An absorbing Hobby (Cross Stitching in general)

Member Name: Donnabroom

Product:	Cross Stitching in general
Date:	09/05/09 (71 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fun, easy to learn, rewarding

Disadvantages: Can be expensive, time consuming

Cross stitch in general:
Cross-stitch is my favourite hobby; I love sitting watching CSI and making pretty things. It has a reputation for being a bit old fashioned but the range of contemporary designs, fabrics and threads you can get these days in amazing.

Cross-stitch, (also called counted cross-stitch), is a form of embroidery. You stitch little crosses with coloured thread to make up a pattern. The range of designs available is very varied ranging from very traditional designs right up through to very modern stuff and just about everything else in between.
I cross-stitch because I find it relaxing and very enjoyable. I like to create things and to be honest cross-stitch is quite easy to pick up and suitable for most people. I get a real sense of achievement when I complete something and though each piece can take a long time, (it takes between an hour and two hours to stitch one square inch), it is all worth it when you see the finished product.

It can be an expensive hobby but it needn't be. There are lots of ways to cut costs down and if you are a bit careful there is not a lot of waste either. It is certainly cheaper than a night out every week! A lot of the expensive items you may need are one-off costs so once you have say, a good set of scissors or a fancy daylight lamp, you will not to buy those things again.
It's worth looking out for bulk discounts too; obviously only on the items you will use lots of like black and white thread and plain white fabric.

I hope some of you give it a go because it is a great, rewarding hobby that will help pass time.
I would just like to warn you this is a very long piece; feel free to skip bits or not read if you like!

*** The Stitches ***
There are several different stitches used in cross-stitch designs. It would be nearly impossible for me to describe them without pictures so I won't bother. The main ones you'll see are:

> Standard Cross Stitch
> Tent Stitch (or Half Cross Stitch)

> Fractional Stitches
> French Knots and

> Back-Stitch
Most kits will include instructions if they include odd stitches and there are a great many books, magazines and websites with descriptions that you should be up and going in no time at all.

*** The Thread ***
> Stranded Cotton:

Normally you will use stranded cotton thread for cross stitch which is sold in "skeins" which are 8 metres long. Each length of thread is made of 6 strands twisted together; for most cross stitch designs you will use 2 of these strands at a time.
Stranded cotton is what I would recommend for a beginner. The most popular brands are DMC, (www.dmc.com), Anchor, (I can't actually find a website for them) and Madeira, (www.madeira.co.uk).

> Tapestry Wool:
For very large designs on large holed canvas you may use tapestry wool which is very thick and makes a chunky, almost knitted effect but the detail isn't as fine as smaller cross stitch. You still get very nice results and can achieve some amazing work.

DMC make very nice tapestry wool but there are lot's of brands out there so have a good look around to find what suits you.
> Satin Thread:

Satin thread is more expensive than cotton but is sold in the same 8m skeins and normally the same range of colours. Satin thread has a wonderful sheen and really reflects the light. It makes your finished design really luxurious and rich looking.
It is a lot more difficult than cotton to work with though, the threads tend to unravel a bit and it breaks easily with the friction of sewing so you need practice and patience. I would wait until you are a confident stitcher before trying satin; I don't want to put anyone off though because it very beautiful and worth adding to your work.

> Shiny/Metallic Thread:
You can get a wide range of metallic and sparkly thread which adds some glamour to your work. These, like the satin thread, are tricky to work with but they are worth trying and look amazing in your finished pieces. A lot of Christmas cross-stitch designs call for these threads but feel free to substitute them for standard cotton colours.

> Scented Thread:
You can even get stranded cotton that has a scent which is released when you sew; these are quite gimmicky and more expensive. I'm really not sure if they are worth the extra just because they smell nice?!

I'm sure there are more types that I haven't thought of but these are the most commonly used, (well the tapestry wool isn't used very commonly but I thought I would include it anyway).
> Light Effects:

DMC make a range of threads called light effects, (other brands have similar types of thread), light effects are similar to the shiny/metallic threads and in fact a lot of the metallic shades are actually light effects threads. These threads reflect the light and make your design look sparkly. For each light effects shade there is a standard stranded cotton equivalent you just need to remove the letter before the shade number to find the colour you need.
Light effects are more expensive than standard cotton and are more difficult to work with but they do add a nice touch to your work.

> Blending Filament:
Blending filament is a very fine thread with lots of twinkle. You can use it alone or mix it with other threads to add a bit of sparkle to your designs. I often use this when stitching snow as it adds a lovely shimmer.

