experienced cross-stitchers - your advice please

easy
easy Forumite Posts: 2,494
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
Forumite
Hi

I bought a kit a while ago, for a cricketing scene, and I'd love to make a start.
But ... it's a bigger project than I have ever done before.
The chart for it is split into 4 sections, and the piece of aida is quite big. I know that one is normally advised to start in the middle, but as the chart is split up, I don't know which direction I should then go in.

Instinctively I want to start in the left hand top corner, leaving a 2 or 3 row margin. If I do, will I cause myself a huge problem?

I want to give the finished item to my sister as a Christmas present, but seeing as I've had the kit for months and been too scared to start, it'll be years away before I finish ...
I try not to get too stressed out on the forum. I won't argue, i'll just leave a thread if you don't like what I say. :)

Comments

  • Kim317
    Kim317 Forumite Posts: 23 Forumite
    Hi
    If it were me I would try to find the middle of the chart and then start with the page that the middle is on if that makes sense.


    Kim x
    February GC £181.99 /£200 NSDS 16/28
    March GC £202.36 / £200 NSDs 16/31
    April GC £210.64 /£200 NSDs 16/30
  • Sewsosew
    Sewsosew Forumite Posts: 94
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts
    Forumite
    You should be able to work out where the top left corner is by comparing the size of the design to the size of the aida. Usually at least 2 inches is allowed on each side for framing. For example, if the design is 8x10 the aida would be at least 12x14.
    When dancing with dragons, don't let your partner lead.
  • glynisrose
    glynisrose Forumite Posts: 199 Forumite
    Fold your fabric in four and mark your centre work from the centre do not be tempted to start at the edge.....
  • chrissy59
    chrissy59 Forumite Posts: 40 Forumite
    on big projects i always fold fabric in four and start from middle. you should be able to put charts together and middle is usually marked. i also photo copy original chart so i can mark off copy one and still look at original if i have any problems.
    good luck in starting it
  • glynisrose
    glynisrose Forumite Posts: 199 Forumite
    Personally I use a light - coloured highlighter pen for marking the pattern......
  • mrs-moneypenny
    mrs-moneypenny Forumite Posts: 15,519 Forumite
    I photocopy the charts, find the centre and always work from the Middle. You could ruin the fabric and waste so much time being tempted to guess where the edge is.
    Someone told me to colour the chart as you work using a different pencil crayon each day

    Good luck with your picture, I thinks a friend of mine has done throne you are describing.
    SPC~12 ot 124

    In a world that has decided that it's going to lose its mind, be more kind my friend, try to Be More Kind
  • Sewsosew
    Sewsosew Forumite Posts: 94
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts
    Forumite
    I scan my charts and enlarge them. Marking off is then done on the copy with highlighter pens. Sometimes using several colours is useful.

    I prefer to start larger designs in the top right corner. I grid the fabric in 10x10 squares using very fine Guttermann Silky thread to match the chart so it is very easy to find the start point and the grid helps eliminate counting mistakes especially when using evenweave or linen. The thread pulls out easily when the design is finished.
    When dancing with dragons, don't let your partner lead.
  • iammumtoone
    iammumtoone Forumite Posts: 6,377
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    Forumite
    edited 4 October 2015 at 4:17PM
    Sewsosew wrote: »

    I prefer to start larger designs in the top right corner. I grid the fabric in 10x10 squares using very fine Guttermann Silky thread to match the chart so it is very easy to find the start point and the grid helps eliminate counting mistakes especially when using evenweave or linen. The thread pulls out easily when the design is finished.

    What a fantastic idea. I don't do large charts as the OP is describing but even with the smaller ones I hate that I get so confused keep having to count stitches. I will def be doing this next time.

    I always start top left, I just can't start in the middle I have tried but my brain does not work that way :rotfl:, I am so used to doing most things top to bottom / left to right. To start I count the squares on the aida and squares on the pattern, take away the number of squares from the aida and pattern then divide by two, this gives me how many squares I need to count from the left then I do the same again working out the top and bottom (it would be much quicker just to fold and find the middle I wish I could do it that way)

    A 2 or 3 line margin will not be enough it should tell you the finished size of the peice so you could measure and guess that way if you want to work for top left. I like to have my finfished peice excately centered hence all the counting I do :o
  • sheramber
    sheramber Forumite Posts: 17,520
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped! Name Dropper
    Forumite
    I also mark out a grid on the aida and mark the middle. Your chart should have the middle marked on it in some way, probably in the corner of one of the charts.

    Starting in the middle keeps the balance of the picture and helps keep the tension correct.

    I also always use a frame to hold the aida taught but would strongly recommend you use one for a large piece.

    It keeps the fabric square. If the piece is not square it means steaming and stretching before mounting.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 338.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 248.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 447.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 230.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 171.1K Life & Family
  • 244K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards