says the presser foot must be suited for embroidery and the feed dogs turned off.
  • There is no single parts list for the electronics and sensors; you assemble it from the write-up and the KiCad files.
  • The creator notes there is no detection of thread or needle breaks, so you have to watch the job and stop the motor yourself if something jams.

What sewing machine does this work with?

The creator says the setup can convert almost any sewing machine that does a straight stitch, and that very old machines are cheap, sturdy and work well. The sensor mounts are machine-specific and may need to be redesigned to fit yours. The machine in his test video is a Łucznik.

Can I use this to embroider commercially?

The three GitLab repos are licensed GPL v3, which allows commercial use; if you distribute modified versions, you must share the source under the same licence.

Is there a parts list?

Partly. The Simple_plotter README lists the non-printed parts for the XY positioning frame (two NEMA 17 steppers, two endstops, M10 threaded rods, 8 mm smooth rods, 604zz bearings, an MXL belt and screws). There is no single list for the electronics and sensors; the creator's write-up on lordovervolt.com describes them.

How fast can it stitch?

In the test video the speed is limited to 700 stitches per minute. In his write-up the creator says he runs it at 800 stitches per minute without issues, and that above 1000 it worked but is untested and precision suffers.

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Martin (markol, LordOvervolt)

Martin, who publishes as markol on GitLab and LordOvervolt on YouTube, built Embroiderino in 2018 as a test project to turn an ordinary sewing machine into a digital embroidery machine. He published the mechanics, electronics, firmware and control app on GitLab under GPL v3 and documented the build in a long write-up on his site. The repos have not been updated since November 2018.

Web

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  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
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