Last updated: October 2026
In Ink/Stitch, “auto fill” is now called Tatami fill: the v3.3.0 release (July 31, 2026) renamed AutoFill to Tatami. Its key settings are the stitch angle, Spacing between rows (default 0.25 mm, which controls density), Maximum fill stitch length (default 4.0 mm in v3.3.0, up from 3), the stagger count (default 4), the underlay (on by default, laid at 90 degrees to the top stitches), and the running stitch used for travel (2.5 mm). Leave most of them at their defaults and change angle, density and underlay first.
This guide covers Ink/Stitch v3.3.0, the current release at the time of writing. Default values below come from the v3.3.0 source code and the inkstitch.org documentation. Older versions use different names and defaults, so confirm which version you have installed if a setting does not match.
Where the fill settings live
Ink/Stitch treats any closed path with a fill color as a fill object. To edit its settings:
- Select the shape in Inkscape.
- Open Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Params.
- Choose a Fill method from the dropdown. Tatami Fill is the default.
- Change values in the main fill settings and in the Fill Underlay group, then apply.
- Check the result in Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Visualize and Export > Simulator.
If Ink/Stitch is not in your Extensions menu at all, see Ink/Stitch not showing in Inkscape.
The fill types
The Fill method dropdown in v3.3.0 offers nine options:
| Fill method | What it does | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Tatami Fill | Rows back and forth at one angle, with automatic routing (formerly “Auto Fill”) | Most solid areas |
| Contour Fill | Stitches follow the outline of the shape inward, with Inner to Outer, Single spiral and Double spiral strategies | Rounded shapes, a hand-stitched look |
| Guided Fill | Rows curve to follow a guide line you draw | Hair, petals, flowing shapes |
| Meander Fill | A quilting-style pattern across the shape | Light, textured backgrounds |
| Circular Fill | Rows run in circles | Targets, radiating effects |
| Linear Gradient Fill | Blends colors along an Inkscape linear gradient | Color fades |
| Tartan Fill | Builds a plaid pattern | Tartan and plaid |
| Cross Stitch | Fills the shape with cross stitches (new in v3.3.0) | Cross-stitch style designs |
| Legacy Fill | The old manual mode from before automatic routing | Only when you need manual control |
For guided fill, you draw a stroke, select it, and run Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Edit > Selection to guide line.
The rest of this guide covers the Tatami fill settings, since most other fill types share them.
Tatami fill settings, one by one
These are the main fill settings, with the exact names shown in the Params dialog and their v3.3.0 defaults.
Angle of lines of stitches (default 0)
The direction of the rows, in degrees. Ink/Stitch’s tooltip says 0 is horizontal and the angle increases counter-clockwise. Negative angles are allowed.
Change this to make neighboring fills catch the light differently, or to run rows along the long side of a narrow shape so the machine makes fewer turns.
Spacing between rows (default 0.25 mm)
The distance between rows. This is your density control. At 0.25 mm you get four rows per millimeter.
- Smaller number: denser, more coverage, more stitches, stiffer result, more risk of puckers and thread breaks.
- Larger number: lighter, softer, fewer stitches, but fabric may show through.
If a design is breaking thread or feels like a stiff patch, density is the first thing to check. See why embroidery thread keeps breaking.
End row spacing (no default, off) lets the spacing increase or decrease toward the end of the fill for a fade effect.
Maximum fill stitch length (default 4.0 mm)
The length of each stitch in a row. Ink/Stitch notes that shorter stitches may be used at the start or end of a row. The v3.3.0 release changed this default from 3 to 4 for all fill stitches, so designs made in an older version may stitch with slightly longer stitches if they relied on the default.
Longer stitches mean fewer stitches and a faster stitch-out. Shorter stitches hold better on textured fabrics but add stitch count.
Stagger rows this many times before repeating (default 4)
Ink/Stitch offsets each row so that needle holes do not line up in a column, which would create what the docs call a “valley effect.” This setting is the length of that cycle. The tooltip notes that fractional values are allowed and can produce less visible diagonal lines than whole numbers. If you see a diagonal pattern in a large fill, try a fractional value.
