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FREE SOFTWARE TURNS YOUR DRAWING INTO EMBROIDERY — THE ONLY COST IS THE MACHINE

This free Inkscape extension turns your drawings into embroidery files, if you already own the machine.

by Ink/Stitch community

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

WorkshopOpen-hardware

difficulty
●●●○○
time
an evening to learn, then minutes per design
license
GPL-3.0
repo
repo ACTIVE1,358 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

1
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COMPAREE VERDICT

Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension that converts vector artwork into machine embroidery files. Set stitch type, direction and density, preview the result, then export the format your machine reads. It is GPL-3.0 and actively maintained. The catch is honest and unavoidable: you still need an embroidery machine. If you already own one, this is the obvious first thing to try; if you do not, the software is free but the hardware is the real cost. The learning curve is moderate: you need to understand fill stitches, running stitches and underlay, and the interface is Inkscape with embroidery menus added. The one thing most likely to go wrong is exporting a design that looks perfect on screen but pulls or puckers when stitched, because stitch density or direction was wrong. That is digitising, not a software bug, and it takes practice.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —GPL-3.0 licence — free to use, modify, and sell designs made with it.
  • —No hardware files — this is software only.
  • —Documentation covers stitch types, file export, and machine compatibility.
  • —Requires an embroidery machine — the software is free but the machine is not.
  • —Active repository: about 1,360 stars, last push October 2026.

Parts to buy

3 items

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

  • Inkscape (free)Find
  • Ink/Stitch extension (free)Find
  • Embroidery machine that reads a format Ink/Stitch exportsFind

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Can I build this?

Printnothing required — this is software
BuyInkscape (free), the Ink/Stitch extension (free), and an embroidery machine that reads a format Ink/Stitch exports (for example PES, DST, JEF or EXP)
Toolscomputer running Windows, macOS, or Linux; embroidery machine that reads PES, DST, or other standard formats
Skillsbasic Inkscape skills (or willingness to learn), understanding of embroidery stitch types, patience to test and adjust designs
Timean evening to learn the interface, then 10-30 minutes per design depending on complexity
Cost$$$ — dominated by the embroidery machine; software is free
SafetyNone beyond ordinary sewing machine care. Keep fingers clear of the needle, unplug when threading.

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

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Gallery

embroiderylegacy.com

Start here

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

  1. 1.Install Inkscape (Free vector graphics editor, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.)
  2. 2.Install Ink/Stitch extension (Follow the installation instructions in the README for your operating system.)
  3. 3.Read the documentation(Start with stitch types and machine compatibility before attempting a first design.)
  4. 4.Test a simple design(Start with a single-colour shape, set fill stitch parameters, preview, and export for your machine.)

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

  • Buying the wrong embroidery machine format — check your machine's manual for supported file types (PES, DST, etc.) before exporting.
  • Skipping the stitch preview — designs that look correct as vectors often fail when stitched because density or direction is wrong.
  • Setting stitch density too high — causes thread bunching and fabric puckering; start conservative and test.
  • Ignoring underlay — skipping underlay stitches on fills leads to poor registration and fabric distortion.
  • Expecting instant results — digitising is a skill; your first three designs will teach you more than the documentation.
  • Using the wrong stabiliser or thread weight — the software cannot fix mechanical embroidery problems.

What embroidery machines does it work with?

Any machine that reads standard formats: PES (Brother), DST (industrial), EXP (Bernina), JEF (Janome), VP3 (Pfaff), and others. Check your machine's manual for supported formats.

Can I use this commercially?

Yes. GPL-3.0 licence covers the software; any designs you create are yours to sell.

Do I need to know how to use Inkscape?

Basic skills help — drawing shapes, using paths, grouping objects. If you have never used vector software, budget an extra evening to learn Inkscape basics first.

What is the learning curve like?

Moderate. The interface is straightforward but you need to understand fill stitches, running stitches, satin stitches, and underlay. Most people get a simple design working in an evening; complex designs take practice.

Can I convert raster images (JPG, PNG)?

Not directly. Use Inkscape's trace bitmap feature to convert raster to vector first, then apply Ink/Stitch stitch types.

What if my design puckers when stitched?

Usually stitch density too high, wrong stabiliser, or missing underlay. Lower density, add underlay stitches, or use heavier stabiliser.

Community builds

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Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

Over 1,300 stars and free GPL-3.0 software for digitising — the software costs nothing, but the machine does. What would you digitise first?

CompareeTEAM2mo agoedited

Practical notes from our verification: the repository is actively developed and the documentation at inkstitch.org covers stitch types and machine file formats clearly. Ink/Stitch runs an official PeerTube channel, had a YouTube channel that is no longer continued, and curates video tutorials on its website. The biggest trap is not the software learning curve, it is buying a used embroidery machine without checking which file formats it reads first. PES (Brother) and DST (industrial) are among the most common, but some machines only read their own format. Ink/Stitch exports many formats, but check your machine before you buy. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.

Ink/Stitch community

Ink/Stitch is community-developed GPL-3.0 software with about 1,360 GitHub stars and active development as of October 2026.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

DISCLAIMER

  • Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
  • 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.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
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