Ink/Stitch vs TurtleStitch
Ink/Stitch
inkstitch.orgTurtleStitch
turtlestitch.orgSide by side
| Figure | Ink/Stitch | TurtleStitch |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 8.7 (#5) | 7.6 (#20) |
| Integrations | Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher. | TurtleStitch is based on Snap!, and its FAQ identifies Ink/Stitch as software that may convert designs for machines using other formats. |
| Purpose | Ink/Stitch is an open-source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape and SVG. | TurtleStitch lets users create, share, and remix embroidery patterns through code. |
| Support | Support is provided through an Inkscape forum, chat channel, GitHub bug reports, videos and Facebook groups. | The site directs users to its community forum for questions and feedback and to GitHub for technical issues. |
Plans
In their own words
Ink/Stitch
Ink/Stitch is a machine embroidery design platform built around Inkscape and SVG, available as an extension for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher and is free to use under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. Designs can use running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan stitches, with manual stitch placement also available. Lettering tools support typing with pre-digitized fonts or creating custom fonts. Users can preview an animated stitch-out or a stitch plan, then make a PDF with realistic rendering or line-drawing mode. Thread tools allow installation of palettes from more than 60 manufacturers, creation of custom palettes, and matching design colors to a selected palette. Ink/Stitch imports and exports embroidery formats including DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, and can export a detailed PDF view. It offers appliqué tools, vector import, and stitch simulation, but not auto-digitizing. Brother PEC and PES files cannot save more than 255 color changes.
TurtleStitch
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.