Hello,

There is a program called PCStitch that allows you to create your own designs and import your photos to turn into a cross stitch pattern. You can get more information on this program at www.pcstitch.com. There is even a trial version of the program you can download so you can try it out. I hope this helps :) Thank you!

~Kristi @ ECS

The is a package called PC Stitch 10 that is designed for this purpose. You can buy it at ECS. I was able to download a sample of it. I decided that it wasn't something I wanted to go any further with. You can buy it here at Everything Cross Stitch. In fact, I think that they created it.

Guess Kristi punched her send button a smidgen of a moment before I did.

I'd like to know what the pros, like Artecy, use.

I would recommend PC Stitch or Patternmaker.

Many hours go into making each Artecy pattern, we do a lot of work on each image in various photo editing programs before it is put into the cross stitch software Patternmaker Pro, then we go through each pattern and eliminate colours which do not belong and adjust colours for hair, skin etc Sometimes for faces, we may have to totally redesign areas such as eyes, lips etc

We also go through and reduce colours as much as possible and reduce scattered one-off confetti stitches.

If you have ever used cross stitch software, you would realize that just taking an image and putting it straight in the software does not make a perfect pattern. No matter how good the software is, it always takes a human touch to correct colour errors and improve the look of the pattern, and our patterns have certainly improved over the years with our 15 years designing experience. So whatever software you choose don't be discouraged if your first patterns do not look great, it takes patience and practice to get them looking good. The better the quality of the pictures you use, the better the pattern will be too.

Thanks and Best Wishes
Tereena Clarke
Artecy Cross Stitch

thank you for the replies to this question i was also going to pose it myself I figured about maybe 7 or 8 proofs for correction it is also something i am considering in doing since i love to draw thank you Artesy for your reply it gives me a lot of insight