I have a few simple verses and poems that I'd like to stitch up, but I need them to be put on a graph(?) and set up with instructions. How do I go about this? Any info would be appreciated! Thanx.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Answers

Hi Marcia! One of my friends found a free program on-line that will chart alphabets for cross-stitch. I don't have the link, but if you do a search you should be able to come up with something. Let me know if you need any help searching.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Marcia, there are several programs that are designed to graph cross stitch or needlepoint, we use Patternmaker Professional. However, for a simple project, I'd just go with plain old graph paper and colored pencils to get the look you want, then put it on your aida or evenweave. That's how we do our initial designs, they only get entered into the program until they're all approved and test-stitched and ready for publication.

Are you planning any kind of borders or corner elements to dress up the verses?

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Sherri, after doing a little searching, I have found a couple of cross-stitch forums where I asked the same question. Am waiting for responses. I'm limited as to what I can do online as I have Webtv and not a computer. Thanks for your help!!

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Jorja, These are just simple verses that I plan on stitching for family or friends. Yes, I'd like to dress them up somewhat with flowers or wildlife. I'm a fairly new stitcher so I'm rather lost as to how to proceed. Graph paper sounds like a good idea. Thank you!

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Marcia,

This is really low tech but what I like to do is to just use graph paper and write each word. Then I cut them out and tape them to a blank piece of graph in the cofiguration that I want them. When I have the cut out words, I can move them around and try different arrangements until I get it to look good. I'm sure there are computer programs which do the same thing but I've never used one. There are lots of sources of charts for letters you can use to get started. Good Luck -kim

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Hey Kim, your 'low tech' methods are the same as most of the pros use! :-)

Marcia, you can't download files with webTV, right? If you're comfortable with e-mailing me your snail-mail address, I could run some stuff through the copier that might be useful to you. At least give you some ideas to take off with.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

Glad to see there are so many cross-stitchers here!!!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Marcia -

There is a great book you could probably find in the library - its by Better Homes and Gardens... 2001 Cross stitch designs, or something like that -

Anyway - they have about 50 different alphabets already charted, some with flowers, birds, all kinds of stuff. There are also a ton of books on just cross-stitch alphabets. If you can't find the free program mentioned above - check out the library.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Thanks for the info, Sue. My mother-in-law spends lots of time at the library so I think I'll ask her to look for that book! Hopefully, the book and the info that Jorga is sending me will get me started. I'm not a new stitcher, but my experience is limited to the kits you can buy at craft stores. It's a great pasttime for relaxing after a long day gardening or splitting firewood. Certainly more productive than "darning socks"!!! Does anyone even do that anymore?? Thanks to all for responding to my question.

-- Anonymous, April 11, 2001

Jorga, Just want to let you know that I received your cross-stitch package in the mail today. Thanks soooo much for being so generous!! Can't wait to get started experimenting. Sherri, Kim and Sue...thanx for your suggestions, also. There really are nice people out there in the world!!!

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001