Skip last stitch in each row (default off)
The last stitch in a row sits close to the first stitch of the next row. Turning this on removes it, which lowers stitch count and density slightly.
Expand (default 0 mm)
Grows the shape before filling it, to cover small gaps between neighboring shapes. Ink/Stitch’s tooltip notes that negative values contract the shape instead. Use a small positive value when you see slivers of fabric between two fills that should touch.
Pull compensation (default 0) and Pull compensation percentage (default 0)
Fill stitches pull the fabric in, so the stitched shape can come out narrower than you drew it. Pull compensation widens each row on each side by a fixed amount in millimeters. The percentage version adds compensation that grows with row width. Increase these if fills look narrow or leave gaps beside outlines, especially on knits.
Gap Filling (default 0 rows)
Adds extra rows to cover gaps between sections caused by fabric distortion.
Randomize stitch length (default off)
Replaces the regular stagger with random stitch lengths. Random stitch length jitter (default 10 percent) controls how much each stitch varies.
Travel stitches: underpath and running stitch
A tatami fill often has to stitch one section, then travel to another. These settings control that travel.
- Underpath (default on): travel happens inside the shape, under where the fill will cover it. Ink/Stitch’s tooltip says underpath stitches avoid running in the direction of the row angle so they are not visible, which gives them a jagged look. Leave this on.
- Running stitch length (default 2.5 mm): the stitch length used for travel along the outline between sections. It is also used for meander and circular fill.
- Running stitch tolerance (default 0.1 mm): how hard Ink/Stitch tries not to stitch outside the shape while traveling. Lower numbers stay inside better but need more stitches.
Fill underlay settings
Underlay is a lighter layer stitched first. It tacks the fabric to the stabilizer and gives the top stitches something to sit on. In v3.3.0 it is on by default. The settings in the Fill Underlay group:
| Setting | Default in v3.3.0 | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Underlay | On | Turns underlay on or off |
| Fill angle | Top fill angle plus 90 degrees | Direction of underlay rows. You can enter several angles separated by spaces for multiple layers |
| Row spacing | 3 times the top fill row spacing | Wider spacing than the top layer |
| Max stitch length | Same as the top fill’s max stitch length | Underlay stitch length |
| Inset | 0 mm | Shrinks the underlay so it does not peek out around the edges |
| Skip last stitch in each row | Off | Same as on the top layer |
| Underpath | On | Same as on the top layer |
Practical tips:
- Keep underlay on for almost everything. It reduces puckering and stops fabric showing between rows.
- Add a small inset if underlay shows at the edges of the fill.
- Two angles (for example, a cross-hatch) give more support on stretchy or textured fabrics. Enter both angles separated by a space.
- For guided fill, the docs note that underlay does not follow the guide line. It uses the underlay fill angle instead.
What to change first
When a fill does not look right, change one thing at a time and check it in the simulator, then on a test stitch-out:
- Fabric shows through: reduce Spacing between rows slightly, or add a second underlay angle.
- Stiff, bulletproof patch or thread breaks: increase Spacing between rows, and check your backing in the stabilizer guide.
- Gaps next to outlines or between shapes: add Pull compensation or Expand.
- Visible diagonal lines: try a fractional stagger value.
- Underlay peeking out: add Inset.
- Ugly travel lines on top: make sure Underpath is on.
For narrow shapes, a satin column usually looks better than a fill. See the Ink/Stitch satin column guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Auto Fill go in Ink/Stitch? It was renamed to Tatami fill in v3.3.0. It works the same way: rows at an angle with automatic routing. Pick Tatami Fill in the Fill method dropdown.
What is the default fill density in Ink/Stitch? Spacing between rows defaults to 0.25 mm. Lower numbers make the fill denser.
Why did my old design get longer stitches after updating? v3.3.0 changed the default Maximum fill stitch length from 3 to 4 mm. If your design used the default, set it back to 3 in Params to match the old result.
Should I turn underlay off to save stitches? Usually not. Underlay is what keeps the fill flat and the fabric covered. Turn it off only for very light fills or effects where you want fabric to show.