Any cross stitchers?

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Anyone out there a cross stitcher? I used to do a lot in my pre children days, and have just discovered my sewing bag with all my old threads, patterns etc. Picked it up and did a small picture, and really enjoyed it! I often get a bit bored in the evenings (DH works away a lot so am limited to activities) and thought I'd start a project.

So to my question - what do you do with your finished projects? Obviously only so much space to hang pictures etc. Any ideas? Any pics you'd like to share? Would love some inspiration! Thank you.

[Becca19962014]

I am, though my disability means I can only do small amounts each day.

I stitch presents for others. I have three that are for me, which are nowhere near done, and am about to begin some for Christmas/birthdays that are coming up shortly.

I've nothing inspirational to put on here as I don't keep my projects (or photograph those I complete which is a mistake in hindsight).

[LittleCandle]

I enjoy sewing for myself, but also gifts for others. Christmas cards used to be a big thing for me, but doing fewer of those as I have less time than I used to. Wedding samplers (got a few coming up) and I've done 2 birth samplers and a baby afghan. At the moment I am stitching a Christmas stocking for my DGD. I admit that lack of house room is a growing problem...

[useyourimagination]

I love cross stitch. I do mostly large projects and eventually get them framed and hung on the wall. I'm doing one for a friend at the moment which will be a surprise but then I'm going back to my main project. I've done 8000 stitches out of 195500. It'll take years!

My current WIP

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thank you for your replies! Yes I was wondering about cards, might be nice to do some personalised ones. useyourimagination that is enormous! How do you stitch it, on a frame? Also does anyone use one of those bright lights you can angle? Any recommendations?
Getting quite keen now!

[LittleCandle]

I've got a daylight one. I've had it for so long that I don't remember the make. It stands on a table and came with a detachable magnifier and thing on the back to hold scissors and stuff. It has lasted for ages! About a decade, possibly a bit longer. It is fab. I have never used a frame and I prefer large projects, too. The biggest one I ever did, stitch-wise, was 56,000. It didn't have a single piece of the picture that did not have a stitch in it. I didn't count it, though. DB did it out of interest. It took me several months. I always have a project of some sort on the go.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Thanks LittleCandle I think I will put a lamp on my Christmas list. I have never used a frame either although I've never done any larger projects, but think it would be a faff to stitch with one.

[Becca19962014]

I use hoops not a frame as I struggled with a frame. I don't have a lamp that's specific but I do have a very bright reading lamp that's sits on my table by where I stitch, it's really helpful.

[LittleCandle]

I always sew with my fabric loose in my hand, big project or small project. I always have done. Only the above-mentioned 56,000 stitch project needed stretching before being framed. Hoops and frames just annoy me as I often move away from one area to stitch another and constantly moving the hoop would get on my nerves.

Thread Heaven is invaluable for using with metallic thread. I have a love/hate relationship with metallic thread. I love how it looks, but certain ones drive me to drink whilst stitching with them. Thread Heaven does help with the fraying problems and stops them getting quite as twisty.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Have just googled thread heaven! Interesting! Yes I've always held the fabric in my hand, I like to push the needle down one hole and up the next in one go, if that makes sense, and presumably with a hoop or frame you couldn't do that. I am feeling inspired and have ordered a couple of kits, in the meantime I am starting a few small pictures for cards. Thanks everyone!

[HandbagCrab]

I took it up again last year I'm doing the biggest one I've ever attempted at the moment. It's all stitched but the background is half stitched so it's not an impossible feat. It's for my baby due at xmas so that's my deadline!

I've never heard of thread heaven before but it sounds really interesting, thanks for the tip :)

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Maybe we could have a thread where we post pics of progress/finished projects. I will take some of my little cards when they're done, got to start somewhere! Good luck getting the big picture done before the baby arrives handbag!

[useyourimagination]

I use a frame and just gather up the loose fabric to one side. I've tried a frame but can't get the tension I like.

[useyourimagination]

I use a HOOP, not a frame.

[LittleCandle]

I am very fortunate that my tension is always even, even when I am angry. I also use the stabbing method. I prefer larger projects, although cards can be quite relaxing to do. This is the afghan I did for my DGD.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

That is lovely LittleCandle! Never thought of cross stitching onto a blanket, what a lovely idea.

[HandbagCrab]

Thanks. posie Here's a flower fairy one I finished last year (and framed the other week). I buy cheap kits off amazon so I think it's quite a cost effective hobby :)

[PosiePootlePerkins]

That is beautiful Handbag! You are inspiring me with your projects! Did you frame it yourself or take it to a framer?

[HandbagCrab]

Thank you :) I did it myself with an ikea frame!

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Awesome!

[NapQueen]

I started in January. I've completed one project (a Peter pan print for a friend's ds) and done a couple of the little mini ones you get with the magazines. I'm currently halfway through a wizard of oz one, and still need to go back and finish another one.

I get barely any time and it frustrates me that I can't just sit for a good couple of hours but never mind.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Ooh I like that one too NapQueen. I have just found a cross stitch that I did for my youngest DS when I was expecting him, he's now 7! Feel a bit sad that I completed it and never actually got round to framing it. What to do with it now? Maybe frame and give to a charity shop? Has helped me remember how much I used to love doing it.

[NapQueen]

You could sew his name and dob onto it and pop it in with his baby mementos if you kept any?

[Mummabear22]

I did this for DD started it when I was pregnant, then it got forgotten about for 4months (DD was born) then I finally finished it when she was about 6months old. I've now framed it and put it in her room.

[Clutterbugsmum]

I'm doing this peacock one at the moment.

I've done a few Christmas one's which I've made in to cushions.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Good idea NapQueen I do have a box of baby bits. Mummabear you were more organised than me!
Clutter that peacock is beautiful, come and post a pic when its done!