Cross Stitch Cafe 2012

flowerofscotland

susan42 wrote: »

ps what's lacing (framing)

Susan - lacing is where the back of the needlework is stretched and kept in shape by long threads laced across the work. Many of the XS magazines have instructions about this but I also found this mini tutorial which I thought was useful. It's by Carol Leather who is a cross stitch and blackwork designer who often exhibits and does workshops at shows - a lovely lady who explains things very well

flowerofscotland

Some lovely work on your updates here - it makes my day to see so much progress being made :T

nannon - love your birth sampler - clearly a lot of work but very effective; so full of detail

susan42 - I would also advise starting in the middle. The only time I don't do this is when I am stitching a band sampler like my current Noah's Needle where I start with the first row. But just as with patchwork and quiliting the golden rule is "measure twice, cut once" so with cross stitch I think it is "measure twice, stitch once". It's just of many reasons why I prefer to use charts / magazines for designs rather than kits as some kit manufacturers are very stingy with their fabric

louise - love your map of Scotland - it's another Heritage design isn't it?
Your chart of the cap badge looks great. Perhaps you should consider offering copies of the chart for sale on an auction site when you have stitched it. There may be other people interested in the design and you know it's not available elsewhere

Soulie - love the FF bear and I can't see any shade differences. Completely agree about how difficult it is to stitch on small pieces of fabric. I'm sure the eagle looks wonderful laminated.

postingalwaysposting - I love the way that the detail in the picture of London is starting to emerge. I think the mount should butt up against the stitching irrespective of it needing to hide the marker dot. I'm not suggesting that you try either of these on your stitching without doing a test on a spare piece of aida but 2 things which can remove stains such as ink and dye are nail varnish remover and hair spray. In both cases the item needs to be washed immediately. The success does depend on the type of ink/dye so does need to be tested first.

HPSauce - love this sampler - in fact I have it in my stash and seeing yours makes me want to move it further up the to do list I have framed things myself and also paid considerable sums to have big pieces framed professionally. Because this design has a border you may decide you don't need a mount which makes things easier. It is often a question of whether a standard size frame is suitable. I always look in charity shops for frames that can be reused especially where they can be painted. Another option which I think works well for this type of design is to do a wall hanging using a wire hanger - some examples here and here

HP_Sauce

flowerofscotland wrote: »

Susan - lacing is where the back of the needlework is stretched and kept in shape by long threads laced across the work. Many of the XS magazines have instructions about this but I also found this mini tutorial which I thought was useful. It's by Carol Leather who is a cross stitch and blackwork designer who often exhibits and does workshops at shows - a lovely lady who explains things very well

Thanks for this, those instructions are nice and clear so I may have a go when I get a suitable frame

*Louise*

debtdalek wrote: »

Yes it is the same company who organise the show at the NEC that we've been talking about, who organise this show too.
Have a look here to learn more about it. If you click on the exhibitors list, on the left hand side, you get to see all the companies who will be there too.
It's not cheap to get in though, so it might be worth going on your own, or if you need a lift, finding something else to entertain the driver!

Thanks for that link, it's better than the one I found

Dunno why but glasgow is cheaper, only £7.50 at the door instead of £11.50 - must be a few less stands there maybe?

Hubby would be driving me, I know he wouldn't mind wandering round with me - I wouldn't like to go on my own. I have suffered Truckfest and airshows for him..time for a little revenge :rotfl:

Going to see if I can find some willing babysitters...although DD was up at 3am being sick this morning so I need to make sure she is okay first.

flowerofscotland wrote: »

louise - love your map of Scotland - it's another Heritage design isn't it?
Your chart of the cap badge looks great. Perhaps you should consider offering copies of the chart for sale on an auction site when you have stitched it. There may be other people interested in the design and you know it's not available elsewhere

Oh that's a very good idea!! :T I guess I will have to chart it on the computer to make it a bit more proessional looking. I will stitch it up first and make sure the final design turns out.

Ps - yes it's a heritage kit, I loved it - not going to stitch it a third time though!!

chickywiggle

Bad chickywiggle..... reading lots but not posting (normally cause i catch up in my lunch break and my comuter looses my reply and I can't be doing with re-typing it........... tho have learn't my lesson now i copy what i write before hitting 'post' so i can try again if it vanishes).

QueenB/ *Lousie* - hope your littlie is feeling better and it's not the measles or pox that is doing the rounds.

*Louise* -well done on that chart it looks brill.

HP_sauce - that sampler's fab. Keep meaning to do a calender one but as I know i'd not be able to display it in my house (any i keep for myself get dumped under the bed) there seems little point.

benny1981

*Louise* wrote: »

Ha - who needs computer programmes! :rotfl:

Spent last night working on this, chuffed to bits I managed to chart it ('specially that crown!! :eek:) just need to stitch it now

WOW *Louise* wonderful work!! It must have taken ages :T
You really know your stuff!!

benny1981

I am looking for a bit of advice please.
I'm about to order stuff for Just Nan Peacock Majesty (cheers FoS)
But I am confused,
First is Krenik Silk Mori just the same as Anchor "normal threads" the pattern gives for Krenik to DMC which I have then converted into Anchor and I have most of the threads needed, or is it a step too far to use these?
Is perle cotton different again?
Are there any other brands of metallics? When using metallics do you use them alone or are they used 1 strand with 1 strand of normal cotton?
I have a horrible feeling I am just not up to this yet:eek:

*Louise*

I have the best hubby ever!!! He phoned me earlier to say the babysitting is all taken care of and he will be taking me to the show tomorrow and for dinner afterwards!!:j:T:T

benny1981 wrote: »

WOW *Louise* wonderful work!! It must have taken ages :T
You really know your stuff!!

It didn't take too long really - about 4 hours (I started it when I was at work on Monday but shhhhh):D

benny1981 wrote: »

I am looking for a bit of advice please.
I'm about to order stuff for Just Nan Peacock Majesty (cheers FoS)
But I am confused,
First is Krenik Silk Mori just the same as Anchor "normal threads" the pattern gives for Krenik to DMC which I have then converted into Anchor and I have most of the threads needed, or is it a step too far to use these?
Is perle cotton different again?
Are there any other brands of metallics? When using metallics do you use them alone or are they used 1 strand with 1 strand of normal cotton?
I have a horrible feeling I am just not up to this yet:eek:

I use metallics on their own usually (2 strands) - there are some which are blended with regular cotton but the chart woudl tell you if that was the case.

Kreinik is a different brand altogether - it's much finer than either Anchor or DMC metallic thread, I find it smoother to work with and it doesn't knot as easily.

I've never converted it though, so I can't really help there sorry. How many kreinik threads are there in total?



If you have a look at sewandso's thread page, you can see just how many different brands there are:

http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cat27.html


Kreinik silk mori is silk thread as opposed to regular anchor cotton. Pelre cotton is more like the standard stuff but with slightly more of a sheen as it's softer.

*Louise*

Just a thought - could you not convert the kreinik directly to anchor instead of via DMC?


There is a conversion chart here

benny1981

Oh and also I can get the fabric only in 32 count, not 28 - I'm still looking.
For a complete novice to evenweave is 32 count just madness??????