Cross stitches look bulky

[moninger3]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have this problem? My cross stitches look awful. I've done everything I can think of to make them look perfect like other cross stitch projects I've seen. I use wax on my threads, I place my needle in between the two threads so that they lay flat and I make sure they are all going in the same direction but yet they stitches look bulking and sometimes flatten out or smooched. I am getting so frustrated. I am using a 14 ct Aida cloth with 2 strands of DMC thread and no hoop. Do you think a hoop would make that big of a difference?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks for reading, Rachel

[Lulu22]

Hello
A hoop might help you I use one it stretches the fabric and is very useful for tension I know without one my stitches wouldn't look quite as good!
If you post a picture we can see your work and maybe help further, Good Luck

[bookknurd]

Hi!

I agree with Lulu22. I've stitched in hand many moons ago, and I could never keep the right tension in my thread. It was always either too loose or too tight.

Some people can do beautiful work in hand, though. You might want to try a hoop, frame, q-snap, etc to see if having tension on the fabric helps you.

[stitchingmae]

i can't stitch in hand for the very same reason. i have to have the tension from the q snap or the hoop this is why i can't use scroll rods either they don't keep good tension on the sides....in my eyes that is....lol the millennium frame probably would but ....i can't pay that much for a frame

[MaggieM1750]

You're already doing what I would have suggested- railroading- or putting your needle between each strand so they don't twist.
I don't use wax. But I do use a frame. I know people that stitch in hand and have beautiful work. That would not be me. When I do pieces in hand- the hand holding onto the fabric gets tired because I am pulling it trying to create the tension I get with a hoop. Also, I generally start and end stitches in the same spot- which helps to keep the back neat, and can help keep the front neat. I start in lower left and end in the lower right.

Post photos if you can so we can see whats going on.

[NeedleAndFork]

the millennium frame probably would but ....i can't pay that much for a frame

I thought that too - but put it on my birthday wishlist anyway as the 'if you win the lotto, I'd like..' item. And I got it! Now that I've used it, I realize had I know that it held tension this well, I wouldn't have hesitated to spend the cash at all!

As for the OP's problem - definately try a frame/hoop/qsnap. That will make it easier to hold the fabric, and you can then concentrate on the tension of your stitching to get more even stitches that look smoother. I thought when I started that I could do just fine stitching in hand on 18 count aida, but then when I came across a hoop I tried it out, and my goodness, when I look at the finished piece it is clear as night and day where the area I started using a hoop was!

[moninger3]

Thank you so much everyone. I will definitely try a hoop. Maybe this has been my problem the whole time. I will post before and after shots....lol.

Thanks again.

[Mystonique]

When I stitch in hand I get your problem badly. The hoop (I prefer spring tension hoops designed for hardanger) or a scroll frame neatens it right up. I also use a trolley needle most of the time (wich is a laying tool that attaches to your thumb and it smooths out the thread as you pull it through).

Rather than wax, if you can get thread heaven, I find it so much better.

[moninger3]

Thank you so much for the information. I will look these items up on the Internet. I truly appreciate all the advise!!

[curly sue]

I stitch pieces that are 5x7 in. or smaller. I have always stitched in hand until recently. I haven't removed my project from the hoop yet, but I can already tell the stitches look better.

Another thing I find makes my stitches look bad is using the thread down to the last little bit. I've started changing my thread a little sooner, before the stitches get so tired looking.

[moninger3]

I will definitely try this method. I hate when I go until there is less than an inch of thread left. I usually end up having to unstitch....lol. Thanks for the advice!