Creating a Cross Stitch Design

by Alice
(London, UK)

I am trying to find someone who can design me a pattern, much like a traditional home sweet home sampler but with the text 'If you hide your ignorance, no one will hit you and you'll never learn.' Fahrenheit 451.

I have never embroidered before so want it to be a simple pattern I can follow but with borders of flames, all in a very traditional simple sampler style like the image I have attached.

Does this make any sense? Can anyone help me?

Amy's Answer
Sounds interesting! You can create a design from your own artwork by following the steps to design your own cross stitch pattern.

If you are not that into computers, try laying a piece of graph paper over your artwork. Tape it to a window and trace. Then color in the squares or draw tiny symbols so that you know which colors of floss should go where. Look at a normal cross stitch pattern, and you'll see what I mean.

For a simple design, use graph paper with a large grid and limit the number of colors.

I would also use the backstitch for the lettering since that only takes up the gridlines and not several blocks. The photo you shared uses many blocks to make each letter.

In other words, if you use the backstitch for the lettering, you'll be able to say more in less space. You'll also finish your project sooner and be ready to display your new talent!

Recommended Reading
How to Design a Cross Stitch Pattern
How to Cross Stitch
Basic Embroidery Stitches: Backstitch

These books also have cross stitch motifs that you can pick and mix to create a custom design: