Working with computer generated cross stitch patterns is not much different, than working the conventional cross stitch pattern. The difference is, your completed project will be more of an "Work Of Art" instead of a cartoon like finished project. You will get more of a 3D effect with the computer gen. patterns. This is because of how the pattern is charted. It's like any picture you see on the net. There are lots of tiny dots that are blended together to form the design. You have to think of it as pixels in a photograph. There are more pages in the chart, but the finished design is worth the time that is put into the project!
When you first get the design, you will think, this is impossible, I will never get this done. But it does go fast, and when you see the image appearing you will want to work harder to finish the design.
Anyone, from the beginner cross stitcher to the advanced stitcher can do these designs. Basicaly, if you can count and make an X you can complete the project! There are no hard stitches, all stitches are full X's.
Not all programs are the same when it comes to computer gen. patterns. You want to look for designs that use under 50 colors of floss. You will want to look for virtual stitched pictures, while looking at different designs.
When you recieve your design, you will notice that there are several pages for the charts. Not all charts are layed out in the same manner, but this will give you an idea.
The layout would be something like this:
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
Page 4 Page 5 Page 6
Once you have your pages layed out, you would look for the center markings. It's usually a small arrow on one of the top row pages, then another small arrow on the left middle page.
You follow these 2 arrows until the intercept. This will be your first Stich on your design. I personaly complete the first page "center page" Then move to the page to the right, until I finish the middle row. You can do any page next to the center page. It's the stitchers preference on which page they do next.
You just continue stitching your pages until you have finished.
I hope this has been helpful to anyone reading this guide. I'm not an expert, but I have been cross stitching for over 20 years. I love the craft, and hope you love it also!
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