experienced cross-stitchers - your advice please
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 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. 
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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
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good luck in starting it
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.
In a world that has decided that it's going to lose its mind, be more kind my friend, try to Be More Kind
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
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.