Photo to cross stitch

[craftymathematician]

I have this idea of trying to convert an old black and white (but a bit sepia ish) photo to a cross stitch chart. It's a real favourite one of my sister and me when I was about 5. She's approaching a big birthday and I wondered about doing the cross stitch picture as a special present.
I've seen there are tutorials on the internet so you can do this yourself using photoshop. Has anyone tried that and how difficult was it? I'm worried about the colours, too, as they are basically going to be shades of grey, beige, white,......
I'd be really grateful to hear of your experiences.

[Rose]

http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... f=3&t=2270" target="_blank

This topic may help you. As I say in the topic I use the PC Pro Program and it works very well.

[craftymathematician]

Thanks, Rose, that was a very helpful link - and thanks also to all those who have contributed to it!
I couldn't see any mention of black and white photos but may have missed it. Has anyone stitched from one?

[skitzzzzz]

i have altered photos all different ways but used paint shop pro look good , havent stitched a black and white photo but did do a photo i took of my dog sweep and stitched him he was mainly black and white did the chart my self and used quite a few colours its in the sal thread


if you like i could do you a chart from your photo see what you think .. give you some idea of what it looks like
i dont want anything in return
just give me the picture ,rough size, max number of colours to use ,what count fabric youd like
then id email it to you in pdf format then you print it out and stitch away
anyways just an idea
dont mind helping out some

[craftymathematician]

Skitzzzzz - thank you so much for your reply and very generous offer. I've had a look at your lovely Sweep pic - how clever you are! You must be really pleased with it. I wonder what size it is and how long it took you to do. Had you started a long time ago and then picked it up again last year? How did you decide on the number of colours to use?

I'm worried about the amount of time and effort you would need to put in to make a chart from my photo so wouldn't want to impose that on you. And what if I didn't manage to get it stitched in time?!.... I may have to rethink my plan for my sister's birthday. Too big an idea perhaps.....

[craftymathematician]

When I was wondering if I could cope with my idea of turning an old black and white photo from 1953 of my sister and me into a cross stitch pic for her birthday - I found there was an angel in disguise on this site

http://www.freewebs.com/crazeestitcher" target="_blank

There were lots of others among you with helpful advice, too, so thank you all!!

Within a couple of days I received the chart (on 12 pages to make it easy to read!) and list of threads plus advice on the fabric etc.

So, I know that I've opted out of doing the conversion myself but am now ready, bought all the fabric and threads, and about to start stitching.

Will update on how the pic is turning out.

So look up this website if you want to try stitching from a photo and are incompetent like me.

[Raven]

I am glad you found someone to make the chart for you and I hope it comes out great!

Oh excellent! Thank you for the link! I've been looking for someone to help me turn a fairly simple picture into a pattern. I got one person to do it and it came back with 50 colors! It's a fairly simple cartoon type picture and shouldn't need that many colors. I will check out the link!

HUGS
Raven

[skitzzzzz]

its ok no problem i dont mind doing it for you

sweep turned out to be 10'' by 8''

he took roughly 5 months to do( i think )doing a little each day. i just let the software chose how many colours but you can pick your own amount
and size you want it to be
what count of fabric you prefer etc

on something like this i like to give my self at least 6months to stitch
if you like send me your picture with what size finished piece would be , fabric count , max number of colours you would like
ill do a chart send it to you see if you like it it can always be altered at any stage
give me something else to play with lol

[craftymathematician]

Hi skitzzzzz,
Thank you again for all your experience.
I was able to get the chart done by Shell at http://www.freewebs.com/crazeestitcher" target="_blank
Please don't take offence as I know you wanted to help me too.
She persuaded me at a point when I was really going to give up on the idea altogether.
I'm about to start stitching it now.

[skitzzzzz]

Hi no problem
cant wait to see the sal
i use dp software cross stitch platinum plus
was just an idea


but if anyone would like one doing for free i dont want anything i return just give me a shout

hope you enjoy stitching it

[craftymathematician]

Well, I must say sorry for taking so long to share these photos. I stitched like mad and got the picture finished in a month. My sister was absolutely over-the-moon delighted. She just couldn't believe it!
The original photo


The stages of stitching




Finished


Framed and ready to give

[karen4bells]

What a great present!! Very nicely stitched

[Rose]

Fantastic!!!!!!

[carolynbb]

Gorgeous!!!

[agi]

Wow, this is beautiful! Congratulations

[Cecilia]

Excellent.

[SChitta]

Thats really fantastic. I will try one for my daughter and me.

Cheers.

[craftymathematician]

Hi and thank you for your kind comments so quickly! I'm sorry the photos are so big - I'm not very clever at the photobucket thing.
Schitta - That's a lovely idea. I've certainly had a LOT of pleasure from doing the stitching and from my sister's happiness with it.

[vanessanjf]

Great work

[skitzzzzz]

nicely done well done super fast stitching