| A cross-stitch sampler is an example of this beguiling | | | | Create Your Own From Scratch |
| craft that has been around for almost as long as | | | | While using other elements in the cross-stitch pattern is |
| cross-stitch itself. It is a decorative piece of work | | | | one way to go, you can also create your own from |
| designed to showcase an eye catching variety of | | | | scratch. You may decide that you want to draw your |
| motifs, alphabets, and stitches, thereby displaying the | | | | own sampler. If you are new to cross-stitch samplers, |
| stitcher's skill and creativity. Samplers are "busy" | | | | you might need to do some research first to see how |
| patterns with their variety of colors and elements that, | | | | other designers have incorporated elements that you |
| when well designed, blend seamlessly into a common | | | | are considering using in your own sampler. One way to |
| theme. | | | | get started is to use some graph paper and colored |
| However, many cross-stitch lovers may like some | | | | pencils to build your sampler that shows off your own |
| aspects of some samplers, but they really cannot find | | | | skill and creativity. If you want to become even more |
| one that fits with what they want to do. If you are one | | | | advanced in designing your own cross-stitch samplers, |
| of those people, then you might wish to consider | | | | you can also purchase programs that allows you to |
| making your own cross-stitch sampler. While the task | | | | create them using your computer. |
| may sound daunting, it's nowhere near as difficult as it | | | | Using Computer Programs |
| sounds. | | | | Some cross-stitchers want elements of their samplers |
| Use Pre-Made Samplers | | | | to come from photos or images that they have sitting |
| The easiest way to make a sampler your own is to | | | | around. In the past it would have been challenging to |
| use a pre-designed sampler and just change a couple | | | | convert those photos to cross-stitch patterns. Today |
| of elements, such as the colors; whereby you can | | | | however there are several good software programs |
| substitute your own colors for those listed in the | | | | available that even match up the colors you are |
| pattern. You may also be able to change some | | | | considering with name brands of floss. This makes the |
| wording or small design features. | | | | process much easier, and does not require the effort |
| However, if your need is in the design elements, you | | | | of going to the craft store to find your colors. Also, you |
| can actually use a combination of pre-designed | | | | can size your sampler to fit your needs by seeing how |
| samplers. Do some shopping on the internet and in | | | | large or small your sampler will be using different |
| your local craft store. You can take some of the best | | | | cross-stitch fabrics. |
| aspects of the designs to put them into your own | | | | These same computer programs that allow you to |
| sampler. You can accomplish this task in a variety of | | | | create cross-stitch patterns also allow you to convert |
| ways. | | | | scanned photos and images to patterns you can use |
| In order to compile your own designs, you can | | | | in your samplers. However, remember that a sampler |
| photocopy patterns and then cut and paste them onto | | | | is just that: a sampler. You need to show off a little bit |
| a piece of paper, coming up with an accurate count | | | | of everything you can do, so keep those images a |
| for your pattern. You might need to fill in some blank | | | | small part of the big picture. |
| spaces and make some adjustments. You can also | | | | By following the advice given above you'll soon have a |
| take a piece of graph paper and copy down each | | | | beautiful sampler any stitcher would be proud of. A |
| design where you want it to create your own set of | | | | sampler designed to display your very own creative |
| elements in your cross stitch pattern. | | | | skills and cross stitch talents. |