Cross-stitch cafe 2010

*Louise*

spottybutterfly wrote: »

Can i ask ladies who have the scroll/ rotating frames and thoes who have the white plastic clip lap trays what they think of them?
I like the idea of lap frame that clips togeter (think there's only 2 sizes of this) but is 2-3 times the price of a rotatin/ scroll frame really worth it? And what size of either types of frame is best, i dont want anything too big.

I have the plastic clip lap tray and I LOOOOVE it!!

I have a scroll one as well and tbh it went back in the box and hasn't been looked at since. The lap tray is so comfortable and helps prevent my carpal tunnel flaring up.

I got the smaller one and it's perfect (I used it for my lake pic) and it's easy enough to pin the excess fabric out of the way. Well worth the money, I'll never use a hoop again.

Simac wrote: »

I've got a quick question too please, for anyone who has sewn on black aida. When I take the material out of the frame it has like light grey shiny crease marks on it. I've put a piccy below because I can't really explain what I mean!!! Is this normal or is it cheapy material that they supplied with the kit?

It's a while since I stitched on black fabric but I'm sure I remember the same thing happened to mine.

It shoudl be okay after the fabric is washed. If you want to check, sponge wipe that area and check the shine has gone when it's dried

Judellie

Simac wrote: »

I've got a quick question too please, for anyone who has sewn on black aida. When I take the material out of the frame it has like light grey shiny crease marks on it. I've put a piccy below because I can't really explain what I mean!!! Is this normal or is it cheapy material that they supplied with the kit? As you can tell I haven't done much yet :rotfl:. I'm just wondering whether to persevere because you probably won't see any of it after I've finished, or whether to quit now and buy another piece of black aida. Is this a common problem with black aida????? The piccy doesn't really show it up, it's much worse in real life honest.

Hi Simac,
I found the same, I cut strips of cotton (from an old pillowcase) and used them to put on top of the aida before putting the plastic strip on top. HTH

Jude x

Flat_Eric

Morning all :j
I am quite as I have a day of stitching planned ! :D:D

After being woken extremely early by my furry alarm clock, I have been browsing the web looking at various cross stitch stands. I previously posted about the siesta lapman which I still can't make my mind up about.

The lapman appeals to me as I like the idea of sitting comfortably on my sofa with my cross stitch on my lap. If I bought this I think I would get the smaller of the two (12" roller case size: 12" x 18" x 4.5" (310 x 460 x 110mm). However, Im worried this would be quite restrictive in that my smaller kits wouldn't fit for example the hedgehog design which is my next project (size aprox 20 x 25.5cm (8" x 10"). It would only work if i stitched the hedgehog on bigger material.

So because of my doubts re the lapman, I have been looking at floorstands. Two are possibles.

http://www.siestaframes.com/acatalog/info_SPD53047_plus_D24047.html

and

http://www.siestaframes.com/acatalog/info_SPO_D53035.html

The daylight one is expensive although if I just bought the stand, I could get this for just under £70 :eek: although I think If Im going to buy it then getting the chart holder and light would be a worthwhile addition especially as I don't have great light in my lounge so stitching at night would be much easier.

The other floor stand is obviously better pricewise but im not sure I like the idea of either the round frame or rectangular frame "just sitting" on the stand as wouldn't it get easily knocked off?

I would be interested to hear your views. What floor stands do you use? Does anyone have the daylight stand and can you adjust this so that you could sit fully back in your sofa and have your work as close to you as you wanted ? Looking at the frame, it doesn't seem like it does this ?

Simac

*Louise* wrote: »

It's a while since I stitched on black fabric but I'm sure I remember the same thing happened to mine.

It shoudl be okay after the fabric is washed. If you want to check, sponge wipe that area and check the shine has gone when it's dried

Thanks Louise, I'll give it a try tonight, though I think I've fell out with this piece now and I'm going to start again. It feels quite coarse compared to the other aida I have at home. Rather than reach a point where I'm hating it, I've ordered a piece of DMC aida and I'll start again while I have the chance.

Judellie wrote: »

Hi Simac,
I found the same, I cut strips of cotton (from an old pillowcase) and used them to put on top of the aida before putting the plastic strip on top. HTH

Jude x

Thanks, thats a great idea! I'm definitely going to give this a go!!! Like I said, I don't like the feel of the material that came with the kit, but I'm quite glad this happened. If it does this with all black aida I would have got the crease marks on the DMC one too. Now if I start agin using the strips of cotton, it should hopefully be OK.

