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At last week's Class Act Chat, we discussed chart preservation. I define chart preservation as an attempt to keep the charts we're using for current projects in good shape, as well as how we store either new or used charts. As with most things cross stitch, I believe this is a matter of personal preference, and each of us should do whatever is most suitable for us. :-)
We began by talking about how we keep our charts intact, legible, and untattered while we're using them. I can speak only for myself in saying I'm not easy on charts. With large projects, they're often in several pieces before I finish stitching. As always in Class Act, you creative stitchers come up with very creative ways to save your charts. :-)
A number of stitchers said they laminate their charts before they begin stitching. Laminating will stiffen the paper chart and make it more durable. If a chart is folded so there's a crease where there are symbols, over time and with use, it will become difficult to read those symbols. Laminating over the fold will aid in preventing the symbols from disappearing. There's another advantage to using this method of keeping charts legible and intact. Many stitchers like to mark on their charts. Some divide patterns into sections to make stitching easier, while others mark the place on their charts where they stopped stitching the last time. Laminating a chart allows you to mark however you choose and then erase or wipe off with a damp cloth the marks you've made. There was some concern, however, about marking charts. Several stitchers wondered whether the markings themselves have the potential to rub off on the fabric on which one is stitching. No final decision was reached during chat; however, I would suggest a couple of things. One is that different kinds of markers will have more of a tendency to transfer to fabric than will others. I would also say it would be wise to make an effort to keep a marked chart from touching your stitching fabric at all.
Several of the stitchers have floor stands complete with chart holders. Most of them believe using the chart holder helps avoid handling the chart and will keep it in much better condition than will placing it in one's lap.
Before I discuss the third way stitchers keep their charts in good condition, I feel it necessary to say that published charts are copyrighted material. This means copying them is illegal. I understand there is a great deal of disagreement about copying published charts, and it is not my intent to bring up that discussion here. As a wannabe designer, I have come to have a healthy respect for copyrighted material and do indeed register the copyrights of the charts and stitch diagrams I've created for Class Act Chats in the past, although this material is offered freely. That's why I've chosen to include the disclaimer I spoke of earlier in this paragraph. Now, to the subject at hand. :-) Many stitchers will make copies of charts for their own use so they don't ruin the originals. When they do so, some of the stitchers at chat said they enlarge the chart for easier reading as they stitch. Some make multiple copies so they can mark on the copies and still have fresh ones when they're needed. With easy access to black and white copiers, it's easy to make copies, as well as to enlarge them. Color charts present a different problem for some stitchers because do-it-yourself color copiers are not easy to find. In most cases, businesses who make copies require you to let them do color copying. In the course of our discussion, we discovered that the willingness of businesses to color copy published material varies depending upon where you live. There is no particular geographic area that allows color copying of copyrighted material more than another. It appears to be more at the discretion of the copying services. Even in chain stores that specialize in copying, there appears not to be an across-the-board policy as to color copying. Some businesses will do it, while others won't. And there are apparently some who take a middle ground, asking whether the copy is for personal use before they agree to do a color copy. This applies to anything they copy, not just to stitchery materials. Other ways to copy for personal use include using a scanner if you have access to one. There are 2 designers I know of who will help you out if one of their charts becomes tattered during or after use. They are Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum (Lavender & Lace, Butternut Road, Told In a Garden), and Nora Corbett (Mirabilia). If you send back to them the ruined chart, they will replace it free of charge. Marilyn has done this for a long time, and Nora, who is her daughter, has followed suit with her line of designs. :-) (As an aside here, I've also heard Marilyn say her charts will never go out of print.) I have known this for a long time because when I was on "another" online service, Marilyn was posting frequently to the message boards, and I felt fortunate to get to know her there. But that's a story for another time. The point is, both these designers will replace your tattered charts of their designs free. For more information, I suggest you check Marilyn's website at http://www.tiag.com. Nora's website address is http://www.mirabilia.com. If you happen to know of another designer--or more than one--who makes the replacement offer, please let me know, and I'll include the info in a future newsletter.
We spent the second part of chat talking about how we store our charts. We discussed this in a previous chat on organizing our stashes (yup, there's that 10-letter word again) and creating databases so we know what we have and where to find it. The focus this time was more on storage, and there were many creative ideas for doing so. :-) The majority of us were concerned with storing new charts or those we haven't used yet. Some of us also like to keep our well-used charts. I happen to be one of the latter. :-) One of my most cherished possessions is the chart I used for my very first counted project. Many stitchers commented that they don't usually do a particular project more than once--so what's the point in keeping the chart? Again, a matter of each stitcher's personal preference. :-)
Many stitchers keep their charts in plastic sleeves that fit into 3-ring binders. Others like to use the plastic magazine holders. Some of us store charts in drawers, in filing cabinets, and on closet shelves. And then there's my favorite way--storing in those very large Rubbermaid bins that come with lids. I believe mine are 20- or 30-gallon models. The drawback to boxes and bins is that if we put too many charts/books/magazines in them, they can become VERY heavy. That's been the case at my house. :-( It is, however, about to be remedied as soon as my new upstairs A/C unit is installed. I've purchased several more bins and will resort everything I own. In the process, I'll be able to make the bins a little lighter and easier to move. The big positive for me about using bins with covers is that my attic is off my half story, and I can move the boxes in and out of it as I please. Of course, keeping charts in notebooks and magazine holders allows for easy moving as well. :-)
Copyright 1997 Jill Martz
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