Help with First Linen project.

[elementaryteacher77]

maemae and I are starting our first linen project, there was a diagram posted once showing how to stitch 2 over 2 and we can't find it does anyone know where this thread is or know a website that has a good one?

Is it like x stitch that as long as your top legs go the same way you are fine or do you have to worry about the stitch slipping through like when tent stitching? Any help would be appreciated

[JazzeyBear]

I know I asked about that when stitching two over two on evenweave. I'm not on my computer so I can't look up what thread it was posted in. But it was something like this: where you had



1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9

I started my stitches up at 1 down at 9 (\) and than up at 7 and down at 3 to finish my top leg.

[MaggieM1750]

When stitching over 2 on linen, I stitch as I normally do as if I were stitching on aida. With regular vertical lines on the back side.
It's only when stitching over 1 that my bottom leg is a tent stitch. When your thread can slip under the weave.

[fccs]

The most important thing...or one of the most important, is to make sure your x's have continuity as far as what thread they cross. When I stitch over two, I cross the vertical thread. I'm not sure it matters which one you cross (vertical or horizontal) as long as it remains constant.

I have done smallish designs on linen and found it no more difficult than going over two on Lugana or any other fabric...except sometimes those darn threads are sooooo tiny!

[rcperryls]

I knew I should be there!!!!! I had so much trouble the very first time I stitched 2 over 2 on evenweave. After much help and I wish I could find that thread, my eyes finally focused on the horizontal and vertical threads in the fabric. I was told that it was generally preferred to bring the needle up in front of a vertical thread and then to keep it consistant. Makes it easier for counting and to see if you're off any. Have you tried Mary Corbett's tutorials? I'm on my iPad right now and don't have the link, but I would try that first.

I googled cross stitch 2over 2 on linen and the first thing listed was this YouTube tutorial http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=LpZV7DpV ... pZV7DpVCuU" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
Lots more listing. Next year neither me nor anyone in my family is going to be allowed to be sick any time near our stitchy meeting.

Carole

[elementaryteacher77]

Sooooo, 2 hours later, after looking, reading, looking, snapping on our q-snaps, taking them off again, losing needles, snapping them on again, stitching a few squares, studying each others fabric, unstitching and doing it again, etc, etc....this is all we have to show for it!!!!



Can you say slow progress????

But we are having fun!!!!

[cairee]

a slow start, but still a start. can you show us what the finished project will look like?
Ive never stithched on linen. I looked at the fabric and decided I dont want to ever stitch on linen, evenweaves are my preference. but good on you for trying something new

[Mrsadm]

You have a GREAT start!l

The vertical thread is very important, so your stitching doesn't pull the woven threads too much.

After some practice you will find stitching on linen comes very easily and the look is so rewarding.

Edit to add: I finally found a good explanation and diagram here:
http://www.gloria-pat.com/webpages/basics_linen.html" target="_blank

Look where it says "The first stitch" . It explains the vertical thread very well.

[veerle]

Even if it's only a small start, IT'S A START!
Better take some extra time now to figure out how it should be done nicely, in stead of needing to after some hours of stitching!

Good luck! and so cool you 're doing both the same work
I'm also curious to see what the result should be....

[Louise1262]

You have a GREAT start!l

The vertical thread is very important, so your stitching doesn't pull the woven threads too much.

After some practice you will find stitching on linen comes very easily and the look is so rewarding.

Edit to add: I finally found a good explanation and diagram here:
http://www.gloria-pat.com/webpages/basics_linen.html" target="_blank" target="_blank

Look where it says "The first stitch" . It explains the vertical thread very well.

Very good advice here Mrsadm.

I stitch mainly on linen now except for my hardanger and love the added texture
it gives a piece, some linens could put you off at first as they are very 'slubby' but still don't make the stitches uneven.
Great start and glad to hear you're all having fun.

[LastingAllure]

That is an awesome start!! careful though, once you do linen you may never want to go back to aida! And also different linens require different tensions. The higher quality of the linen the better tension you can use, the poorer quality of linen may require a little looser tension so you don't pull the threads of the fabric too much. And q-snaps are awesome for linen, makes counting up 2 and over 2 super easy.

[elementaryteacher77]

Well I know I will never go back to a hoop frame after maemae let me use her q snaps!! I found one small set at hobby lobby and will be ordering more as soon as I get home!!! LOVE THEM!

Maemae started a sal thread for us to follow each other (and anyone else who wants to join in) called Bent Creek Santa Train. It's going to be Christmas stockings for our sons. You can see what the finished project will look like on that thread!!