Make Your Own Cross Stitch Design
If you like to draw then you can create your very own cross stitch designs. All you need is some graph paper, pencils, colored pencils, DMC color card, Kreinik Color Chart, and a Mill Hill Bead color chart. For an even easier way to may your own patterns, try out a Transgraph Cross Stitch Kit.
Transgraph-X is the design-your-own counted needle art kit for creative customers who “just can’t find the right pattern.” The sturdy, clear plastic grid overlays help convert photos, drawings, or designs into counted needleart charts. Kit includes six graphs plotted 5, 11, 14, 18, 22, & 25 squares/inch; instructions. You will need a DMC color card to go with the Transgraph. Item number PRCOLCARD.
Draw your picture on your graph paper with pencil so you can easily erase mistakes. The larger the picture you draw, the more detailed it will be and the more colors you can use. You can stitch the picture on any count fabric that you want. The larger the fabric count, the smaller the picture will be once stitched.
Color your picture in carefully with your colored pencils. Consider which side of your picture the sun is on, and shade your picture accordingly. When blending colors together, it is important to use tweeding. That is the blending of two or more colors of floss.
Finally, you need to decide which floss colors you will use for your design. This is where the DMC color card and Kreinik color chart come in handy. They have samples of all of the different colors that Kreinik and DMC have available. Use the Kreiniks for things like wings on fairies and angles, or edging on dresses. Beads are great for things like flowers and berries on your picture or buttons.
Chose different symbols for the different colors of floss and beads to put on your graph to finish your chart. Don’t forget to use outlining for different areas of your design, like to accent the facial features of your design. Now you are ready to stitch your own design and see how it comes out. Click here for some basic cross stitch instructions.
There are also computer programs that you can buy to create your own patterns.
Happy Stitching!!!
I have been informed by Picture this Plus that they are temporarily out of all 14 count Aida fabrics. They are hoping to be producing them again in December. We will continue to take orders for 14 count Hand Dyed Aida, but the wait to receive them is going to be several week. Please keep this in mind when ordering.
Picture this Plus 14 count Aidas
Salem Cloth is made from a special blend of polyester and rayon yards. Perfect for projects requiring soft, machine washable, soil and wrinkle resistant fabric. It is a good alternative to Aida fabric. Comes in a few neutral colors.
DMC Color Infusions-DMC’s new Color Infusions line has 42 different threads that give your project vibrant color and texture, and dimensions to your cross stitch project. There are 4 types of thread in the Color Infusions line. Sparklers are blended metallic threads that give your project sparkle. There are also silky threads which are a high luster rayon thread. Cotton Cord is a fine-twisted over-dyed cotton thread with blended shades. Memory thread is a soft fiber-wrapped copper wire that is easily shaped and tacked down to your needlework project with a single strand of matching thread. Color Infusions are acid-free, fade resistant, and colorfast. It is hand-wrapped on clear recyclable bobbins.
January 2010-Cross Stitch and Needlework Mag
EXPLORE THE NEW CROSS-STITCH & NEEDLEWORK MAGAZINE! From traditional designs to the newest in needlework, there’s something for every stitcher. Discover large full-color charts, great finishing ideas and complete instructions for cross-stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, Hardanger, and more. Learn from world-renowned teachers such as Jane Greenoff and be inspired by the designer profile in each issue. Happy Stitching!
Mirabilia has just released their news Christmas Tree in her line of yearly Christmas Tree kits. This one is adorable. I just love the colors.
MIR-KIT10-Christmas Tree 2009
The kit includes Crescent Colours threads, Mill Hill Beads, Kreinik Braid, and graph.
Fabric suggestion is 32 count White Belfast Linen.