Needing help, please.

[Stitching4Sanity]

I am very new to cross stitching, in fact I am working on my first project. As with anything I do, I don't exactly think things through before I start and I have got myself into a problem. I am working on a lap quilt and it is huge! I am about 1/2 way through and I am getting better as I go along but the first 1/4 of the project looks like a beginner. My problem? Because this will one day be a quilt I am getting nervous when it comes to washing it. I just know some of the stitching is not going to stay. Is there any way to prevent this? I am actually quite proud of what I have done and there is a significant personal story behind it hence my username, stitching4saniity. I don't want to lose my work. Any suggestions other than never washing it?

[rcperryls]

hello and welcome to the forum from South Carolina. Are you having trouble finishing off your stitches when you are done with a section? Or with securing a thread when you get started? It sounds like it is an important piece for you to stitch and I'm sure that someone here will be able to help you figure out what you need to do. I have made many afghans and throw them in the washing machine a lot, and I wouldn't think a lap quilt is that different.

Carole

[MaggieM1750]

Since you are a beginner.. how certain can you be that some of it will come undone when you wash it? You may surprise yourself.
How are the threads/ tails anchored on the back? Knotted or tucked under other stitches? Is there a way for you to pull out a few stitches so you have a long enough tail to anchor, then restitch those spots?
Brave enough to show us the back so we can see what may be some trouble spots?

Welcome to the forum

[stitchingmae]

Already braver than me, I wont stit h anything that my backside shows. I am a firm believer that no one wants to see my backside....either one
welcome to the forum!!

[littleturtlegirl]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia!

I started a baby blanket when I first started. I too got better as I stitched. No one else can really tell, just me that the beginning looks funny. I also sowed a piece of soft fabric to the back of my blanket so that the back was covered.

[Stitching4Sanity]

Hello, from British Columbia, Canada!

First of all, thank you! I have some pictures though I am reluctant because I have heard that the back should look as nice as the front and that is certainly not the case. With that said....

The first image that shows a loose brown thread is an example of my concern. What I have done is taken my needle threader and pulled the thread back through the other stitches. I am not sure it will stay once washed.

http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/stitc ... state=copy

The second image is my project.

http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/stitc ... state=copy

After I took the last picture I did as I said above and took as many loose threads and pulled them back through with a needle threader but I am still very concerned that this whole thing, or at least the beginning of the project will unravel. I am going to quilt it (which I don't know how to do yet but that is a post for another day) but I don't know that will actually hold.

This project means a lot to me. When I originally ordered it I intended to do it at work as I work the night shift in palliative care. Nights can be very long! After I received it I had an event in my life that left me reeling and by the grace of God I had the cross stitch still unopened on my counter. Doing this cross stitch has got me through one of the worst months of my life. Ironically, it is called The Tree of Life. Anyway, short of starting the whole thing over I really want to save it.

Thank you so much, ladies!

S4S

[fccs]

I am a firm believer that no one wants to see my backside....either one

[fccs]

First, welcome and thanks for being brave to show us the back. You'll find this is a very nonjudgmental group of people who just love cross stitch and helping and sharing with others.

A long time ago I did a baby quilt and since I knew it would be laundered frequently, and I was backing it with another fabric, I used small knots to start and end my threads. Yes, I know knots are generally a no-no, but it worked out fine. Maybe you can somehow anchor your loose ends with a knot, even if it means knotting a thread onto the existing tail and then knotting that?

I'm not very creative when it comes to fixes and I'm sure there are others here who will have better ideas.

I'm glad you've found how therapeutic cross stitch is. I truly believe that in addition to the joy and relaxation it brings, it can be so good for the soul (as are many of our quiet endeavors).

[bookknurd]

That thing about the back being as nice as the front...yeah, a good number of us don't bother too much with that.

I was also going to suggest (as someone else did), that you might consider sewing a coordinating backing fabric on the back when you're done. That way, any knotting or other methods you've used to secure the threads on the back won't show anyway, and will likely stay secure for a long time.

Mind you, I've never stitched on a blanket, so I have no idea. Just a thought!

Oh, and welcome!

[MaggieM1750]

First of all, thank you! I have some pictures though I am reluctant because I have heard that the back should look as nice as the front and that is certainly not the case.

Everyone was once a beginner. And no one expects a beginner to have a perfect project. Even after stitching for 10 + years, I don't concern myself with the backs of projects- they will get covered most of the time. As yours will be a quilt.. no one will ever see what the back looks like after its been put together.

The first image that shows a loose brown thread is an example of my concern. What I have done is taken my needle threader and pulled the thread back through the other stitches. I am not sure it will stay once washed.

As it is now, you are right. It does need to be anchored somehow to stand up to being used and washed. The funny thing about threads and fabric, is the fibers sort of puff up when they get wet. So everything sort of stays together.
Looking at the first BT photo. Do to the brown exactly what you've done with the green thread thats just to the right of the brown thread. Pull it through, behind other stitches. Try to not go in a straight line- turn a corner, or switch directions if its possible, or knot it around other stitches. There are also fabric glues/ seam sealers that you can dab on the threads to hold it secure, once threaded under other stitches. Take a look next time you are at a craft store, or quilt shop. Look for those that dry clear. Ask for help- glue options can be a bit overwhelming.
When I work on pillows, or towels or wearable baby items, I go a bit crazy when starting and ending threads. I do a combination of loop starts, threading under other stitches and knotting or glue to keep threads from coming loose. Its probably overkill... but rather that then have it come undone.

