Something useful for stitchers?

kidzanshin · Post by **kidzanshin** » 04 Jun 2008 02:25

Being an art and design student and going on to study architecture at university, before I started stitching I had learnt 3D CAD on a very simple, easy and best of all FREE programme, Google SketchUp.

When I began stitching I wanted a way to visualise bags before i made them, and a way to try out new patterns and colour combinations.

I then discovered a soccerball model in the built in components library of google sketch up. With a few adjustments to the pent hex ratio it was looking like a hard footbag and I have found it really really useful in trying out colours, looking at new patterns, especially spiral which i created in sketchUp then simply followed the picture on the screen as I was stitching, rotating etc when needed.

I have also used it for dimensions. As it is all done to scale and gives dimensions you can scale the model to the diameter you want then the pent lengths (which would be after gather) and short hex lengths are given so you can find what sort of length you should look for for whatever size bag (more useful for beginners)

Anyway I have definitely found this to be a useful tool. It can be found here:
http://sketchup.google.com

Here are some screen shots:

If anyone downloads it and wants the basic model I made with a better hex pent ratio or the 8/12 blur, rainbow, atomic, stripy, bipolar or spiral patterns I've made then give me a PM.

Hope this can help some new kids on the block (there seems to be loads at the minute)

Matt

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » 04 Jun 2008 10:24

thats pretty sweet.

im gona take up stitching soon

HippieTom · Post by **HippieTom** » 04 Jun 2008 13:34

this is super helpful, with this i can crack the secret that is a spiral bag pattern!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you this is supa cool!

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 04 Jun 2008 13:48

This is okay, but I don't think this is necessary. Don't get me wrong, these 3-D models are completely fine. I just don't think many patterns take a lot of effort to learn properly.

12/8 Blurs are simple: utilize the 8 hex panels and form a "square" and then a "box" on the 32-panel. 10/10 Blurs are similar, insofar that you designate one hex color surrounded by 3 opposing hex colors, which are then supplemented by 6 of the former hex colors (these 6 hexes will be divided in 3 pairs) - then repeat.

Take the spiral/spinner pattern. Or the bipolar-pattern. Or the tri-spiral pattern. Or the "circles" pattern. Why did I mention these patterns? Well, if you think about it, most (if not all) patterns that use two colors as their main theme is just composed of 10 hexes and 6 pents each. Once you break this concept down to a tee, any pattern will be under your control. It just takes a little imagination, and maybe a little pen and paper.

As for other patterns, the experience of sewing one panel after another, particularly the hexes, is what you should worry about. Stitching is super easy.

mc · Post by mc » 04 Jun 2008 13:52

I think this is dope, and I appreciate you linking to it. Very nice. this should be stickied.

kidzanshin · Post by **kidzanshin** » 04 Jun 2008 13:57

waylon I totally agree that its nice to be able to learn patterns and stitch them from memory. i think this gives insight into the way a bag is composed and i think would create links to more creative bags

but i think this is useful for a starting point. you have to make a new pattern for the first time and this can be a good guide for that or reference if you get stuck

i can now do a few from memory without having to refer to this and its less confusing to learn from than 2D diagrams or awkward 3D drawings

hope you guys can put it to good use!

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 04 Jun 2008 14:16

Well, maybe I should use this pattern generator and divulge all of the patterns I know by heart. But I think doing so would upset the balance that is the world of stitching.

mc · Post by mc » 04 Jun 2008 14:20

waylon, I think that's a great idea. That would be a great contribution to stitching.

kidzanshin · Post by **kidzanshin** » 04 Jun 2008 14:21

ha! id worry there'd be a system overload

but that would be amazing

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 04 Jun 2008 14:42

I downloaded and I'm currently running it.

How do I get the perspectives and geometric shapes necessary to make a 32-panel? I'm technologically-retarded.

edit: Can someone PM me on how to work this thing?

footbag9208 · Post by **footbag9208** » 08 Jun 2008 15:01

yea its cool but it wont stitch the bag for me!

darn you got me excite..........lol

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » 12 Jun 2008 14:07

haha. ^^