Thanks again, I knew you guys would be able to help me

kezbabybabe

Flat_Eric wrote: »

So because of my doubts re the lapman, I have been looking at floorstands. Two are possibles.

http://www.siestaframes.com/acatalog/info_SPO_D53035.html

The daylight one is expensive although if I just bought the stand, I could get this for just under £70 :eek: although I think If Im going to buy it then getting the chart holder and light would be a worthwhile addition especially as I don't have great light in my lounge so stitching at night would be much easier.

The other floor stand is obviously better pricewise but im not sure I like the idea of either the round frame or rectangular frame "just sitting" on the stand as wouldn't it get easily knocked off?

I would be interested to hear your views. What floor stands do you use? Does anyone have the daylight stand and can you adjust this so that you could sit fully back in your sofa and have your work as close to you as you wanted ? Looking at the frame, it doesn't seem like it does this ?

I have the one in the link above and I tend to use it for my more 'special' pieces. It's easy to use, though I need a cushion behind me to bring me more forward to stitch as my settee is quite deep.

I don't have the chart with it though, I bought the lamp with mine and it's a god send when seeing what I'm doing.

Lelc

Morning all

Just a very quick note to say I finally finished the Taj Mahal at about midnight last night (there wasn't much back stitch but it was a pig to do). But when I took it off the frame it doesn't look right - it looks a bit 'twisted' iykwim. I need to look at it again tonight to see if I can fathom it out - I was a bit bleary eyed last night.

I'll post a picture if it looks ok!!

Have a good day.

LC

shelly

spottybutterfly wrote: »

Can i ask ladies who have the scroll/ rotating frames and thoes who have the white plastic clip lap trays what they think of them?
I like the idea of lap frame that clips togeter (think there's only 2 sizes of this) but is 2-3 times the price of a rotatin/ scroll frame really worth it? And what size of either types of frame is best, i dont want anything too big.

I have an Elbesee rotating frame and get on fine with it, actually I have 2 so I can mix and match the sizes. They work very well if you have enough fabric to wrap around the outer bars a couple of times but if you are doing a small project and the fabric isn't able to wrap around a couple of times it works itself loose from under the clips quite easily.
Also I have one of those small tv dinner tables to rest the edge of the frame on because without it I would get cramp in the hand holding the frame.


Oh and i cant find Across Town's P&P can anyone help.

P+P is listed under the order link here (need to scroll down) http://www.across-town-stitching.talktalk.net/order.htm

Oh and more questions- im on a bit of a online shop misson today. Does anyone know how i can find out how many skeins of dmc thread i need for the "Dictionary Of......" charts, someone kindly sent me the charts, but this is the first time ive not either used a full kit or used left overs so its a bit daunting.

When I did the Flower Fairies I was in the same boat as you, it was daunting!
When I first started the charts I dug out a couple of DMC kits and figured their length of threads given in a kit is 1mtr and a whole skein is 8mtrs so if the chart says on it that a colour needs 3 lengths then 1 skein is enough but if it needed 10 lengths then you need to buy 2 skeins. I also asked on here to double check

My answers in purple, hope they help.

shelly

Lelc wrote: »

Morning all

Just a very quick note to say I finally finished the Taj Mahal at about midnight last night (there wasn't much back stitch but it was a pig to do). But when I took it off the frame it doesn't look right - it looks a bit 'twisted' iykwim. I need to look at it again tonight to see if I can fathom it out - I was a bit bleary eyed last night.

I'll post a picture if it looks ok!!

Have a good day.

LC

That sounds like what happened with my hedgehog kit. For me I think I made the mistake of leaving it tight on the frame for too long so the fabric got stretched.
Now I try to remember to loosen of the tightness every night when I put my stitching away.

Sorry that's not much help but maybe a possible cause?

shelly

*Louise* wrote: »

Interfacing isn't expensive, £1.60 can get you enough to cover loads of bookmarks

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FUSIBLE-IRON-ON-LIGHTWEIGHT-INTERFACING-DRESSMAKINGETC-/190387158986?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Crafts_Sewing_Supplies_MJ&hash=item2c53f57fca

Thanks for that link louise, I'll get some of that stuff when I get round to stitching and laminating my own bookmarks.....how long have I had my laminator now?!?! :rotfl:

I haven't touched my stitching for 3 days as we had a busy weekend and BH monday and I am really missing it!!
Think I'll make an early start on it today and try to make up for lost time

nmm

My lions are slightly stretched in the top left corner, i read that when you wash it the aida pulls tight, so i hope this is true

Oh i found these on ebay for floss storage 28 DMC plastic bobbins for £1.49 delivered. Some others were just slightly more expensive.