Anyone Into Cross Stitching?

jintyb

Morning all, just popped in to say "hi". I've been lurking rather than sewing this past week or so. I'm still feeling under the weather and just not in the mood for anything that requires concentration! So, Im enjoying reading about everyone's projects and hoping to get my sewing mojo back soon! I've got my cushion covers to get on with but I'm just not feeling up to it. Sorry to whinge - have a great day everyone!

shelly

Ok ladies I have a question for you all......how do you keep track on your charts when stitching of where you have stitched?

I'm interested to know what you all do because I am always open to suggestions and if I can find a different way from how I do it that's less messy then I'd like to know!

I usually photocopy my chart (so I can keep the original incase I either want to do the design again for someone else or just if someone else wants a copy I can pass on) then as I stitch I mark the stitches done on the chart with a pencil either by colouring in the square or making a large cross in the square.

I use a pencil because it's quite common for me to mark the stitches I think I have done then find I have marked the wrong ones so it's easy to rub out. Though using a pencil can make my hand a bit messy once you get marking over a large area of the chart so I have to wash my hands alot near the end of a project.

I can't think of a different way for me other than a pencil because I am prone to making mistakes. Even when I check and double check I am marking the right stitches on the chart I sometimes find I have still gone wrong

Anyway, please let me know what you all do :A

Thanks

*Louise*

^^I usually use coloured charts and they are pretty easy to keep track of.

For my latest project, it's the first one I have bothered marking off big chunks of chart as I have stitched, but thats just because it's so hard to tell what's what

I find the new pen for marking grid lines on fabric has made things so much easier for me as well.

froddington

shelly wrote: »

Ok ladies I have a question for you all......how do you keep track on your charts when stitching of where you have stitched?

I use a highlighter to mark the bits I've stitched - but I only tend to do this on larger projects. I don't bother marking the chart with smaller ones as it's pretty easy to see where you are.

I don't suppose anyone has seen charts or kits with a Girlguiding theme? Was hoping to stitch something for the Centenary next year. Failing that - a nice rainbow chart that I could add wording to would do. Thanks

nmm

On my lion one i didn't do anything other than start from the center and work from there, but i was getting a bit confused so i've sewn 10x10 squares which is much easier now. The pen is probably better but as i dont have one and thread was handy i went with that :rotfl:

loulou123

Hi ive been a lurker on this site for a while so thought id join in!

Ive been into cross stitching for about 8 years, tho i very much come and go in my interest.

Just started a new kit yesterday, its a map of Africa with pictures of the animals-lions zebras etc. Its the biggest thing ive ever attempted and has loads of back stitch too-so wish me luck!

In the past ive made lots of cards and small projects, and did complete one quite large Winnie the Pooh kit, which im still proud of. Also have lots of unfinished kits too.

I use a highlighter pen to mark off my chart, and hope for the best lol!

Can i ask what is this pen everyones talking about-presume its too mark 10x10 squares and washes off afterwards and where can i get one from?

ocemeer

I am thinkning of stitching some of my Christmas Cards this year - I think my elderly relatives would realy appreciate this. It will break up the monotony of the larger projects I have on the go and be more portable, have all the fabric/threads and cards just looking for some patterns that will look quite complex. (have found some very old 1930s? embroidered cards my great grandad gave to his daughters which are beautiful and quite complex so would like to semi emulate these but in cross stitich).
Could anyone direct me towards any patterns that would be appropiate?

shelly

loulou123 wrote: »

Can i ask what is this pen everyones talking about-presume its too mark 10x10 squares and washes off afterwards and where can i get one from?

One marks the fabric but disappears after X hours. The other one washes off with either a damp cloth or in cold water.

I have one of each to try and marked some fabric last week with the disappearing pen and it was totally gone within 8 hours (results may vary depending on which brand you use I guess)

I also marked some fabric with the washable pen but haven't tried washing it out yet as I am doing a test to see how long it can be left before it becomes permanent.

I will use the pens to mark where stitches need to be when I do my bigger projects (such as confetti stitching where stitches are all over the place)


Here is a page of examples http://www.hobbies-plus.co.uk/acatalog/Hemline_Fabric_Markers.html (only look at the first 4 called fabric markers)

Though shop around for prices or see if any crafty type stores local to you have them. I called a local fabric shop on the off chance and I got the 2 pens for £4.60.

HTH

shelly

While I'm online I'll report that I have finally decided on a kit to get started on
Its a cute little garden sampler type kit. I have photocopied the chart and sorted the threads now just need to get started with the stitching.

*Louise*

loulou123 wrote: »

Just started a new kit yesterday, its a map of Africa with pictures of the animals-lions zebras etc. Its the biggest thing ive ever attempted and has loads of back stitch too-so wish me luck!


Can i ask what is this pen everyones talking about-presume its too mark 10x10 squares and washes off afterwards and where can i get one from?

Well shelly has answered the pen part (honestly, it's a great thing) I have tested on another piece of work and t comes right off. I might order the thicker one though, I got the fine one and it's a bit too fine.

Do you have a link to a pic of your Africa project? It sounds interesting, I'd like to see what it looks like.:) Did you buy it online?