experienced cross-stitchers - your advice please

easy

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 ...

Kim317

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

Sewsosew

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.

glynisrose

Fold your fabric in four and mark your centre work from the centre do not be tempted to start at the edge.....

chrissy59

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

Personally I use a light - coloured highlighter pen for marking the pattern......

mrs-moneypenny

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.

Sewsosew

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.

iammumtoone

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

sheramber

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.