I’ve already written a few blog posts in the past on how to make a cross stitch pattern perfect however it was written from the point of view of improving a pattern you’ve already made. But what about starting from a blank piece of paper?
Story
Every post I’ve written about cross stitch patterns starts the same way. Story.
Comic books have story in spades and can really boost an image, but stealing some of their magic, but just thinking about the composition or the background can make a cross stitch pattern perfect.
The Rule Of Thirds
The above image is one of the best composed images I’ve even seen recreated in cross stitch. Its perfect balance of blank space to stitches, and its fantastic sense of scale allows it to own that title on its own. But its fantastic us of the rule of thirds (a well known photography trick) make it even more special.
The rule of thirds stipulates something every simple, but it’s often not that easy to actually do it. The eye is naturally drawn to the cross over points marked in blue. I know that blue lines make it clear on the above image, but normally it happens too. It doesn’t even matter if the image is rectangular, circular (or even star-shaped), your eye naturally goes to these areas. Combining them like the above Journey one just makes the eye pick them up perfectly.
Theme
There’s no getting away from it, but the theme of a cross stitch pattern is the thing that makes or breaks it. Is it an in-joke? Or is it something everyone is talking about?
Ironically depending on what your theme might be, the pattern changes drastically. It might be a good idea to check out the biggest trends in cross stitch for 2017 to see what might be a good starting position, but remember one thing; make something memorable.
Color Palettes
Taking a fun Harry Potter image might be a great start to a cross stitch pattern. Its got a story, it fits with positioning, it has a fantastic and nerdy theme, but there are 7 movies. I can’t tell you how many Potter cross stitch patterns I’ve seen that have bright colors like the first film. But if you’re stitching up something from Harry as a child, how about choosing color palettes from the film that reflect that time?
@CINEMAPALETTES is a fantastic place to find movie colors.
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
Explore all our cross stitch guides to master everything from basics to advanced techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get even, tidy stitches every time?
There are two main ways to keep cross stitches consistent and tidy each time. The first is by keeping even tension on your fabric and thread, which can be made easier by using a cross stitch frame and by using a technique called railroading.
What common mistakes should I avoid?
There are many mistakes cross stitchers make, but the most common one, and one to avoid if possible is miscounting. This can be alleviated by gridding your cross stitch fabric or using counting pins.
Does thread tension affect how my work looks?
Yes, thread tension and fabric tension should be kept consistent as an inconsistent tension can lead to warping or the fabric, and threads looking bulkier than others.