Turning artwork into cross stitch patterns using MacStitch/WinStitch cross stitch software

[@puntoyseguido889]

I think is awesome that you make your own patterns, there are originals and too creative. I love the painting and to embroider, so you do the perfect mix. Congratulations for your art!

[@peacockandfig]

Thanks so much, I appreciate that! Have a great day, and happy stitching! 🙂

[@97sportygurl]

Wow! That Cross stitch of David that you did was amazing! Especially since you mapped that all out by hand and hadn't stitched in 20yrs. Amazing! #Goals

[@peacockandfig]

Hahaha thanks very much Chelsey! I'm stubborn sometimes so I really wanted to try it out. It didn't work horribly, but using the software for my next pieces was so much simpler (and I captured more of the details of the paintings). 😁

[@nicoladesilva7436]

Great work, the David's cross stitch. You did it on your own. I too a cross stitch lover. I was searching a way to do a cross stitch portrait without any app. Then I found this

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah I sincerely wouldn't recommend trying to convert art by hand like I did with the David test Nicola, it was very hard and didn't come out nearly as nice as it would have if I had used software. 🙂

[@nicoladesilva7436]

@@peacockandfig thank you very much for your idea

[@sassykosmo1793]

I bought WinStitch 2008 back in 2007/08, before updating to WinStitch 2015 at the end of said year, and absolutely love them :) My preferred pattern display is symbols on colour, and, as I use a mix of Anchor and non-branded floss, I always change the thread list to Anchor floss.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes, the software is great isn't it! I love how the developer is always listening to what customers say, and making changes to help them. I always use DMC to design with as that's the most commonly available floss, and I like using the symbols on colour function too. :)

[@jenniferknowles7219]

Thank you. I so wanted to make original art with crosstitch! This will help. Nice work!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're very welcome Jennifer! Feel free to check out my shop at peacockandfig.com/shop, you'll be able to see some of what you can do with MacStitch and combining art and stitching. :)

[@angelicatriebe]

Hi Peacock & Fig. Does the software work for long stitch Patterns too? If not, do you know a software that does? Thxs. Great work you do.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Angélica! I don't know what you mean by long stitch, I've never heard that term before. Your best bet is to contact the software developer (Ursa Software) directly. 🙂

[@angelicatriebe]

@@peacockandfig Yes sorry. I'm new to all this and did not know any better way to call it. I meant hand made "running" stitch embroidery. The issue appears to be that most software is meant for either cross stitch or machine embroidery and then for windows and not for Mac. To find one that allows digitizing an image to hand embroidery, be able to upload pictures or artwork and turn them into hand stitching patterns, in this case Running stitches, and decide for example thread embroidering directions, thread count, resize, change of colours, less variety of colours, etc. I contacted Embrilliance with this Q. they referred me to their program StitchArtist. I'll see if it fits my needs. Thank you for your answer.

[@jane7965]

Do you have a process for printing pattern onto fabric?

[@peacockandfig]

You don't Jane -- you follow the chart and count your stitches, that's why it's called counted cross stitch. 😊It would be impossible to line up a print and get it the exact right size to the grid of your fabric. You might be thinking of stamped cross stitch, but I don't recommend those (and they're made in factories anyway, you can't do that yourself). The stamped areas are sometimes hard to distinguish between colours, or the stamping doesn't line up on the fabric right, or the images are actually stolen unlicensed artwork (which unfortunately is very very common with stamped cross stitch patterns). I have lots of tutorials showing you how to do the basic cross stitch and follow the pattern if you need help with that. 😊

[@theglowingskinseries]

Can you show us how to use the pattern you create on a embroidery machine?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there! No I can't unfortunately - a cross stitch pattern and a machine embroidery pattern are extremely different. They're totally different file types, they're not interchangeable at all. For example, a machine embroidery pattern, you need to design the pattern so that any jumps from section to section of each colour are hidden under the next colours to be stitched on top. It's kind of a layered process. To design a machine embroidery pattern you need very expensive software, whereas you can literally make a cross stitch pattern by hand on graph paper. Hope that helps! 😊

[@hugettewatson2789]

I have an iPad and a Mac book, is Mac stitch an app, I’m not familiar with using them I’m now learning how to

[@peacockandfig]

You'll need to use it on your Macbook, it's not an app, it's a full program. I use it on my Macbook, I love it. 🙂

[@iotaultsch]

Hello, how can these images be rendered to simulate a slanted stitch (a one way half cross stitch)? Also, I recently uploaded a portrait which completely speckles the colour on the face, even though it's a high resolution image at 10 inches square, 16 stitches per inch using 50 colours. I had much better results with Pic2Pat which is a shame because I really think MacStitch is fab...I just need to know how to limit the multicoloured noise....without replacing colours pixel by pixel. Any advice? (Love your work BTW)

[@peacockandfig]

