Flosstube 13: STEMxSTITCH Designs Coming Soon!

[@Aspen_stitcher]

How exciting you're creating your own designs and opening up a shop! I watch some Flosstubers who post weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and whenever they have time. Family, friends, travel and life experiences are much more important!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thank you! I am very excited about it and getting a little closer to being ready to open every day!

[@suzetteyoungblood6887]

Glad you’ve had so many fun adventures with more to come! That’s what’s important ..much more so than making a video. I’m open to whatever works with your schedule. I do the same as you and when a new episode pops up I either watch it then or add to my watch later list. Excited for your Etsy shop and designs! Suzette

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thanks Suzette! I am really excited too!

[@marzipanstitcher8571]

All the best with the shop. I would prefer to see a stitched picture as well as the mock up.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[@debrasayres-thomen376]

Just beautiful Luna Moth!!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thank you! I love how it is turning out as well!

[@MichelleBendyStitchy]

HECK YES that is a completed WipGo goal!!! Giving something up is a big deal.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thank you Michelle! It’s really reassuring to hear these things from a designer and Flosstuber that I really look up to! Going to try my best to model stitch for now, but I will see how it goes. Luckily, I have had a couple of amazing people offer to help me out with it too ❤️ this community is truly incredible!

[@MichelleBendyStitchy]

@@STEMxSTITCH I was going to throw my name in the hat for model stitching too! 😂😂 I’d love to help you out.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

@@MichelleBendyStitchy that would be incredible!! I’ll reach out via email with more info if you have the time to help out ❤️

[@johnniesaxon]

Can't wait to see your designs!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

I can’t wait to release them! Time to make myself busy stitching them first :)

[@rebeccajourney3183]

Focus on the positive, you've achieved so much! Plus you had a fantastic trip and got to stitch on the train!❤ Congrats on designing and opening an ETSY shop!!e purchased charts from a pattern before. It would be nice if you had time to stitch or had someone to help you. Mom? San Diego is a beautiful city!I will watch regardless of the time frame. You have a busy life so do what's best for you!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thank you! My mom just offered to help me model stitch after watching my video. I think I’ll have to take her up on it!

[@pathansen4368]

Enjoyed!

[@SarahsStitchySpot]

Congratulations on jumping into the designing world. I have absolutely purchased patterns with only a digital cover. However, as much as you can I would recommend stitching your designs. It’s just that best foot forward mentality. Many patterns are purchased from the stitched model. I completely understand that your schedule can be problematic. Just keep your foot in the door. Take care.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thank you! I’m very excited about it. And yes, I agree, it would be best if I try to stitch models as much as possible.

[@ALifeInStitches]

Hi, thanks for all the videos, I have just watched them all and caught up. Your content is really enjoyable and well considered. The schedule is not important, notifications help so I don't need to keep checking. I would say post a video when you want to and when it suites you. I have definitely bought patterns without model stitches. Look forward to seeing your designs, and your future videos xx Take care x

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thanks for watching through all of them! I’m so glad you enjoyed. Can’t wait to release my first design! Soon!!

[@rui6196]

I love the Boho Cactus you made, it’s BEAUTIFUL! 💚 The new green one you showed, “green washing” is very cool. I think you should post when it makes sense for you.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

I'm so glad you like it :) I do really want to start that one as well. love you!

[@beverlyjacobson9973]

Lov the Luna Moth! Don’t know if I could stitch it for someone else though. I’d want to keep it for myself! I prefer a stitched model before I will commit to buying a pattern. Enjoy your summer and time with family and friends!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

I do like to keep most of my stitching for myself! I have to know going into a new project that it is for a specific person or I will probably never decide to give it away. And they can only go to people who I know will properly treasure them.

[@shanleygunn8833]

One option for your patterns if you don’t feel you have the time to stitch them yourself is you could offer to have a few followers stitch the patterns as testers. Then you can get feedback and a completed project picture for the listing. However! I would absolutely purchase a pattern without a picture of the actual stitched piece and I cannot wait to check out the shop!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thanks for the advice! Ive had a couple of lovely people offer to help me model stitch already and I’m so thankful to them.

[@Chris-lv2en]

Thank you, interesting as always. Good luck for the opening of your Etsy Shop, exiciting! A monthly video sounds fine, a treat to look forward to! Best wishes.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Glad you enjoyed! And thank you so much, I am VERY excited as well!!!