Unlike most cross-stitch threads blending filament is sold on 40-50m spools not 8m skeins. It only costs about £1.50 though so it is a cheap way of introducing sparkle and you can use it in sewing machines too.
> Colour Variations:

Colour variations threads change colour along their length. Usually they are tonal changes although some completely change colour. I don't like them and think they look messy but they are quite popular. They are a little more expensive than standard cotton but are the same to work with.
*** The Fabric ***

> Aida:
You will most commonly use a fabric called Aida, which is made up of little blocks with holes in. It makes cross stitch very easy as you simply stitch your crosses over the little blocks. Aida has a stitch count the higher the number the more crosses per inch you will get. 14 count, (14 stitches per inch), is most commonly used but you can get lower count, (I've seen as low as 6 count, which used the tapestry wool), and much higher; I think I have seen up to about 32 count. 32 stitches per inch means the stitches are tiny and the detail will be very rich. I guess it's similar to the pixels per inch you get with TVs and monitors, the more pixels the clearer the image.

> Other Fabric:
You also get things like Joblan and even-weave which have an even number of fibres which allows you to stitch your crosses evenly, it's slightly trickier than Aida but you'll quickly get used to it. I must admit I don't use these other fabrics very often as they are quite expensive. For a special project though, it would be worth the extra effort and cost.

> Waste Canvas & Soluble Canvas:
You can cross stitch onto clothes, t-towels, table cloths and pretty much anything made of fabric. There are two ways of doing this: The first uses "waste canvas" which you tack over the fabric you wish to embellish, stitch your design and then carefully remove the waste canvas by pulling out the threads. The other way is to use soluble canvas which you either tack or iron on to the fabric you wish to decorate and then wash the garment to dissolve the soluble canvas. Both ways are quite simple and produce attractive results. I have tried free hand cross stitching on a bag and it looked okay because I deliberately made the messiness or uneven stitches part of the design but it was tricky and frustrating!

> Stitchables:
You can now get pre-made items such as bags and soft toys that have an aida panel for you to add a motif too. These make beautiful and personal gifts, (especially for births and weddings), and make you feel quite proud when they are finished. It is also a nice change to normal fabric.

*** The Equipment ***
You don't NEED much to cross-stitch but there are lot's of things to make your life easier, here are a few.

> Needles:
You will use blunt needles most of the time and they will be quite large and have a decent sized eye to make threading them easier. You want a needle that will go through the holes of your fabric without stretching them but that won't go through the holes without a little push; basically not too big, not too small. You can get gold plated needles and although they are not necessary they glide through the fabric and make stitching a lot easier. Obviously being gold plated they cost a little more than standard needles but are a wonderful gift for a stitcher or a great treat for yourself!

When you are doing "backstitch" or "blackwork", (see further down), you will need a sharp needle to keep the stitches very crisp.
> Frames and Hoops:

I hate hoops and rarely use frames; I prefer to hold the fabric in my hands while I stitch but I am in the minority. Hoops are made of two circles of plastic or wood and you sandwich the fabric between them and it holds it tight. They can be moved around to allow you to stitch a certain part of the design but they stretch the fabric and it takes ages to iron out the creases when you have finished, (you should ALWAYS take your stitching out of the frame when you are not stitching to minimise this but you will still get it).
You can get frames that are shaped like Christmas trees or bells and these double up as picture frames when you are finished and these are quite good as you don't have to worry about the fabric being stretched at all. These are quite nice to use to make little gifts or as decorations at Christmas.

Frames are better and don't stretch the fabric so much they are necessary for large pieces of work and I much prefer smaller designs! There are so many types; I simply couldn't list them all here. Prices can range from £3.50 up into the hundreds depending on size, quality and design. Shop around for the best deals as many places really over charge.
> Magnetic Boards:

A magnetic board can be very useful for helping to keep your place on a chart, (a design). Most people would recommend photo copying your charts so you can make notes/mark your place/change colours etc without spoiling the original and because books can be a little unwieldy. To use a magnetic board you simply place the chart on the board and use magnets to mark your place.
You can buy many different magnetic boards but it's easy to make your own with fridge magnets and the lid off of a biscuit tin!

> Thread Organisers:
Thread organisers can be made of anything from card to metal and plastic. They are simply a rectangle shape with holes for you to thread your thread through and they have a space to write the shade number or the symbol from the chart you are using.

There is little point paying for them as you can make them easily using cardboard, (like the sides of a cereal box) and a hole punch. Thread organisers are especially useful if you choose your own colours instead of the suggested ones or if you make up your own designs.
> Bobbins:

Bobbins tend to be made of cardboard but some are plastic. They are more or less H shaped and you wind the thread around them to keep it tidy and stop it from tangling, (stranded cotton etc tangles faster than wires)! They will usually have a space for the shade number/chart symbol.
Again this is something you can easily make from cardboard although the plastic ones are more durable and really aren't that expensive.

> Box Files:
This isn't technically cross-stitch equipment but I have a big, (slightly larger than A4 size), box file that I keep my current project in. It means I can keep my chart/book, scissors, needles, threads etc for that one project separate and easy to find. It makes taking my project with me places easier too and I don't loose my threads so often!

> Scissors:
You need a pair of sharp scissors to cut your thread, only use them for cutting thread and they will last you years. I have a little pair shaped like a heron which are very common and should cost no more than £5.00. To sharpen simply cut some tin foil from time to time.

