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Stitching Tutorial PDF Print
Written by Paula Yagisawa   
Friday, 10 November 2006
Stitching!!!

For November, we will be adding to our element making techniques by learning to make page stitching and decorative stitching.

The "kit" for the crops is for template use only - none of the included files are page ready!

Crop times:
November 10, 2006 - 10 AM EST
November 12, 2006 - 9 PM EST

Due to the lengthly needs of this "tutorial", I'm writing it out for posting in the forums rather than type it over and over again in the crop! The good news for everyone else... even if you miss the crop, you still get to learn the technique!

Page Stitching:

Let's start with the basics and build on it from there. To me, page stitching is where it all has to start! Before you begin, you will need to make sure you have some sizes in mind. Since most scrapbook papers are 12x12 inches, you'll need to make sure your stitching file is at least 12 inches long - longer if you want to use it on a diagonal. (12 inches = 3600 pixels at 300dpi). The file height can be fairly small - 1/3 inch or 100 pixels would be plenty of space for straight stitching - 1 inch or 300 pixels is more than enough for zigzag stitching or rows of decorative stitching.

If you attend the crop and get the "kit", I've included an image file for you to work on while learning this technique. All it is, is a 12 inch wide image with one straight line and one zigzag line to use for "tracing".



First, create a new layer (so that your work is not on the same layer as your template lines). Next, select the color you want your stitching to be - this should be your forground color. Finally, select a simple round brush tool - 100% opacity - size 8-12 pixels (your choice). You will use this tool to make your stitches. Keep them straight (usually, the thread makes a straight line between the needle points) and a reasonable length (generally, stitches would be 1/8 inch - 1/3 inch --- or 40-100 pixels). By using the round brush tool, you will automatically have rounded ends.

PSE tip - click at one end of the stitch - move to the other end - hold the shift key and click again. You will automatically have a straight stitch!

You can make your stitches "end-to-end" or spaced. Keeping them close will make them look like machine stitches or back-stitches done by hand. Spacing them will make them look like a running stitch done by hand. If you are making them "end-to-end" try to keep them from actually touching (if they are touching, then the steps later won't work right).

The next step is to change these flat "frisbee" shapes into something that looks more like thread or floss. To do this, you should first add a little texture; I just use something simple like sandstone to add a little color variation. Play with the options until you have a subtle look that you like. Next, you will apply a very slight "simple" bevel. Do this in the same way as you did eyelets and buttons - but change the height to around 5 pixels (after all, that is about half the total width of the stitch!) to get the proper look.



Only one step left! Your image should now have the look of stitches, but they probably look like they are just laying on top of the template. In order to finish the look of real stitches, you need to add the holes!!! You might want to hide your template to make it easier to see what you are doing here.

Create a new layer and move it directly under your stitches. Select the round brush took, but make it a little larger than you used for the stitches (12-18 pixels). Select a medium to dark gray for your brush color and make a single hole behind each stitch end. If you made your stitches close together, you should be able to use one hole at the end of each pair of stitches (make it a touch larger if needed!)

Double check everything to make sure it looks right. Hide the template if you haven't already. Now, save your stitching as a .png file so you can use it on a LO!

You can make the zigzag using the same method - just vary the angle of the "stitches" to get the zigzag look.

General Tip:
In any software, you should be able to make a few stitches and then copy and paste them to extend the line of stitching. This is the fastest way to get a longer line of stitching. When doing this, I still like to do all the holes one-by-one in order to keep a more random look. (But this is a personal choice for me.)


Cross-Stitching Pictures:

I love the look of cross-stitch embroidery - and it really is very easy to make! I've included a basic grid and one practice heart for you to use as templates for learning to make your own cross-stitch elements.



Start just like you did for line stitching: Make sure the file is the size you want - create a new layer - set up your color and brush tool. On each square that you want to make an "X" on, place one diagonal stitch. Continue working each square - but only place the one diagonal stitch! You can use copy and paste if it works for you, or you can do each stitch individually. Once you've filled in that layer, make a new layer and repeat for the other diagonal. (On the heart, you could duplicate the layer and mirror the copy to get the other diagonal - this works since the heart is mirror imaged. Look at your design to see if you can do large sections this way.)



Add texture and bevelling to each layer. Make a new layer and move it under the stitches and add the holes.



You can use the blank template to create your own graphs for pictures or letters. You could also make interesting borders using this technique - and borders can have lots of repeating which means copy and paste!

Hide your template and save the finished picture as a .png so you can use it on your pages!


Red-work embroidery - or line stitched pictures:

Any shape or picture can be "outlined" in stitching to create lovely elements that are light. When creating the image or picture to be stitched, you can either find one that works for you or make your own! For my birthday balloon, I used a hot air balloon and then added a straight line that I added a "wave" to. While adding the stitches, you can adjust and make them the shape you want - you don't have to follow the line exactly!



When stitching a picture, you can use one color (like redwork) or use different colors. I've demonstrated this with the cupcake image. Oh, the cupcake is an altered rectangle with part of a scallop shape for the icing top.


Have fun with your stitching and if you make any elements you can share the results in either the crops/chats gallery or the tutorial gallery (make sure to give me and this tutorial credit for "how you learned"). Don't forget to use your elements in a LO and give yourself credit!!!
 
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