ANSWERS TO OUR MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
A. Choose a
photo that is clear, has good color and contrast. Any photo up to 8"x10"
(20.3x25.4 cm) can be used. Keep in mind that if your photo has a lot of
dark shadows in it so will your stitched piece. In some cases, we can
brighten and sharpen images thereby improving the quality of your
Stitch-A-Photo®
Q. What size is my finished piece going to be?
A. Our standard chart size is 112 stitches by 140 stitches. This would produce an 8"x10" (20.3x25.4 cm) finished needlework picture if stitched on 14 count fabric. If it were stitched on 18 count it would be slightly smaller (approx. 6¼"x7¾" or 15.9x19.7 cm) or on 10 count which would be slightly larger (11"x14" or 27.9x35.6 cm). Simply divide the amount of stitches across by the count of the fabric you are using for the horizontal measurement and then divide the amount of stitches down by the count of the fabric for the vertical measurement.
Q. Can you chart only the head and shoulders in a photograph showing the full body?
A. Yes. We can "crop" your photo when necessary or requested. "Cropping" a photo is a process whereby we focus in on the main subject of your photo and leave out the less important areas. By doing so, you will achieve greater detail in your finished stitched piece. In some cases, our technicians will make the judgment to crop your photo if they feel it will give you a better finished piece. However, if you are not perfectly satisfied we will be happy to re-do your chart at no charge. If you have suggestions, include them with your order. Simply indicate this by taking a plain sheet of paper and create a "frame" around the image you want charted.
Q. What if I want to use 14 count fabric but want my finished picture to be larger than 8"x10" (20.3x25.4 cm)?
A. We can produce charts in almost any size desired. In some cases there will be an additional charge.
Q. How many strands of floss or yarn should I stitch with and with what size needle?
A. We recommend using 2 strands of floss with 14 count fabric or higher and 3 strands with less than 14 count to achieve good coverage. If the background is a solid dark color we suggest using 3 strands for that area as well. Use a #24 or #26 tapestry needle when using floss. Tapestry wool is non divisible and you should use a #16 or #18 tapestry needle when using yarn.
Q. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be and I can't see charts as well anymore, can you help?
A. Yes. If you check off the "Tired Eyes" box on the order form, we will print your chart with larger graph lines and symbols. This will give you 4 charts vs.: 1 chart with the graph lines and symbols 4 times larger for easy reading. There is an additional charge for this service.
Q. My camera created "red eye" on my favorite photo, can you help?
A. Yes. Simply indicate the correct eye color on the order form and we will make the correction at no charge.
Q. The photo I want to use has a very busy background that I don't like. Can you take it out?
A. Yes. We can "drop out" the background and replace it with a solid colored background of your choice. This however would be subject to an extra charge as it is a time consuming adjustment.
Q. Can you chart my photograph in black and white?
A. Yes. We can also chart it using sepia tones (beige colors). We cannot however transform black and white and sepia photos into a color chart.
Q. Why is there blue floss listed as one of the colors for the tree next to my house?
A.
Sometimes there are floss colors on the chart that you may not expect to see
or there may be floss colors that you think should be listed but are not.
The answer to this is that each Stitch-A-Photo®
needlework picture will look like a
painting when completed. This "painting" effect is achieved through the
careful selection of floss colors that work subtly together. Different
colors stitched next to each other give this special effect which only
becomes apparent when all the stitching has been completed. Only once you
have finished your piece and step back to view it as a whole, can you truly
get an accurate picture of your Stitch-A-Photo®
Q. Can I use my Stitch-A-Photo®
A. Yes. Simply check the appropriate box on the order form and we will process your chart for needlepoint listing DMC tapestry yarn colors and quantities. Please note that this chart is "counted". We do not supply printed canvas.
Q. My dog tore apart my chart, can I get it replaced?
A. In most cases, yes. We keep approximately 6 months of history on our charts in our archives and if your chart was purchased in that time period we can reprint it if you provide us with the chart number. Simply call our #800 number with your request. This service is subject to an additional charge.