Experts Critique Cross-Stitch Charting Applications
Struggling to create unique cross stitch patterns? We've compiled expert advice to guide you through finding the best cross stitch design software for your needs.
Sifting through the various options available for cross stitch pattern makers can be overwhelming. With this in mind, we've consulted seasoned professionals from around the globe to deliver a comprehensive overview of the top cross stitch pattern creators on the market.
Cross stitch design software plays a crucial role for those aiming to create intricate, eye-catching designs to share or sell. Novices might find graph paper and colored pencils a more suitable starting point. For beginners, explore our comprehensive guide on "Creating Your Own Cross Stitch Patterns".
We have compared and evaluated five popular cross stitch charting programs and apps, with expert insights on:
- Cross Stitch Professional Platinum
- MacStitch
- PCStitch Pro
- Stitch Fiddle
- StitchSketch
Crafting captivating designs with Stitchly
Stitchly stands out as the top cross stitch pattern maker app, perfect for iPhone and iPad users. Transform photographs or design your own patterns effortlessly. It caters to both beginners and experienced stitchers.
Explore more about their cross stitch pattern maker app at Stitchly.
Delve deeper to determine which software aligns with your cross stitch pattern preferences and goals.
(Please note all prices and information correct at time of writing)
Cross stitch charting design reviews
Each expert featured in this roundup of reviews is a seasoned professional cross stitch designer. The cross stitch charting programs have been tested by them, providing independent reviews based on their personal user experience.
Details on features and system requirements for each program can be found on the developer websites.
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum (Plus Edition)
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum is a comprehensive program developed for Windows PC by DP Software.
Cost: Standard £68, Plus £114, Publisher £345 (digital download versions)
Reviewed by Fiona Baker
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum offers a wealth of customizable features and useful tools.
Ease of use
Threads and symbols
An extensive library of well-known thread brands, ranging from DMC, Anchor, Madeira, to Kreinik and specialized threads, as well as Mill Hill beads, are available. While color representation can appear slightly dark on-screen, it can be manually adjusted for exports.
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum features a symbol library, allowing users to leverage any fonts installed on their computer, which proves particularly handy for achieving the desired chart appearance.
Practicality
One of the standout aspects of Cross Stitch Professional Platinum is its seamless compatibility of the right and left mouse buttons with all the drawing tools. Draw with the left button and erase that same stitch with the right button, creating a user-friendly experience that saves time by avoiding tool switching.
Charting fractional stitches is also uncomplicated on Cross Stitch Professional Platinum. Simply click in a grid square's different corners, rather than relying on fiddly separate tools as found in other programs. Additionally, pre-set special stitches and a motif library containing basic shapes and patterns are included.
Key features
Photos to cross stitch patterns
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum offers an auto-conversion feature for transforming photos or pictures into cross stitch patterns. However, this feature may be complex, especially since it can generate varying results, though it might appeal to those willing to experiment with settings.
I typically create my own cross stitch patterns by tracing over an image viewable behind the grid, allowing for full control over design choices and avoiding confetti-style stitches. I employ this tracing technique to create the chart conversions from illustrations in The World of Cross Stitching magazine.
Auto-generated key
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum features an editable auto-generated key. While this is useful, I prefer to create my own key on external software for designs I sell myself.
There's also a separate tool for calculating thread usage, enabling users to adjust fabric count and strand details to calculate both usage and cost estimations.
Export types
Cross Stitch Professional Platinum offers a variety of format types to export your designs, including PDF, JPG and PNG, as well as the ability to open and save different program files.
The software can also produce digital cross stitch simulations, which are beneficial for visibility into how your design will look on different colors or fabric types.
Expert's verdict:
Recommended for individuals seeking full control over cross stitch design or those interested in selling cross stitch patterns. Producing your own designs can offset costs, although buyers should be mindful of periodic fees for ongoing updates.
Consider the variations between versions before purchasing, but the Standard or Plus editions should be more than sufficient for most home users or professionals.
