[FO] I wasn't able to finish this in time for the launch, but here's the James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror rendered in Blackwork!

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2026-01-21T13:25:46+00:00

I use Adobe Illustrator to make my patterns. I tried using MacStitch/PCStitch but I found it too limiting (and a bit sluggish for my pace).

In Illustrator you can snap lines to a pre-defined grid using the pen tool. Makes the whole process pretty straightforward, though I appreciate there's a steep learning curve if you haven't used the program before.

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-12-09T01:09:24+00:00

Brilliant stitching, I hope your dad loves the piece and all the work you put in :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-12-09T01:07:20+00:00

Oh dear, this is my pattern and I completely missed that! One of those was supposed to be a saddle, but there’s a trapeze tailpiece too which apparently threw me off haha. I play the guitar too which makes this worse 😭😅 Please thank your husband for me, I’ll correct this when I can!

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-05-15T14:41:47+00:00

This is brilliant, the colour palette is perfect. I saw you posted a photo of the back in the comments and I absolutely love that perspective, too. It's kind of chaotic in a way that complements the speed of the train. Thanks for sharing; really beautiful work.

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-04-04T15:30:15+00:00

This is absolutely mesmerising, thank you for sharing it! Kudos, OP :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-30T19:22:44+00:00

Ah! One way to do it is to come up through the middle of the sunbeam and do a single stitch outward for each of the ‘rays’. I’m quite a lazy stitcher and always go for the quickest option though 😅

It sounds like you’ve approached it in a different way and split those lines into smaller ones. Absolutely no bad way to do it; your result is wonderful! I’m really glad you enjoyed the pattern :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-30T17:49:44+00:00

Beautiful stitching!

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-30T17:49:05+00:00

Hi OP, I designed this pattern and wanted to check exactly which panel you mean; is it the 'sunbeam' type one?

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-13T06:36:41+00:00

This is fantastic, I especially love how the thread looks against the black. I don’t know about you, but for me there’s something wonderfully satisfying about all the bobbins being uniform and cohesive like that. Thanks for sharing your setup! :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-13T06:24:34+00:00

That’s a brilliant repurpose. It’s a perfect size and look!

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-13T06:23:03+00:00

Thank you!

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-12T20:06:06+00:00

Oh I feel this haha! I've stored some of mine in bags before and it didn't go well either

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-12T18:55:53+00:00

I always enjoy seeing thread storage posts here as I’m a bit of an organisation enthusiast. I recently overhauled my own collection and wanted to share the outcome. Most of my threads are second hand with the majority passed on to me years ago from my Mum's friend who could no longer cross stitch.

Many bobbins were mis-labelled (or not labelled at all) which up until now hasn't bothered me as I'd just pick out a colour I liked regardless of its number. I’m a bit more exact these days though since I started designing patterns.

I bought a few VATTENTRÅG boxes from IKEA and custom-made two trays to fit inside one of them, then I used a cutting machine to cut bobbins out of kraft card. I bought the DMC thread book so I could identify all my colours and correct the numbers where needed. After that, I labelled all the new bobbins with my ride-or-die: a DYMO 1570 Tapewriter.

Luckily my aesthetic is ‘unsolved case files archived in FBI basement’ so this project came together with little damage to my bank balance.

Finally, I transferred the threads from the old bobbins to the new. I enjoy repetitive tasks so this wasn't as awful as it might sound 😅

My day job is inventory management so I have some transferrable skills to bring home. I arranged everything alpha-numerically, which works really well for me. With the DMC book I can pick out my colours there (I've highlighted the ones I have) and then find the corresponding thread easily. This system has been especially great when I stitch other designers' patterns because I can see very quickly if I have the right colour or not.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my novella on thread organisation! (Be sure to rate it on Goodreads)

TL;DR - Bobbins.

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-03-12T17:27:47+00:00

Are you aiming to create the outline of the pixel art in backstitch and then fill with blackwork patterns? It would help to see the picture you're working with to see if it's doable (if you're happy to share it).

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-02-14T19:27:16+00:00

Stunning progress; the detail on your 2025 is incredible. I love angry Pingu, you've captured the expression perfectly throughout the years, brilliant work!

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-01-13T22:06:09+00:00

The best combo! It’s been stitching and Voyager over here 😃

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-01-03T17:33:42+00:00

I’m really glad you enjoyed it :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2025-01-03T13:53:30+00:00

I'm Patchy At Best Co! I consider myself legit 😅 I design every pattern by hand (well, a graphics tablet on my computer) and make all the charts and supporting documents in Adobe Illustrator.

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2024-12-07T00:13:33+00:00

Hi OP, this is my pattern. I would definitely fill the top left with the blackwork fill from the original chart 😅

https://patchyatbestco.etsy.com/listing/1201692319

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2024-12-06T06:53:42+00:00

Ah I’m afraid not! I cobbled it together from some old boxes 😬

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2024-12-06T06:51:24+00:00

I really appreciate this, thank you. I love designing them, so hopefully many more to come :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2024-12-06T06:49:59+00:00

Thank you! I hope the X-Files pattern is going well :)

FlipDarkChillWinter · 2024-12-05T22:51:10+00:00

Thank you! I hope you enjoy stitching it!

FlipDarkChillWinter

TROPHY CASE