TurtleStitch is freely available software that enables the generation and stitching of patterns using a digital embroidery machine.
Watch the video
Speakers
Margaret Low, Helen Luckhurst and Phil Jemmett
Synopsis
TurtleStitch is freely available software that enables the generation and stitching of patterns using a digital embroidery machine, effectively giving programmatic control of the machine.
It's clear that TurtleStitch doesn't meet the normal notion of physical computing; however, it does enable the creation of physical/tangible objects through the use of hardware and software. More importantly, TurtleStitch bridges the world of programming and textiles enabling the creation of stitched patterns on materials, in a way that is accessible to young and old alike.
The link to textiles opens many possibilities, and in particular to culture, something particularly relevant when Coventry becomes City of Culture in May 2021. Coventry has a rich history in textiles, at one point, half the population of the city made a living from silk ribbon weaving. Many cultures have distinctive textile crafts, and how textiles are decorated often celebrates the culture of their creator.
Another important feature of TurtleStitch is it helps people to understand how modern manufacturing is carried out. Much of our current manufacturing is done by programmable machinery, controlled by software.
Helen Luckhurst in the University of Warwick - Warwick Manufaturing Group (WMG) developed a range of resources to support the use of TurtleStitch in schools, and WMG's outreach team offers training sessions for teachers and sessions for school classes(all currently virtual) to support its use.
Please also check out https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/about/outreach/resources/turtlestitch.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
This event is brought to you by: Coventry branch and University of Warwick