MacStitch
MacStitch and WinStitch (for Windows PC) are developed by Ursa Software.
Cost: Standard £39, Premium £20 upgrade
Reviewed by Cheryl McKinnon of Tiny Modernist
MacStitch boasts versatility, catering to cross stitch, plastic canvas (tent stitch), perler/round beads, or diamond painting projects.
Ease of use
Threads and symbols
MacStitch includes dozens of thread brands in a drop-down selector from the Palette tool. I primarily use DMC in my cross stitch designs. Additional featured thread brands include: Anchor, Cosmo, Gentle Arts, Sulky, and WeeksDyeWorks.
MacStitch enables customization of each color name/number, symbol, and number of strands within the settings menu. Users can also create alternate colorways for the design using the color adjust feature.
Key features
From photos to cross stitch patterns
My favorite tool on MacStitch is the ability to insert a picture behind the grid. I can easily use my drawings as a reference when creating new cross stitch designs.
Once imported, an image can be resized to fit, moved using arrow tools, locked in place, and made visible or invisible while manually drawing over it.
MacStitch features a chart auto-conversion image tool, though I found it less useful. Nonetheless, home-based users may find it convenient to convert personal photographs or images intended for personal use.
Export types
After creating a cross stitch pattern, easy export is essential. When I create patterns, I employ the 'Export as PDF' feature, which enables me to open the design as a vector image in Adobe Illustrator. The vector image is crucial because I need the grid and symbols to be clear when printing.
MacStitch also offers customizing features in the stitching key export. You can edit and choose to show Name, Comments, Stitches, Knots, Strands, Length (in Skeins or Yards), and opt to include a backstitch key.
Expert's verdict:
I can recommend MacStitch for its usability and price. Whether you are an aspiring cross stitch designer or a home user, it offers good value for money.
I use the Premium version, and the developer releases updates and new versions each year, allowing users to upgrade to the current version as it gets released.
(This review is based on MacStitch Premium. WinStitch is also available for Windows PC with comparable features, although some differences may exist.)
Learn more about "Converting a Photo into Cross Stitch" in our guide.
PCStitch Pro
PCStitch Pro is developed by M&R Technologies Inc. for Windows PC.
Cost: Standard $49.95, Pro $79.95 (digital download versions)
Reviewed by Jenny Van De Wiele of Homestitchness
In 2008, I purchased PCStitch Pro to explore an interest in designing my own cross stitch patterns.
PCStitch Pro is the advanced version of the standard PCStitch, and I found it to be a good investment. It allowed me to start selling my original cross stitch designs and take on commission work for magazines.
PCStitch resonated with me because I tried the program before buying, with a free trial still available today. This helps users get a feel for the program when starting out.
Ease of use
I planned to work from a desktop computer, making PCStitch a great choice in terms of Windows compatibility. I currently use PCStitch Pro Version 9 and have never sought alternatives, as it provides the necessary features and regularly updates.
Threads and symbols
PCStitch offers a wide variety of floss brand options, including variegated threads. Occasionally the program's digital color representation can be off, though the overall interface is logical.
Key features
Photos to cross stitch patterns
One downside of PCStitch is the image import, as the chart image typically ends up larger than intended, even when I try to scale it down. If you're not tech-savvy, it's best to avoid this feature. PCStitch does include an auto chart conversion tool as well.
Expert's verdict:
I wholeheartedly recommend PCStitch software for anyone interested in creating their own cross stitch patterns from scratch. The program is user-friendly and suitable for basic and complex cross stitch charts.
For me, it was a worthwhile investment, as it enabled me to start selling professionally my original cross stitch designs. Consider the two versions carefully, comparing their features to identify exactly which one you need.
Enhance cross stitch colors by understanding "How to Blend Threads".
Stitch Fiddle
Stitch Fiddle is accessible on any internet browser.
Cost: Free, Premium subscription £4pm (or £24 annually)
Reviewed by Gemma Pratt and Cynthia Fong of Stitch & Story
Stitch Fiddle is a cross stitch charting program hosted on the cloud, making it accessible via internet browsers on any device.
