I love to cross stitch! I wish I had time to cross stitch more often, but it’s kind of hard to squeeze in a few relaxing hours of stitching when there always seems to be something else that needs doing -- like figuring out how to pay off dead hubby’s loan shark. Someday I may be able to get back to my favorite pastime and wile away the hours with a piece of linen, a tapestry needle, and all those gorgeous DMC floss colors. In the meantime, I’ve got some cross stitching tips to share with those of you who do manage to squeeze in some cross stitching time from time to time.
*Don’t throw away small scraps of cross stitch fabrics. Keep them handy to make ornaments, bookmarks, covered buttons, jewelry, and magnets. For jewelry and magnets, coat the finished stitching with fabric stiffener and mount to a pin back or magnet when dry.
*Don’t throw away small scraps of cross stitch fabrics. Keep them handy to make ornaments, bookmarks, covered buttons, jewelry, and magnets. For jewelry and magnets, coat the finished stitching with fabric stiffener and mount to a pin back or magnet when dry.
*When stitching on dark colored fabric, place a white pillowcase on your lap or wear a white skirt or pants. This will enable you to see the holes of the fabric more clearly.
*Separate your different sized tapestry needles by sticking them into scraps of the proper count fabric. That way it’s easy to find the right size needle for every project.
*When stitching on perforated paper, use shorter lengths of floss and a slightly looser tension. This will keep the perforated paper from accidentally tearing.
*Have you ever accidentally stained a favorite blouse or other piece of clothing and couldn’t get the stain out? Instead of discarding the garment, why not stitch a design such as a flower, heart, monogram, or butterfly over the spot using waste canvas? Just look through your pattern books to find a design that will fit. You may want to stitch the design in several places on the garment to give added interest. This technique also works well for stained children’s clothing you want to pass down to younger siblings.
*Clear plastic storage boxes are terrific for storing cross stitch fabric. Purchase one for each of the different count sizes you have, and label the ends of the boxes for quick reference.
*Cardboard magazine holders are ideal for storing cross stitch books. Label the ends of the holders and separate the books and leaflets by subject, such as Christmas designs, children’s designs, florals, etc.
Do you have any tips you'd like to share? Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author this week. -- AP
*Separate your different sized tapestry needles by sticking them into scraps of the proper count fabric. That way it’s easy to find the right size needle for every project.
*When stitching on perforated paper, use shorter lengths of floss and a slightly looser tension. This will keep the perforated paper from accidentally tearing.
*Have you ever accidentally stained a favorite blouse or other piece of clothing and couldn’t get the stain out? Instead of discarding the garment, why not stitch a design such as a flower, heart, monogram, or butterfly over the spot using waste canvas? Just look through your pattern books to find a design that will fit. You may want to stitch the design in several places on the garment to give added interest. This technique also works well for stained children’s clothing you want to pass down to younger siblings.
*Clear plastic storage boxes are terrific for storing cross stitch fabric. Purchase one for each of the different count sizes you have, and label the ends of the boxes for quick reference.
*Cardboard magazine holders are ideal for storing cross stitch books. Label the ends of the holders and separate the books and leaflets by subject, such as Christmas designs, children’s designs, florals, etc.
Do you have any tips you'd like to share? Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author this week. -- AP
