Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

Ok so I just downloaded a free cross stitch pattern and it doesn't really have any instructions at all. It's all one color (well I'm not gonna do it in one color but this is what the "instructions" are) and the only thing it says is [symbol] = Bright White
and then tells the color of aida and the number of stitches. Sounds pretty straight forward and simple right? Well I was looking the pattern over and there are spots when the symbol is tiny and in the corner of a square like a fractional stitch would be. The problem is, it didn't mention these at all and I can't tell which one would work there. There is no BS on the pattern and either way I try to picture it, 1/4 or 3/4, it just looks strange.

I am assuming these are on the edges of the pattern?
I would do them as 3/4 stitches. Because then you have the long 1/2 stitch that sort of acts like an edge. If you edge with just a 1/4 stitch.. it may look jagged or choppy? Or the 1/4 stitch disappears? When you get to one, stitch it both ways to see which one looks better on fabric. Sometimes a design looks better on paper than it does when stitched. Its hard to say- not knowing the pattern.

(But.. I generally do 3/4 stitches all the time, I don't bother with a 1/4 stitch)

Hmmmm...do you have a link to the pattern? Maybe if we look at it we can help decipher the code.

It's a pdf download, how do I show this on here? I think I can tell where most of them are 1/4 or 3/4 but some of them are confusing. Some of them have 2 in them next to each other and those are the ones i'm struggling with. I'm gonna try to describe it to you. It's a stitch of a bird http://cross-stitchers-club.com/Magical ... cal%20bird and like on the head it has (I'm gonna use # as a stitch and * as a fractional stitch)) ## the next line *##* and these stitches continue similar going down to form the head, but at the beak the line is
######** and the 2 fractionals are on the top of one square. I don't know how this is supposed to look. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful with my description. If anyone knows how to share a pdf image on here that would be great.

Idk maybe I'm just over thinking this... I'm picturing a bunch of tiny v's and ^'s and it doesn't look right in my head, maybe it looks better when it's actually stitched

MaggieM1750 wrote:I am assuming these are on the edges of the pattern?
I would do them as 3/4 stitches. Because then you have the long 1/2 stitch that sort of acts like an edge. If you edge with just a 1/4 stitch.. it may look jagged or choppy? Or the 1/4 stitch disappears? When you get to one, stitch it both ways to see which one looks better on fabric. Sometimes a design looks better on paper than it does when stitched. Its hard to say- not knowing the pattern.

(But.. I generally do 3/4 stitches all the time, I don't bother with a 1/4 stitch)

Explained well as usual

MnLtWspr wrote:Idk maybe I'm just over thinking this... I'm picturing a bunch of tiny v's and ^'s and it doesn't look right in my head, maybe it looks better when it's actually stitched

Do a trial on a small piece to get the idea

Ok. I clicked the site, then clicked the bird for me to see better and here's what I think would work.
Do the WHOLE body,down to where it looks like feathers on tail, border, the PLUME on head, and IF you want the middle around the bird, in WHOLE stitches, then the tail, and wings in 1/2 stitches, giving them the AIRY LOOK and then you WOULDN'T have to WORRY about 1/4's or 3/4's stitches.
The PREFERENCE in thread color and fabric color would be personal, as in the pictures of the others, the bird look awesome with/without the border OR the middle section around the bird.
Just EXPERIMENT to your liking.

HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

A couple here to download free

http://www.cross-stitch-pattern.net/Fre ... harts.aspx" target="_blank

Reta wrote:A couple here to download free

http://www.cross-stitch-pattern.net/Fre ... harts.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank

Um, I wasn't looking for any but thank you anyway

I tried to download the pattern but I guess I have to register so I didn't do it.
I did read the reviews and at least one other person said the pattern was a major pain so you are not alone
From what you are explaining, I'm guessing those fractionals are just supposed to give the head a more rounded appearance and the beak it's sharp point. You may have to just experiment which fractionals give you a pleasing result and improvise the pattern a bit. Sorry I can't be of more help on this...

It's ok i understand, I'll just deal with it when I get there and see what works

I agree with Maggie, if it's on the edge and it has no backstitching, I'd go with 3/4 stitch, I only do 1/4 stitch if backstitching will go across it.