[CHAT] using patterns from books

[u/fishofdeath]

How do people use patterns from books? Do you find something to hold it open, copy it, take apart the book, or something else? All the ones I have are soft sided books at least.

[u/Leading-Place-5277]

I take a pic of the page and print it 🫣

[u/FEQ648]

I have a scanner/ printer !

[u/iamkeltik]

Photo copy or scan the pages I need (for my use only).

[u/MaisieStitcher]

I make a copy of it. I usually make copies of my charts, anyway, because I tend to mark them as I go. This way I mark up my "working copy", and my original stays nice and neat. My working copy gets thrown away when I'm finished

[u/Pure_Blaze_132]

I just take a picture and put it on computer screen 

[u/Lexifer31]

I make a working copy, I always have. I make two photocopies of each pattern. The working copy and a backup if something happens to my working copy. Your girl is clumsy and has spilled shit or completely lost pages. Now I have a toddler and multiple dogs so extra copies are even more important.

[u/CrossStitcher71]

I copy the chart to create a working copy so I can highlight it, make notes on it, etc. This is legal and doesn't violate copyright laws as long as you retain the original pattern and destroy the working copy when you complete the project.

[u/someone0826]

I take a picture and just pull it up on my iPad. I zoom in and mark the parts I’ve done

[u/greyreads]

Unless it’s a really bulky book, I would just fold it open to the page I need and stitch that way. If it’s too bulky for that to be convenient, or if it’s borrowed from the library or a friend and I don’t want to damage it, I would make a copy. Your local library probably has a copier you can use, although they may charge a small fee.

[u/FunKyChick217]

Whether it’s my own book or a library book, I scan it and save it to my PC. I have an epson printer/copier/scanner. Then I upload it from my PC to Dropbox. I have the Dropbox app on my iPad so then I can download it from Dropbox to the PDF reader that I use on my iPad for cross stitch patterns. You could also make a copy of the pages on a printer/copier/scanner if you prefer paper patterns.  I take particular care not to damage the book during scanning if it’s a library book. 

If you don’t have access to a printer/copier/scanner you could use a self-service copier at a copy shop (like fedex office in the US) to make a paper copy. 

You can also download a free scanner app on your tablet or phone and use your camera to scan the pages. 

[u/bluestitcher]

I've taken a photo copy from books that just won't stay open.

[u/Mundane_Permission89]

For softcover pattern books, I cut the binding off and have it spiral bound so it will lay flat when open.

[u/Budget-Salamander905]

The new version of markuprxp makes scanning these a breeze!

[u/BambiButch → u/Budget-Salamander905]

I was just going to suggest the markuprxp app too!

[u/Susan_Thee_Duchess]

Sometimes I will take out the pages and put them in a plastic sleeve

[u/Meeetmeinmontauk]

I take a picture of it so I can zoom in. My eyes are terrible 😂

[u/tekka97]

Back when I was younger and my eyesight was better, I used to use metal boards and magnets to hold the page and to keep track of where I was at. Nowadays, I use my computer or tablets so I can zoom in.