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Taking a leaf out of Amanda G's book I'd like to ask fellow stitchers' opinions about charts, or rather chart packs. I include loads of stitch diagrams which I draw myself, either on the computer or by hand. There is specialised software to do it but it is hideously expensive . I've explained it all in a bit more detail on FoF.

My question is, would you as stitchers be happy with diagrams like mine? Does it worry/bother/annoy you that they are not computer-generated and "standardised"? When you see a chart pack with hand-drawn diagrams, does it give the impression that it is not as high-quality as packs with the computer-generated ones?

Basically, should I invest in a stitch diagram program to be credible as a serious designer?

And members who are also designers -- do you include stitch diagrams in your chart packs/kits, and if so, how do you make them? Is there any software you can recommend?

Thanks!

So far I've only seen diagrams from the two designers that I've done specialist stitch charts by. Both were, I think, done on computer but both have so far had glitches and have on occasion had me scratching my head. Not because the stitch was difficult, but because it wasn't completely clear from the diagram how it was placed. They weren't necessarily done on any expensive program as I know that even the free one that I use can do more than cross stitch, although not necessarily very well.

Your drawn diagram looks very clear. I'd be happy to follow that. I'm assuming it would be accompanied by instructions too. I like that it shows the needle going in and out, and you can clearly see which hole it enters and exits.

I don't think that it shows a lack of professionalism. More a touch of creative difference and attention to detail.

Hi Mabel,
I personally wouldn't care that they are hand-drawn or computer-generated, as long as the diagrams are clear and explain the stitches well.
Maybe you could use some other designing tools that are cheaper, such as Microsoft Publisher or Adobe Photoshop Elements (much cheaper than the original Photoshop) until your business brings in enough money to buy the specialized software...
Also check out download.com, they have loads of freewares and sharewares and you might find something similar.

Maud

I like the way you explain the way the stitches are created. I've followed your explanations and am in awe that you have such a good way with words...it's not easy explaining in a clear and precise way.

As for the diagrams...they are clear and concise too.

I would stay with the way you do things for the present....later you can change and use a program tool...but for the moment if you're happy making the diagrams, why not carry on?

Thanks for your comments!

MaudL, I do use a photo editing program for some of them, in conjunction with my stitching program. I got an old, second-hand copy of Jane Greenoff's program years ago, and although it is by no means ideal for Hardanger it more or less does what I want it to do after some serious tweaking .

I use screen grabs from that and edit them in Serif PhotoPlus for stitches that have no need of the needle being shown. They look like this:

MaudL wrote: I personally wouldn't care that they are hand-drawn or computer-generated, as long as the diagrams are clear and explain the stitches well.

I agree with this completely. As long as I'm able to understand what I need to do I don't care how the diagram is made.

mechie

mechie wrote:

MaudL wrote: I personally wouldn't care that they are hand-drawn or computer-generated, as long as the diagrams are clear and explain the stitches well.

I agree with this completely. As long as I'm able to understand what I need to do I don't care how the diagram is made.

mechie

I also agree completely. Besides you are available via email if someone needs more help. (I'm anticipating the SAL and know I will need help )

Carole

Mabel I love all your diagrams and stitching instructions!! They are very clear and concise whether hand drawn or not! As some have mentioned there are often glitches with some designer's software and their charts can be a bit off sometimes (I'm including Chats in that) - it doesn't bother me as I generally know what I am doing but can sometimes put less experienced stitchers off.

As long as everything is clear I don't mind how the diagrams and instructions are generated!

I like your diagrams, I think they're keeping in style with the charts they accompany. So long as you can accurately render the diagram and they're easy to understand (which your example is)then I don't care if they're hand drawn or computer generated. Chances are most of the computer stuff was hand drawn at some point in it's design too.

Internet filters at the office- so like most images on this site, I cannot open the ones you've posted.

I have worked off both computer and hand drawn hardanger charts. And both had parts that were easy and difficult to tell where my needle was supposed to be. I wouldn't say the hand drawn was less professional- but there were parts when it was difficult to tell if a line was a grid line or my thread line, or if it was supposed to cross a grid line or not (a series of staggered satin stitches.. didn't know if I should jump one block or two) And then- it was the whole chart that was hand drawn, not just a stitch diagram.

Have you signed up for the Stitch Specialists yahoo group? She just sent out a freebie chart, hers are all computerized but I don't know which program she uses. On her stitch diagrams, most of the time she doesn't use a needle either but rather numbers each end of a stitch so you just follow along. The only time she does use a needle is when its a stitch that you wrap around a needle- think buttonhole edging, french knots, picots.. those sorts of things where you do need to see where needle and thread are supposed to be.

mechie wrote:

MaudL wrote: I personally wouldn't care that they are hand-drawn or computer-generated, as long as the diagrams are clear and explain the stitches well.

I agree with this completely. As long as I'm able to understand what I need to do I don't care how the diagram is made.

mechie

Ditto! I don't think you need to worry at all, Mabel. Your instructions and diagrams are clear and easy to understand -- what ever way you decide to do them.

As others have said as long as the meaning is clear then it doesn't really matter if it's hand-drawn or computer generated.

However, to save you from spending a fortune on software, there are other free online image editors which may (or may not) do more than the one that you're using:

http://www.pixlr.com
http://www.aviary.com

Flo

Maggie, thanks for your detailed analysis! Like the diagrams you mention I don't always show the needle, only when it is necessary because it goes under & over a thread, for example, or in the case of a french knot. When I can I try to use the number/letter approach. Could you have a look at the images some time when you're not filtered and let me know if that's the sort of thing you mean?

Flo, thanks for the links -- it's not so much that I'm thinking of buying an another image editor; the one I have is really good with layers and so on. The software I mean was actually developed specifically for stitch diagrams, and looks really good.

But from all your comments I think for now I will stick with my own diagrams, and save my budget! (for a lowery stand perhaps... )

Thank you!

I love your diagrams and instructions.They are clear and not ambiguous.

Mabel, I will agree with what the others have said, I really think your charts look great and along with your explanation for the stitches etc, I am very impressed with how your chart packs are!! I'm glad you've arrived at your decision and I hope you are able to purchase that Lowery stand soon!!

I think if your drawings were in pencil on the chart and unclear, that wouldn't be so good, but the pictures you showed look great! The fact you ink over them to make sure they're clear looks really good. And I've definitely seen that cartoon style drawing in magazines, so looks good to me as well.

Perfectly clear and understandable to me.

Miss Mabel- just had a chance to look without being at work.
I could easily follow along with those diagrams

I'm not bothered at all, as long as the finished product is nice and the diagrams are legible (which yours have always been). I think it gives it a friendly, more personal, feel to the product.

"I think it gives it a friendly, more personal, feel to the product"
You have such great positive feedback ( aren't the forum members brilliant and helpful with this ?!) about your method so it's obviously working well! I have to agree entirely with Mystonique's comment above.