Make your very own personalized cross-stitch pieces by combining these "ready-to-go" patterns with the included tips and tricks for customization. Customize Your Cross-Stitch: Friends and Family by Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean and the team at Stitch People is the perfect how-to guide, whether you are an experienced cross-stitcher who wants to create personalized pieces or a beginner who has never before held a needle and thread. This helpful guide introduces you to the basics of the craft with easy-to-follow written directions and photographic instructions. You can learn everything from using the tools of the trade to reading a pattern, creating basic stitches, and tweaking an already-existing design. The beautiful, modern designs in this book are accompanied by simple instructions appropriate for all skill levels. The easy-to-follow lessons--complete with patterns, detailed instructions, and photographs--ensure success in customizing patterns to create your very own unique pieces. Discover how to swap out colors, alter hairstyles, change clothing, and much more, to make your scene depict you and your own friends and family!