Return to Cross Stitch

I had this post pop into my head today, so here goes.

I had no idea when I started blogging (just before retirement from teaching) that I would get back into cross stitching (bordering on obsession) or meet so many stitching friends.

I am not ready to say that my blog is only a stitching blog, because it is NOT, but the fact that a hobby that entertained me for hours on end in the 1980's and 90's would come back and fill so many hours again has caused me to blog about it much more than I intended.

This will be a stitching only post so friends that don't care for stitching I promise I have more to write about than stitching, but this is one is for my stitching friends.

When I stopped cross stitching it was not because I didn't love it, but life with kids and work just sort of sent it to the back burner. I picked up cross stitching when I was in college. I remember the first project and I was hooked from that point forward. I stitched all the way through Auburn and then I stitched in the evenings until kids and school just became too much.

I began thinking about it again and planned a project to start as soon as I walked out of school for the last day.

When I returned to this love, so much had changed... Aida cloth was not in ...there was something called fancy floss... new hoops, etc.

My dear friend Arlene from Nanaland answered many questions and has never ever steered me wrong with advice. I have no local stitching friends, so she must endure texts from me where I just think aloud sometimes. Love you Arlene!

This past weekend I had two blogger friends reach out and ask me about stitching. They too had once been stitchers. I go all excited when Barbara from Sweet Tea and Sandals did this post.

Anyway, this post idea came to me today, so if I haven't already bored you to death I am going to answer many of the questions I asked Arlene over months of starting again. So, if there is anyone out there thinking about getting back into cross stitching here are some things that are different than years ago or at least they were for me!

FLOSS

The only thing I knew about was DMC and Anchor. Now, there are what stitchers have dubbed "Fancy Floss." That means they are overdyed and many have variegation in the colors. Some of the brands are Weeks, The Gentle Arts, and Classic Color Works. My understanding is that they are not waterproof so they could bleed.
Are they necessary?

Well, let me give this disclaimer right here...Everything is my opinion and there are more opinions than you can shake a stick at. I think everyone's opinion counts. Just like in my teaching days I like to try new things...then I make a determination for myself. You will find a lot of different thoughts about everything I am posting.

My opinion is that it depends on the project. Many swear by them. I truly prefer to stitch with DMC, but in some of the newer patterns I think the fancy floss is needed. I think some of the newer patterns were designed with them in mind and the color variegation is needed. Many older patterns used a lot of different colors and you changed colors a lot to get the variegation, but with some of the newer patterns the fancy floss provides it.

Here is an example of what I mean...
I did this leaf pillow and it is with DMC, but to get all that color there is a ton of different colors.

Then this cottage on the patriotic is done with one fancy floss color, but you can see how much color variation is in that one color.

Now, I had no idea what any of the fancy floss names were when I started the project below, so I used the DMC colors and many were two DMC colors for every fancy floss name. The pattern was a Blackbird Designs pattern and it had the DMC numbers listed right after these wonderful color names.
I was ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS they were names of actual "fancy floss." I just mixed the two colors together. This is called "tweeding" and can work on some projects. I did not feel like I missed out on anything by not using fancy floss on this project.

One more thing on floss...
Here are some links to use DMC conversions for fancy floss...
The Gentle Arts to DMC
Weeks to DMC
Classic Color Works to DMC

ACRONYMS

Oh how I love acronyms, so I loved this aspect of stitching. After all, I had my students get in an SQL...which sounds so much cooler to a 4th grader than a straight quiet line.

There are WIPs, FFOs, SALs, etc.
Here is a site for acronyms and their explanations. Gotta love this...
https://www.caterpillarcrossstitch.com/blogs/news/cross-stitch-acronyms-explained

STITCHING ROTATION

This is an idea of having multiple projects going at once. I waffle on this idea. I am currently giving it a whirl. I have always been more of a one project at at time girl. There are all kinds of SALs and hashtags on Instagram...
#witchywednesday
#saturdaysantas

I tend to do one larger project and one small so when you mess up and need to walk away for a few days you have something else to go to.

HOOPING

Lots of opinions and options here on hooping. I am amazed at the ladies who don't use a hoop. There are tons out there and some of my favorite stitchers don't use them!!!
I am more of a hoop girl...I think it is just how I learned.

AND...how hoops have changed.
I use more than one kind. IT depends on the project.

I have had the blue hoops FOREVER.

Arlene shared with me about Qsnaps. I like them too. I especially like them when you have a project that fits in it and you never have to change it out. IF you do, you can use some felt strips to protect your stitches.

One hoop that I am totally intrigued with is this one used by Judy at Halland House Gifts.

Source: https://hallandhousegifts.blogspot.com

I have yet to purchase one, but I would think this would be great for a really large project.

MAGNIFICATION

One thing I have learned is my eyes ain't what they used to be and I totally relate when someone says they quit because they couldn't see it anymore. I know my own mother doesn't sew much not because she can't whip out some amazing stuff, but because she just can't see it.

I use stronger reading glasses for stitching than just my usual reading or seeing print. That ingenious idea came from an eye doctor. He didn't give me glasses, just told me what strength to use for each activity. God bless him.

