Cross Stitch

Queenie

What a lovely idea

Not sure about a chart book but you may want to take a look (you'll need a while!!) at Sue's Cross Stitch Freebie Finder which has links to a huge amount of free cross stitch patterns around the 'net. Hopefully, you'll find a forget-me-not chart.

Might be worth a look.

Also, check out your library for cross stitch books.

Welshlassie

Not sure this is the right place to be putting this, so please move it necessary.

I'm pregnant and we are in the process of decorating the nursery. I say decorating, but it doesn't really need anything doing to it, the room is the original magnolia colour it was when the house was built and has never really been used for anything. We have chosen the "I Love my Bear" range (shades of beige and cream) from Toys R Us for bedding etc, but need things to brighten up the walls. One or our friends is a very good artist and has offered to paint us up some Canvases with the same "I Love My Bear" design on.

I want to controbute something to and would love to do a Cross Stitch which I can then add the babies bithday date and weight to when he/she arrives. I'm quite competent at cross stitch having completed several packs over the years, but I have no idea where to start from designing my own pattern?

Can anyone point me in the right direction for finding an easy (free) piece of software that will do this for me, or such like.

thriftlady_2

The easiest way to to this is to buy some squared paper or graph paper and some coloured pencils. Just start colouring in squares to make your patterns and lettering. I did it this way for a friend's wedding sampler. I also had a book of traditional-style sampler patterns which I used to copy various motifs.

newlywed

At a craft shop I bought some clear plastic sheets with various size grids printed on them.

You can then place these over any picture and use that as a cross stitch pattern. Not sure if that helps?

You could try the library for cross stitch books and then adapt one of the designs?

dmg24

Hello!

This doesn't seem to fall into a particular board, but I thought (hope!) you guys may have the best knowledge in this area ...

I currently do a great deal of cross stitch. However, at a craft fair last week, I saw some beautiful embroidery, and wondered how difficult it would be? I love my cross stitch, but embroidery looks more delicate? Are my skills transferable, or is it completely different?!

Alternatively, are there any other crafts that you would recommend? I looked at weaving but it looked a bit clunky (I never was good with descriptive words!), but I could be wrong?!

Thank you! x

taurusgb

Hi

I also love cross stitch and have tried embroidery, but hated it because it requires much greater ability to get the stitch size/placement right - and I just can't get the hang of it.....1 line of stem stitch would have stitches of all different sizes no matter how hard I tried to get them the same size....but if you've a good eye and can stay in charge of your fingers I would think it very enjoyable.

I like patchwork too. Not the sort where you sit and cut out papers and shapes for hours (much too impatient!) but crazy patchwork or free hand (for want of a better word?!?!?!) I have made several quilts by the following method:

1) collect together fabric pieces of all sizes and colours. plus one large piece for the backing fabric (I often use a pretty coloured fleece)

2) sew 2 pieces together, then another , then another (hope that makes sense?) until you have a strip of patchwork the right length.

3) Repeat step 2 until you have enough strips to make the right width of quilt.

4) Join strips together to make quilt top.... the idea is that none of the pieces will be a uniform size but the random result looks quite stunning.

5) Make up quilt with fleece layer, wadding and quilt top.

Hope that made sense....will post a pic of one of mine later if I can find the camera DD2 borrowed and hasn't returned to desk :mad:

dmg24

Thanks taurusgb,

I hadn't thought of patchwork, but really should have done as the lady I went to the craft fair with bought a patchwork Christmas doily/ centrepiece while we were there!

Would I need a sewing machine to make up the quilt? This would be my stumbling block, as I can't really afford one. I can always keep an eye out of Freecycle though!

I know what you mean about the stitches with embroidery, I remember my first few pieces of cross stitch were all over the place! But I think I have got it a lot more controlled now, and the backs are certainly neater than they used to be.

I'm just stitching some Anemonies for my Gran at the moment, lovely and relaxing! x

THIRZAH

What kind of embroidery were you thinking of doing?

If you can do cross stitch you would find other kinds of counted thread work such as blackwork or canvas work fairly easy.

The only real way you are going to find out if you can do the work is to have a go. Your library should have books on embroidery. You'll already have thread if you do cross stitch so you just need some scraps of material to practice on-and perhaps some transfers if you want to do things like satin stitch.

dmg24

THIRZAH wrote: »

What kind of embroidery were you thinking of doing?

If you can do cross stitch you would find other kinds of counted thread work such as blackwork or canvas work fairly easy.

The only real way you are going to find out if you can do the work is to have a go. Your library should have books on embroidery. You'll already have thread if you do cross stitch so you just need some scraps of material to practice on-and perhaps some transfers if you want to do things like satin stitch.

TBH I didn't know there was more than one type!

Sounds more interesting than I imagined ... I'll have a trip to the library tomorrow! x

stefejb

How about hardanger - its still a counted stitch so you still follow the holes but the lacy needleworking is very dleicate and easier than it looks. Traditionally you would use a 22ct fabrc that looks a bit like aida but i use a 28 count linen evenweave which looks just as good (just comes out smaller)

http://www.nordicneedle.com/free/ some free patterns here