Cross Stitch Cafe - stitching out of 2012 and into 2013...

elliep_2

Ailsb - If you (or anyone else) finds the Joan Elliott Ultimate collection book then I'd be more than happy to cover the cost plus postage plus a bit for your time / envelope etc. It's really hard to get hold of anywhere!

Ailsb

Sorry to post again but meant to ask if anyone has used or uses a needle organiser, the ones that you keep different needles threaded with each colour of a project so that you just have to pick the needle up and start stitching. Hubby has asked if there is anything stitching related I'd like for Christmas and I've seen these but not sure if I'd use one.

Also, here's the progress on fairies and bug.


Fairies with toadstool by Ailsb1, on Flickr


Bug by Ailsb1, on Flickr

Quite funny that less than a week ago I was talking about enjoying the bug and it's vibrant colours. Now feel that the colours are merging into one and can't wait to get on to another colour other than green. How quickly views change.

Ruth - hope all went well Friday and that you are feeling ok.

elliep_2

Alisb - I've never used a needle organiser but I think I'd like to try one. I'd use it for threading up 6 needles with the same colour when working on larger areas though - I'd cut 1m of floss, separate the strands and fold them then thread 6 needles so I could just keep stitching each time the thread runs out. Hopefully it'd prevent the cut-but-not-yet-used pieces of thread from tangling before I could use them.
I can see that it would also be nice to be able to thread up a needle or two of each colour you're using in an area to save on the faff of finding the right floss, cutting and threading it etc when you're in your stitchy flow.

Hopefully someone who has used one will be along soon and can give us both more insight.
How much do they cost? If it's not too much then maybe it'd be worth a go even if you end up not liking it.

EDIT: Could you try making one with a cheap sponge, marker pen and some stickers? It might be enough to give you an idea of whether or not you like the principle of it? (Draw a grid on the sponge, stick stickers with thread numbers on into each square then add needles of appropriate threads into the squares too, I think I'm going to try it.)

Ailsb

ellie - you're a genius. What a simple yet seemingly effective way of doing this. Will see what foam son has from his warhammer days. Thanks for the idea will give it a go.

Off work this week as half term so off out round the supermarkets now pricing up food for our party on Saturday. Probably cost me more in petrol checking out the prices but it will make me feel better knowing I've got the cheapest food.

Have a good day everyone.

Mags_cat

Needle organiser 002 by Mags_cat, on Flickr

Had it for years and it's invaluable on larger pieces.

You *do* need a lot of needles (imagine a HAED with 90 colours :eek:) and you *do* need to get into the habit of rethreading the needle before storing it if you use up a length of thread. It's frustrating to pick one out and find it empty :rotfl:

Good idea on trying the MSE alternative - but make sure the sponge is as dense as possible. Too many holey bits and it won't support the needles properly.

The only drawback I've found is that you can sometimes pick up one needle but pull out the thread from the one next to it as well as you pick it up. Especially if you have stored one needle off-centre so it ends up close to the next box.

The little card that you write the symbols on is reversible and there were about 50 that came with it, so you won't run out anytime soon.

(We won't mention that symbol third from the right that's supposed to be a spade but looks more like a shovel...)

pm2326

Mags_cat wrote: »

Needle organiser 002 by Mags_cat, on Flickr

Had it for years and it's invaluable on larger pieces.

You *do* need a lot of needles (imagine a HAED with 90 colours :eek:) and you *do* need to get into the habit of rethreading the needle before storing it if you use up a length of thread. It's frustrating to pick one out and find it empty :rotfl:

Good idea on trying the MSE alternative - but make sure the sponge is as dense as possible. Too many holey bits and it won't support the needles properly.

The only drawback I've found is that you can sometimes pick up one needle but pull out the thread from the one next to it as well as you pick it up. Especially if you have stored one needle off-centre so it ends up close to the next box.

The little card that you write the symbols on is reversible and there were about 50 that came with it, so you won't run out anytime soon.

(We won't mention that symbol third from the right that's supposed to be a spade but looks more like a shovel...)

Morning

I also have one of these..I got it to help with the pic below as it was full of confetti stitching and I can't keep stopping to rethread the same needle each time I change colour..


Vantage Point 2008 by pm2326, on Flickr

I now use it everytime I xstitch so I would say well worth the £10 I paid for it!

flowerofscotland

chickywiggle wrote: »

sorry - this annoyed me so I had to share.....................

dare you NOT to unconsciously sing the whole chorus

According to an item I heard on the radio yesterday those annoying tunes that repeat in your head are called "ear worms"

flowerofscotland

Ailsb wrote: »

Flowers - that storage unit is lovely, haven't seen it before, You've got lots of saving to do for that one or many birthdays and Christmas money to be asked for. Didn't find the shop you recommended but I did find Johnsons of Bond Street in Blackpool. It was like stepping back in time a really old fashioned shop with lots of wooden fittings with things inside and many little rooms of the main shop selling everything. My son was with me and he said he's never seen so many buttons in one place. If you are up that way it's well worth a visit. The down side is they DON'T accept cards. Probably a good thing for me as I could have spent a fortune. They sold all sorts, wool, fabric quarter, buttons, cross stitch, tapestry, ribbon etc.

Have never heard of this shop but would love to look it up if I am ever in Blackpool again - I love old fashioned shops and buttons

flowerofscotland

blue_eyed_girl wrote: »

Great update pics Louise, shelly, pap and JCS1 :T

Hope everything works out for you soon Emma - <<<hugs>>>

Thanks chicky for planting that flamin tune in my head

Went to Mums early this morning and decided to take '12/12/12' with me so that I could stitch while we had our coffee. Got nicely settled down, stitching in hand then realised I hadn't brought a needle with me :mad: That was as much (or should I say as little) stitching I've managed all day.

Let's see what tomorrow brings ..........

Take care everyone

b_e_g

That reminds of hearing a story about the definition of a hell for a needleworker being surrounded by beautiful fabric, threads, buttons, trimmings, scissors, charts and patterns but NO NEEDLES :eek:

flowerofscotland

shelly wrote: »

Louise. 12 Days is looking great.

mrs-mp. Look forward to seeing your 3 finished Lizzie Kates.


I have a question please, need advice.
I have worked out what fabric size I need for the designs I plan to do for christmas next year but wonder if buying the fabric is a case of shopping around or does one particular place come out cheapest consistently?
As you know I am more of a complete kit buyer rather than buying fabric and threads seperately so I have no idea.
I am getting my threads from acrosstown as I know they are cheapest at the moment but before I sit for hours researching fabric prices I thought I'd ask you more knowledgable ladies.....should I shop around or can you tell me one site that's cheapest at the moment?
I am after both aida and evenweave.

Thanks

I agree with FE's comment that cheapest is not always best as quality matters and I would always go for a brand such as Zweigart for larger pieces.

Sewandso's prices are good and the quality and service are excellent. Willow Fabrics have some great offers on clearance fabrics (which are all Zweigart) and a great range of fabrics. Of course the most popular colours aren't in the clearance range.
Heritage Crafts have an EB shop where they sell and auction fabrics at good prices so worth checking if they have anything you like.
For the fans of sparkly aida on here Heritage currently have FQs of iridescent 14 count aida in green, pink and lemon at £5.50 plus 75p postage and white sparkly 16 count at £5.49 plus £1. Their service is excellent and they will combine postage if you buy more than one item. The fabric is what they use in their kits and is Zweigart.