It can sometimes be difficult to choose what to stitch as gifts for our friends and family. Children are especially challenging, and cannot be expected to know just how much love and effort has gone into producing a small stitched picture! So stitching for them needs extra care in order to that the gift is appreciated and cherished. Here are some tips:

1. Be aware of the passing fashions in childhood. Do you remember the Ninja Turtles, and the Pokemon heroes?  These characters were favourites of children – and now, new personalities have taken their place. Make sure that the characters you stitch have a long life ahead!

2. Do not stitch buttons, charms, sequins and embellishments onto items that will be handled by small children. These could end up being sucked or swallowed – with terrible results.

3. Consider stitching a motif onto a piece of clothing such as a t-shirt or top. Make sure you use good quality threads by DMC, Anchor or Madeira. These are colour-fast – so the colour will not run when the clothing is being washed.

4. Try stitching motifs onto items such as bags or pencil cases. Research carefully into what is liked by the child. Stitching the crest of a rival football team to the one the child supports will never be forgiven!

Here is a popular kit available from SewandSo:

5. If you are unsure as to which motif to choose, try stitching the child’s name. That’s bound to be appreciated.

6. Sometimes, it may be a good idea to resign yourself to the fact that some children will not like to receive a stitched gift. Save your stitching energies for the children who will love your work.

7. Lastly, perhaps the best present you can ultimately give is the gift of learning how to stitch. However, this should never be forced. If a child sees you enjoying your stitching and admires your finished project, this may be just what he or she needs to start this hobby. There are lots of starter kits to choose from. Let the child choose the kit – and be on hand to help the young stitcher! 

 Happy Stitching!

 Iona 
 

Are you in a stitching rut? Sometimes it’s easy to stick with what is familiar. Every now and again though, it’s great to broaden our stitching horizons and try something new!

Here are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing:

1. Rather than keep to framed pictures, why not try stitching coasters, bookmarks, bell-pulls, trinket pots, pencil cases, handbag mirror-backs etc.  There’s a huge range of products available.

2. Experiment with new colours when you select your fabric. Try stitching single coloured designs onto bright, vibrant fabrics for high-impact results.

3. Learn some new stitches. These can enhance your designs – and the process of learning need not be difficult. Start off by stitching a traditional band sampler to improve your stitching repertoire.

4. Join a stitching club. By doing so, you’ll meet new friends and also learn and share your ideas for stitching.

5. Try some new types of thread. Metallics, blending filaments, satin threads and light effects are just a few of the many unusual threads that you can buy. Each has its own special characteristic that can add a new look to your projects.

6. Instead of confining yourself to using seed beads as embellishments, be a bit more adventurous. Triangular beads and bugle beads can add to new dimension to your work – and buttons and charms can add even more to get a magical three dimensional effect. Here are some bugle beads from Debbie Cripps.

7. Stitch onto a different fabric. Swap aida for evenweave or linen. Try using waste canvas (soluble) in order to stitch designs onto clothing. You can change that dull t-shirt into a wonderful evening top with just a few hours’ work. Soluble waste canvas is an amazing product. It allows you to cross stitch on any fabric from bedding to clothing using this special canvas as a grid. Once the stitching is complete, simply wash away the canvas – leaving a wonderful cross-stitched design.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

As we know, charity begins at home – but it need not end there too. With Christmas approaching, many stitchers’ minds turn to giving to good causes. With the current financial gloom continuing, we may not be in a position to give a lot of money, but there are many ways in which we can use our cross stitching skills to makes other people’s lives happier. Here are just a few. Just click on the links to find out more about these good causes:

Stitches of Love and Kindness (SOLAK) – Stitchers create cushions and quilts for children and adults with long-term illnesses.

World of Charity Stitching – a worldwide stitching community that make quilts, crochet/knitted blankets and other stitching crafts to give to the elderly and to children who have life-long illnesses and spend a lot of time in hospital.

Friends2Seniors (F2S) – stitchers create lap quilts, blankets and cushions, to be donated to residential homes or individuals who live alone.

