Cross Stitch

spuddy1

Hi everyone, well having never done any cross titch in my life I have suddenly decided that I would lke to make a cross stitch framed picture for my neice for Christmas! Can someone please help me with what to look for. Obviously I want something that already has the design on it, do they tell you where to put the colours (probably the most stupid question ever pbut I really am clueless!)? What will it be called, I have seen something called a Sampler, is that the design?

I am really grateful for any help anyone can give me. Also is it a very time consuming thing? Would someone who has never done Cross Stitch before and works full time but is very willing to put all spare time towards this got a chance of finishing an A4 type size of picture before xmas!!!

Thanks so much for any advise xx:o

maman

Just to get you going, someone else may know the best place to buy....

The very simplest kits have the design sort of painted on the canvas in colour so you just sew the right colour over the top. They come with all the thread and sometimes even a needle.

Most have a picture and a piece of plain canvas and you work out where to put the colours by counting squares IYSWIM. The instructions all come with it and the threads as before.

There are lots of free designs available but you'd have to go out and buy canvas, skeins of thread/wool which can be a bit expensive if you're only doing a one-off small piece of work.

This is the sort of thing

http://www.countrycrossstitchkits.co.uk/free-patterns/900-01-15-Twinkle-the-Fairy.pdf

John Lewis often sell the kits but lots of places have them this time of year as gifts.

I think there may be a thread/board somewhere fro cross stitching with 'experts'. Good luck!

PixieDust

Ooooh....well, maybe you could get it done in that time, but it seems a trifle ambitous to me for a novice. Having said that, I taught a girl to cross stitch a few years ago, and she did a greetings card which was a leeetle bit raggy in places, but was excellent for a first attempt. Next thing I know, she's got me to order an A4 counted cross stitch kit from E-bay of the Virgin Mary - can you IMAGINE the shades of blue and white and cream!?!?!? And bless me, she did it! Though it did take her the best part of a year (and to put some background to it, she worked full time, had no kids and had no T.V.)

My friends have done framed cross stitch pictures for my children, A6 and A5 sizes, with wide mounts....those are lovely and the mount makes it look much grander.

I have never done a printed cross stitch, I'm afraid...I started one, got annoyed with it and gave up - went on to counted kits and never went back.

I'm sure someone else will be along in a bit for you

theladsmum

Unfortunately I think you are being a bit optimistic for this Christmas!!

Depends on the size, obviously, so you might be better going for something smaller.

I love cross stitch and have been doing it for years, but you can sit there for ages and not really get much area done. And if you work all day at computer screens, the eyes might just give up!!

meritaten

an a4 size is possible - depending on the design and whether the background is stitched or left plain.
Cross Stitch is a lovely hobby - have a look on YouTube, I am sure I have seen Tutorials on there.
I would recommend that you start with a simple design - The simplest designs have LESS colours......maybe ten or so - complicated designs of 25 or more colours can be tricky especially if the colours are blended. larger areas of one colour are quicker to work than little bitty bits of colour.
I would also recommend that you use an embroidery frame to hold the fabric taut - it makes getting the stitch even so much easier! a simple ring frame costs about a pound or so. get a six inch frame or theirabouts - they are easier to handle for beginners.
A pack of cross stitch needles, sharp scissors and off you go.

Cheapskate

Buy a copy of Cross Stitcher, or similar magazine - they have lots of help for new stitchers, and often free kits to do. Also try the library for books, authors like the late Jo Verso have very simple instructions and patterns - ideal for beginners. I've been doing it for over 15 years, and highly recommend it, but start gently so you don't get disheartened!

HTH

A xo

spuddy1

Thank you so much everyone, this has been really helpful. I think I am going to go for it and having looked at the pdf Maman put up I think I could do that kind of thing. Great advise on the back ground also, I will make sure I go for a simple image with a plain background to make it simpler and then mounted in a frame I am sure it will look lovely. My neice is a very well loved baby and will get lots of toys and clothes for Christmas so I wanted to do something extra special that her mum could tell her I made for her in years to come!

Thank you everyone, you guys are great xx:A

peachyprice

Cross Stitch makes a lovely gift. My DD has several I have done for her over the years.

One that I did find very simple was Kipper the Dog, he doesn't have many colours and is lovely for a child's room. And also Felicity Wishes, they often have Felicity without too much background.

Steer clear of Flower Fairies, I've got one of those that has been half finished for years! Much too fiddly.

They have a good selection in Hobbycraft or The Range if you have either near you.

To give you an idea

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=kipper+cross+stitch&_sacat=See-All-Categories

http://www.howdenssewingmachines.co.uk/acatalog/felicity_wishes_cross_stitch_kits.html

j.e.j.

Just wanted to say good luck with your cross stitch . I haven't done the printed ones but I used to like doing the counted cross-stitch. The larger size kits can be pricey, so worth shopping around.
There's a website called sew and sew which does cross-stitch kits:
http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cat2.html

HTH

Sewsosew

Look for kits with big blocks of colours or beginner kits. Sewandso stock Bothy Threads Mr Men and Little Miss kits which are quite simple. I'm sure they would help you choose if you rang them. Their delivery service is really fast. I've ordered one day and got the things next day.

One warning, you may become hooked!