cross stitch novice

[blossom2]

i wondered if anyone else out there does cross stitch pictures as a hobby.

I brought a kit today of a ballet picture thinking how hard can it be - i can embroider but then looked at the instructions and thought - Whoops!!!

Can anyone recommend any websites for beginners etc.

Many thanks

[Dior]

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[blossom2]

the terminology really but then haven't looked at it properly ().

[Miaou]

Hi blossom, I design and sell cross stitch kits! Ask me any questions you want - or CAT me if you prefer!

[blossom2]

Hi Miaou - how are you?? have you still got your dry skin??

What luck!!
i've got to heat up DH dinner but will be back later or tomorrow evening. trying to figure out what kind of fabric i have ie Aida or evenweave. really small threads and holes - i think its evenweave ...

many thanks

[Miaou]

yup - still flaking and scratching (mmm niiiice )

Evenweave - the fabric weave, if you look closely, will consist of one strand, then a hole, then another strand, then hole etc. Usually you stitch on evenweave over two strands. Aida fabric has small holes and slightly wider weave btwn them - if you look closely at the weave, it is made up of lots of strands together.

Just to clarify - this is aida and this is evenweave

hope this helps!

[blossom2]

are you still around Miaou??

i think the fabric is Aida rather than evenweave. its certainly made up of 4-5 threads together (threads at the edges) and the holes are very small.

Also i've got a complicated picture but the size of fabric is actually quite small. If each cross stitch uses 9 holes, then the fabric would not be able to contain the picture. does that make sense???

thank you very much for this .

what are you using for the dry skin??

[blossom2]

i've just had a look at the picture and right at the bottom in REALLY small print, it says "16bpi beige Aida fabric" !!!!! i feel really clever today!!

what does bpi mean??!!??!

[Miaou]

I think it probably says "hpi" instead of bpi - which means holes per inch. You do the cross stitch over one "block", thereby if you did 16 stitches in a row they would be 1 inch long.

Off to bed now but feel free to ask if you need more advice!

[Dior]

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[blossom2]

haven't started yet but going to tonight. i'm praying DD goes to sleep fairly easily ... can't wait!!

[blossom2]

HELP!!! I've just started and done a nice 2 inch square and realised i've used the wrong colour.

what can i do????

[Dior]

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[blossom2]

Hi Dior - I've unpicked it and started again!!! its actually really enjoyable and quite relaxing. You were right, its fairly easy and you can work quite fast. i can't wait to see the final picture.
thank you

[Dior]

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[Miaou]

Hi blossom - sounds like you are enjoying doing your cross stitch! Which one are you doing?

[blossom2]

Hi Miaou. i'm doing a scene where 3 ballerinas are getting ready. I'll let you know the details later on tonight, as i'm worried that if i bring it out now, DD will tear it to pieces.

It must be a great job you have - very creative. Do you have your own business or work for a company?? i was thinking of (once i've finished this one of course) doing a more personalised picture - their name or something...

[Miaou]

Just in the process of setting up my own website - it may even be live next week! Will let you know

[Dior]

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[blossom2]

Absolutely, post your website. I'm definitely interested.

i have fantasies of doing sometime with DD's name on it and then realise i'll turning into my MIL - AAHHHH....

[blossom2]

oh, also wanted to ask if there are beginners kits for children?? i know DD is probably too young but i have friends with kids who are 7/8 who would like something like this....

[Miaou]

Really good site for kits for children is The Bold Sheep - they have a section called Baa-ginners!! They are really nice kits, affordable and an efficient company to deal with. And don't overlook the pleasure of a 7/8 year old getting something through the post with their name on!

[blossom2]

I'm doing a Anchor - counted cross stitch kit. Design is called 'getting ready' by Steve o'Connell. Number PCE569.

make any sense?!?!?!

[Miaou]

Ah yes - this one ? It's lovely blossom. Let me know how you get on.

[blossom2]

are you including any of the other ballerina's in your website?!?!?! i love the blue & pink one!!!

its going well, small patch progressing nicely. Do you tend to work with one colour then move on to the next?? i've found that its easier to work with a couple of colours at the same time, otherwise i lose count. IYKWIM.

i've also gone and got a stain at the bottom of the fabric (eating a fajita at the time). hopefully it will only affect the last couple of squares ....

[Miaou]

Hi Blossom - my site is just going to feature my own designs, plus the Derwentwater range - no ballerinas I'm afraid! Re working with colours - different people do it different ways, so it's just a case of finding a way that works for you. I tend to work with one colour at a time but looking at the complexity of your kit I can see why you chose to do a couple at a time - I daresay there are a lot of colour changes in order to create the shading.

Re the fajita stain (!) - you can wash your fabric but it is best to wait until you have completed all the stitching before you do, so you only have to wash it once. Good for getting rid of grubby marks! You can buy special washing liquid for cross-stitch, or just use a tiny bit of handwashing liquid in a bowl of handhot water. Swish the fabric round gently, don't rub it. Lift it out of the water and let it drip, then lay it out on a couple of thicknesses of towel to dry. Don't whatever you do squeeze the fabric! When it is almost dry, lay it upside down on a fluffy dry towel and iron on a coolish setting. Et voila!

I'm a mind of useful/less information...