I don’t listen to a lot of podcasts about crafting or anything else, but I did recently come across this older podcast from Hannah Handmakes with Nicola from Mindful Stitching Company that’s all about how to design cross stitch patterns.
Ultimately it’s about her course where you can learn everything you need to know about designing cross stitch patterns for yourself or to sell, but there are some good tips in there for anyone who is interested in getting starting making their own charts.
They talk about getting inspiration and using a sketchbook and transferring designs to gridded paper or using a program to design your cross stitch charts (they talk a lot about using PCStitch, which does seem to be a popular choice and has a lot of built-in motifs, fonts and borders that you can use in your designs).
The podcast is about 35 minutes long (and you can skip the first few minutes because they’re talking about having been in lockdown) and it provides a pretty good overview of how you might go about getting started and thinking about designing your own charts. They talk about what’s offered in the class, copyright issues, developing your own style and more.
And if you are interested in the class (which is linked above), it’s an eight-part series with bonus sections that includes information on finding inspiration, sketching, graphing, choosing colors and materials, working with computer software, stitching your project, finishing and photographing your work. There’s a bonus section on how to import photos into cross stitch chart design programs, because it doesn’t always work the way you’d expect it to.
I haven’t done a lot of cross stitch design but listening to this podcast has sort of inspired me to want to try to do a bit more. Do you design cross stitch patterns for your own use or to sell? I’d love to hear about it!
[Photo: Mindful Stitching Company]
Cross-Stitch Graph Paper is specially designed to provide a structured layout, allowing you to easily translate your ideas onto the fabric. Each sheet features a grid of squares that correspond to individual stitches, making it simple to plan and execute your cross-stitch designs. You can purchase Cross-stitch graph paper
here.
Make Your Own Cross Stitch Charts Using Excel
This innovative approach allows you to create personalized designs with ease and precision. With step-by-step instructions and handy tips, you’ll discover how to transform your ideas into beautiful cross stitch patterns. Unleash your imagination and embark on a cross stitching adventure like no other!
Create Your Own Pattern In this article, we’ll guide you through the process, providing you with valuable tips and tricks along the way. Whether you have a specific image in mind or want to design something from scratch, you’ll learn the fundamentals of pattern creation and be able to bring your vision to life. Get ready to embark on a creative journey filled with stitches and endless possibilities!
Printable Graph Cross-Stitch Paper Designed with convenience and flexibility in mind, this printable graph paper provides an organized and precise layout for creating intricate cross-stitch patterns. Each grid square represents a stitch, allowing you to easily translate your ideas into beautiful, pixel-perfect designs.
