Magic Needle: Cross-Stitch

I’m not really sure what the deal is with this app, but if I had to guess, I’d think the devs were trying to convert old positive reviews (which were given for functionality that no longer exists in the app) into new subscription revenue. The star rating at this time is highly deceptive. I was excited about this app, as I’d read about its functionality from recommendations that were a couple of years old. As it turns out, the app has been dumbed down into an automated converter with very limited control (fabric size, pattern size, number of colors can be set; no option to edit individual stitches, adjust level of detail, change colors, etc.) and very little benefit from an expensive paid subscription. You can’t override any of the stitches determined by the pattern, modify PDF output settings, add your own stitches to a generated pattern, draw patterns manually, etc. Don’t bother with this app unless the developed add the old functionality back in and make it a true competitor to the alternatives out there.

I like this app but had two problems. 1. My picture was horizontal and although I watched the tutorial I had trouble figuring out how to make it fit. I did finally realize that there is a “box” that changes the shape. This needs to be addressed in the tutorial. 2. My picture contains a considerable amount of white. But when I converted it the color became cornflower blue very light. This is VERY different from white. I wasted both time and money (since I used the trial and all 3 of my paid conversions) trying to resolve these two issues. And I still have to try to adjust the colors to my picture!

IT’S not free. An earlier review zinged it for providing no way to download patters and it being a right frump to try work from tablet — so I look and voila! there it says one can now download a pdf — so I install the app and try out some pictures. Along the way I make my first discovery: it doesn’t accept certain pictures, and I THINK they are photos taken with iPhone. OK, not the end of the world ‘cause I can probably do a work around. Back to those I can get into the app. I end up with five. The Firestone I go for a download on is one of a design I did for a friend — and that is when I discover how this app is juiced. One free trial download is allowed. After that? One is Five, five are Ten — I think that’s what it said. Do the makers of this app have any idea of the amount of time (which is $weat) involved in getting any idea if the first pattern is even within a ballpark’s distance of working, or how many before faith in the program aka app is sufficient to warrant just plopping out $$$ for patterns? My Scots blood is boiling! I would suggest the developer pay the user $50 to follow through on the trial — call it a beta version — and see if it works. The developer could purchase the beta trial of FIVE by the individual user for $100, MAYBE. Once a user has determined that the app will perform the function as claimed, then a small user fee for further downloads MIGHT be appropriate. Otherwise? Pfft! For me this app goes in the trash heap of forgotten, not to mention forgettable, programming.