[Group] Identify Features and Styles

[cityhubla]

Primary Features

• Highways
  • Type: Line
  • Color: Gray (#404040)
  • Strands (Line Width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Chain-stitch
• Major Roads
  • Type: Line
  • Color: Gray (#404040)
  • Strands (Line Width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Back-stitch
• Rail Lines
  • Type: Line
  • Color: Magenta (Not Specified)
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Coral Stitch
• Parks
  • Type: Polygon
  • Color: Green (#3ba731)
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Chain-stitch
  • Fill: User-defined pattern
• Contours (Terrain)
  • Type: Polygon
  • Color: Orange (#ff8e25)
  • Strands (Line-width): 1 strand
  • Stitch: Back-stitch
• Lakes
  • Type: Polygon
  • Color: Blue (#2cabff)
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Fill: User-defined pattern
  • Stitch: Chain-Stitch
• Riverbanks
  • Type: Polygon
  • Color: Blue (#2cabff)
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Chain-Stitch
• Streams
  • Type: Line
  • Color: Blue (#2cabff)
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Back-Stitch
• City Boundaries
  • Type: Polygon
  • Color: Light Gray (#808080)
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Running Stitch

Unique Features

• Trails
  • Type: Line
  • Color: Brown
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: Back-Stitch
• Landmarks
  • Type: Point
  • Color: Red
  • Strands (Line-width): 3 strands
  • Stitch: French Knot

[cityhubla]

@matikin9, choose the thread colors (numbers)

[matikin9]

orange, blue, green, gray. still need to pick out a magenta, light gray, brown, and red.

[techlady]

I'm wondering if we should make the railroads black and major roads magenta. Black is more traditional for railroads. As for highways, is it possible to do them with three threads in two colors (I've never done much embroidery)? That would suggest that they are divided roads.

[matikin9]

@techlady we could mix the color strands together, definitely. The highway stitch type to be chain stitch, which might inherently suggest divided roads as well. Example of a chain stitch and two sets of chain stitches next to each other:

[matikin9]

Here's an example of what the current style looks like printed, and then when attempting to trace using a thin cotton fabric. Note, the major streets are not visible, and the contours are barely visible.

[matikin9]

This is what it looks like after I traced everything in red sharpie. I can see everything, but now I can't distinguish what's what:

[techlady]

That looks great, though I would favor brighter colors.

[techlady]

Yes, I see how to do it. I just got out some of the antique embroidery I have, and sometimes they used fabrics that are almost like a fine mesh, which also makes it possible to see through. I'll bring some samples to the meeting on the 15th (are we having it?) Here in Santa Monica we have a terrific fabric arts center near Trader Joe's at Pico and 33rd (I think). I probaly can get embroidery fabric there. What should I ask far? I thought I would do the square for the northern part of Santa Monica (which includes my house) and the square above it (which includes Will Rogers State Historic Park, where I'm a docent). Charlotte

[techlady]

At least you know where each road is. You could go over it with other colors to distinguish different things.

…

--C

[JRHutson]

Has there been any discussion of symbolizing Metro lines separate from the rail category?

Edit: Just saw @matikin9 's separate issue for it.

[colombene]

Hi! I'm looking at colors to pick DMC #s.
@cityhubla, can you post the hex values you're using for your feature list above? I realize it would be good to see all the maps elements together before finalizing the colors (which can be done digital first then in thread). For instance, if you add Metro lines, they may look the same as some of these existing colors and get confusing (ie. Expo line looking like a stream). But I can start picking some digital colors based on the line's branding for starters, just might need to tweak the colors once they're seen all together - the colors might also make them too prominent.

Are there any other elements besides what's listed above? I assume the trains and trails are still being added. I agree with @techlady proposal for black heavy rail stitch and same stitch with colors for Metro lines. Are the landmarks still being decided? Will these be standard or is there room for the quirky illustrative treatment like the California maps? Are we going to include any type labels?

In regard to the print stencils, the Leaflet tiles seem low resolution and/or the line weights are very thin. I don't quite understand how those are being produced, but is it possible to make higher rez tiles for print? That might help with the trace/transfer issues.

Bene

[matikin9]

@colombene The "Unique Features" listed above would be the quirky additions each individual brings to the project. Landmarks would use a standard colored French knot as a dot to mark a location Everyone could then embroider their own illustrations of the landmarks.

[cityhubla]

@colombene, I updated the above comment with the HEX colors except the magenta (rail) to which I think we should hone in on the specs for highway and rail

[colombene]

thanks!

I was going to do a sample around downtown to test how the Metro looks and realize it's pretty difficult to trace with such detail and all the different colors, especially if you're trying to use a single color light line or wash away pen. I see Nina is having some difficulties tracing too. I was going to try transfer paper - maybe that would help with both issues. Might also give more flexibility in picking the fabric. I'm going to try one or both of these - anyone have any experience with them?

https://www.amazon.com/Transfer-Eze-transfer-embroidery-quilting-applique/dp/B004EBDSQO
https://www.amazon.com/Sulky-11-Inch-Printable-Fabri-Solvy-Stabilizer/dp/B004R2B3NU

[matikin9]

@colombene I found this technique described online and was thinking of giving it a try:

http://is-five.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-using-press-n-seal-to-transfer.html

I haven't tried either of those transfer paper methods, it'd be interesting to see if they work!

[techlady]

I finished the California outline. It was a 3-strand thread, so it ends up a bit bumpy. Doing this I learned how careful you have to be with where you put the needle, especially when trying to make a straight line.

[colombene]

I tried out some stitches and DMC colors with the thread I already had...
Highways dk. gray 413 (tried with a stem stitch to differentiate from the natural features)
Major Roads lt. gray 415
Rail Lines Black
Parks green 906
Contours bright orange 740
City Boundaries med. gray 318
Landmarks red 321
still to do:
Water lt. blue (trying 519 or 3766)
Trails brown (trying 3864 or 3828)

Metro Red Line 666
Metro Purple Line 208
Metro Gold Line 725
still to do:
Metro Blue Line (trying 518)
Metro Green Line (trying 954 or 913)
Metro Expo Line (trying 3846)

Might need a treatment for lines that share tracks (like red and purple). Thinner stitches right next to each other will be hard to make look good and consistent. There's also the bus lines, but not sure if they make sense with the coral stitch since that's for rail - perhaps a longer backstitch? Also, the silver line is looking to be the same color as the highways so if we include it we should probably change one of them.

[techlady]

It's great to see it made real. I still think we need a brighter color for major highways. In fact, I would flip the colors for highways and contours. I think the orange would be better for highways, while contours could be grey or beige.