[@chinookcrafter]

I’m all over the place on my preferences, and it’s mostly based on how much I trust the designer. So if they have been designing a while, I trust the mock up as they have the experience in designing. I do get a little cautious around a shop that is all/only mock ups and relatively new UNLESS they have a strong social media presence (like say…a flosstube 😂).

[@STEMxSTITCH]

ooooo I like the nuance here, it totally makes sense! I dont think its all over the place at all. It really is all about trusting the artist!

[@tactileandtrubbs]

Scheduling... go with what works for you. I put your channel on notification when you post, so no worries. I just started my KZbin channel and thought "yeah, weekly"... Two episodes later I haven't even gotten my 3rd filmed yet, lol. I don't have many viewers, so not too many people to disappoint 😅 Life happens, it's getting warmer, and being outside is great again. As for patterns without an actual model, maybe set it at intro price, or ask a few experienced-to newbie stitchers to do models for you, giving them an early preview/price? Then they can take photos or send them to you for your own photoshoot. Not sure, but I too would like to design in the future. Definitely looking forward to your pattern release! 🎉

[@STEMxSTITCH]

It’s a lot to keep up with weekly! The turnaround always felt quite fast to me. I think I will have to consider model stitching as an option at some point if I do want to release patterns consistently. I have so many patterns I want to stitch that aren’t mine, and I can barely keep up on those! Not sure what the standards are for compensation when it comes to model stitching though.

[@tactileandtrubbs]

@@STEMxSTITCH I'm sure if you reach out to a cross stitch pattern designer you admire (not just for pattern design, but also business-wise) they would be more than happy to answer a lot of questions. In fact, that could make a great episode to interview a designer. 😊 I'd watch that one for sure!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

@@tactileandtrubbs that’s a lovely idea! I will keep that in the back of my mind for sure

[@elizabethkrafnick5466]

Anytime you post is a happy day but no one wants burnout so do what you need to do. We’ll be here! Also, I personally would never buy a pattern without a stitched model. I don’t have the imagination to see how it looks in real life. Many stores have people who stitch their projects for them. Maybe you could find someone trustworthy on flosstube willing to do that for a small fee. I wouldn’t sell a pattern until it’s been tested for your own piece of mind. I want you to be a huge success!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thanks for your thoughts! I am definitely looking to model stitch after hearing everyone’s thoughts. I would rather release fewer patterns that are very thoughtfully done than the alternative. Luckily for me, my awesome mom has just offered to help me model stitch!

[@elizabethkrafnick5466]

That’s great!!

[@jeanieallard8494]

I find with scrapbook layout designs that I get online, that sometimes the designer has made a really nice layout, but once I start it I realize the designer has designed it online, but hasn’t actually made it in paper herself. They often turn out really cute, but are very complicated to make, lots of small pieces. Grandpa’s first trip to Disneyland was on our honeymoon!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

That makes sense! Love you!

[@britches__get__stitches]

I am so excited to see your patterns! It's such a big step, but so fun! :D One thing someone mentioned to me is setting up a Gumroad for your first pattern because you can set a minimum and see what the response is? I don't mind if the cover has a stitched product or not, the design matters more to me. Plus, I'm sure your followers would be more than willing to send their end product for you to use for updating your posting if you need. 😄

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thank you! I’m not very familiar with Gumroad, but that’s an interesting idea. Luckily for me, my mom has also offered to help stitch models!!

[@sarar8650]

I think it is great that you are designing and want to open your own shop. For myself I very much prefer a stitched model. I do occasionally buy an unstitched one, but stitched models show that this is a designer of cross stitch not someone who has run a picture through a programme. Good luck in your endeavours.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

That totally makes sense! I am leaning more heavily towards stitching everything before I release them after hearing everyone’s thoughts. It’s not that I don’t want to stitch my own work, but that I have to temper my excitement while I actually stitch them rather than being able to release them sooner.

[@pasqualetttto]

I have an etsy shop where I sell my embroidery and cross stitch designs. I understand it would be easier to upload just the mockups, but as a designer and a buyer, I always prefer to see the finished piece. I stitch all my designs before uploading them to my store. I think it gives a more "professional" look to it, but maybe that's just my perception.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

I feel that way a bit too. I want my patterns to look professional and I would love to see them stitched too! I think I do want to do that, at least for the first one if not all.

[@sunrise49738]

Is that you kitty in the room with you or your boyfriend's? Boho cactus is beautiful. Great finish. Luna Moth is so pretty. Congrats on diving into the design world, looking forward to seeing your designs when you get your Etsy shop open. You are correct, spending time with family and making wonderful memories is more important than stitching. Whenever you can film is fine with me and I will look forward to whenever you can post a video. Happy stitching.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

You spotted him! That's my boyfriends cat, his name is Nugget. He's a sweetie but can also be a little spicy at times (he's orange - so not surprising). Thank you for the kind words. I am very excited for it too!

