Cross Stitch Cafe 2012

susan42

sorry about all the questions. right I got a highlighted. I photocopied the next xstitch I'm attempting. a little one with flowers and a bird.

so having been nosing at soulies blog I want to know why she's drawn squares on her material. and what are you drawing squares with? won't it mark the fabric?

thank you for all the replies to the last question it's great and very nice of you all to answer so quick x

Ailsb

Susan - Louise will probably drop in soon and answer your question fully about marking the squares. Basically you can mark it with water soluble pen or air soluble pen - there has been quite a few posts about some of the pens marking. I used water soluble for some of the larger designs and bought one from Hobbycraft and didn't have any problems. The other way of marking is to stitch the grid onto the fabric with floss.

The reason to do it is that it makes it easier to count where you are on the design and makes stitching quicker.

I know I haven't explained the above very well so hopefully someone else will explain it more.

Ailsb

Just in case anyone doesn't check the Grabbit board ebay are giving away £5 off any spend (not including P&P) with no minimum spend. Think it's the first 50,000 that claims it.

Here's the link to the page http://pages.ebay.co.uk/vouchers/FB/?clk_rvr_id=321349984783

Have just used the code and ordered the Rainbow Tree kit that I have been deliberating over for the last couple of weeks for £12.50 including the postage.

Go on treat yourself - BUT BE QUICK!!

QueenB.

Finally caught up on the last 7/8 pages. So many fab finished projects. I have got a bit stuck on my fans piece just because it is such a wide piece that it is difficult to hold and a bit bored, or rather impatient to start my new charts, may have to have two on the go at once. Whilst going through my old magazines to organize I have found a few small free kits that I had half started so I am keeping those in my bag so that i have something to hand at all times.

Question.........what does everyone use to hold their stitching, I normally use a hoop but sometimes stitch without it. A friend of mine recently got a hoop that you sit on so hands free and she says its great but I have been looking at either a lap frame or a floor frame. Need advice so i can make a considered purchase.

Happy stitching all.

*Louise*

susan42 wrote: »

sorry about all the questions.

so having been nosing at soulies blog I want to know why she's drawn squares on her material. and what are you drawing squares with? won't it mark the fabric?

Questions are good - honestly, none of us mind answering them Stitching is easy to do, but it's handy to be able to pick up all the little hints and tips which make things more efficiant along the way.

The squares make life much easier, especially when working on larger designs. You would mark them off in 10x10 squares then they would correspond with the grid lines on your chart. It also makes it easier to see which sections you have done.

The one I use doesn't seem to be stocked at the moment, I will have another look tomorrow. There is a blue pen with a white lid which seems to not wash out so easily so avoid that at all costs.

Also, you can buy fabric which is already marked (Magic Guide), saves the bother of gridding something yourself:

http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Departments/Fabric/DMC-Fabrics/DMC-Magic-Guide-Aida.aspx

Ailsb wrote: »

Susan - Louise will probably drop in soon and answer your question fully about marking the squares.
.

You know me so well :rotfl:

QueenB. wrote: »

Question.........what does everyone use to hold their stitching, I normally use a hoop but sometimes stitch without it. A friend of mine recently got a hoop that you sit on so hands free and she says its great but I have been looking at either a lap frame or a floor frame. Need advice so i can make a considered purchase.

Hehe, everyone will be bored hearing me go on about this by now.....:o:D

Lap Frame!! :j

http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/Plastic-TableLap-Frame---Small__RAR-Small-spc-Table-fslsh-Lap.aspx


I have recommended it to loads of people and no one has been disappointed with it yet.

You can stitch with both hands (helps prevent RSI), it can be used for large pieces of work and it pulls apart in seconds so you can store it away. (you can leave the fabric attached) Oh, and it doesn't mark the fabric either, the way a hoop can sometimes.

Best stitching accessory I have ever bought - just my opinion.

tellmeitsfriday

QueenB. wrote: »

Question.........what does everyone use to hold their stitching, I normally use a hoop but sometimes stitch without it. A friend of mine recently got a hoop that you sit on so hands free and she says its great but I have been looking at either a lap frame or a floor frame. Need advice so i can make a considered purchase.

Happy stitching all.

Well, I am different - because I have tried hoops, the square plastic frame Louise recommends, a "proper" wooden floor frame, and to be honest I don't like them

I like to do half a stitch at a time, rather than putting it in 1 hole and pulling it through...

I just roll my fabric up and hold the roll. I find it fine, just me though...

However, I am also slower than Lousie (but most people are) if speed is an issue :-P

As for marking fabric, I have previously used the blue pen with the white lid... on white fabric I find it excellent, and washes out perfectly - but on coloured fabric I am afraid I had a night mare (it look the blue dye out of my Old McDonald) so I will not be using it again.

Some one recommends coloured fishing line for gridding - can't remember who that was. It takes time, but it's worth it IMHO.

I read somewhere that someone sells pre-gridded aida and evenweave, and when I remember who it was I will post the link x

maria_and_the_imps

Friday, if you are interested in selling your plastic frame pm me I might be interested x

tellmeitsfriday

maria_and_the_imps wrote: »

Friday, if you are interested in selling your plastic frame pm me I might be interested x

If I can find it - you can have it (as long as it's not too costly to post ) I got it at a craft fair, it wasn't expensive x

maria_and_the_imps

Ah thank you so much, let me know if you find it and i'll send you postage cost. Unless the kits I have are of interest to you and I will gladly send them to you, will post pics of the kits I have when I get home x

debtdalek

Lap Frame!! :j

http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/Plastic-TableLap-Frame---Small__RAR-Small-spc-Table-fslsh-Lap.aspx


I have recommended it to loads of people and no one has been disappointed with it yet.

You can stitch with both hands (helps prevent RSI), it can be used for large pieces of work and it pulls apart in seconds so you can store it away. (you can leave the fabric attached) Oh, and it doesn't mark the fabric either, the way a hoop can
sometimes.
Best stitching accessory I have ever bought - just my opinion. [/QUOTE]


OK I know I'm being dense and you've probably answered this before, but what if my fabric is bigger than 11 x 11, which I'm thinking it pretty much always will be?
Also I was just looking at the link and they have clip frames which seem to be the same thing and cheaper? I guess if they are that the lap frame has the advantage of not having to hold it all the time with your free hand?

I usually do the roll it in my hand method too, but I have a couple of blackwork things that I want to do and it says to work them in a frame.

I'm going to the show at the NEC in a few weeks, do you think they will have them there?
Is there just the one brand of this frame? - I don't want to end up buying the wrong thing!