Quilts For Kids - a group of stitchers from all over the world who cross stitch squares for Australian children, under the age of nineteen, who have life threatening or life long illnesses.

Cuddle Cushions - a charity group that is sewing cuddle cushions for kids aged between 4 – 16 year who are in hospital.

Operation Elderly Charity Stitchers - a non-profit Organisation that makes Lap Quilts and blankets for the elderly residents in nursing homes around the UK.

If you are considering buying your stitching friends a small present this Christmas, you may consider treating them (and yourself too!) to a Pink Lady cameo magnetic needle keep and a pair of pink ribbon scissors to help raise money for breast cancer charities. This in available from Kelmscott Designs, a Canadian company who have distributors in the UK as well as the USA too. The pink snips have smooth well-shaped finger holes and precision blades, ideal for your stitching workbox.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

Cross stitchers – whether experienced or new to the hobby – spend a lot of time choosing designs for their projects. But how many of us actually consider the fabrics that can bring additional delight to our completed projects? I am not referring to the perennial aida- vs. evenweave dilemma. Of course, that is a major decision in itself. Here, I’m thinking about the many patterned fabrics that are available for you to stitch your designs onto.

Most designs tend to be stitched onto white or cream aida, but if you are adventurous and try some of the more unusual fabrics available, you’ll be amazed at how a patterned background can transform your work into an extra-special masterpiece.

Using hand-dyed fabrics is another way to bring an added dimension to a design – and they can also bring subtle differences to backgrounds – such as skies or seas.

Here are a few suggestions:

Fantasy designs can be enhanced by using a shimmering background. You may be interested in trying Enchanted Fabric’s Wizard’s Magic which has an iridescent fleck running through it.

Baby Designs: There’s now a great number of impressions fabrics from DMC. These include a pretty pink hearts fabric and gingham aida.

Sky and Sea Effects can be achieved by using fabrics from Sassy Fabbys – or the ocean dreams range from Enchanted Fabrics.

Antique looks can be enhanced by an ‘aged’ looking aida. DMC’s marble aida can give the impression of timeworn look.

Additional tips for using patterned fabrics include the following:

1. Avoid stitching complex designs onto busy-looking fabrics. The background should enhance – and not take over – your stitching.

2. Highly coloured fabrics may need to be stitched with three strands of thread, instead of the usual two. Three strands will cover the fabric more, which helps you to make a colour statement with your threads.

3. When working on stronger-coloured fabric, try using a laplight to illuminate your work, or place a lamp below your work, so that light shines through the holes in the fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

As we all try to make an extra effort to add shimmer and style to our Christmas stitching projects, there are many challenges that may arise.

We know how great speciality threads are – and what they can add to the finished results of our sparkling projects. Metallic or rayon/viscose threads can make the difference between a good project and an extra-special one. However, these threads can be difficult to work with, and it can be tempting to lose patience with them when they tangle, break, fray and do not lie flat on the fabric as other cotton or silk-based threads do.

Here are some tips that may help you to make friends with these difficult but beautiful threads. First of all, here are some definitions:

Metallic Threads
Metallic threads are basic fibres coated with aluminium or made out of plastic to look golden or silvery. You can get these in a wide range of colours. They usually  are produced as one ply thread wound on a spool, or as a stranded skein which you may separate. Sometimes a cotton ply is twisted around the metallic ply to add strength to the thread. Some metallic threads are relatively thick and therefore need to be couched to the fabric.  Some may be cross stitched as they are,  and others should be mixed with another thread – these are called blending filaments. (See my recent Blog article from last week on  using blending filaments.)

Many effects can be created with these threads – shimmering leaves and waterfalls to holographic images. The artificial fibres that create the shining metallic look also produce a less flexible and more difficult thread to stitch with. They also are prone to fray at the ends, and also twist, tangle  and knot while stitching, and may bulge from the fabric once the stitches are in place.

Rayon/Viscose Threads
Rayon threads are artificially-produced thread that is soft and lustrous with lots of shine. They are found in a wide range of colours as skeins with separable plies. They look impressive because they reflect the light so well, but they are very slippery.