Hi, thanks for your question! I don't think there's a way to import the images and have them render as tent stitch immediately (the half cross stitch), but it's definitely an option to switch the view options to tent stitch. All you have to do is click the "tent" option in the toolbar (as opposed to colour blocks, symbols, etc), and the pattern will display as tent stitch. You can also export it in that view, you select that in the export settings. Also, if you turn off dithering (a little check box at the bottom of the advanced import window, where you choose your # of colours, thread count, etc), that helps reduce the confetti stitches. You are always going to have to do touch ups once you import an image to make it look exactly how you want. There's also a setting (in the palette settings) to reduce the # of colours by 10%, that will get rid of some confetti. I can guarantee that if you tried to stitch a pattern done by Pic2Pat, you'd end up hating it, the preview image is really different than how it stitches up. Pic2Pat's colour calibration is way off, so when you start stitching all the colours will be shifted greenish and have like a grey haze over the image. Hope that helps! 🙂

[@genohelix7522]

how do the patterns created transfer over to your cross stitch plasticy/linen gridded sheets directly or are you required to use the printed images only for reference from paper? Can you print them onto the linen directly? I'm interested in making pixelated patterns for a slightly different purpose than cross stitch specifically; but it would be really great to know how I can transfer the image onto the right canvas type material to begin the project? Any tips or advice on how this then gets transferred onto the actual template needed to do the cross stitch design?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi there, there are a few methods to print onto fabric (but none will work well on linen or cross stitch fabric as it's got a texture to it that would break up the image). You can do it the "nasty" way and use t-shirt transfer sheets. That would be a royal pain as you'd have to do larger patterns in sections, and you're basically winging it as far as sizing. You'd also end up with a gross layer of t-shirt transfer material on your fabric, it's kind of plasticy. You could also print your pattern onto paper in black and white, photocopy it reversed, then get the back of the photocopy wet with a solvent (like turpentine). Then you'd lay the wet photocopy face down on your fabric, and rub the back of the photocopy really hard with the back of a spoon, that will transfer a lot of the black ink onto the fabric and it's permanent. If you're doing an actual cross stitch, you wouldn't transfer your pattern at all, it's a reference to stitch from (each grid square on the pattern is one grid square on your fabric). Make sense? :)

[@genohelix7522]

It does!!! I was trying to find a way to design my own 'diamond mosaic "cross stitch"' patterns and was thinking of ways I could transfer the image to a canvas or something I could layer sheets of transparent double sided sticky too in order to adhere the small beads that are applied. I'm finding that the diamond mosaic patterns try too hard to recreate incredibly detailed images on really small sizes which can make the work look very pixellated, the pattern images on sites sometimes are very misleading to what the finished work looks like- and not as effective as alot of cross stitch designs. These software programs could allow me to use more 'gamer/geek' culture designs that fit in better with this 'pixel grid' look- similar to pearler bead patterns just no ironing/melting is required! But the iron on transfer sheets might be a good option as I could apply them easily; I might even research canvas printing as a way around it. Thanks for explaining for me- I don't know much about cross stitch other than it's beautiful and anyone that can is very talented indeed!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you could totally cross stitch if you wanted to learn -- literally if you can thread a needle and count to ten, you can cross stitch. It's the simplest form of embroidery, the fabric even has holes pre-made for it. :) Canvas printing can be expensive (like I got some of my digital paintings done and a 12" x 16" cost me around $50). As far as detail with cross stitch, the bigger the finished size (or the higher # of stitches per inch of your fabric), you get more detail. I've never done the diamond painting, I have a neck injury so looking down that much would make me cry. Plus having threads and fabric in your hands is incredibly calming, there's a reason stitching has been around for thousands of years. :)

[@peacockandfig]

If you like geeky and gamer designs, you should check out Robin Hobbs designs. She has 3D Dr Who patterns, Star Trek patterns, and all sorts of really cool things. Of course, I wouldn't do a 3D pattern as a new beginner, but they're super cool. She has a whole section of geeky patterns with over 100 designs. :) robinsdesign.net/

[@genohelix7522]

You're so right! I'll think of what my options are in terms of getting the design printed onto some sort of medium :) thanks for the help :) When I have room in my life for one more creative hobby- I'll definitely consider the cross stitch as a good one to start with. Isn't this the bane of all creative crafty people- too many things we want to get into and theres just not enough time let alone space to take them all on! I got this flare from my mum and I've tried so many things but I have to stop myself or before I know it ill need yet another cupboard for art/craft supplies (there are already 3 in my apartment haha and even more stored at my parents place) Too many beautiful things though that fill me with inspiration!

[@marseillestarot]

Thank you! I own MacStitch and can't wait to see how you use the program. I've loaded an image from the web and am currently working on it -- 50 colors. I'm not sure how true it is to the original but it is a gift for the artist who created the image and I think she will like it. I'm not good at learning software so your next video on how to maneuver the program will be very interested and appreciated.

