Cross Stitch Cafe 2012

benny1981

march wall 7th by XS77, on Flickr

Wed update.

Finished my sampler about 5 mins ago, just to wash and frame now, could be a bit difficult as I broke my left wrist at the weekend. Thank goodness for my lapframe - I can still stitch 1 handed and dont have to hold anything!! Whoop!

Thanks to all who sent me through ballerinas, I have decided to do The Passion of the Dance as nudged by *Louise*. I wanted something quite big and this seems like it'll be just right, I am going to chart it tonight and sort the threads. Since housework and other such boredom is off the plans now I can stitch stitch stitch!!!! I'll be slowed down obv but have about 10 x more time to do it!

Right off to catch up with the thread!

Flat_Eric

susan42 wrote: »

Hi everyone

flowerofscotland - its a bit too ambitious I think so I`m going to have a practice at another little one:(

nannon - i love the baby sampler.:D

Can I ask a question please. When you are following a pattern how do you know what squares you`ve stitched and which ones you havent.On my koala bears I coloured in the squares as I was going but I made a right mess. Is there other ways?:o

Hello susan. I have seen all your questions, here are my answers....

I take a copy of the chart and colour in the squares as I stitch them. I use coloured pencils. I have used highlighter but would never use highlighter again or indeed a coloured pen to mark off the chart because I used highlighter once and it ended up on my fabric I try to use coloured pencils matching the colour of the thread I'm stitching as I find that helps. I try to have some kind of order to my stitching - usually stitching one colour as much as possible before moving to the next colour although I don't tend to stich something too far away from where I have already stitched because I always miscount!

I keep the original chart for reference/to check the back stitch I need to do because if I make a mistake, its not easy to work out what I need to re-stitch once unpicked.

I find the centre point of the fabric and start my stitching there. I usually start stitching with the darkest threads first and finish with the whites and creams although there is some debate that you should do the opposite. (i.e. stitch all the whites and creams first) I think this is because when you stitch the whites and creams last (over/near) the dark colours, you can sometimes catch the dark colours with the white thread and they could carry through to the front of your work ?? I'm sure other stitchers will confirm/deny this.

I usually stitch round the edge of the aida to stop it fraying and I try to be organised and sort the threads before I start stitching by putting them on a thread card and marking next to the threads, chart symbol and colour. If I have odd bits of thread left, I store them in those floss away bags that Sew and So sell.

If its a small free magazine kit that I'm stitching then I don't bother with a hoop. Sometimes I will use a small hoop for small/medium sized projects where the fabric is just that little bit too big to hold comfortably in your hands and when I start my big project (yet to be decided), I shall either use the daylight frame stand I have or the frame that Louise has mentioned about which I bought :T

I try to avoid stitching when I'm tired because thats when I tend to make mistakes. I also try hard not to rush the last bit of a design just to get it finished because I often cut corners and spoil my hard work.

Above all, enjoy.

PS I did buy one of those fabric marker pens but haven't used it and probably won't now after recent comments and also because I've mislaid it! I did buy this
again ! I haven't really used it and its lost somewhere at the moment!!

benny1981

QueenB. wrote: »

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.

I ADORE my lapframe from sew and sew and as I said it is brilliant for making stitching faster as it is so easy to be able to use two hands. But right now I love it even more as I can do completely one handed stitching:T

Ailsb

Debtdalek - I'm also going to the NEC, probably on Friday so if you want to meet for a coffee (although I only drink tea!!) happy to do so.

aneres

I'm giggling to myself as it was mentioned a few pages ago that someone was finishing some UFO's for her Son. I decided to look at the 2011 thread and on the first page it says UFO's are unfinished objects and there I was thinking I may ask for the charts for these really great UFO pictures.

*Louise*

aneres wrote: »

and there I was thinking I may ask for the charts for these really great UFO pictures.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

susan42

flateric , thank you for taking the time to answer the questions some good points there.

ooh benny breaking your wrist not good hope it doesn't hurt too much.

I would like to thank you all for such a warm welcome and answering my questions.

I'm thinking of going to nec too . so many crafts under one roof be great.

aneres. I though UFO ' s were the space things as well lol x

debtdalek

Ailsb wrote: »

Debtdalek - I'm also going to the NEC, probably on Friday so if you want to meet for a coffee (although I only drink tea!!) happy to do so.

Funny that, I only drink tea (or hot chocolate) too!
I'm going on the Saturday so sadly won't be able to join you for that cuppa, but you will be able to point me in the right direction for the bargains!

Actually, until a few days ago we were going in the car and going on the Thursday. We like to go on the first day.
But then last weekend we heard of a bus being organised by a group reasonably near to us, so we have decided to do that as it will be cheaper than sharing the cost of the diesel.

OK The Saturday will be busier and we won't be there for quite so long, but in true MSE style if we can save money on getting up there, it's more to spend inside!! LOL

KatyLiz

shelly wrote: »

For example, I used to use 2 lengths of thread through my needle but was getting lots of knots. From advice taken here I now use 1 length, fold it in half and anchor the first stitch using the loop method.
Another brill tip I took on board was to stitch so that the stitches lay the same way, it makes for a much neater finished piece. So the bottom of your X's all lay (for example) ////// then the top of the X's all go \\\\\\\.

I agree with both of the above. It was only when I started stitching the Bothy threads kits and the instructions said to fold one length in half that I started doing this. My work has looked a lot neater at the back since then, and I get less knots in the thread. I also always have to have the crosses lying the same way or it really bugs me!

I always mean to photocopy my charts to keep a spare, but have a habit of forgetting, so I end up with tatty ripped charts that I can hardly read by the time I get near the end on bigger designs. I'd never stitch anything twice though, once is enough for me, so I'm not too bothered not to have a copy. Like most others have said I shade my chart in pencil, then I can rub out if necessary. I used to use coloured pencils in the correct colours, but I got so caught up in colouring that it wasted time

benny - I like the sampler

Well I finished my fizzy moon card kit and I'm not too impressed! Lately I've had no problems with backstitch, even getting to the point where I quite enjoy it, but this was another story! I've never seen backstitch where so few stitches use the holes on the aida, and trying to pierce it I pricked myself 7 times and broke 3 of my sharpest needles :mad: I literally threw it on the floor once I got so cross with it, so my mum had better appreciate the effort :rotfl:

Also I seem to have lost the ability to do french knots, I've never had a problem in the past, but I just kept pulling them through and having to start again. Any tips? I'm trying to think what I'm doing differently to normal, but I'm stumped!!

debtdalek

Mags_cat wrote: »

I use the non-lap version of the frame Louise uses. I have all the different sizes and because it's so light I find it easy to hold with one hand while I stitch with the other. And I love the fact that you can swap the piece you're working on without having to cut any stitches or remove any staples/tape etc. etc.

Can't remember who was asking if the company will be at the NEC Hobbycraft but they always have been when I've been in the past. Always on the same stand, too - so easy to find! Coming in the main door, turn right and they're usually on that first line of stalls against the wall. R+R Crafts or something like that.

Thanks for letting me know whereabouts they are usually situated. I'd best head there first as I've not much money to spend and musn't squander it elsewhere first!
I have so many UFO's and kits and mags and books and charts, that I really do not need anything other than this frame.
Still trying to contact the lady I bumped into earlier in the week regarding her friends xs group, so all told I should be fully back in the swing of it very shortly