These can be difficult to work with on account of their slippery feel. The plies can slip apart, become frayed and slip off the needle during the stitching process. They may  also be difficult to lay flat on the fabric once they are stitched.

Other Speciality Threads
It is now possible to buy many different types of thread which can create different textures and visual effects in embroidery. One popular type is the fluffy thread. Firstly, you stitch the thread, then fluff it up with a soft baby’s toothbrush to create the look of fur, hair, moustaches and beards.

Now – for the tips to make these potentially difficult threads much easier to work with:

1. Use the right length of thread
Most stitchers find that using a shorter length of thread reduces the number of problems encountered. Therefore, use thread lengths of no more than 12-15 inches (30-40 cm). This prevents stress and friction on the thread – so less fraying, tangles and knots.

2. Control the thread
This is best achieved by running the thread through wax before stitching. This smooths and straightens the thread. A good product that I’ve mentioned before is called Thread Heaven. This is a wax substance that comes in a little blue box. You place the thread under your finger on top of the wax, and pull for the length of the thread.

Another method is moistening the thread by running it gently over a sponge or wet towel.  Also, placing the threads in the fridge or freezer overnight can make it easier to work with. (Beware: your family may doubt your sanity unless you can explain this.)

3. Use the right needle
Using a needle with a larger eye can be very helpful. This will definitely help with threading a thicker speciality thread. It will also help to open the holes of the fabric so when the needle goes through it, there is less friction on the thread.

4. Use special stitching techniques
Stitch more slowly. Speciality threads, especially metallic threads, need a lot of patience and precision. They will not behave like cotton threads, so extra time will bring you better results. Some stitchers claim that completing every cross stitch before going onto the next one gives a much neater finish with speciality threads. Also, these threads are prone to twist more than cottons. So every few stitches, allow your needle drop downwards and untwist any threads that are starting to twist.

When stitching, pull the thread straight up or down through the fabric and not sideways, thus creating less stress on the thread. As soon as your thread starts fraying, stop, and use a new thread.

Speciality threads are worth the effort for the results they produce! Try them and see for yourself.

Happy stitching!

Iona

In my last blog entry, I wrote about storing your threads (floss) in such a way that they would remain easy to find, store and identify – to spare the frustrations of losing important shades of thread just as you needed them.

DMC threads

Today, I’m going to focus on another challenge relating to threads – that is: how to prevent and deal with tangles and knots.

Even the most experienced stitcher will occasionally feel the thread starting to tangle. It can seem that the best way of releasing the tangle is to pull at the thread, hoping that the knot will loosen before the thread breaks… this is a gamble that may or may not work. Even if the knot releases itself, it is likely that the thread will be tightened and that the fabric will pucker under the strain of the frustrated tugging. The thread will be damaged and frayed if a lot of effort is required to pull the knot out.

Here are some tips that will prevent these tangles and knots from forming:

1. All stitchers have their own preferred length of thread that they feel comfortable stitching with. If the thread is too long, the thread may tangle or fray. 18 inches is a recommended length. Some inexperienced stitchers use longer strands in their needles, thinking this will save the time it takes to rethread the needle, but this can actually cause tangling instead.

2. Most cross stitch patterns (charts) call for two strands of a single colour or a blend of two different colours in the needle. Before you start stitching, check the instructions for the number of strands to use. Pull each strand from the cut length separately, and then re-position the strands together. This will help to prevent tangling.

3. If you leave thread ends hanging, they are almost certain to get tangled up on the back of your project as you stitch. It’s not just that this makes the wrong side of your work look untidy, but after your piece is finished and framed, those tangles and knots will give a lumpy appearance on the right side too.

4. Thread is often likely to become twisted as you stitch. Avoid this by holding up your project after every seven or eight stitches, letting the needle dangle to take out any twisting. Experienced stitchers also remember to twist the needle a half-turn as they bring it up in the fabric. This will help to prevent tangles from forming.

5.  A well-tried way to prevent thread from tangling is to use beeswax to soften the thread; more recently, ‘Thread Heaven’ is a product that helps the thread to glide smoothly through the fabric. Running your thread through a folded piece of a tumble dryer sheet can prevent any static build up too.