[@peacockandfig]

marseillestarot Thanks very much for your comment! I'll do my best to show you how I import images and adjust the settings, etc to get a good result. As well, I'll show some of the neat features in MacStitch that I use. As I mentioned in the video, I don't use the backstitch feature, nor do I use beads, half or quarter stitches, etc. I try to design my patterns so they retain the image as clearly as possible without making them impossible to stitch. If you like, here are two links to my blog that are articles I wrote about MacStitch. Hopefully they'll help you out in the meantime until I make the next video (likely early next week). handylittlegadget.ca/2015/04/flower-power-and-macstitch/ handylittlegadget.ca/2015/02/from-a-painting-to-a-cross-stitch/ Good luck on your project! :)

[@peacockandfig]

marseillestarot Hi again! The new video is now up on my channel, I hope you enjoy it and let me know if you have any questions! :)

[@marseillestarot]

Yay! I will view this as soon as I get back from the dentist! As a reward. Thank you so much.

[@peacockandfig]

marseillestarot Hahaha great, I hope it's a good reward! :)

[@peacockandfig]

+marseillestarot So how did your pattern turn out, did the artist like it? :)

[@hugettewatson2789]

Hi can I use Mac stitch to crate patterns from pictures to crochet or Tunisian patterns for a Afghan

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Hugette! I think so, I've seen those options in the settings, but I've never done it myself. Your best bet would be to download the free demo of the software and have a play, you just can't save or print patterns in the demo mode. :)

[@hugettewatson2789]

Okay thank you

[@sabinaghergut3617]

This is amazing!!

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahah thanks very much Sabina! The pattern in the video was just a trial, since then I've gotten a lot better at making patterns from my art and designs in the software. I've been using a lot of vintage inspiration for my recent collections. You can see my most recent collection (Vintage Sass) at peacockandfig.com/shop, and I'm working on a new collection right now. It's such great software, I find it really flexible and adaptable. :)

[@chucknut88]

You are incredibly talented and a very effective teacher. I have really enjoyed your videos as I just started stitching again recently. That being said, your comment about windows users (around :33 into your video) was juvenile and disappointing.

[@peacockandfig]

Well, sorry you feel that way, but considering that Microsoft bricked my Surface Pro 4 with a mandatory update (at the time you couldn't opt out of those updates), I can say whatever I want about PCs. That update couldn't be rolled back, and broke the connection between my Surface Pen and my cross stitch design software, which was the exact reason I spent $800 on that device. So now it's an expensive e-reader. I cannot stand Microsoft products because of stuff like that, and they are not user friendly. Sorry if that offends you or you took that personally as meaning something about you... it doesn't. I'm just never going to spend another dime on products that use unreliable and unwieldy software. I'm glad you enjoy the tutorials, but my opinion of Microsoft will never change, they've "earned" their reputation in my mind. 😊

[@chucknut88]

@@peacockandfig I'm not offended, I am disappointed. In my opinion words matter, especially when you have an online presence. Replay the video and listen to your words - you weren't criticizing MS, you pitied people that were "unfortunate enough" to own a PC. If you don't see a difference, then nothing I can say will change your mind.

[@stitchingenthusiasts]

Can you use this program with an iPad?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Ana! No you can't, it's for full operating systems (you can use it with a PC with WinStitch, it's the same software). They used to have an iPad app called Cross Stitch 2 Go, I don't know if they still do but you could look for that. It was way more limited (and you couldn't import images, you could just manually draw your patterns), but that might work. Apps have far less functionality than full programs (and use a lot more computer resources), so that's why you need to use the full version to get all the functionality. 🙂

[@stitchingenthusiasts]

Peacock & Fig hey I looked on the App Store they don’t have it I have pc stitch but I find it a bit complicated.

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah the few times I've seen people discussing PC Stitch in Fb groups or whatnot, it seemed really overcomplicated for what it is. You can always download WinStitch for free and try it, you just can't print or save from the demo. 🙂

[@judihart9658]

💖👍😎

[@peacockandfig]

❤❤

[@damotorcity]

Amazing

[@peacockandfig]

+Michael Domotor Thanks very much, appreciate the comment! If you're interested in MacStitch, I have a whole playlist for the videos I've made of various functions. I'm still learning it, there are so many things you can do with it. You can also see a sample of one of the patterns created using MacStitch in another video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWGmgayhramLrpI :)

[@barnesy1961]

very nice

[@peacockandfig]

Thanks very much. :)

[@solarwinds-]

It's inappropriate to cut down someone else's OS system. Mac and Windows both have their problems.

[@peacockandfig]

Inappropriate?? Alrighty then, so clearly I'm not entitled to my opinion after years of working with both systems, on my channel. And that's an odd thing to get upset about on a free stitching tutorial that's years old, but you have a good day.

[@irmatchamourian2802]

JESUS. I came here for a "quick" tutorial on how to use MacStitch. Instead I had to listen to this life story.... somebody please post the time slot where she actually talks about the PROGRAM.

[@peacockandfig]

Bahahaha OR, you could be an adult and just watch another channel if you don't like my **free** tutorial. Just sayin'... ;)