The main thing is to enjoy the delicious thrill of embroidering snarky messages in the last place people expect to see them. Be sure it's taut both horizontally and vertically. But you can also use a hard cardboard insert-just center the finished piece on the cardboard and sew in big zigzags on the back so that the fabric is taut on the front. To finish, I swear by Stitchery Tape because it mounts your work and keeps it very flat. Not good in this instance, though.) Try to wash it out, you'll be surprised. I'm kind of informal about these things, just be careful not to burn the final product! If it scorches, it will wash out. Let it dry fully, then press with an iron. Just hand wash it in some cold water with Woolite or very diluted detergent. Be aware that sometimes the thread will show through the white fabric.įinishing: It's a good idea to wash the finished piece. Most of the time you should end off and start again, other times you can carry the thread along the back. Your stitches should lie flat on the fabric and not distort the holes or the fabric.Ĭhanging Colors: Sometimes a color will have only a few stitches and then "jump" to another area. See our link to short-cut stitching on this page (above) for more ideas. It doesn't matter which way they slant, but if they're mixed the finished piece will look uneven. That is, the top thread of the "X" should always slant in the same direction (either \ or /). The main thing is that each "X" crosses in the same direction.
Use this method for vertical rows of stitches. The second method is to complete each X as you go. The first method is to work a row of half stitches (////), then work back (\\\\) to complete the "X"s. Alternate method: You could also just make a knot if it's easier for you, just make sure the knot isn't too big and lumpy. To end off, weave your needle back through the last 5 or 6 stitches and clip the thread short so as not to leave a loose tail. Stitch the next 5 or 6 stitches over the tail. To begin stitching, bring the threaded needle up from the back of the fabric leaving about a 1" tail of thread behind the fabric. Remember, cross stitch is a lot like connect the dots! In the pattern, you may see some straight lines in the design-stitch those exactly as they are on the chart. The stitch: Our patterns are very simple and almost always require only the basic "X" stitch. Working this way (from the center out) will ensure that you don't stitch right off the material. Begin stitching something that's near the center of the pattern. Then, find the approximate center of the fabric. To Begin: Find the approximate center of the pattern.
Just make sure the hoop clamps the material all the way around. It doesn't matter what material it's made of - plastic, wood, whatever.
You will use only 2 strands at a time.Įmbroidery hoop: You will probably need an embroidery hoop to hold the fabric taut while you stitch, especially if you're a beginner.
If you separate the embroidery strands - you'll see that what looks like one string is actually 6 smaller strands. Thread: Our kits use DMC six-strand cotton thread. What you'll need: pattern, thread, material, needle, embroidery hoop (smaller than enclosed material) and scissors Pin Stitch Tutorial for you neatniks from This and That. Giant Cross Stitch Tutorial from the fine folks at weelittlestitches. Tricks of the Trade: short-cut stitching.Ĭhicken Scratch instructions used for stitching on gingham, aka chicken scratch! Knitpro: another converter that changes your image into a chart.īlank Grid to download/print (or try PCStitch software). Pic to Pat: Photo-to-pattern converter, easy to use. Stitch Point: Nice modern font charts that generate online.
Choosing font in pcstitch how to#
How to Cross Stitch!by the by Elizabeth Lilly at Buzzfeedawesome Becky Stern.įont Charts in our PDF shop, some free with purchase.Ĭross Stitch Basics from the Cross Stitch Guild This is where you'll find animated instructions and other handy tools.Ī quick overviewof what matters most by Jenny Lawson of Ģ9 Ridiculously Helpful Tips For Anyone Who Wants To Learn How To Cross Stitchby Elizabeth Lilly at Buzzfeed