Have you already chosen embroidery as your dream occupation? Do you want to take your embroidery on a whole new level by adding some of your very own personality reflected and by adding a professional touch? You have just came to the precise place. Here, we will be showing you the top 10 free embroidery software that is available in the market.
If you are doing the embroideries regularly, then the mainstream embroidery patterns might already have been done by you. Now it is time to take benefit of the software available to make it a lot easier, less time consuming, and to add a professional touch.
The embroidery software will help you to bring up a new and unique design on the fabric. Apart from the designs, it also works to add additional characters, letters, numbers, digitized pictures. There is software available for both machine and hand embroidery.
Every embroidery machine company claims to have the best software that suits their machine the best. However, there are constant developments in the market. Many software companies are updating their embroidery software and introducing the latest one. Here, we are introducing to the best ones for you, that too, completely free.
See More:The Best Embroidery Scissors – Top 10 Model Reviewed
1. My Editor
The embroidery design software is not Mac compatible. It can't create the pattern of embroidery, but it comes with some built-in designs, and you can download compatible designs from the internet. Card memory is 4 MB only.
- Amazing Designs Digitize N Stitch Software - Best Converting Files Embroidery Software.
- One of the most commonly asked questions regarding embroidery software. Undoubtedly, one of the things I noticed when researching was that the vast majority of embroidery software is catered to Android and Windows devices only. However, in terms of free embroidery software, TrueSizer and StitchBuddy are the best options if you are an Apple user.
My Editor by WingsXp is one of the most popular free embroidery software. It was options and tools that have made the whole process a lot easier and convenient. The special features have made it a unique one.
If you are a new embroiderer and you are looking for easy editing software for embroideries, this can be your go-to option. If we look at the functions of this converter, we will notice that My Editor by WingsXP is even more than the converter of formats. And all because, in addition to the standard features of reading and re-saving the file, the developers have provided users with small additional convenience.
My Editor has the toolbar with features like Opening, editing options, scaling, etc. This software allows you to see with the actual thread color, and you can also make changes as per your taste. The Editor software also has some specialties. It has a color managing tool, a color palette to adjust the colors, removal, or insertion option as well. This software also has a toolbar that is placed vertically and manipulates the design. The formats this software offers are Preview3D, Toggle grid, Grid options, Guidelines.
You can view your design in different ways using this software. This is a perfect software to start your digitized embroidery with.
2. DRAWings Pro X
Drawings Pro X is the software that is suitable for graphic design, screen printing, and embroidery design. It is perfect for Windows 7,8 and 10 and MAC OS. This software has the latest and updated technology.
You can create your very own design, add text, edit, that too in a 3D designing mode. It has the new automated monogramming tool and, as an extra benefit t has hundreds of frames including borders, corners, and sides. You can also craft with cuts and stencils using this software.
Cut the area that you want with the cutwork tool, and the embroidery machine will work accordingly with the information provided to draw the area you want to be cut. Using the cutting needles, the machine will be converted into a cutting machine eventually.
Import the cut design or make one make paper craftwork. Fill it using the paint fill tool, and once it is done, export it to the Cutter.
3. BuzzEdit v3
BuzzEdit started its journey as an ordinary stitch edit. But, with time, it is now a popular software to create creative designs and embroideries. This software runs on Windows 7/ 8/ 10/ Vista/ XP. You can use this cool software for free for the first 21 days.
This software has an outstanding quality editing and removing features. You can also recover your designs for future references here. You can create creative borders and labels. To save your work, this software has color sorting technology within itself.
Creating continuous borders that are appropriately aligned is a feature that has made this software stand in the crowd. Design colors, break, and rotation is also available. The latest thread palettes and hoops are there for you to work on it. If you are an amateur, the latest templates can work as a guideline for you.
4. Embrilliance Essentials
This software can make your work more exciting and fun. The Embrilliance Essentials can be used in both MAC and PC. It is user-friendly for every type of user, as it can write in both a USB flash drive and a floppy disk. Both older or newer PCs can run this software.
This software provides all the necessary features that you may need to do your work. Almost designs of all formats can be put into the fabric using this software. You can even resize your embroideries. Geometrical patterns can also be added. A different form of letters is also available in this software. This software can work as guidance for you to work with different patterns and materials.
But, unfortunately, you can only have a certain period to use Essentials as a demo and without paying for it.
5. SewWhat-Pro
SewWhat-Pro is a software that has complex and professional features. It may help you to have a proper project management system as it has Integrated Project Management features. Your brand and thread colors can be edited using this software. This software is also capable of reading thread colors of “txt” files. You can convert cross-stitch files into embroidery files using this software.
If you are a novice in the world of embroidery, SewWhat-Pro can be a great option. You can get a free trial for 60 saves or 30 days.
6. Wilcom TrueSizer e3.0
Wilcom Truesizer e3.0 is a great free of cost embroidery software that you can use in your work. Fill just a little questionnaire, and you can download this software for free. The desktop version of this software is more convenient to use rather than the Beta one that was made to use on PC, Mac, iPad, or Android.