6. As for knot removal, try just placing your needle in the middle of the loop, and pull up on the loop and then pull down on one end of the floss. If this doesn’t work, then pull down on the other end of floss. That should loosen the knot. Be careful not to use a lot of force.

Happy – and tangle-free – Stitching!

Iona

Most stitchers keep spare threads in their workboxes. With the best of intentions, these can end up in an untidy heap if action is not taken to organise them well. The most frustrating thing can be the loss of the label which holds the correct colour code, leaving you to detect the correct colour against other threads. This can be very frustrating and can lead to mistaken identities.

There are several ways to store and organise your threads so that they can be easily found and identified.

DMC Gold Concept
This is based on the use of stitchbows, which are plastic wands, about the size of looped skeins. To load each stitchbow, you hook one end of the skein onto the top of the bow. Pull the label off in a downward direction. Catch the bottom of the skein onto the bow and slip the paper label with the colour number on it onto the holder. The bows are stored in a box that holds 50 of these stitchbows You can even a buy a ring binder that stores stitchbows neatly.

Madeira Thread
This is an increasingly popular brand of thread. Madeira do not use skeins, but 10 metre spiral packs. The advantage of this package is that the thread is protected from dust and does not tangle as you unwind it. You can either store these in trays, as they can lie flat, or use a ring similar to a large key ring.

Bobbin Boxes
It is time consuming to rewind thread onto a cardboard or plastic bobbin, but the payback is that you will have a neat and easily accessible collection of threads in your workbox. Thread organiser boxes are available in various sizes, but you will need one that is big enough to hold the bobbins upright, so that they do not lose their shapes.

Other storage solutions include special plastic boxes that are shaped to hold skeins of thread alongside each other, and  an American system called LoRan which comprises a card strips and a file – a larger version of the thread organisers that most of us use for storage of particular threads for a project.

We have different opinions about which way to store threads works best, and we have unique needs too. One thing we must all agree though; it’s a good idea to have some sort of thread storage system that meets our needs; otherwise, we can waste a lot of time and money trying to find the right thread for a project.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

Today – 5th November 2008 -  is an important day in history.

In the USA, Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States, prompting celebrations across the country.  The president-elect told a jubilant crowd at a victory rally in Chicago. “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight… change has come to America.” This election has created great enthusiasm worldwide, and we hope that the new presidency will bring the promised changes for goodness.

Meanwhile, here in the UK, tonight is celebrated as being Guy Fawkes’ Night, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are still burnt on bonfires throughout Britain. It was on this day in 1605 that news broke out about the Gunpowder Plot. A number of conspirators, under the leadership of Guy Fawkes, had tunnelled below the House of Lords, with 38 barrels of gunpowder, with the intention of blowing up Parliament. Fawkes was duly executed.

So – what has this to do with Cross Stitch? It occurs to me that many people will be stitching a picture of Barack Obama in celebration of his victory. It seems that there is a great attraction to stitching pictures of our personal heroes. Many British cross stitch magazines provide cross stitch charts of pop singers, sportspeople and actors with every issue.

Who is your hero?

A stitching friend of mine has cross stitched a picture of David Beckham, UK football legend, and it has pride of place in her lounge. The problem of this is that Beckham’s image has never remained the same. In her picture, David is shown with a pony tail of hair on the top of his head. He has always changed his appearance regularly – and nowadays, he goes for the shaven look, and my friend’s picture does not look at all familiar as the David Beckham we know and love today.

Perhaps one way of capturing a picture of someone we admire and love is to take a special day in their own history. What springs to my mind is a wedding day of dear friends and relatives. No matter how many times hairstyles and fashions are changed, the day will always be immortalised as the same wonderful occasion. Perhaps you have thought of stitching a wedding picture, or recreated a picture of a loved relative or favourite pet at some important moment. If you decide to do that, then you are bound to bring pleasure to those who share your memories or who are interested in knowing about their relatives or important animals.

