Best software for projector sewing in 2026
Keep Reading to Learn:
How to decide which software best fits your sewing workflow
The power of vector based programs
A free bonus at the end!
So you are getting into projector sewing, yay! Sewing with the use of a projector has so many benefits (no printing, paper, tape, time saving, etc.) If this is your first time learning about projector sewing, we highly recommend checking out this blog post, where we dive into the basics, and how to get started!
Today we are going to provide an overview of the most used and recommended softwares for projector sewing. We will provide the pros and cons, what they are used for, and finally what we recommend. Note that many of these programs can be used together, and some have different uses besides projecting. We will get into all the nitty gritty today!
Sewing Projector Software Options
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat is a free online downloadable software. It allows you to open and view PDFs, make small/simple edits to text, and zoom to adjust size. Acrobat has been a popular and simple option for projector sewists since the beginning. However, its simplicity can be a limiting factor. Since there is no built in calibration device, likely you will need to use a seperate calibration software, like Project & Cut (available for $20 license) or a calibration PDF like this one here.
Adobe Acrobat cannot be used to make pattern adjustments.
While Adobe Acrobat Reader is free to download and use, Adobe Acrobat Pro which has allows users to save edits to files is a paid app.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is compatible with Windows or Mac computers.
Pattern Projector
This is a relatively new free open-source web app that was made by a sewist. It is specifically designed for projector sewists. It has a built in calibration software, tools for stitching together multiple page patterns, changing line thickness, inverting colors, and flipping/rotating patterns. This is one of our recommended software for projecting patterns due to its simplicity, ease of use, and free cost.
Note that Pattern Projector cannot be used to make pattern adjustments, and must be used in tandem with another program if you plan to make pattern adjustments before projecting.
PDF Stitcher
PDF Stitcher was created in late 2020 by sewist Charlotte Curtis, who saw a need by projector sewists to convert print-at-home files into one single larger file that was suitable for projecting. It is a free open-source software. Unlike Pattern Projector, it only has the sole capability of stitching multiple pages into one single file. And it cannot be used to make adjustments to the pattern before projecting.
PDF Stitcher is compatible with Window or Mac computers.
Inkscape
Inkscape is a free open-source vector-based software that works on both Windows and Mac computers. It is used by projector sewists, as well as embroidery artists, for its ability to create vector images, as well as adjust sewing patterns. If you are looking for a software that allows you to manipulate the pattern rather than just simply project, this might be a good option for you.
Side Note…What is a Vector?
Vector-based software is a popular choice among graphic designers and patternmakers because it uses mathematical equations—not pixels—to create shapes and lines. That means your artwork can scale up or down infinitely without losing any image quality. Pixel-based images (like those made in Photoshop or Paint) can get blurry or fuzzy when resized, but vector images stay crisp and accurate at any size.
Programs like Inkscape and Adobe Illustrator are vector-based. They plot artwork on an X/Y grid using points, paths, and lines—which is exactly why they’re so useful for sewing patterns. Every line remains clean, measurable, and true to scale.
If you’re brand new to vector software, it can feel a little unfamiliar at first. That’s totally normal! Just keep it in mind as you choose which software to use.
Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is a software created by Canva. It was previously a paid software, but as of November 3rd, 2025 it has been made free! It has the capability to work with vector, or pixel based images. Similar to Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape it has layer capability. Similar to how Canva was made as a competitor to Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Designer is a competitor of Illustrator and InDesign. It also has the capability to open PDFs, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop files.
Affinity is compatible with Window or Mac computers. And can be used to adjust sewing patterns before projecting.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a subscription-based software, priced at $22.99 USD/month for just Illustrator or $59.99 USD for all Adobe Creative Cloud apps (2025). Illustrator is by far the most versatile of all the software mentioned here.
This is the software we use throughout our CPMG program, as well as the Illustrator Basics and Perfect Fit Toolkit mini courses—and for good reason. Illustrator is incredibly precise, customizable, and intuitive once you understand a few core tools.
With Illustrator, you can do much more than simply view or resize a PDF. You can make clean, accurate pattern adjustments that maintain the integrity of the design:
Add or remove length anywhere on the pattern
Blend between sizes smoothly
Rotate, slash, and spread for full pattern alterations
Customize seam allowances
Create original patterns from scratch
Illustrator is compatible with Window or Mac computers.
In Illustrator Basics , we guide you through the exact tools, menus, and workflows to getting started in Illustrator. Even if you’ve never opened the program before, we teach it in a sewing-friendly way, so you’re learning only what you actually need—nothing overwhelming or extra. We highly recommend using the free trial to follow along with the course. And here’s the good news: once you understand the method, you can apply the same concepts and workflow to nearly any software of your choice.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a final reminder - you don’t have to choose just one software alone. In my own sewing practice, I use Adobe Illustrator and Pattern Projector together. Adobe Illustrator allows me to make digital pattern adjustments, reformat for space-saving, and then I make the most of the powerful tools in Pattern Projector to actually project and cut my fabric. Using these two software together has been a game changer for my projector sewing set-up.
We hope this guide has been helpful in giving you an idea of all the options available to projector sewists, and empowers you to choose the setup that supports you and your sewing practice.
Happy projecting!
Nat Della Selva
