Free Papers!

Just to let you all know, as I know we all love FREEBIES .....

I have added a new page to my website. You will find tips and Free papers to print on the 'Paper Craft Projects' page.

Check them out here http://www.joannesanderson.com/page18.htm

Joanne x

p.s don't forget to check out the 'Gallery pages' for more inspiration.

How to design your own Cross Stitch chart Lesson 2

After playing around with creating small motifs on graph paper (Lesson 1) you may want to progress to larger motifs or converting your own drawings/photographs to Cross Stitch.

1. Take your chosen image and using a soft pencil and tracing paper, trace the image.
2. Rub over the back of the traced image with a soft pencil.
3. Place the traced image right side up on to graph paper.
4. Use a sharp pencil to go over the traced image again.
5. Remove the tracing paper to reveal the faint image on the graph paper. Go over this to make the outline darker if necessary using the Sharp pencil.
6. Use coloured pencils as described in Lesson 1 to colour the image as before.
7. It is possible to obtain specialised graph paper to correspond with fabric count, this is more expensive than simple graph paper but gives an accurate real size chart.

Question of the week

I would like to design my own cross stitch charts, where do I start?

Lesson 1

1. I recommend using graph paper to start with. Colour in the blocks to produce simple patterns and motifs.
2. Each block will represent one stitch. To find the finished size divide the number of blocks in the design by the fabric count you will be using (for 14 count fabric).
3. Use coloured pencils to roughly match the chosen thread colours to give a more realistic idea of the finished design (use a thread chart to finalise the DMC or preferred manufacturer thread number).
4. Make a simple key at the side by colouring a block or blocks with the coloured pencils and write the corresponding thread numbers at the side.
5. practise first by designing simple borders and repeat motifs before trying larger designs with shading and detail.
6. Thread colours will look different depending on where they are placed and the adjacent colour.

See the next lesson for more designing tips

Joanne x