Drawing a simple Torchon pattern.
Before starting we have to think which size of threads will be used. This is important to determine how far apart the dots are to be put. Suppose we design for linen thread 60 / 2 or DMC cotton 80, then the dots shoudl be 4 mm horizontal apart.
To achieve this we use the grid in Illustrator. We must first ensure that it has the correct distance.
The grid is to be aproached in the preference menu: grid and guides.
Where the preferences can be found, depends on the version of Illustrator, in Illustrator CS4 for Mac it is found under Illustrator.
We set the grid line to 2mm and the subdivision to 1.
Make sure “Grids in background” is checked.
Do not make the dot too big, but use the size you prefer. The dot is made with the tool “oval” . This tool is located under the “square”. If you place the cursor on this, among others the oval becomes visible. This for instance is set on 0.5 mm high and 0.5 mm wide.
Copy the dots to the required corners of the grid.
Once you have a grid of dots, you can use it over and over. So be careful with it. Before you make a pattern on this grid, you should make a new document by saving it with a different name. This keeps your dots intact and you can use it over and over again.
To download an example of this grid click here.
Rename in the new document the layer on which the dots are: dots or grid. For this double click in the layers palette, layer 1. Before we start drawing the pattern, we first create a new layer. Upon Layers we click on the arrow to the right and then choose a new layer. We call this pattern.
Here we draw the motif. We use the tool “pen”.
We first draw only the first motif.
The next one we copy and paste below the first one in the correct place. Make the points of the zigzag line fits well to the dots. We do this as often as the length of the lace requires.
To make the pattern neat and legible, we remove the excessive dots. Because we do not want to risk accidentally changing the design, we lock the layer pattern in the layers palette by clicking besides the layer pattern on the empty box to the left. Now a lock is visible.
The final lace.