Cross Stitch

donny-gal

dmg24 wrote: »

I just wish that, for all these things, you could get blunt needles (or something like that?!) ... I fly quite a lot, and would love to spend my time doing something constructive than just sudoku (although I do love that too)! x

I take my cross stitch on the plane. Provided that you only take the one needle, plus one spare in one of the magnetic cases and a round nosed pair of scissors they are OK. I have a pair of childrens scissors which cut the threads OK, and only cost 75p so if some jobsworth insists I ditch them I haven't lost much anyway, but I even took them to the States at the height of 9-11.

Hope this helps.
DG

mioliere

STEFEJIB - thanks for reminding me about Hardanger and for the fantastic link - there are some lovely free designs there. I have loads of threads and hardanger fabric in one of my craft boxes and thought they'd be there forever, but I'm really inspired now!

Kathy

thriftmonster

donny-gal wrote: »

I take my cross stitch on the plane. Provided that you only take the one needle, plus one spare in one of the magnetic cases and a round nosed pair of scissors they are OK. I have a pair of childrens scissors which cut the threads OK, and only cost 75p so if some jobsworth insists I ditch them I haven't lost much anyway, but I even took them to the States at the height of 9-11.

Hope this helps.
DG

I have found that, although knitting needles aren't allowed, no-one at security has ever queried a crochet hook - even at the worst times. Also if I had to ditch it, it's only one loop to keep - not a whole row like knitting. But I will be trying some cross stitch now - thanks DG

paddy's_mum

When I was in exactly this position - wanting to graduate from standard cross stitch into something with a little more flair - I discovered The Sweetheart Tree designs, by American designer Sandra Cox Vanosdall. They are lovely, a sort of amalgam of x-stitch and other embroidery disciplines.

Although not cheap, the patterns are very detailed and easy to follow, often with exact needle positioning diagrams for any stitch that may not be familiar to the average stitcher.

I have now completed several (when time allows!) and professionally framed and hung on the wall, they are often spotted by visitors and commented on. I already have three more kits waiting to be done.

There is a web site www.thesweethearttree.com/ which, if you click on product search, will show you photographs of much of the range. Although it shows only two retail outlets in the UK, I have found that most good needlecraft shops can access the designs for you. Hope that helps or inspires!

Eumenidies

I really like some of the speciality stitches designs on India Grace Designs - http://www.indiagrace.co.uk/ - pretty colours and there's a variety of large and small projects. (not too expensive either!) Some of the small ones might be a good starting point if you're new to the embroidery styles...

mrs_metal

dmg24 wrote: »

I just wish that, for all these things, you could get blunt needles (or something like that?!) ... I fly quite a lot, and would love to spend my time doing something constructive than just sudoku (although I do love that too)! x

You can get a thread organiser with a thread cutter at the end. My Mum has recently taken hers on two international flights (one of them was to California) with no problems.

Can't find a picture of it at the moment but it's a combination of one of these
http://www.coleshillcollection.co.uk/shop.asp?mode=prod&item=401
with one of these
http://www.coleshillcollection.co.uk/shop.asp?mode=prod&item=359

Not too clear an explanation but if you go to the stitching shows they usually have them for sale, we got ours at the kniting and stitching show at Alexandra Palace last year. (they were being sold at a couple of stalls at this year event as well).

culpepper

My teenage daughter is just becoming interested in embroidery.
I have made her up an embroidery set for xmas and bought the book Doodle stitching to go with it.
It has an excellent guide to the basic stitches and example applications to use your new found skill.
Its written by one of the regulars in the embroidery section on craftster.com.

mumzyof2

Hello

Iam pretty new at cross sticthing and i am nearly completed my first cross stitch..however i dont have much money to buy anymore cross stitching kits as i find them expensive, im just wondering if anyone knows any good websites that are cheap?
I cant get to hobycraft as live to far away so online is better for me. also those cross stitch mags only have the little cross stitch kits in

MRSMCAWBER

Hi mumzy

https://secure.theblack-sheep.co.uk/

they have some cracking prices and free postage..i used to use them..
In the reduction/sale sections you will have to scroll through them all as there is no order to the list

mumzyof2

Thanks MRSM im looking now