It is a widely used software that has excellent. This requires a straightforward process, and as it can be your go-to software if you are a beginner. With this less time-consuming software, open a file of any kind of format and save it to your required one. Cool features like Horizontal and Vertical mirroring, mirroring by reference line, rotation of 45 degrees, both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
7. TESViewer
This software is free for all Barudan machine owners. You can view your embroidery files, convert the formats, reshape, and many more. Another plus point of using this app is it has a Library full of designs that you can download with absolutely zero cost. TESViewer software has many unique features. It can give you a pretty realistic view of your design. You can zoom in and out too. Every ordinary function is available in this software. It also provides a full-screen view.
This free software can be an excellent guide for you in creative and professional embroidery. This is a fast and convenient software to begin with.
8. Embird
In the world of needlework, Embird has a well-established reputation. Both reasonable price and beginner-friendly functions have made it acceptable for every category of users. Every feature of this software needs an individual login to have access. Purchasing the very module can provide you that.
But for those who do not want to purchase the module, there is also a solution. You can use it in the demo mode. This mode may not have all the coolest features that the paying one has; still, it can be considered as a great deal. But as a time limitation, the demo mode is only useable for 60 days. If you want to proceed with that after 60 days, you will need to purchase and upgrade it. The free one just has some limitations to have full access to the software.
9. Hatch by Wilcom
This software is a great deal for amateurs. You can get cool works like auto digitizing, lettering done using this software. Not only that, you can create your very own monograms too. This software, unfortunately, provides free trial for just a month. If you feel that this is the software for you, you can purchase and use it in the future.
This is a module oriented software. You may have to log in for groups of features individually, rather than for every single one in Embird. Another difference that can be spotted is that the free trial allows you o have access to the entire software, not to just a limited portion. You just have to download it and BOOM! It is ready to work with, even without any registration.
10. SophieSew
Last but not least, SophieSew is the software that can fulfill all your expectations, that too, free. This fantastic software is free of cost for everyone. Not only that, the paying customers do not even have to pay for the upgrade. The newbies choose this software as their editing and digitizing mentor.
A newcomer can start without paying even a single penny for this software. Unlike most of the software, this software permits unlimited access and access without any time limit. The best idea is that this free access is not time or feature limited.
This software has maintained its quality, even though it is free. This, especially, adds another feather to the crown. You can easily rely on this. This software also offers hundreds of designs, resources, and tutorials for the newcomers.
The con that can be said about this software is, it is not so suitable for commercial purposes. Instead, it works great for home-based businesses. Overall, Sophiesew is indeed a great option to experiment with embroideries and to learn.
Conclusion
With time, digitizing has become significant in the embroidery industry. This has widened the extent of a lot and has broken so many barriers. As a newcomer, you must have the proper guideline that can lead you to perfection. The free embroidery software may not be the best software for embroidery out there, but as a beginner, you can easily try these options out and see what works best for you. If used wisely, being patient and dedicated, you can make this free software work like a pro!
More often than not, embroidery software only works on a PC. Which is bad news if you’re an avid embroiderer AND a fan of Apple devices (like me).
In this guide, I want to show you some of the best embroidery software for Mac computers and iPads, and talk about the pros and cons of using each.
If you’re fairly confident with computers, I’m also going to share a way you can “hack” your Mac device to run embroidery software that’s only compatible with PC.
What’s the Best Embroidery Software for Mac Computers?
TruEmbroidery 3, Embrilliance for Mac, Premiere+ 2, and Bernina Toolbox are the best embroidery software options for Mac computers.
Keep in mind, this recommendation is based on my experience and opinion only. If you have another embroidery software that you’re using with a Mac device, tell me about it in the comments below. I’m always looking for the next best thing in embroidery software.
Here’s a breakdown of the features of each of these embroidery software options.
TruEmbroidery 3 Software for Mac
Embrilliance for Mac
Embrilliance is one of the cheaper embroidery software options available, and it’s a great beginner option.
PREMIER+™ 2
Bernina Toolbox
Embroidery Software For Mac Janome
Can you use embroidery software on an iPad?
Yes, you can use embroidery software on an iPad, but software options are pretty limited. Currently, StitchBuddy is the only robust embroidery software that works on an iPad.
Full disclosure: even though I’m including StitchBuddy in this guide, I haven’t used the app yet. Personally I find it a lot easier to create and edit my embroidery designs on a computer. And because the iPad doesn’t have a USB port, I can only imagine that exporting designs from the iPad to your embroidery machine takes a little more time.
But if you prefer using an iPad and you like the idea of having your designs with you on the go, here’s what StitchBuddy can help you do.
StitchBuddy HD for iPad and iPhone
If you like having your machine embroidery designs within arm’s reach at all times, the StitchBuddy HD app for iPad and iPhone is what you need. The app helps you view beautiful previews on your iOS device, manage and modify designs down to the stitch level, and keep everything in sync with the embroidery designs on your computer.
Can you make Windows embroidery software work on a Mac?
If you really want to use Windows-only embroidery software on your Mac device, then you can hack your Mac and make it run a Windows-only program. This is called “partitioning” or “dual booting” your Macbook.
Follow PC Magazine’s step-by-step instructions to run Windows on your Macbook.
If this process sounds like a lot of work, it’s because it is.
Partitioning your MacBook isn’t easy to do. And it can open your Apple computer up to additional risks (e.g. viruses). So only explore this option if you know what you’re doing.
Most Mac users I know prefer to avoid Windows at all costs, because the operating systems are so different. Rather than go to the trouble of hacking your MacBook, my advice is to choose and master one of the Mac-compatible embroidery software options listed above.