NEW RELEASE: Here is another fun conversion to needlework! Based on the artwork of Shelley McVittie, this one has some great detail - including layers of beads for the blackberries "Soft Landings" Stitch Count: 140W x 160H Please Note: Shipping Charges for Charts are $5.00 CDN to anywhere in Canada and $6.00 US (+ $1.00 per extra charts) mailed to US.
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Cross-stitching can be a very
rewarding & fun pastime. It`s one of the few crafts one can enjoy & feel confident about the finished results. Unleash Your Creative Side With Cross Stitch Patterns by Shelley McVittie |
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little booklet of monthly projects just waiting for a mind to cultivate its creativity
Contains 12 images to create over the next year into: 12 uniquely stitched cards • 12 lovely napkins or tea towels • 12 little pillows • or scrapbook with the finished results and leave your own historical mark to last generations. Recommended for age 10+ Reg: $11.95 Sale $6.00 |
CROSS STITCHING TIPS & TRICKS:
# 1
Don’t cut your floss too long. A 16- to 18-inch length is perfect. It won’t get too tangled, but you won’t be re-threading needles too often either.
# 2
Separate the length of floss into individual threads.
The popular cotton flosses from DMC, and Crescent Colors are 6-ply threads. If I am stitching on fabrics that are 14-count or 28-count (over two), or a tighter weave, I separate into 6 strands and then reassemble into 3 2-strand sets. If I am stitching on fabrics with a looser weave, I reassemble into 2 3-strand sets.
# 3
Straighten the floss by dampening it. As part of the separating step, I also dampen the floss and pull it straight to get rid of any kinks or twists.
As I separate the strands, I lay them out flat and by the time I begin to reassemble them they are dry.
Use a little plastic rectangular box with a sponge in it. You get the sponge wet, simply pull the 6-strand length of floss across the top – and voila, it’s damp but not too wet. The plastic box has a lid, so the sponge stays damp.
# 4
Make your stitches consistent. In other words, make sure the top “cross” stitches all go in the same direction. I typically begin a stitch from upper left
down to lower right, and complete it from upper
right to lower left.
#5.
Complete one stitch at a time if you are using an overdyed, variegated floss. This makes the subtle color changes more visible in your stitching. However, if you’re using solid-color floss, you can do the first part of the stitch for an entire row and then go back and do the top cross stitch.
If you have a large area to fill in, this makes a lovelier finish because the floss lies more evenly and flat.
# 6.
Use a hoop. a spring hoop, or a tension screw-hoop will work fine. You can certainly stitch without a hoop, but I think the stitching turns out neater if you use one. My preferred hoop is a 5-inch spring hoop. It allows for a large enough area for stitching, is easy to put on/take off, and is small for travelling
# 1
Don’t cut your floss too long. A 16- to 18-inch length is perfect. It won’t get too tangled, but you won’t be re-threading needles too often either.
# 2
Separate the length of floss into individual threads.
The popular cotton flosses from DMC, and Crescent Colors are 6-ply threads. If I am stitching on fabrics that are 14-count or 28-count (over two), or a tighter weave, I separate into 6 strands and then reassemble into 3 2-strand sets. If I am stitching on fabrics with a looser weave, I reassemble into 2 3-strand sets.
# 3
Straighten the floss by dampening it. As part of the separating step, I also dampen the floss and pull it straight to get rid of any kinks or twists.
As I separate the strands, I lay them out flat and by the time I begin to reassemble them they are dry.
Use a little plastic rectangular box with a sponge in it. You get the sponge wet, simply pull the 6-strand length of floss across the top – and voila, it’s damp but not too wet. The plastic box has a lid, so the sponge stays damp.
# 4
Make your stitches consistent. In other words, make sure the top “cross” stitches all go in the same direction. I typically begin a stitch from upper left
down to lower right, and complete it from upper
right to lower left.
#5.
Complete one stitch at a time if you are using an overdyed, variegated floss. This makes the subtle color changes more visible in your stitching. However, if you’re using solid-color floss, you can do the first part of the stitch for an entire row and then go back and do the top cross stitch.
If you have a large area to fill in, this makes a lovelier finish because the floss lies more evenly and flat.
# 6.
Use a hoop. a spring hoop, or a tension screw-hoop will work fine. You can certainly stitch without a hoop, but I think the stitching turns out neater if you use one. My preferred hoop is a 5-inch spring hoop. It allows for a large enough area for stitching, is easy to put on/take off, and is small for travelling