Cross-stitch/Embroidery inquiries.

Cafe Society
1

Yes, I confess I do these girly things in my spare time. [sub]Don’t tell, ok?[/sub] I’m doubting I’m the only one here, so I have a few questions.

  1. Where do you look for your patterns?

  2. Has anyone tried the software that you can get to turn photos into cross-stitch?

I’ve pretty much exhausted the local Michael’s and JoAnn’s so I’ve been looking around online.

I’ve also seen these programs online, but I haven’t spoken to anyone yet who’s used them. I’m pretty picky about the patterns I do, so I just yearn to hear some personal experiences.

(I also wasn’t sure which forum to put this in, and chose Cafe Society since it was a hobby thingy.)

2

i like leisure arts patterns. they are in colour and rather easy to follow. there are two “magazines” from leisure arts, one called “for the love of cross stitch,” the other i believe is called “leisure arts” and has other crafts plus cross stitch. the magazines come out every other month. well worth getting a subscription if you do a lot of stitching.

sometimes they have contests that are worth trying out if you are imaginative. i came really close once but couldn’t find the exact wording for a quote i needed.

3

I too got tired of the selections at Michael’s and JoAnn’s. I do not like the handpainted canvass at custom stitchery shops; I prefer “counted” cross stitch and needlepoint.

So I got PC Stitch software and I love it!

My current project was made using PC Stitch.

I found a picture (actually a reproduction of a painting) that I liked and scanned it in.

I am 2/3 done and love the results.

One really neat thing is that PC Stitch uses DMC floss colors and provides a wonderful counted cross stitch pattern. I took the list of color numbers to Michael’s and bought what I needed in all the right DMC floss colors.

The pattern is easy to follow and is alterable on the screen before you print it.

For my next project I am going to paint a picture myself and use PC Stitch to make a needlework pattern.

4

Look locally for a needlework shop who will work with you to get what you want. We have a lovely one where I live, and even if she doesn’t carry exactly what I need, she will get it.

My personal favorites are Mirabilia patterns, which you can see online at http://www.mirabilia.com. I have done 4 big ones, have one on my frame, one waiting for me to finish, and 1 small one for the birth of my newphew, all Mirabilia.

Also look at All Stitched Up http://www.allstitchedup.com, The Stitchery http://www.thestitchery.com.

I will warn you, if you like Theresa Wentzler’s patterns, but haven’t done one before, be prepared for madness. I picked out a pattern I loved, and checked the colors list as I was walking to the threads aisle. it had about 100 colors listed, and every single one of them was blended. The actual number of skeins to buy was something like 60, but they were all blended. eeek.

I have tried PCStitch, but it was several years ago, so it may have improved. I wasn’t impressed. I took a stock photo of a lighthouse from print shop, and it converted it to a pattern. That was pretty cool, but I didn’t like that what I would have stitched as line it rendered as actual cross stitches.

Last but not least, if you are a serious stitcher, and you have the money to splurge, buy yourself a decent floor standing frame. I have one that a local artisan makes and sells which uses scroll type frames, and supports the frame on both sides, which was very important to me. It sped up my stitching, because I was able to have one hand on the top, one hand under the fabric, and it goes really fast.

I forgot, also, buy a good lamp to use while stitching. I have an Ott-lite now, but I used to use a swing arm lamp that I could shine directly on the fabric.

5

Rocking Chair: I’ve looked at those magazines in the stores and I’ve yet to see any patterns that have appealed to me. So far I’ve seen a lot of lighthouses and religious patterns. Of course I probably just need to be more patient!

Michele in SoCal: I prefer ‘counted’ as well. I can’t stand the ones that have the pattern already on the cloth. I’ll check out the PC Stitch. It’s just that I’m really picky about the level of difficulty (the harder the better) so I’m hoping that it has that potential? I have some wonderful artist friends and want to try and stitch some of their paintings.

GrinnaGirla: There isn’t a local stitchery shop other then the big craft stores, but I’m fortunate to know a friend that does run one and has offered to track down patterns for me. I’ve been introduced to Theresa Wentzler’s designs and the madness would be worth it. Gorgeous stuff. I love doing blended colours for some masochistic reason. I’m hoping to get a better frame soon. I no longer have patience for the smaller designs and the big ones are awkward. I’ll hint for one of those stands. :slight_smile:

For the record, the one I’m working on right now is here.

