Your Own Cross Stitch Alphabets
Make your own with graph paper!
Tired of tracking down suitable fonts for your project? Here's how to make your handwriting cross stitchable
Cross stitch kits that have spaces to add a date, name, or other information usually have a boring old alphabet font that adds nothing to the completed project. Or I personally find that the typical alphabets for monograms (pillowcases, towels, clothing, blankets) are too expensive, don't have the "perfect" version for the letter I want, or are just unavailable for love or money. If you're hoping to increase the beauty of your cross stitch, try making your own alphabet using graph paper.
Instructions:
1) Choose a piece of graph paper. For a large monogram, I use the kind with 1/4" squares. For cross stitch patterns that require smaller fonts and finer details I use graphs with smaller squares.
2) Draw the letter, say the letter A, in between the horizontal lines. If you want the letter to be five spaces tall, draw between those lines.
3) Using the vertical lines, re-trace the letter to follow these lines. You may choose to cross over the graph line intersections, or go across half a 'box', to complete the letter.
4) Finish the alphabet, date, or saying using this same method.
With a little practice, you'll find that you can use graph paper to make much more interesting letters and numbers than those that come with the kit. You can even adapt your own handwriting into your cross stitch projects by first creating the letter on the graph paper and then following the lines to make your handwriting into a copyable pattern.
