Effing cross stitch sampler - help needed pls!

[mum2Bomg]

So I'm 39 weeks pregnant and BORED! I've washed the baby's things, cooked, organised the million packets of wet wipes we have, put up a shelf and been for lunches etc... I've found 'crafty' things help me to avoid watching shite telly all day and to think about every twinge.

Popped merrily off to Hobby Craft and bought a cross stitch sampler but I've got it all out of the box and don't know where to start. I (naively) thought the pattern would be drawn on to the cloth but it isn't. Do I have to count each loop to check I'm starting in the right place?! Almost wishing I hadn't bothered.

I know it's not an AIBU but this board is funny, gets traffic and I like the weirder comments...

[confusedandemployed]

Is there a pattern on graph paper with it? Best way to start is somewhere in the middle of the design, if I remember rightly and work down. Then return to the centre and work up.

[SocksRock]

Start from the middle. It should be marked on the chart. Fold the fabric in two in both directions and pinch hard at the centre point. When you unfold you should be able to see where the centre of the fabric is.

[iklboo]

You need a stamped cross stitch kit if you want the pattern drawn on. Would you be able to take it back & swap it?

[Hastalapasta]

Bananas are yellow, and loved by minions. Weird enough?
Fold the material into quarters, mark the centre with your needle and start from there, matching the centre of the pattern.
Good luck

[Mungobungo]

As others have said, Mark out the centre of the fabric, find the centre of the pattern, pick a colour to work with and go in one direction, then come back to the middle and go in another direction. You'll soon get the gist of it.

[mum2Bomg]

Genius! I was going to start at one edge and hope for the best...

[Chottie]

Is the pattern an iron-on design?

Read the instructions thoroughly before starting....

[Hastalapasta]

Took too long to post and cross posted with everyone else!

[mum2Bomg]

Hastalapasta - thank you! Also, excellent username!!

[mum2Bomg]

Chottie - that's the main issue - there aren't really any instructions. I even googled to find help and...nothing...

[GeekyWombat]

The centre of the chart should be marked. Fold the material into quarters and where the folds meet that's your centre too. Start stitching there with the centre of the chart.

If you get into it and fancy finishing the sampler I started for DD's nursery nearly four years ago I've got a lovingly stitched LM and N from an alphabet sampler that needs finishing.

Also a crochet your own Yoda kit

And a scrapbooking kit to mark every key moment of her first year, which is filled in as far as what her nursery looked like before she was put in it and her name and weight at birth

[EvenFlo2]

I always start my cross stitch from the corners. But I am truely rock and roll

[FrillyFimbo]

As others have suggested it's best to start at the middle if your a beginner. Sometimes it helps to add a running stitch vertically and horizontally to mark the centre and help keep track of where you are, the same will be marked on the pattern with arrows. It's advisable to shade the pattern with pencil as you go to keep track of what you've done/where you are. If the edges of the fabric start to fray bind carefully with masking tape. Any other queries I'd be happy to answer

[mum2Bomg]

Crochet your own yoda - on it GeekyWombat

EvenFlo2 pure madness!

I even made a picture frame. I really hope I'm not overdue or everyone will get some seriously homemade Christmas presents...

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

I love a good cross stitch, me. Currently tackling a great big doll's house. It'll look nice when it's done but I wouldn't be surprised if it took over a year.

Anyway, the best place to start with a cross stitch is in the middle of the chart. There are little arrows on the side and top of the chart which point you to the middle point. Find the middle square and look at the symbol to work out what colour you need to use.

Take your material and fold it in half, then in half again. Unfold it and you'll be able to see the middle point of your fabric. Your first cross stitch needs to know in there.

Check your instructions for how many threads you need to use for each stitch. It probably says 2...if so, take your colour and take 2 strands out. You could also take 1 and fold it in half, then thread it on to your needle.

One square on your cross stitch material represents one square on the chart. Start diagonally from bottom left to top right, and then secure the thread at the back. Then stitch again from bottom right to top left and you have your completed stitch. Always stitch in the same direction so your work looks even.

It's kind of hard to explain in writing but YouTube is brilliant for cross stitch demos..have a look. Let us know how you get on...cross stitching is so good for taking your mind off things and keeping you busy.

[Whynotnowbaby]

Yes, start at the middle, find it as socks suggests and then run a brightly coloured piece of cotton horizontally and vertically through it so you know where the central lines are. The middle should be marked on your diagram (or at least the middle should be marked on the edges so you can draw lines like the ones formed by your thread to identify it. If the colours are all mixed together you should separate them and thread them through ha piece of card. Mark the card by each thread with he symbol used to identify it in the pattern. You then count the stitches and sew them in each colour. I hope that helps but suspect it makes it sound more complicated than it is! Maybe have a look on YouTube for an intro.

[Whynotnowbaby]

X post x many!

[Tobeemoree]

Sod the cross stitch. Try sex.

[AChickenCalledKorma]

Have you got a hoop thingy to hold the fabric tight while you stitch? If not, get one - it's way easier. Also it will give you a good excuse to go back to hobbycraft and kill another boring day.

Also, don't forget to come back and update us when you are finished and the baby has started secondary school (ducks and runs away)

[mum2Bomg]

Ooh like the tip about the brightly coloured thread Whynotnowbaby - thank you.

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

Woooo look at all the other cross stitchers here. Woop woop!

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

EvenFlo2 you are a maverick!

[mum2Bomg]

AChickenCalledKorma - yep got a hoopy thing!!! And I'm sure you're right that it'll never get finished, but I'm gonna try. Plus, my sister always bets that I won't and the cash is helpful if I ever do (last one was a knitted scarf that took 8 months and I finished in the summer, but a tenner is a tenner!)

[EvenFlo2]

I know. Sometimes I even choose a slightly different coloured thread than the one recommended. I'm a rebel, what more can I say?

[mum2Bomg]

Crazy talk EvenFlo2... You are On.The.Edge.

I've tried sex ToBeeMoree but DH has to go to work (sadly) so I need something else to do...

Does no one like my horrific photo frame?!