In the time I started embroidery computers didn’t exist yet and choices of patterns, fabric and yarn where very limited. The world was only as big as the village I lived in.
I started designing because there simply weren’t enough patterns!
I created patterns without a computer until 2005.
I used a pencil, paint and a lot of paper to create a design.
When the pattern was finally to my liking I would use a black ink pen to copy it to graph paper.
This process cost a lot of time and used piles of paper.
In 2005 I started using a computer.
I then started to transfer all my patterns to the computer, which improved the legibility a lot.
The first pattern I made with the computer is 40 Rana.
To get to know the embroidery computer program I took a picture of our dog.
It quickly became clear a computer cannot think for itself.
You can use it to load a picture and convert it into a pattern using Cross stitches.
You can even choose which type of yarn it should use. But this automatic conversion just doesn’t turn out very nice.
The program simply translates the picture into less pixels choosing the added colours.
The end result gives an impression, nothing more.
This is when the real work starts.
Work like creating the right colours by combining two different threads and checking the pattern for all the weird things the computer has done to it.
It is a labour intensive and not very creative process.
I have rarely used this kind of designing after this first try.
I now use the computer as a tool, it saves a lot of paper and paint.
Ideas for designs I get out of my dreams, emotions and out of life.
Sometimes I get inspired by an existing work of art which I transform into a embroidery pattern, always stating the original artist of course.
The whole creative process is the same as when I started, except the fact that I now paint straight onto the graph paper of the embroidery computer program.
Manual
Every pattern manual contains:
When applicable the meaning of the pattern.
The size of the pattern, shown in number of cross stitches.
The type of fabric and the size.
The used type of yarn and their numbers in order of number.
A yarn list with the used symbols
When other yarn then DMC is used a conversion diagram to DMC is supplied, if possible.
Whenever necessary an explanation of the special stitches is supplied.
All this extra information is shown under “pattern information” when you click on the photo of the pattern.
Fabrics and sizes
In my years of embroidery I have used many types and colours of fabric.
Some colours or fabrics are no longer produced, or maybe they have never been in supply in the area that you live in.
I always embroider on “even-wave” fabrics and never on Aida.
I personally don’t find Aida to be suited for halve stitches and quarter stitches and in addition I don’t like the look of the unstitched fabric when the embroidery work is done.
My personal favourite fabric is Jobelan, a fabric made of 50% cotton and 50% modal.
It is a very evenly woven and flexible fabric that doesn’t wrinkle as much as for example linen does.
In the end you should choose a fabric that you like and that you think works well with the colours of the pattern you are working with.
The measurement of the fabric you need is dependent on the size of the pattern and also the thread count (per cm) that the fabric has.
If you want to frame your work please remember to leave the appropriate empty space around the embroidery.
Personally I always use some extra fabric around the pattern so I can comfortably hold the work.
I need this extra space because I seldom use a embroidery hoop or frame.
Yarns
When I started with embroidery I used DMC yarns.
It was the only type that was available where I lived and I didn’t know other types existed.
There are over 400 colours of DMC yarns and over the years I bought them all.
The colour palette of DMC has been the reference of my designs for a long time.
The last decade I discovered and tried a lot of different types of yarn.
The effect of each different type of yarn is slightly different, some are more or less twined, more or less glossy, thicker or thinner and the feeling while working with them differs.
On this website you can see which yarns I used for every pattern.
If a different yarn then DMC has been used I always try to add a conversion diagram.
I make these conversion diagrams by hand and don’t leave it to the computer.
This way I can recommend the best possible colour palette for the pattern.
For a few patterns, for example the ‘Vincent series’ this is not really necessary because the number of colours is limited and it is easy to choose your own colours.
There are two patterns that have been converted by computer.
The fact that a computer has been used is clearly stated in the information for the two patterns.
When multi-colored yarn have been used it is impossible to convert to DMC.
The effect of multi-colored yarn is not only influenced by the colour but also by the direction of the stitches.
After my voyage through the world of yarns I discovered my favorite is “Au Ver à Soie-Soie d’Alger”.
A thread of pure silk with a beautiful glossy look that works smoothly and easily.
When you work with one thread of this silk on fabric with a 11 or 12.5 threads per centimeter it creates a very good coverage.
And not unimportantly there are 610 colours available!
After discovering “Au Ver à Soie-Soie d’Alger” silk has become the basis for a lot of my designs.
This sometimes makes it very difficult to convert designs to DMC because there are less colours of DMC.
I only convert “Au Ver à Soie-Soie d’Alger” to DMC when I am happy with the result when using DMC. Whenever applicable the information regarding this can be found under “Pattern Information”.
“Au Ver à Soie-Soie d’Alger” silk is a lot more expensive then DMC cotton, but remember je only use one thread instead of the two when using DMC.
The only downside to using “Au Ver à Soie-Soie d’Alger” silk is that it works so smoothly you’ll get addicted and don’t want to use another brand.
Yarn card
This is a website where you can purchase patterns.
As a one woman company it is not possible for me to have all the yarns and fabric on stock and the shipping costs would be substantial.
For materials I have to refer you to your local shop or one of the many online shops that specialize in embroidery supplies.
Patterns on paper
The first version of Aaron Art only supplied patterns on paper.
The new website only supplies patterns digitally in a PDF format.
This is a much more efficient system. I don’t need to stock masses of paper and ink and patterns can be send digitally and automatically even when I am on holiday.
But there is no rule without an exception.
If you want a pattern on paper instead of digitally you can send me an email via the website and I will send you a cost estimate.
The price of a pattern on paper is based on the cost of the digital pattern, the printing costs and the shipping costs.
The paper pattern will be printed on 120 gram paper.