how do you make stitches?

[dextress]

there are some designers who make such real looking stitches. they dont even seem extracted ones. I have tried everything from fiddling with brushes to the "-" of fonts. but not able to make anything like that. is there something else to it? a trick or filter or tube?

[scrappinmint]

If you're just making straight stitches I have used the "-" of fonts before then just fiddled with the bevel and drop shadow a little. You could also do cross stitching this way. As far as making stitching to follow any other shape, I have yet to figure that one out. I did try the text path way but the stitches aren't ligned up correctly, it comes out with an embroidered stitch look. Here's what it looked like A Man Stands Tall (http://scraporchard.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3909)

I'm sure someone knows a better way.

[Irene Alexeeva]

Definitely the custom made brush is the best way to do it - but apart from the bevel I would play with the texturizer tool - it adds the thread roughness to your stitches - only after that apply beveling. Also a realistic drop shadow will help in making them close to life... If you create a separate layer underneath them, choose the small diameter blurry round brush and the black color and make dots right under the spots where "th thread" ends - thus you will create a perfect illusion of stitching holes on the fabric... Hope that helps!

[dextress]

i make those holes too. but they are not as even. Do you make the holes manually.. chasing each end of th stitch or use as customized brush for the same? i tried using brush to make the holes, but it ended up messy. not even at all.

and for beveal? which beveal do you use? inner? pillow? outer? i couldnt get the right type and amount/depth yet :(. gosh! i have tried much more harder things and absolutely succeeded, but this! LOL.

[Irene Alexeeva]

Yup - I have to be really accurate that is why I do this manually - takes time but the result is quite satisfying. Haste is not a good helper when you need a quality look. I use inner bevel - try playing with depth/size - it depends on the size of the thread itself - and is actually the matter of practice :) Good luck!