Cross stitch for beginners

[ALittleLemonTwist]

I've been inspired by a thread in Chat and would like to look into doing some cross stitch peices, perhaps for christmas presents. Problem is, I'm generally rubbish with things like this....have tried sewing, knitting etc but just always mess them up. I think the term is 'cack handed'

SHame really as I love home made stuff and that whole shabby chic cottage style - Kirsty Allsop is my girl crush

So I was just wondering if cross stitching is realtively easy for someone who is clumsy and not very meticulous??!

TIA!

I cross stitch, and it is very easy. But I am a perfectionist and like things to be spot on, so often end up making it harder for myself!

However, one piece can take a very long time. Be under no illusion that its a knock-one-out-every-few-days type of hobby! If you want to make some bits for Christmas, I'd say get on and start now for next christmas!!

If you go to somewhere like hobbycraft, you can buy small ones, that will get you used to doing it to see if you like it, before you fork out for all the other equipment needed for CS.

Sorry, meant to say it's not a knock-one-out-every-few-days hobby. It takes time and patience!

Thanks LastOrders. I think I'll take your suggestion and try and get a kit from hobbycraft to see how I go.

alittlelemontwist - i design cross stitch designs and would say buying a kit may put you off - get yourself some graph paper and design your own pattern - that way you can keep it simple with just a few colours which makes things much easier - there are loads of sites which offer free patterns too if you don't fancy designing your own.

[[http://maximumrabbitdesigns.blogspot.com/ my blog}}

oops! my blog

Love the blog, vintageviolet. Especially the stripping spools.

Go for a magazine such as Cross Stitch Crazy, they have little projects inside as well as the larger. Little initials with different themes and small, card size projects.

There are also magazines that will have free kits attached. Small enough for you to practice and the other projects inside will give you an idea on what bigger cross stitches are like. Plenty of hints and tips inside and beginners guides in all the cross stitch magazines.

Give yourself time and read the instructions before going ahead.

Kits are fine but they don't give much in the way of guidance.