Challenge to help Mum - How do I convert photo to embroidery pattern

[PeteTh]

Hi there,

I recently bought Elements 4, and would like to convert a photo to a pattern that my Mum can embroider for my son.

What I'd like to do is choose a simple football photo, and convert it down to 120 x 80 pixels. So that it becomes like a pattern / template.

Also I need to change the colour palette down to a much more restricted colour range say 64 or 128 colors.

If any of you bright guys could provide step by step instructions this would be very much appreciated.

[NMarti]

Pete
Try this link:
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/02/make_your_own_cross_stitch_cha.html

I have never tried it but some people tell me it works well. By the way - welcome to the forum!

[Wendy]

Hi there ...

and welcome to the forum :)

Do let us know how you go on ...

Wendy

[RonH]

Are you talking hand or macchine embroidery. Because the machines use a very specific file format based upon the type of machine.

If you are talking machine let me know what machine type you are using. It will probably require a special import software.

[PeteTh]

cheers guys.

I'll try the link posted.

Ron, it's hand embroidery, but thanks for the info re: machine based.

[Kathy]

Nancy,

I just checked out that link. Wonderful!!!!!!

I love to cross-stitch also, although it has taken a back burner since photography came into my life this past year or so.

Thanks for the link. :)

Kathy

[NMarti]

You're welcome. Hope it works out for you. Maybe you could share a picture of the finished work.

[Bayla]

I actually own a couple of CDs that convert photos to crossstitch/embroidery patterns. One thing I would say is don't be tempted to use too many colours. You mention a palette of 64 - 128 colours - most embroidery/crossstitch kits are charted for far less - a really complicated design may only use about 35 colours. Believe me, it is very difficult to work with a large number of colours!

Bayla

[Wendy]

Hi Bayla ..

I have a friend who does cross stitch and she said just the same thing ... I suggested to her that she try Filer>Adjustment>Posterize to reduce the number of colours and she said that it works really well ..

Wendy