Beginners may need some time to familiarize themselves with the Stitch Fiddle interface, but after a design or two, the user experience becomes intuitive.
Ease of use
Stitch Fiddle offers the option to upload a picture for auto-conversion into a cross stitch pattern. You can set the number of shades for the design or start a new cross stitch pattern from scratch.
Users cannot trace over an image themselves within Stitch Fiddle; instead, they must draw directly onto the grid, which may prove frustrating for some individuals, particularly if background reference photos or drawings are needed.
Threads and symbols
Stitch Fiddle only has thread brand options for DMC and Anchor, limiting the program's utility. Users cannot mix and match between these brands either. Premium subscribers do, however, gain access to an in-built library of symbols, with the ability to customize symbols in the chart as desired.
Export types
You can export your final chart as an image or vector file (including PNG, JPG, GIF, EPS), or a document (PDF, docx, xlsx), making it versatile for any file format you require. The auto-generated key is relatively basic, so you may wish to create your own in another program.
Expert's verdict:
Stitch Fiddle can be used for free, but a premium subscription grants access to additional features. It's ideal for beginners and professionals designing simple patterns.
Learn more about "How to Transfer an Embroidery Design Onto Fabric".
StitchSketch
Stitch Sketch is an app developed by Mozusystems for iPhone and iPad.
Cost: £6.99
Reviewed by Mollie Johanson
The StitchSketch app sports a relatively simple interface, with most tools nestled in pop-up menus. After acclimating to it, using the app becomes second nature.
Ease of use
The pencil is the most valuable tool on StitchSketch, as it's easy to draw with a finger or stylus. Additional useful tools include straight lines, basic shapes, and an undo feature.
Threads and symbols
The latest version of StitchSketch includes five thread brands: Anchor, Cosmo, DMC, Danish Flower Threads, and Olympus, as well as a limited RGB palette and three bead brands. Users can swap out colors or change symbols and color names/numbers.
Unfortunately, the app has limited symbol options, which may restrict the program's utility in creating large designs.
Key features
Image to cross stitch pattern
StitchSketch features a tracing paper function, allowing users to draw their cross stitch pattern over an image viewable at the rear of the grid, or they can auto-convert a photo or drawing into a cross stitch chart, though I find this feature less useful for the types of patterns I design.
Fonts
There's no motif library present in StitchSketch, but users can create whole stitch letters in a few dozen fonts. The app includes pre-made elements for fractional stitches, which I employ for adding backstitch and French knots to charts, although the feature can be somewhat clunky.
Export types
I primarily export PDFs for my cross stitch patterns, which open as editable files in programs like Adobe Illustrator. You can also export your cross stitch patterns as PNG images.
Expert's verdict:
StitchSketch is exclusive to Apple devices, but its low price and range of functions make it valuable. It is perfect for individuals wanting to test their hand at cross stitch pattern charting on an iPhone or iPad, or for those who enjoy designing simple charts, as I do.
Discover "How to Frame Cross Stitch" to showcase your finished pieces.
- For those seeking to create intricate, eye-catching cross stitch designs effortlessly, the Stitchly app is perfect for iPhone and iPad users.
- Novices in needlework may find graph paper and colored pencils a more suitable starting point, and our comprehensive guide on "Creating Your Own Cross Stitch Patterns" can help.
- In our roundup of reviews for popular cross stitch charting programs and apps, we consulted seasoned professionals worldwide, comparing and evaluating five top cross stitch pattern creators.
- Cross Stitch Professional Platinum, featuring a wealth of customizable features and useful tools, stands out as the top cross stitch pattern maker overall for Windows PC users.
- MacStitch, a versatile program catering to cross stitch, plastic canvas (tent stitch), perler/round beads, or diamond painting projects, is recommended for those seeking a cross stitch design software on a Mac.
- Stitch Fiddle, a cloud-based cross stitch charting program, is ideal for beginners and professionals designing simple patterns, with a free version available and a premium subscription offering additional features.