And this one is next. Then I’m on the hunt for more.

Yes, I’m a sucker for the wildlife ones!

6

I’m a cross-stitcher too! :slight_smile:
My mom taught me many moons ago, and I used to make a ton of bookmarks for all my friends in middle school.
I recently took it up again. It’s the only way I can watch TV now. I get too restless otherwise.

Gulo gulo, try eBay. They have a ton of different cross-stitch patterns, and you can generally get them cheaper there than from a regular retail store or website.

7

Gulo gulo - I don’t know what version of PC Stitch others like Grinna Girla have worked with, but in my version you can indeed convert cross-stitches to backstitch or straight stitches - or even 1/4 and 3/4 stitches. I have imported artwork into the program and charted it, but I haven’t actually stiched any of the charts yet - because I’m NOT the exacting type who likes to blend threads! I do, however, like some of the fancy stitches and pulled thread work, so when I’m feeling bored by regular counted cross stitch, I veer off into Hardanger embroidery and stuff like that.

I can’t say enough good things about the Ott-lite for stitching.

8

What a pleasure to see that other Dopers enjoy the gentle art of needlework! For stress relief there’s nothing better. I imagine that in the coming weeks while I “watch the war” I’ll complete some old projects I have stored in gallon-size Ziploc bags around the house.

And add my voice to those who prefer counting their own cross stitch. Stamped patterns?! Hmmmph. How lame.

For newbies, or for run-of-the-mill projects such as your new baby samplers and housewarming gifts, I recommend Bucilla patterns. They are reasonably priced, beautiful and somewhat sophisticated in their use of shading and backstitching. If you get one of their kits, I’ve found that you always get enough floss, which is nice.

xs-collectibles.com sells extraordinarily complex patterns, and their website is so pretty it’ll make your mouth water. Three years ago I ordered one of their patterns which, if I ever complete it, will be a perfect rendering of a Georges Seurat painting of the harbor in Honfleur, France. Many of Collectibles’ patterns are copies of famous paintings.

9

A good place to look for online patterns is Kathy Dyer’s embroidery page. There’s a page devoted to sites that have free charts.

Another good site is Solaria Gobelins. Would that I had the time to do all of these. So pretty.

For those of you with pattern making software, how much can I expect to pay for a good one? Not like I actually have time to do the patterns I already have, but I’ve always wanted to try designing my own stuff.

10

I’m glad I’m not the only one that can’t just watch the telly w/o doing something else. The boyfriend thinks I’m nuts. That and losing the odd needle in the couch. Oops!

Thanks for the links, I’m sticking them in a file for now. I’ll have to check out the Ott-Lite.

And eBay has a wealth of patterns! Yayness!

11

I am a needlepointer, not a cross-stitcher.

I only do charted patterns. I have some wonderful books–Elizabeth Bradley, Beth Russell, etc. Right now, I am in the middle of a Candace Bahouth medieval design of an orange tree. It’s lovely, but her charts are kind of hard to read.

I also designed my own pattern for my best friend’s ring pillow for her wedding. It came out so incredibly well! (I designed it using Excel. Not ideal, but it worked) She was so intrigued, that she asked me to teach her to stitch. She is in the middle of her first project, a simple William Morris-based design from Beth Russell. She is a designer (graphic and 3d) by trade, so she’s all excited to make her own patterns. So I may be stitching her patterns from here on out!

Welcome to the board, Gulo gulo. There are a lot of knitters here too.

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A manly counted cross-stitcher checking in. (grunt, grunt, who you calling girly?)

I don’t have a lot of time to stitch, and I tend towards large, complicated stuff, so I really haven’t completed all that many, even though I’ve been doing it for about 15 years. My first patterns were small. (some with ugh! painted canvas). Then I embarked on what became an 8 year project (off and on) to complete “Retrievers” show here:
http://www.past-impressions.co.uk/dogs.htm
(bottom right)

Then I took a break for a couple years, and decided that my next project should be something I cared about, and not some random wildlife or landscape. So I got one of those programs and made my own pattern. I can’t remember the name of the program, but it had a free trial version.

