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The more I see people's posts about the HAED projects they are working on and the progress reports etc the more inclined I am to attempt one, and think I have narrowed it down to about 10 that I think ooh i like that one!!!!

Any tips before I take the plunge!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I know this thread has probably been done to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just bought first HEAD pattern, then they had a sale and bought 3 more... have not started any yet... and before I joined this forum I had to ask what HEAD was lol ... but they have beautiful designs.... which ones are you looking at and what one is the leading favorite??

butterfly wood is my front runner at the moment. Although i like one or two of the dragon ones also. Its the where would i hang it in the house once its done that i'm not sure about!

Go for it! You won't be sorry... They may be big but it's just one x after another. Butterfly Wood is a beautiful piece - I have it on my wish list.

DO IT, DO IT, DO IT, DOOOOOOOO IIIIITTTTTTT!!!! (just thought of that laundry detergent commercial)

They are very large pieces, but I think the finished product will be worth it. I started my first one a couple months ago. I recomend giving gridding a try. I stitched in 5 block intervals (row of 5 marked on top, the 5 on bottom) along the outside of the piece. Then stitched the page lines in a different color. I just used 1 strand of regular dmc floss for that. Then I'm using a washable fabric pen to mark out the 10x10 blocks within each page as I go. I've found it to be a wonderful guide as I go.
Gridding does take time, but I'm thankful I did it.

Next, try out your personal stitching style on the fabric you plan to use. I tested lugana, joblean, and jazlyn. I also tried 25, 28, and 32 ct fabrics. I LOVED the joblean, but went with lugana because I liked the 25ct better. I'm stitch 1 over1 full x. Some people prefer 2 over1 full crosses and others like 2 over one tent stitches. Its all a matter of personal taste.

And finally make sure at least have all the colors needed for the 1 page!

I agree with Vega. DO IT!!!!! I am about halfway through my first HEAD. Some pages can be long and tedious but so worth it. I honestly don't know that I will do any other type of design. The detail and lack of back stitching is amazing. I, too, had to try a few different fabrics, thread counts and such...but once you get started you will love it. Let us know which one you decide on! I've got enough on my wish list to last me into my 80's!

ok i'm going to take the plunge! Add it to the little list of things i'm going to treat myself to cos little one is off to nursery and i'm off back to work 3 days a week!

Butterfly Wood is gorgeous. Good for you for going for it! One stitch at a time and you'll get there

ok i'm gonna do it! I note what people say about testing my stitching style with different kinds of fabrics etc but my stash isn't as well established as soon and 14ct aida and some 28ct evenweave although i do have quite a collection of dmc thread. Anyone got any suggestions? Could i just use the dmc and the evenweave, i'm thinking 1 over 1? I'm thinking that would reduce the size aswell, is it as simple as reducing it by half?

I do mine on 28 count - they are charted for 25 count, so it will be a bit smaller than the stated size on the website on the 28 count. I love the coverage for me of 1 over 1 on the 28 count but you'll have to find works best for you. Good luck! If you join the HAED bulletin board, you'll find lots of tips and samples, etc there... Don't forget to post pics often!

should really have just gone on haed and brought butterfly wood and not gone browsing! Want to do curl up with a good book aswell now!

ya "curl with a good book"up is on my wish list .... I have about 5 on wish list now

I ordered my fabric and what thread I could find to start mine... hopefully will get here by the end of the week .... going to be working on monoply board this week to get as much done as I can before I start my HEAD

p.s joann fabrics web site has a sale on evenweave 25 count if you want to try that,,,not sure how long the sale last....

first step taken!!!

Butterfly Wood and Curl up with a Good Book have been purchased!!!

Now you just have to decide which one to start first!

I got my evenweave 25 ct today... will do some test stitches this weekend...I think it will be ok as long as I got my magnifer light

also need to get my camera out for monoply board update got the outline done to
free parking

have 2 in my stash atm..and I really want to do them..but I got sucked into the Joan Elliott Fairy sets...all 3 of the sets...but I think I'll add one HAED into my rotation soon lol

is given me some motivation to finish sorting my threads which is good and make some proper progress on my current baby afghan project

Can't wait to see your updates!! They really are fun!!

might be a while before i start. Going back to work after maternity leave in just over a week, going to take my threads to wind onto cards in my lunch break and will then look at what threads i need and fabric etc. Will continue working on the afghan when i get chance at home.

Well done for taking the plunge ! I've been thinking about picking a design for a very long long time but still haven't done it

I think I would be comfortable starting a small floral design.....but not sure if there are any small HAEDs like that.