Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

You have gotten great advice. Never never be afraid to ask questions. We all asked questions when we started. I still ask questions and have bee stitching over 20 years. This website Cross Stitch Calculator is great for helping you figure out what size fabric you need. I'm looking forward to seeing your work.

Carole

Chantal wrote:I'm noticing some fraying around the edges. What the bestt way to prevent it from getting any worse?

Hi & welcome from Florida!
Some folks use the narrow masking tape (folded over the edges) others hand stitch (whip, I think) or zig=zag on a machine.

Ask all the questions you like, I sometimes learn something new from newer stitchers (either from them getting answers or them learning something newer).

backafteradozenyrs wrote:

Chantal wrote:I'm noticing some fraying around the edges. What the bestt way to prevent it from getting any worse?

Hi & welcome from Florida!
Some folks use the narrow masking tape (folded over the edges) others hand stitch (whip, I think) or zig=zag on a machine.

Ask all the questions you like, I sometimes learn something new from newer stitchers (either from them getting answers or them learning something newer).

There's also a special product called Fray check which is a type of glue that stops fraying. In the UK you can get it here and it's widely available elsewhere.

Or if you've got lots of room round the edge of the design (which it sounds like you have), you can just leave it. I don't bind my edges as my pre-cut fabric is usually much larger than the design with good framing allowance, and over the course of the piece it doesn't actually fray beyond about 2-3 squares. It's not the usual recommended way but then as we'll all say, do what works for you.

Hi Ladies. I am starting to get really discouraged My old way of stitching ( which was wrong ) was SO much easier! I am having a heck of a time counting stitches since changing to doing this the right way. I'm stitching through the previous hole used on both the side, top and bottom as advised. My stitches are looking messy and the back of the canvas is a complete mess. Any advice on what in the world I am doing wrong??

How many strands are you working with?
18 is a tight count. I am working on 18 ct now using 1 strand.

Are you using a frame of any sort?
They help hold the fabric out of your way, and helps keep your tension consistent

Are you doing full crosses then moving to the next or are you doing a line of half stitches then coming back to cross? How are you starting your thread? Knotting or catching the tail under your first few stitches?

I'm using 18 ct with one thread. I'm also using a hoop. I start the thread by catching the tail rather than a knot. As far as the stitches, I have been doing a full X.

can you post another picture so we can see what you have.

We are always very critical of our own work. For some reason everyone thinks their work looks terrible and every one elses is perfect.

If you are having a lot of color changes then your back is going to look terrible, but that is just the way it is. We have had so many threads about why is my back so ugly....well who cares it is the back and it is not going to look like the front. It is going to get covered up. My statement has been and always will be. "If a bird does not mistake my back as it's nest then it is fine"

I don't recall what size needle you said you were using but for 18 count and smaller I would not use anything larger then a size 28 tapestry needle that can make a huge difference in how the thread will flow through and how it will lay when pulled to tension. When you are stitching every few stitches let the needle go and allow the thread to dangle. This lets the thread untwist and it will allow the thread to lay better on your stitches.

Practice, practice, practice that is how all of your stitching will get better. don't wind yourself up about perfection and keep at it in no time you will be working beautiful patterns.

Attached are my pictures of the front and back. I am not so worried about the back, but the front doesn't look right to me.

I am sorry to say this but this looks like you are using more then one thread. Please do not be up-set but are you sure you have separated the floss properly?

When you cut the the floss from the package to the length that you want it to be then you will have 6 threads. Have you pulled 1 of the threads to stitch with? This is a simple mistake that many beginners make. They think that the thread is ready to use right out of the package not realizing that there are actually 6 strands that then need to be separated.

HAHAHAHAHA, I was using all 6 threads! Yes! Thank you for explaining that to me. I'll give it a whirl with one strand and see what happens. Thanks again.

Very glad to help!!!!!!!

Chantal, you are so cute!!!

I think everyone has used the full 6 strands at one time, I know I did!

When you pull the threads to separate them, only pull one at a time and pull straight up w/one hand while holding the rest of the strands in the other hand. Pull slowly, or they may twist or knot.

I'm so glad you found us! Thanks for letting us help you!!!

I'm glad that it got solved. That is a very common problem. And make sure if you run into anything else,that doesn't seem right, ask. Someone will most likely be able to help.

Carole

I definitely did that for my first project too!

How about this? Is this any better? Please let me know if something still looks incorrect.

It looks good to me: are you happy with it? Well done for persevering.

Looks good to me

well done

Looks absolutely fine to me.

And three cheers for Rose!

BizzieLizzie wrote:Looks absolutely fine to me.

And three cheers for Rose!

Yes, a big thank you to Rose. That was probably like explaining something to a child, but its much appreciated!!