Here is a picture taken at  my parents’ wedding, soon after World War Two:

If you have a special photograph of a time that has great significance to you, then you can have the picture made into a cross stitch pattern (chart) if you are unable to do that yourself. There are a number of companies who will do this for a price. Members of the Patterns Patch club may have a chart made up for them for no cost. So – who are your personal heroes in your life? And would you like to immortalise them in stitches? Do share with us your stories.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

Many cross stitchers are busy preparing their special stitched Christmas projects.  Cards, bookmarks, ornaments, wall hangings, tree decorations… they’re all such fun to make and to receive. Christmas stitching is a wonderful way to experience an extension of the warmth and pleasure of the Christmas spirit.

With a little ingenuity, you can add Christmas sparkle and festive cheer to your cards and cross stitched gifts – giving them extra appeal to the recipients.  Why give an ordinary gift when you can give a sensational one! Here are some ideas:

1. Add some sparkle. Try using metallic threads, or if you prefer, add a strand of blending filament to your stranded cotton, as you stitch. This will give your projects extra shine and sparkle.

Here (below) is Madeira Spectra Jewel holographic filament, available from Willow Fabrics. This must be one of the most glamorous of threads.

2. Embellish your designs. Add charms, buttons and beads to your designs to give a three-dimensional and sophisticated look. You can replace French Knots with  attractive beads for extra appeal.

3. Make your background fabric shimmer with light. DMC has a new range of sparkling fabric in six different shades.

4. Add sparkle to your cards. Learn some basic skills of card-making if you do not have them already. Here are some tinsel trims, produced by Papermania. Just right for a Christmassy look.

5. Last of all, take time to plan, stitch and enjoy your stitching projects It’s a shame to be impatient to complete your projects. Put love into every stitch so that your gifts are perfect for your family and friends.

Happy Stitching!

Iona

Along with many stitchers, I have been busy creating small cards and bookmarks in preparation for Christmas. The weeks fly past at this time of year, and it’s easy to get behind with Christmas stitching plans. I love these small projects – one evening of stitching, and another stitched card is completed. It gives of sense of achievement.

However, I wonder if you will agree with me on this: Much as I enjoy the satisfaction of making these small projects, I miss working on my larger works-in-progress at the moment. I think this is because I associate stitching large projects with relaxation. Unlike stitching small motifs, there is no pressure to complete them in time for Christmas – or other festive occasion. I enjoy seeing these large designs grow very slowly.  I have therefore decided to continue stitching the big projects alongside the quick-and-easy ones. Just for pleasure. This is stitching bliss.

Here are some tips for working on the big designs. I have discovered these the hard way, I can assure you.

1. Do not rush into stitching straight away. Spend time organising your materials, especially your threads, before starting. Hands up everyone who has muddled two or three shades of the same colour… yes, I’d guess this is a mistake we have all made. You need to sort your threads in a very good light – either natural light, or a daylight bulb. Place the threads in a labelled thread organiser. It is a fiddly job, but will save you a lot of time during the project.

2. Study the pattern chart carefully before you begin. Do you need to enlarge it before you begin? Never try to strain your eyes to see a pattern that is too small for comfort.

3. Consider buying a frame if you do not already have one. A tapestry frame will add to your stitching pleasure. Also, a frame will prevent the fabric from creasing, and will help you to keep your stitching tension even. A basic frame consists of vertical bars and horizontal rollers to which you staple, sew, clip or tape your fabric.  It is easy to rotate the horizontal rollers, revealing the section of stitching you’re working on.

4. Experts suggest that it takes an hour to stitch a one-inch square on 14 count aida. So you can get a rough idea of how long a project will take by multiplying your design height in inches by its width. Don’t forget to add time for unusual stitches, fractional stitches, backstitch additions and beading. Of course, you can subtract time for any unstitched space. This timing assumes that you will be stitching constantly. In reality, we are often distracted when we stitch. Conversation, tea-breaks and Life Itself often gets in the way of our stitching, so we are unlikely to spend an evening of non-stop stitching.

If you are planning a large project, then you need look no further than Patterns Patch Club. There are hundreds of patterns to download, all free of charge for members. Here is a favourite of mine (‘Mountain Retreat’ by Thomas Kinkade):

Happy Stitching!

Iona