- Any picture PNG, JPG, WEBP or SVG
- Picks colours Matches real thread colours
- Live tracing Watch the shapes appear
- You can edit Every stitch is yours to change
Embroidery for everyone
Lilo is a free, open-source app that turns pictures, drawings and names into embroidery. For Mac, Windows and Linux.
Free. Forever. Open source.
A real sample: the word “Lilo” in a built-in script font, sewn from 1,413 stitches made by Lilo's own engine.
Free, simple and made for everyone
- About 100 fonts Made for stitching
- Your own fonts Add any TTF or OTF
- Easy spacing Size, spacing and lines
- Size advice Warns if letters are too small
- Brother Wi-Fi Works with Brother Wi-Fi machines (auto-detected)
- USB stick Save the file, plug it in
- Before you sew A checklist so nothing is missed
- 12 file types PES, DST, JEF, EXP and more
- 20,784 colours From 75 thread lines
- My Threads Add the spools you own
- 52 hoops Pick yours, or add a custom one
- Rulers and grid See the real size in mm
Pixel art and converter
Paint square by square. Or change a file from one type to another.
- Square by square Like cross stitch, on screen
- Three stitch styles Tatami, cross or satin
- File converter Turn a DST into a PES
- Stitch player Watch it sew, stitch by stitch
Free and open source
Free for everyone, from beginners to pros. No account. It works offline, and the code is open to all.
- Free. Forever. Nothing to unlock
- GPL-3 licence Read it, share it, improve it
- No account No sign-up, no tracking
- Works offline Your designs stay on your computer
Get Lilo
One small app. Free for everyone. No account. It works without the internet.
Download for
Version 1.1.0
Other platforms
Pick another one if you are downloading for a different computer.
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MacMac with macOS 13 or newer. Works on Apple chips and Intel.
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WindowsWindows 64-bit. If Windows shows a blue box, click More info, then Run anyway.
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LinuxLinux 64-bit. Pick the AppImage, or the .deb for Ubuntu and Debian.
Works with the machines you already have
Lilo saves the file types your machine reads. Brother and Baby Lock Wi-Fi machines can also get designs straight from Lilo.
- 12file types
- 17brands
- 66machines listed
- 20,784thread colours
- 52hoops
Works with Brother Wi-Fi machines (auto-detected). For every other machine: save the file and copy it over with a USB stick.
Machine brands in the list
- Baby Lock
- Barudan
- Bernette
- Bernina
- Brother
- Elna
- Happy
- Husqvarna Viking
- Janome
- Juki
- Melco
- Pfaff
- Ricoma
- Singer
- SWF
- Tajima
- Toyota
- ZSK
How it works
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Add a picture
Drop in a photo, a drawing, a logo or a name.
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Lilo makes the stitches
Pick your thread colours and size. Watch it sew on screen first.
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Send it to your machine
Over Wi-Fi, or save it to a USB stick. Then press start.
Questions
Is Lilo really free?
Yes. Lilo is free now and will stay free, for everyone. There is no trial, no account and no hidden paid part.
Is Lilo for me?
Yes. Lilo is for everyone: kids, grandparents, hobby sewers and professionals. If you can drop in a picture, you can make embroidery.
What does open source mean?
Anyone can read how Lilo is made. Anyone can share it or make it better. Lilo uses the GPL-3 licence.
What is embroidery digitizing?
A sewing machine cannot read a picture. It reads a list of stitches, like a map for the needle. Digitizing turns your picture into that map. Lilo does it for you.
Will it work with my machine?
Lilo saves 12 file types, so it fits most home and work machines. Open the full list and look for your brand. Always check your machine manual too, and do a test sew on scrap cloth first.
How does Wi-Fi sending work?
If your Brother or Baby Lock machine has Wi-Fi, Lilo looks for it on your home network and finds it by itself. No Wi-Fi? Save the file to a USB stick instead.
Do I need the internet?
No. Lilo works offline. It only checks for new versions, and you can turn that off.
Where do my designs go?
Nowhere. They stay on your computer. Lilo never uploads your pictures or your designs.
Why does Windows show a blue box?
The Windows installer is not signed yet, so Windows asks you to be careful. Click More info, then Run anyway. The Mac version is signed and checked by Apple.