FREE SOFTWARE TURNS YOUR DRAWING INTO EMBROIDERY — THE ONLY COST IS THE MACHINE
Commercial embroidery software costs thousands — this Inkscape extension does the job for nothing, if you already own the machine.
WorkshopOpen-hardware
- difficulty
- ●●●○○
- time
- an evening to learn, then minutes per design
- license
- GPL-3.0
- repo
- repo ACTIVE1,302 stars
●●●○○ · an evening to learn, then minutes per design · GPL-3.0 · 1,302 stars · repo ACTIVE
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension that converts vector artwork into machine embroidery files. Set stitch type, direction, density, preview the result, then export the format your machine reads. Commercial digitising software costs thousands; this is GPL-3.0 and maintained. The catch is honest and unavoidable: you still need an embroidery machine. A used Brother PE535 or SE600 starts around 350 dollars, a new SE1900 around 900 dollars. If you already own the machine, this is the obvious first choice. If you do not, the software cost is zero but the hardware cost is real. The learning curve is moderate — you need to understand fill stitches, running stitches, and underlay, and the interface is Inkscape with embroidery menus added. Most people get a first design working in an evening. The one thing most likely to go wrong: 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.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —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.
- —Used Brother PE535 or SE600 start around 350 USD; new SE1900 around 900 USD.
- —Active repository: 1,302 stars, last push 31 July 2026.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterHeyGears G1: 10M+ colors and transparent parts in one print, plus UV printing on flat objects. Figures, parts and labels — no painting.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Install Inkscape (Free vector graphics editor, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.)
- 2.Install Ink/Stitch extension (Follow the installation instructions in the README for your operating system.)
- 3.Read the documentation(Start with stitch types and machine compatibility before attempting a first design.)
- 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
1,302 stars and a GPL-3.0 licence that lets you sell what you make — the software is free but the machine is not. What would you digitise first?
Ink/Stitch community
Ink/Stitch is community-developed GPL-3.0 software, maintained by contributors who wanted a free alternative to proprietary embroidery digitising tools. The project has 1,302 GitHub stars and active development as of July 2026.
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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.
CompareeTEAM20d ago
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is active (last push 31 July 2026) and the documentation covers stitch types and machine compatibility clearly. There is no official YouTube channel — the good walkthroughs are community-made. 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 the most common, but older or budget machines may only support one format. The software will export what you need, but only if you check before you buy.