In a message dated 99-03-01 12:43:21 EST, you write: << I was just curious how all of you keep track of where you are in the pattern you are working. >> Sticky notes! I cut off only the sticky part, which gives me a "bar" about 1/2 inch by 3 inches. I put it under the line I am working on, so that I can see how that line relates to the line above. If I'm working a block of color, I'll move the bar down 3 or 4 lines at a time. If you slide the chart into a Ziploc bag or page protector when you're done stitching, the stickies won't come off in transit. For something really complex, or with solid stitching, I'll have two sticky bars, stuck together at a right angle _| so that I can mark exactly where on the chart I am and keep my eyes from straying off to the side of the area I'm working on. That works for me on charts up to a normal single sheet size (8x11). If it's a big pattern, double page size or larger, I make Xerox copies (sometimes enlarged for clarity), cut them in squares (about 3 or 4 inches), and pin the small square I'm working on to my fabric for convenience in referring to it. Each square is large enough that I don't have to spend all my time rethreading needles after just two of three stitches of one color, but small enough that I can finish it in a reasonable period of time. I feel a certain sense of accomplishment as I throw each square away. On a project that's going to take 6 months, it's important to feel I'm making some minimal progress, and if I can actually see that I've gotten 6/16 done, that makes it feel less like an endless endeavor. If it's a color chart with just one or two colors (usually red and blue), I take my pink and blue highlighters and color in the appropriate squares/backstitch lines BEFORE I stitch, so I can get by with the 5c plain Xerox instead of the $1.25 color Xerox. (I'm a cheap Kraut.) Since I'm going to chop it up and throw it away, there's no sense paying any more than I absolutely have to for the Xeroxing. My copy shop has 3.5c sales on a regular basis, and when they're having one, I Xerox as many patterns as I can, even if I'm not planning to work on them for a while, just so I have them when I need them. The only time I have EVER had a problem with a copy shop objecting to my Xeroxing a copyrighted chart, I pulled out my work-in-progress with the little square pinned on, and easily convinced them that I had no intention of selling bootlegged charts, I just didn't want to cut up the big chart. They copied my stuff without further argument. My regular shop has never even brought it up. For those who are concerned about legalities, copyright law contains a "fair use clause", which allows for such things as a stitcher's aid copy. You may legally Xerox any copyrighted material _for_your_own_personal_use_, and this is especially true if you are going to destroy the copy after you use it as I do. Copyright law only forbids you to Xerox for distribution to others. _______________________________________________________________ Sponsored by Beakers Graphic Designs http://www.probe.net/~beakers/ecsp.htm The Xstitch Home page at http://www.probe.net/~beakers/xshome.htm Mary Joseph - XStitch List Moderator - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Monica Sudds - XStitch List Administrator - [EMAIL PROTECTED] =============================================================== To unsubscribe TO: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message: unsubscribe XStitch
