Cross Stitch anyone?

Anne

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I've noticed quite a lot of members are into crafts and needlework (yes, I'm one of those who actually read the members profiles
).

I love to cross stitch! Anyone into that? I thought we could share tips and tricks and talk about projects (past and present). I've just finished a small picture in needlework (not x-stitch) and have started a big project last night. It's a celtic pattern in greens and corals and looks a bit like a rug. I chose it because it's easy to stitch without constantly looking at the chart (lots of repeatitions and large areas of colors. Good for stitching in front of the TV


And a question for any expert stitchers we may have here. I stitch on aida or on one of those large holes evenweaves. I tried to stitch on linen, but it's so difficult getting the X's right. I can't count threads for each stitch so my X's lose symmetry and get very ugly
Any advice on that one?
 

sandie

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Sorry Anne...can't help you there. I tried at one time. I am too impatient for something like that. I am lucky that I can sit long enough to make a cage curtain on the sewing machine. I love crafts, but only the ones I can finish asap.
 

michelerad

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Anne:

I used to do cross stitch but I don't have the time or patience anymore. My sister Robin, who posts here does cross stitch all of the time. And she is real good at it. Hopefully she will see the post. If not, I will point it out to her.

Michele
 

debbiea

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I used to cross stitch alot about 6-7 years ago but got out of the habit and when my family and I moved 5 years ago my supplies (large collection of thread,books,hoops etc.) came up missing

So, haven't done for a while...but like to talk about hobby and probably will start back up one of these days..
with much encourgement...right Anne???
 

illusion

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I love cross stitch and needlework but have never really finished a project besides very small ones
So I don't know how much help I will be
 

hissy

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If you have problems with the silk thread sticking to your fingers, wear a thin pair of latex gloves. Plus, if you are doing a complex pattern with a lot of colors, use an individual needle for each color you are putting into the pattern. Just be sure to bring you needles up to the top of the design so you don't get them all knotted together. Saves you tons of time because you don't have to stop and rethread all the time
 

airprincess

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I'm an amateur cross stitcher. i enjoy it but i'm still doing the beginner stuff. hopefully there is lots I can learn from you guys
 

blue

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i have a hiding place
i have never tried this, but have always wanted to
give it a shot, it looks not only fun & creative, but, interesting to me.

i would love to see some finished products


i'd also love to learn how to quilt, it looks incredibly difficult, and
something that would be very time-consuming, but, worth the effort,
anybody else quilt?


 

deb25

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I love to cross stitch, but I do it in spurts. Lately I choose small things that can be completed quickly because I like to see the results. I have a few bigger pieces that I have done hung up in the house. Most often I do projects as gifts. These days I do all my work on Aida, but when I was a kid, I did all stamped designs on linen. I really want to find a good cat design to do for my kittens. I just haven't had the time lately to get a project started.
 

prettykitty

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Anne I don't cross stitch but my anut does, She is really talented when it comes to that. Unfortunatly I am not. I hate to sew and refuse too. I cook and do alot of things outdoors.
She did a cross stitch after my daugher was born. She framed it, it is really nice. It has her name, weight, oz. inches date of birth on it. I reallly wish I had the patients for that but I don't. I love to be outside doing things.
 

robin alves

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Hi Anne,
Michele did tell about your post. I love to do cross stitch, but I do mine (counted cross stitch) on the aida cloth and not linen, so sorry I can't really be of any help. I would stick to the aida cloth. It is fun to do, but I can only be doing the stiching and nothing else because I sometimes lose my place and that can be a disaster. Good Luck
 
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Anne

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Well, I've found an evenweave with large holes (not linen) so that's what I'm stitching my current project on. It's a large project some 150*500 stitches... I like aida a lot and it's definitely the easiet to stitch on, but I wanted to make a change. Plus for the celtic pattern I'm doing I wanted a fabric with a more "ancient" look.

I also do x-stitch projects as gifts most of the time. I don't stitch that much really and have so far only 4-5 finished projects to brag about
My first is my favorite, it was a Siamese cat sitting by a vase and I gave it to my vet where it's still hanging on his office walls.

Deb, I have dozens of cat designs. Let me know what you're looking for and maybe I can scan one and email you.

Hissy, your tip is great for complicated multi-colored works. So much easier than stitching one color around empty squares! Thanks!

Oh, and I'd love to do a quilt too. It does look dauting though especially as I don't have a sewing machine so I would need to do it all by hand.
 
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Anne

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I'm trying to get the scanner running with new drivers. As soon as I can I'll PM you a nice chart
 

airprincess

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Anne, I was just thinking, cross-stitching would be the perfect thing to keep you busy while you're stuck in bed!
 

deb25

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Maybe it's a hobby you should consider taking up, AP. It would be something for you to do evenings when your laptop gets repossessed by your job.
 

deb25

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It's just that you seem to have so much time on your hands!
 
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