Photos2Stitch™
Photos2Stitch is a rapidly expanding web based business producing top quality cross stitch charts and kits from your own photos or pictures. Each order is processed rapidly and with individual care to ensure the best service to you. We keep you informed at every stage of the process and you pay only when you are happy with the product. Why not give Photos2Stitch™ a try today?
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Frequently asked questions
Q How can I send my photo to Photos2Stitch?
A Photos can be uploaded via our online order forms, attached to emails or sent to us by post.
Q How long will my preview take?
A Previews are usually emailed to you within 24 hours.
Q Once I have approved my preview how long before I receive my cross stitch kit?
A Kits are usually posted within a few days of receiving your payment. If you need the kit quickly or by a certain date please call us. We can usually oblige unless we are exceptionally busy (at Christmas for example!)
Q If I am not happy with the preview do I still have to pay?
A No, we only ask for payment once you are 100% happy with the preview and agree to go ahead.
Q Why are there so many thread colours in my cross stitch kit?
A We use around 50 colours to give a good representation of your original photo. Please refer to our online guide for more details.
Q Will I have to sort the threads into different colours when my kit arrives?
A Threads come pre-sorted on organiser cards easily identified by a colour code corresponding to the printed chart.
Q How will my cross stitch kit be sent to me?
A By First Class Royal Mail.
Q I’m not sure what thread count to chose.
A Please see our online guide to colour and detail.
Q There are parts of the photo I do not want in the final design. Can these be removed?
A Yes, almost always. Backgrounds, blemishes, aerials on roofs, red eye and other unwanted items can usually be removed or changed to something copied from other parts of the photo.
Guide to colours and detail
There is often confusion about which Aida fabric and DMC colours to use when preparing a cross stitch chart from a photo. This is our own guide to clarify the situation and make selection simpler, especially if you are a first time stitcher!
Colours or threads
The number of colours or threads that make up a design do not affect
the amount of detail in the design. However, the more colours that are used the better
the chart will represent the original photo – up to a point! There are 447 thread
colours in the stranded cotton DMC range so the number of variations on a colour
such as, for example, pink are limited to maybe 15 or so. Once these shades have
been used adding more colours will not improve the image. We usually use around 50
colours for our charts. This will vary slightly as each image is optimised by hand.
Detail
The amount of detail in a cross stitch chart is influenced by only one thing
– the number of stitches in the design. The more stitches the better will be the
detail in the design. The number of stitches depends on two factors:
- the size of the chart (the larger the chart the more stitches there will be – fairly obvious!)
- the Aida fabric count or number of stitches per linear inch of fabric – the higher
the thread count the more stitches per inch. A 14 count Aida fabric will give 196
(14 x 14) stitches per square inch, whereas a 18 count Aida fabric will have 324
(18 x 18) stitches per square inch – an increase of 65%.
Of course more stitches mean more stitching! We generally recommend a design size of at least 10 x 8 inches on 16 count Aida fabric as a good compromise between detail in the design and ease of stitching. If your design is limited in size (by, for example, the need to fit an existing frame) then try and go for a higher thread count to compensate. Equally, if you are more comfortable with a lower thread count then try and go for a larger design size!
To place an order visit the order section of our website. You will be given the option to fill out an online form or you will be able to print the form and send it to us.