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finished picture looks different than picture on kit
Wed, Sep 17, 2014 8:18 PM
Posted by Wendy Stirling
I buy kits from different web sites and I find that the colors they put on the color chart on the pattern is darker than the colors on the finished picture on the box of the kit. I usually have a problem with a darker face. On my latest one the woman looks very fair but as I make the face it turns out like she has been in the sun all summer. How can I change the color choices to make my picture look like they say it will look like on the cover on the kit?
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    Reply from NANCYE G
    Friday, September 19, 2014 11:07 AM
    Do the instructions indicate the number of the colors? If not, try matching one of your flosses to the floss in the kits and go down one shade. I have never tried this so I don't know if it would work.

    As for the pictures -- could it be your computer tones being off? Could it be that the picture is actually of a glossy finish and the threads being more of a matte? Go to top

    • Reply from Wendy
      Tuesday, September 23, 2014 9:36 PM
      The picture is not on my computer, it's on the front of the box that the kit comes in. Go to top
  • Reply from Anneli
    Saturday, September 20, 2014 9:29 AM
    If the fabric count is 18 or 16 aida, use only one ply. You get much more lighter shades. Tried and tested. Works for me. Try first to a small piece of fabric to see the difference. Go to top
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    Reply from darla
    Saturday, September 20, 2014 3:59 PM
    Ditch the floss from the kit and use your own. I stopped doing kits for a long time because there often wasn't enough floss or the color ran. I trust DMC and I now have a full set of DMC's colors, so I use my own floss. I save the kit floss for smaller projects (after treating for colorfastness). Also, if you use your own floss, you can change the colors to whatever you want them to be. There's no law that says you have to make it exactly the way the kit says. I often change colors to customize my projects. If I'm making something as a gift, I try to use colors that the recipient likes or will match their decor, etc. Use your imagination and go wild! Go to top
    • Reply from NANCYE G
      Tuesday, September 23, 2014 10:18 AM
      I agree with Darla 200%. I can't remember the last time I bought a kit. In fact, I can't remember the last time I used the exact suggested floss colors for an entire pattern. Go to top
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    Reply from Wendy
    Tuesday, September 23, 2014 9:40 PM
    That's nice that you don't ever buy kits, but I do if I like the picture. My question was how do you change the color on a pattern especially when its a face that is shaded and has frequent color changes. Go to top
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      Reply from darla
      Wednesday, September 24, 2014 4:10 AM
      Having multiple colors and shading would make it a little more difficult. I would try eliminating the darkest color and going down a shade like Nancye said. In other words, instead of using light, medium and dark colors like the kit says, you would use very light, light and medium. Or you could change some of the darker x's randomly to lighter ones, thus lightening up the overall face. Does this make any sense? It's hard to explain without actually showing you what I mean. I have PCStitch and when I'm changing patterns this much, I will recreate the part that I'm changing on there just to see what it will look like (and to save it when I have it the way I like). Just remember, if you use a computer program that the colors won't match your floss exactly. Hope this helps a little. Remember, you're doing this for fun, so don't let it get to you. :) Go to top
      • Reply from NANCYE G
        Wednesday, September 24, 2014 11:09 AM
        Sorry if I sounded sarcastic when I said I never buy kits. A while back I came across a color wheel or something like that on the internet. It gave suggestions on changing floss colors down and changing whole pattern colors. For example, you have a pattern that is all shades of green and choices to change to all shades of orange. I spent time looking for it last night and can't find it again. Go to top