But for things that are just going to be framed, all I do is anchor it behind other stitches.. exactly like the green thread in the first BT photo.

[pattiebelle]

Hi! And welcome from southern California! It's nice to meet you. And congratulations on your first project. I just KNOW it's going to be amazing - for many reasons ...

I just started stitching again about 2yrs ago, after no stitching for about 15yrs. I went through all the newbie "angst" about everything! -lol And over time I found that my worries were all for nought. I think that if you continue from this point with all the new info you have, and gradually recheck the earlier bits, you'll be fine, too.

Certainly, if you are going to quilt this, the overlapping stitching will secure many threads. And you may like to see your earlier work and progress in one piece! I do. Makes me chuckle kindly for myself!!!

Happy new year to you, S4S. You've chosen a great hobby and you've found a great forum...

blessings,

[Stitching4Sanity]

Thank you so much to all of you! I now have some great pointers and I think I will one day be able to wash this project. I am going back over what I have done and anchoring them. I also ordered some fabric glue. From here on out I am really making sure every thread is never going to move.

[curly sue]

Hi and welcome from Oklahoma!

Most of my pieces will probably never get washed, but if the tail is long enough I may run it under several stitches then turn and run it under another direction. It wouldn't bother me to use knots or glue either.

It looks like it's going to be a lovely quilt!

[NeedleAndFork]

If you're going to quilt this, the sandwich of batting and backing will help keep things secure, but there is still the odd chance that a fiber that wasn't woven in well might pull loose from the front if it got caught on something.

What about the idea of using some iron on fusible webbing - a very lightweight one and ironing it to the back of your work over the stitched areas? The glue in the fusible webbing is activated by heat from when you iron it on, and any ends of thread will bond to it while the webbing bonds to the entire back of your quilt, ensuing that the ends stay put AND it might have the bonus of keeping your stitches in place better so that if something does snag from the front it won't hurt the surrounding stitches.

I would highly recommend testing this idea out first - stitch something on a similar weight fabric, even just a small area an inch or two wide - and then cut some fusible web just barely big enough to cover the back of the stitching and attach it. Make sure to use the lighest weight webbing you can find so that the fabric isn't too stiffened by it as that is what it is usually used for - to reinforce and give body to a fabric. I cut a square of it and iron onto the back of some of the ornaments I make before finishing htem if I think I did a lazy job of weaving ends in or if something looks a bit loose.

[Serinde]

This was also going to be my suggestion, although because I'm not a quilter, I'm not sure there isn't a specific lightweight fusible used by quilters. I have used various weights of fusible backing on a variety of my pieces, and it really gives a piece strength -- and you peace of mind! I would suggest that you don't need to use it to cover the entire back of the piece, but you can cut it and iron it on to follow the back of the stitched area alone.

And welcome from the West of Scotland!

[NeedleAndFork]

This was also going to be my suggestion, although because I'm not a quilter, I'm not sure there isn't a specific lightweight fusible used by quilters. I have used various weights of fusible backing on a variety of my pieces, and it really gives a piece strength -- and you peace of mind! I would suggest that you don't need to use it to cover the entire back of the piece, but you can cut it and iron it on to follow the back of the stitched area alone.

And welcome from the West of Scotland!

Fusible web or interfacing comes in all sorts of different weights, from some that is as sturdy as chip board to some that is as lightweight as tissue paper.. I've used it quite a bit when I'm or lining bags so I can use lightweight materials but give them a bit of structure and shape.

I don't know what the name of the store is - but I used to have a friend in Canada who worked for a large chain of craft/sewing stores that she said is pretty much nationwide.. about the equivilant of Joanns or Michaels here in the US I suppose. I would look there, rather than in a quilt shop for the lightest iron on interfacing/fusible web they have. Or you could just order from ebay - this is the best price I have ever seen for the stuff!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/171063975642?lpid=82" target="_blank

[Rose]

The fuseable web is a good idea if you can find something that will with stand more then one washing. I have used several of the different webbings and all of them have washed off. I even asked the ladies at the fabric store and they told me that none of the iron on webbing is meant to stay when washed you need to sew it into place if you want it to stay.

[annabruen]

As a cross stitcher and quilter, you will want to be careful with both glue and fusible interfacing. They can both gum up the needle when you go to quilt it by machine, or will make it very difficult to quilt by hand. When we do applique we trim a quarter inch off of the fusible before attaching it, to avoid this problem.

If you're going to machine quilt it, depending on the density of your quilting pattern, I think that process will secure any ends that need extra help after youve run them under some stitches.

When I make something that I want to be sure will be sturdy, I use the loop method to start a new thread. This means that instead of using two lengths of thread, you use one length doubled over, with the ends threaded on the needle. On your first stitch, you run the thread through the loop on the back to anchor it. I'm sure there are lots of tutorials that can explain it better with pictures and stuff, if you look it up on google.

Then when i'm finished with a thread, i run it under one stitch, then run it under that stitch again as well as 4-5 more. This makes it so the thread sort of loops around that first stitch, which i feel anchors it quite nicely.

Ive been stitching since i was about 9, and i have to say that your back looks as nice, if not nicer than, projects i am currently working on. So i dont think you have anything to worry about in that department!