[@alivetolive100]

I buy patterns without the actual stitched version pictured. I understand that it takes a lot for artists to actually make their own pattern. Plus, some popular artist hire people to stitch the mock-ups for them. For me, if the mock-up looks very good quality, I going to take a chance (and the pattern is less than $10). Expensive patterns, I need to see stitched.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

This is super helpful! I like your point about the cost difference. Pricing patterns is also something I have been thinking a lot about!

[@MJ-cj3hh]

Fun episode as always. Your Boho Cactus piece is beautiful. I'm curious ... are all the stitches worked top to bottom essentially making the back of the piece the same as the front? I'm just wondering about how much floss is used for this type of design. I love the mini masterpieces from TheStitchPatterns but agree that the back stitching can be a challenge. I find it's easiest to accomplish when stitching on an even weave and only using one thread. It can still be kind of fussy. Don't be so hard on yourself regarding stitching, posting new episodes or (gasp!) abandoning a project you're not enjoying. Who needs the extra stress? Do what you can, when you can. It's all good. Very excited about your upcoming designs and the launch of your Etsy shop!

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Yes, they are top to bottom each time so you use a lot of floss on the back. However since the stitches on the back cross a fabric thread rather than running parallel, it doesn’t quite look the same (or as nice). In theory you could alternate top to bottom and bottom to top to save thread on the back, but sometimes the stitches don’t lay as nicely this way and most people won’t recommend it. I’m very excited to release some designs as well!

[@dboyce256]

Given your life style I would shoot for once a month. And, if you still need more time go every 2 months. And, then after once things settle down in your life change it up again. And, as for stitching your own patterns if you can do it. If you don’t have time I’ve seen where it’s just the mock up not biggie. Have a great week.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

I definitely want to keep it flexible and be able to adapt it to my life! I think once a month is a good goal and if I want to get on more often I always can. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@JanetDoucette]

Stitched models are always nice, but if you include what the mock up in PK looks like, I trust PK...

[@STEMxSTITCH]

MacStitch (which I use to chart) gives very nice mockups as well - which is what I have been looking at. But I would really like to have stitched models too!

[@JordanPeregrine]

Congrats on opening your Etsy shop! I only recently opened one of my own. I'm totally with you on how long it takes to stitch a model @.@ What I like designing, isn't always what I like stitching. However, I've been stitching most of mine so far, in part because the software I have doesn't give me a model of my pattern that I like. (I have PCStitch11) but stitching them out has also given me the chance to tweak the pattern, either because I find that something doesn't translate well (or I messed up the model a bit XP) Eventually I'll probably either use the mock-up from the computer or send off a pattern to be model stitched, but for now, while I'm still learning how to design, I find it worth stitching them. (I'd probably rely on the mock-up for full coverage though.) Hope things go well for you!!!!!🥰🥰

[@STEMxSTITCH]

I would love to check out your shop! What have you named it? And yes, stitching all of them would not be quick but it also seems important! I use MacStitch and I think the mockups are pretty good, but nothing beats the real thing. It is a really good opportunity to proof the patter too! I am curious about model stitching and if/how much people pay their model stitchers.

[@RosClarkeCraft]

I am currently stitching a design that I bought with only a digital mockup and, frankly, you can tell. I have always preferred to see a stitched piece and now I would be extremely cautious about buying something which hasn’t been stitched. However great the design, there are things you can’t tell until you stitch it which would improve. Especially for a new designer, it would put me off a lot. Plus, I kind of want to say that if you don’t want to stitch your work, why should I?

[@STEMxSTITCH]

How can you tell? I would assume mostly in the way the colors appear in the pattern versus the actual stitched piece. Though to your last point, it’s not that I wouldn’t want to stitch my own work, it’s that I am so excited to share the pattern and the delay in sharing due to the time it takes to stitch it myself feels so long.

[@RosClarkeCraft]

@@STEMxSTITCH Partly the choice of colours, but partly the experience of stitching. Some charts just flow nicely to stitch and others don’t. On your second point, I’m sure that’s true, and I feel the same about my charts, but as a consumer it feels different.

[@debrasayres-thomen376]

I watch whenever you post. Plus, I would not mind if your designed are not stitched. Thank you for always sharing your projects.

[@STEMxSTITCH]

Thanks for sharing, this is super helpful!