You can turn a photo or artwork into a needlepoint pattern.
This original article was updated to include relevant and working links.
Creating embroidered designs from your own images is a great way to customize your pastime and provide unique gifts for loved ones. However, you must first convert the image to an embroidery file, which is preferable if it is free. I’ll teach you precisely how to do it in this article.
It is not difficult to convert an image to an embroidery file for free. The most important thing is to make sure you utilize a free software product. You must first ensure that the picture file is in the correct format, then digitize the image and convert it to the appropriate type of embroidery file.
We must first define and know what an embroidery file is. This is particularly important if you are new to stitching. However, in order to convert the image to the suitable format, you must also be familiar with the most common embroidery files.
An embroidery file is a file format that your embroidery machine can read in order to generate the pattern included inside the file. The file contains critical information that your embroidery machine will require in order to successfully generate the picture.
Important information on what color thread to use in different areas of the design, as well as information about stitches, must be included in embroidery files.
Stitching style
Stitching sequence
Angle of stitching
Density of stitching
Connecting start and end points
Here are some of the best and most popular free embroidery digitizing programs
Hatch– free trial
How to convert an image to an embroidery file for free
Convert An Image To Embroidery File | Image To Embroidery File | Zdigitizing
Thanks Denise for the “shout-out”. Althea
I think that you should be sure that Craft Gossip patrons understand that it is only legal to do this with images that are in the public domain. Encouraging people to turn “any” photo or artwork into a needlepoint pattern is not responsible.
True, Stephen. Thanks for pointing that out. I believe there’s also a substantial difference between creating a pattern for your own use and creating one for distribution or sale.
Janet Perry posted an interesting follow-up story to Bargello Needlepoint’s review today. See Janet’s post.
At the 2011 Lynden Fair in August, there was an incredible wall hanging. The theme
was ‘trees in the different seasons’. It was absolutely jar-dropping with all the little extras the sewer put on this quilt.
Many people took pictures and I’m wondering if anyone who happened to be there could post a pic of said quilt (wall hanging – huge). Also, wonder if there was a pattern book with this design. Apparently, the woman who made it took six years to do it.
Thanks for the info about having photos converted to needlework patterns. Great idea. I went to the site, but there was a notice that the site is not available just now.
Enjoy your blog, thanks a lot for tips, info, etc.
Sandra.
The link you give for Pic2Point is a porn/ hook/up site.
Thank you for alerting us, Cathy! In the three years that have elapsed since this post went live, it looks as if the domain was sold or is being made available for…um…non-needlework purposes. I’ve removed the links from our story.
Denise
I believe I’ve found the new address for Pic2Point. I hope this one doesn’t go sour, too! http://www.cross-stitch.szm.com/
Denise