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SPECIFICTION
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TurtleStitch

turtlestitch.org

Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
Visit turtlestitch.org
Spec score 7.6 #20 of 31 in Embroidery Design Software

What it is

TurtleStitch lets people create embroidery patterns by writing programs with visual blocks, then share or remix those designs. It is built on Snap! and runs in a browser, connecting block-based programming with textile craft. Density Warning flags possible stitch-density problems, and X-Ray View helps locate overlaps. Designs can be exported for embroidery machines that use DST or EXP files; Ink/Stitch is identified as a possible way to convert designs for other machine formats.

Online work requires internet access and a modern browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. For offline work, users can download a release and open index.html in a browser; projects are saved as XML files on the computer and can be reopened, but cloud access is unavailable. Cloud saving requires an account and email, and saved projects are public by default, with an Unshare option. Programming does not require personally identifiable information. TurtleStitch is free, and its described settings include schools, workshops, maker spaces, art projects, and community use.

Spec sheet

Purpose
TurtleStitch lets users create, share, and remix embroidery patterns through code.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Integrations
TurtleStitch is based on Snap!, and its FAQ identifies Ink/Stitch as software that may convert designs for machines using other formats.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Privacy
The privacy policy says users can program without providing personally identifiable information, while cloud project saving requires an account and email address.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Support
The site directs users to its community forum for questions and feedback and to GitHub for technical issues.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Analytics and hosting
The privacy policy says TurtleStitch uses cookie-free Umami analytics for anonymized usage statistics and locates its servers in the European Union.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Browser requirements
The FAQ says users need internet access and a modern browser, and names Firefox, Chrome, and Safari as supported options.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Cloud sharing
The privacy policy says cloud-saved projects are shared publicly by default, with an Unshare option in project settings.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Coding environment
Built on Snap!, TurtleStitch combines block-based programming with textile craft in the browser.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Design checks
Density Warning flags potential stitch-density problems, while X-Ray View helps find overlapping areas.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Education
The site describes use in schools, workshops, maker spaces, artistic projects, and community settings, and says it is designed for learners with or without programming experience.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Exports
Users can export designs for embroidery machines, and the FAQ specifies machines that read .exp or .dst files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Local saving
Offline projects are exported as XML files to the user's computer and can be reopened from there.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Offline use
Users can download a release, open index.html in a browser, and work offline with all blocks and libraries; cloud access is unavailable offline.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Security statement
The privacy policy says the site follows industry standards for server security but cannot absolutely guarantee protection from malicious database access.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org
Teacher accounts
Registered users granted teacher status can create student logins without collecting personal information from students.Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org

Plans and prices

Free Free Free and open-source web platform Read 7 Oct 2026 · turtlestitch.org

Every TurtleStitch plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan; free and open-source platform
  • Exports DST and EXP machine files
  • Offline projects save as reopenable XML
  • Density and overlap checks are included
  • Teacher accounts can create student logins without personal data

Limits

  • Online work requires internet access
  • Cloud saving requires an account and email
  • Cloud-saved projects are public by default
  • Cloud access is unavailable offline

Who it suits

It suits learners with or without programming experience who want to connect coding with embroidery, including people in schools, workshops, maker spaces, and community settings. Teachers can create student logins without collecting students’ personal information.

Verdict

TurtleStitch combines visual programming with embroidery design and provides useful checks before export. Its offline workflow is available, but cloud saving has account and public-sharing conditions.

Where Specifiction places it

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