You will also need a pair of tailor's scissors for cutting your fabric. These may cost around £10 but will last forever and make cutting your fabric quicker, easier and much tidier.
Obviously you can use kitchen scissors, (I did until very recently), but they are not as sharp and can cause the threads and fabric to fray which makes it harder to work with.

> Storage Boxes/Files:
You will find some good storage boxes and files for your cross-stitch supplies will make things last longer and look better and of course it will make things easier for you and let you spend more time stitching!

Where possible keep your thread on bobbins so it doesn't get tangled and knotted as this makes it harder to work with and in the case of knots can break the threads and cause waste.
It is a good idea to keep spare fabric flat and in a non-airtight box separated by acid free tissue paper. This will allow the fabric to "breathe" and prevent mildew and keep it flat and crease free. Don't panic if your fabric gets creased though a quick press with your iron through a clean white cloth will get out any creases in no time.

I keep my needles in a tin. I have put a large flat magnet in the bottom which the needles stick to so when I want to use one I simply have to tip the magnet out and I don't get needles everywhere.
You should keep your scissors in a pouch so the blades don't get bent and loose and so that they don't damage anything else. Most scissors come in a pouch but you can buy them cheaply and make them easily.

Charts should be kept in folders; I keep mine in ring binders inside those plastic pockets. You can use them without taking them out of the pocket which protects them too. If you feel like it and have lots of charts you can try to organise them to make them easier to find. I try to keep mine organised by theme like Birthdays, Christmas etc.
*** Designs ***

There are such a wide variety of cross-stitch designs available. You can get tiny motifs for adding to clothes, making greetings cards etc, huge pictures, samplers, (traditional samplers consist of lettering and motifs used to together to create one piece of work, they used to be used by young ladies to show off their skills; a kind of CV at the time) and pretty much anything else you can think of.
> Books

Books are my favourite source of designs and inspiration. They often contain a mix of small motifs and larger pictures. Some will also include projects like advent calendars or scissor keeps. I love to use lots of motifs to make a sampler or for use in greetings cards and just pick the colours I want to use from my huge stash!
Books can be expensive brand new but Amazon normally has a huge selection of second hand books very cheap and I have found lots in charity shops and car boot sales which have cost between 25p and a couple of pounds. If a book is cheap enough I will always buy it because you never know when you will want a specific design.

> Charts
Charts are one the cheapest ways to get cross-stitch designs; they cost a few pounds each. You can get a huge amount of free charts online too which helps keep the cost down!

> Kits
Kits normally contain all the thread and fabric you will need as well as a chart. Often they will have a needle too and may contain other embellishments. Very rarely you will get a kit that even contains a frame to display your finished work in.

Kits start at about 99p and can go up into the hundreds depending on size, brand, quality etc. Make sure you shop around as the prices from place to place vary a lot for the same product.

*** Making Your Own Designs ***

Making your own designs is relatively simple and can be very rewarding. There are many computer programmes and websites that will turn pictures into charts for you so you can stitch your house, cat etc.
You can also make your own designs using graph paper, (treat each square as a stitch), a metal ruler and some colouring crayons. Start with something simple like a heart or a flower and maybe try some lettering. You can then add them together to make a sampler.

Old computer games like Pac-Man and Mario have a low pixel count which makes them great for converting to cross-stitch! You simply have to print the picture out as big as you can and stitch each pixel in the relevant colour. It can be great fun to stitch some retro classics!
*** Displaying Your Work ***

> Frames:
Framing your work makes lovely, durable pictures for you and further generations to enjoy. Well framed and well looked after cross-stitch can last hundreds of years and would make a lovely personal heir loom.

You can use pre-made frames but often work will be an odd size and you will need to get a frame made. Online there are a great many framers and the prices aren't too bad for something that will last so long.
If you display your work on the wall make sure it is not in direct sunlight as this will causes excessive faded and try not to put things in damp rooms such as bathrooms as the moisture will cause the stitching and fabric to rot over time.

> Cards:
I use a lot of my cross-stitch to make greetings cards. It is cute way to display your work and share it with friends and family. You can get pre-cut aperture cards at craft shops and online. The prices vary again so have a good look round.

> Other Items:
You can all sorts of things for displaying cross-stitch from trinket boxes to coaster, from rulers to key-rings. The options are limitless so have fun and be creative.

*** Storing Your Work ***
> Smaller Pieces:

Smaller pieces should be placed flat I a breathable box, (like a cardboard archive box), with layers of acid-free tissue paper between them.
> Larger Pieces:

Larger pieces should be rolled around a card-board tube with a layer of tissue paper under them and a layer over them. Never store your stitching in plastic or cellophane as it attracts dust and moisture.
*** Stockists (Online) ***

> www.sewandso.co.uk
> www.alitadesigns.com

> www.birdcrossstitch.com
> www.johnsoncrafts.co.uk

> www.superstitcher.com
> www.framecraft.com

*** Free Designs ***
> www.freepatternsonline.com:

> www.alitadesigns.com
> www.birdcrossstitch.com

Well if you got to the end - well done. Thanks for reading.

Summary: An absorbing Hobby