Then there is a need for adequate lighting and magnifiers.

I have a good lamp. I had one that I got at Walmart, but recently acquired a floor lamp (you will see it when I get to my stitching chair) to come right out over my stitching.

One of my favorite tools is this clip on magnifier with light attached too. I can't remember if I ordered it from Amazon or found it at Hobby Lobby.

It clips the best on my old round hoops, but I can swing it as well on my Qsnap which for me is another reason to hoop.

There are lots of magnifiers out there. This is my personal favorite. I tried one of those things that hangs around your neck. I think I am too short for that.

LINENS

I don't look at all my projects done on AIDA and go, "Yuck!" In fact, I still love them all just as much, but I am enjoying trying the new linens. My one wish is that I had a Local Needlework Shop (LNS) to visit so I could handle them. Alas I do not, so 123 Stitch is my go to store.

28 count is the same as 14 count Aida if you stitch over two holes... Check out this link for information on that.

Lots of different kinds too... I mean lots!

And then there is do you use one strand or two strands. The larger the linen count, the chances you will want to use one strand of thread IF YOU CAN SEE IT...which I have great trouble with. But, then you can do like Stitching Friend RJ does... use multiple pairs of readers at once. I have not mastered this... YET!

For me this is all trial and error.. I like a full coverage and each linen is different. Some are very loosely woven and need two strands even on a higher count while others are very tightly woven and one thread gives a full coverage.

I usually try out a few stitches to determine which I will do.

Everyone needs to find their own sweet spot.

Just saying that previous statement leads me to FLOSS TUBE and blogs. Y'all, you can literally spend hours watching videos and reading blogs devoted to this wonderful hobby. There will be so many opinions and ideas.

I have learned so much from watching...

the downfall...not knowing when to quit watching and just do your thing.

That leads to this...

you can go in debt buying patterns that you will never get to. I started making a list every time I saw something I liked and buy a new pattern only when I am really going to start it. 123 Stitch even has a way to make a wish list which was helpful for Christmas gifts this past year.

Here are a few other tools and tips I have found work for me.

The line magnet which holds your place. I have had this for over 20 years, but think I saw one at JoAnn's. I actually have two which is nice. There is a piece of metal which you lay your pattern on and then there are strips of magnets which mark your place. When I don't use it I mess up!

Probably my favorite tool other than the clip on magnifier.

The other thing you can go in debt over is project bags. I haven't not fallen down that hole just yet. I keep thinking I will sew my own, but that hasn't happened. I keep my projects in Ziplock bags and then put them in school bags I had. I have six of them hanging in my sewing room. I can grab the bag and go easily.

IT is all in the Ziplock bag which then goes in the hanging bag.

Hanging bags can be grabbed to take to my stitching chair or to the trip to Auburn.

Close up of a bag.

I keep a basket next to my stitching chair for the one project I bring into the living room to work on. When I am tired of stitching it, it returns to the hangers back in the sewing room.

Today I was working on the Spell of the Moon, so I just grabbed the Ziplock.

This is my stitching spot. See lamp and basket. I sometimes bring the whole hanging bag especially if the project has lots of threads. I will often hang it on the knobs of the side table.

Laptop can sit on my side table for Floss Tube viewing. IT is addictive y'all.

Arlene gifted me this folder bag and I love this. I keep my scissors which I was forever losing and extra needles as well as loose threads when I am stitching. It stays in the basket in the living room.

You can see it in the basket in the above pictures.

Speaking of threads, there are more ways to store thread than you can possibly imagine. This works for me.

I have tubs that store my threads and then I pull the colors I need to add to my Ziplock bags when I am kitting up a project. 

The KEY to this storage is SNACK size bags and 3 X 5 index cards. Those two items will provide a stand up filing system.

I even have a system down within the bag. The front has the skein of thread. Once it is cut and part has been pulled off it goes to the back of the bag. Keeps me a bit more organized.

I have a tub designated for cloth, one for pattern book, and then a basket for patterns and cloth that I want to do very soon. Well, as in the next year:)

Top shelf...contains pattern books.

Other top shelf cubby contains fabrics and linens.

Basket contains almost kitted up projects that are on my want to stitch list.

One other bag that hangs is a catch all for hoops and things like that. I once had them in my storage tubs with patterns and linens. I got tired of climbing and just designated a bag for hoops.

As a former school teacher. I was not lacking for bags.

If your eyeballs are falling out yet, just know there is tons more. IT has become quite the event with social media and blogs, etc. 

I do love it and want to keep at it as long as my eyes last. I do tend to do more small projects and look for ways to finish them without framing as I have no wall space left for anything. Yet, with the Auburn house I might be able to do a few more larger things.

I have loved researching all the cute ways people finish them rather than framing these days. A whole new world of ideas...people.

IT is either the greatest hobby ever or an obsession. I will let you decide. I hope this was helpful to those who were like me...starting back after a long break.

Happy stitching,

Sandy

P.S. Remember there is no one way to do any of this. Be true to yourself and do what you like and use the method you like. It should be enjoyable to you!