So, that’s how I made myself a pattern for…

The Fellowship of the Ring movie poster.

Geeky? yes, of course. But at least it’s something more personal than pre-printed patterns. (I know, I know, I’m just a fan like millions of others, so it’s not personal, but still, at least it’s something I like.)

This project seems to be going faster than the last, since it’s a bit smaller, and my fiancee has been helping me. So I’m thinking ahead to the next one. (I doubt I’ll do The Two Towers :wink: that would be redundant.) Maybe a nice pic of my fiancee and I. Or something from Star Wars. :slight_smile:

13

Wow, a man! I’m so very impressed! Hee hee, Star Wars cross-stitch, what a great idea. A Rancor or Tauntaun pattern would be fun.

Ahh, knitting. I’ll learn that one day…

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I used to get a catalog that sold kits, but I haven’t gotten it for a while and I threw away any that I had in a cleaning fit. It sold mostly cross-stitch, but there were some embroidery kits also. Maybe I missed one, I’ll see if I can find the title. I know they have a website so you can order online.

I mostly do kits, just because everything I need is included. The first kit I ever did was stamped, a present for my mother. Since then, I’ve only done counted. I like it so much better than stamped.

I created my own pattern once, for a charity auction. It’s so obviously done by a beginner, I’m proud and ashamed of it all at the same time.

15

Memory hiccup:

The catalog is called The Stitchery and the website is http://www.thestitchery.com

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I’ve been thinking of doing cross-stitch again (haven’t really in several years)… but I didn’t like any of the ones at Michaels or JoAnne fabrics…

thanks for the links!

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That will teach me to read posts more carefully. I just noticed GrinnaGirla already posted the Stitchery link. Sorry about that.

18

I’ve always bought the kits that include all the thread and fabric with them, but I can’t find ones big or complex enough anymore, and the little simple ones are boring me. I love the huge, complicated designs. Does anyone have any idea about how much more I’d have to spend to buy patterns, fabric and all that thread separately? (I’ve been spending $20-$45 per kit)

19

Gulo The wolf pattern is here in my home, waiting for me to start it. My brother loves wolves, so when I saw it, I had to get it.
Just another plug for Mirabilia, if you like complicated designs, these are for you. The have beads, Whisper threads, Krenik metallics and braids. You name it, it’s probably on there. Here is the one I am working on right now. http://www.allstitchedup.com/detail.php?p=0100-06354

The other ones I have done are the Seasons Queens fom Mirabilia.

It’s actually cheaper in the long run, I have found, to purchase everything separately, although I still go for the occasional kit. (I don’t think they give you enough fabric in most kits, at least not for me.)

What I started out with:
A box for storing extra bobbins of thread
a smaller box for storing bobbins currently in use
cardboard bobbins (make sure you write the number on the bobbin)
magnet for needles
Sharp, small scissors
seam ripper (use carefully)
masking tape

I usually buy fabric about 1/2-3/4 inches larger on each side than I need. I use masking tape to finish the edges, which prevents them from fraying, as well as makes them more stable. I use binder clips to hold the pattern to the side of the fabric. When completed, I just cut off the masking taped edge, which leaves a very nice, clean edge.

I have everything down to a system, but then again I have been cross stitching since I was 5, and Mom drew some x’s on a piece of fabric, threaded the needle and said “follow the x’s.”

Very glad to see a manly stitcher type here, too. One of my male cousins loves to cross stitch (and he is a goalie for his high school hockey team).

20

Is this the appropriate place to brag that I don’t have to buy Aida cloth because my mother used to work in a fabric store and brought home two bolts of it that I’m still using? Thought so. :smiley:

Handy hint from SpazCat: When I start wrapping the floss around the bobbin, I wrap it a couple of times around one end, put the paper tag from the end of the skein on top of that, and then wrap the rest of the floss around the bobbin which holds the tag in. It doesn’t fall out and you can reuse the bobbin for other colors later. Just make sure you do it so the number is visible.

I’d show off my latest project, but it’s from an old magazine. It’s a from a Tasha Tudor drawing of a little girl hugging her corgi in a barn surrounded by chickens and ducks. So far I’ve got the corgi and part of a basket.