How a Cross Stitch Design Comes to Life Part 2
June 8, 2007 by Melinda
To me, the most important aspect of designing a needlework piece is to come up with a good, solid idea, one that is usable and deserves further exploration. This is the basis for all further work. If it is a solid idea, the rest will fall into place as I proceed. I make sure that I do research on the topic and find reference materials if need be.
Some of the key things that I think about at this stage are:
What are my intentions for this piece - will it be a functional item like a pincushion or basket or is it intended to be a matted and framed piece to hang on the wall? If so, I need to research types of products to use, are they available and in what colors so that I can match threads within the design for instance. I need to know the dimensions of items as well in order to plan the dimensions of the design.
What is the purpose of the piece - is it intended to mark an occasion like a wedding or birth, will it be a keepsake or heirloom piece, is it meant to be a functional item used in daily stitching like a needlebook or scissor case? All things to take into consideration when planning the design.
What level of detail do I have in mind? Will it be a complex or simple design? What am I trying to convey to the person who will see the needlework when I am finished in the end?
There is a great deal of thought put into planning a design before a piece is ever actually worked on. Many times, I will gather information and then put it away for a while. I leave it stored in my notebook along with my rough sketches. I find that by doing this, once I pick it up again, I will move in a new direction with the idea - one that I might not have thought of before. I can refine my designing using this process and gain new perspectives. It works well for me.
