Cross-stitch cafe 2010

*Louise*

PollyFlinders wrote: »

Hi, sorry for barging in but I've been reading this thread with great interest, having just picked up the birth announcement piece I started for my youngest (who was 6 last month:o).

I'm amazed at all your wonderful work and hope you don't mind a couple of questions.

First - how "quick" do you stitch? I timed myself last night and managed to sew four 45cm lengths of thread in an hour. When I look at how much thread there is in the kit, then at that rate I want to cry! Am I just too slow?

And second - I noticed that Louise and MrsMcawber in particular both seem to sew in straight lines (what I mean is, you both have straight lined blocks left to sew). How do you do this? My cross stitch is all over the place - bits here and there to try and get the form of the picture but your way looks much more organised!

Thanks so much.

Hi Polly :j

Tbh, I'm not all that neat. I'm a right one for getting bored easily and going off to another part However this one looks neater because the chart booklet has 23 pages (I got the small font) so I complete one page before I go onto the next. I take pics when I change page as that's when I move the fabric on the frame as well. Makes life much neater and gives the impression it is tidier than I actually am lol

Also, you will notice all the blue markings on my work - working in blocks of 10x10 also makes it much easier - there are times I can see that I only have one colour for maybe 5 blocks, so that's 500 stitchs without having to refer back to the chart.

As for speed - that all depends on how complicated the design is. My current project is actually really easy - there is very little 'confetti stitching' and most of the time I can use a whole length of thread then move on, so it comes together quite quickly. I can manage around 1 page per week if I stitch every night, I make that around 7,200 stitches a week. I dunno if that's fast, slow or if I just spend a lot of time tbh :rotfl:

I don't get a chance to stitch much during the day (3 kids, 2 under 5) iut can get up to 5 hours on evenings I'm not working.

pm2326

If I'm lucky I get maybe 1 or 2 hours stitching in a night as I find my job tiring and I get headaches. Weekends I can do 6-7 hours a day.. my projects still take months to do though.

I once read in a magazine that when they give a timescale for a project, for instance 2 weeks or 40 hours, they assume everyone is an experienced stitcher and they stitch for 3 hours a day

elliep_2

Giving a timescale in a magazine in terms of hours seems pretty good - you have to add a few minutes each time for getting out and putting away but at least it's helpful. I've never understood the timescales given in days, weeks or months though, it's just not very realistic or helpful for very many people at all.

Keiss_21

Just do what you can pm2326, if you try doing too much, then you start hating the project, and then the work becomes a UFO...so enjoy the sewing, after all, that is one of the reasons we sew, not just for the final product!

My Astronomer will take me over a year to finish I expect...there are 45 chart pages, so I would need to do one a week to even have a chance of getting it done by Christmas....so it won't happen probably...so what! It will be finished when it is finished!

My DH is loving seeing the picture grow already (I only started it last Saturday), even though it looks more like a Rolf Harris picture at the moment..Can you tell what it is yet???!

I plan on doing a few small projects as well through the year, I can take these to work on while I wait in doctor/hospital waiting rooms, or other public places where my Astronomer would be too big.

That's my (new) philosphy for 2010, enjoy what you do in your leisure time, after all, it is your time!!. In the past I have taken life far too seriously and tried too hard to get too many things done and please everyone else but myself...and it has left me a wreck, literally. I have decided my health, both mental and physical are important to me (and my family), so I will do my best to be easier on myself, and enjoy life.

Right..preachey waffling over (apologies! ). Off to make tea, it is a bit late as I watched last night's Silent Witness on i-Player so I can watch part two tonight. I was too busy sewing last night and forgot to watch it. Who knows, I may not get any sewing done tonight and I refuse to feel guilty about it!!

supersunshine

Wow you are all doing so well with your projects. Was going to show a photo of my mini project but not sure how to upload it so may have to add it to my blog and show you there.

Keiss I also had a similar new year resolution hence why i started my cross stitch again after a long break - I am now loving the time I get to do what I want to do (even if it is only a few mins a day :-) ).

pennib

Lovely orchids I wouldnt mind doing something like that for my sister who's mad about orchids.
Here is my one I have just finished, didnt put everything on that was in the pattern but its come out OK.
Note; measure twice (or more) cut once! Only just managed to fit the pattern on as I had cut it too short even tho double checked!
Just waiting for a blue mount to be delivered now.
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm122/honrel/IMG_0150.jpg

*Louise*

Misty - Loving it - past the halfway point now :T:j

Pennib - Wow, that looks fantastic. I'm sure I recognise that design, it was in a cross stitch mag a few years back (how sad am I!) did you get it there, or from a supplier?

pennib

I got it from a cross stitch mag. Am now on my next project which is a bit different from what I often do. Cartoon type cats

"http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm122/honrel/IMG_0195.jpg"

Got some lovely orangey velvet material off ebay to make it up into a cushion.

MRSMCAWBER

I have to say *Louise* ....:iloveyou: :rotfl:....those frames are fan dabby dozy :T.....Im working on the 14" one.... I really think I could do with bigger for the next few projects -but I don't think it would be comfy to hold...so I might have to stick with the 14" :think:

Hubby has declared that he is going to get on and finish his owl :T-he mainly has just shed loads of french knots to do :rotfl: and some back stitch :rotfl:. He may as well get it done now as when the snow finally b*ggers off he will be out on the golf course instead of sitting in the house tutting n clucking because he hasn't got out for some air ....
I know he means business as he has got his light out ready
Misty -that is coming along lovely :T

pennib

Misty Blue; That japanese lady is gorgeous. Her kimino is lovely.