The newbiest question ever

[anashenwrath]

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong!

I'm just making super simple designs on Aida fabric. I've literally made one thing so far.

The back of my finished project mostly consists of what I think stitches are supposed to look like: they're little straight lines with nothing behind them. But then there are areas that are just thick and padded with floss. I can show you a pic if I'm not being clear/if you want to be horrified.

I think I'm doing the stitching wrong, but I'm not sure how. I just started my next project, and the same thing is happening, my first row looks like beautiful little verticle soldiers, but the next rows have extra floss and then the straight stitch is sort of wrapped around it.

I want to get into the habit of doing this the right way, so could someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? I think it has to do with something I do when I come back after doing my half stitches. I make the x's, then when i start the next row up, things get wonky.

Thanks! Sorry for embarrassing all stitchers ever with this questions!

[LadyS]

Most likely it's when you go down a row, you gown straight and it creates a double line, is that what you mean? I know someone posted a how to on this.

Here it is! http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... 3&start=20

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Don't be embarrassed - we were all newbies once!! What you are describing as vertical little stitches is what the back of cross stitches look like if you are stitching all the ///// and then the\\\\\\ - or the other way around, whatever your preference is! I would make sure that your thread is not getting knotted at the back when you are pulling the stitches through - you might not be aware of it which is causing the floss build up. It this is what is happening try using shorter lengths of thread which might help. That is the only thing I can think of at the mo - perhaps if you describe how you stitch it may help us help you. Maybe you are doing something different that you don't realise after you stitch your first row?

Don't despair - others will be along to help I'm sure - we all love cross stitch and will want you to love it too!

[anashenwrath]

This is already so helpful! And i feel better too!

I'm sure the twists and bunches in the thread are contributing. I spent more time untangling than I do stitching (is it sick that it's one of my favorite parts? just dutifully picking out knots and crazy loops!)

I always start out going bottom left to top right. /////

Then, I go back, starting at the bottom right and going to the top left. In this case, I would only complete the last 4 stitches. So, it would look like this. /XXXX

For the final stitch, instead of going bottom right to top left, I'll go top left to bottom right. The top stitching would still match with the rest of the completed stitches - XXXXX - but now the thread is in a different position.

When moving on to the next row, I'd start it just like any other row going bottom left to top right.

I may have to just post a picture up to really show this. Doing it this way avoids those thick lines running down the back of the stitching and still keeps the back looking neat.

This is from the thread Lady S sent me. I think this is what's happening. I'm going to try this strategy of leaving the last stitch and Xing it a little differently.

You guys rock! thanks for the help and the confidence boost!

[rcperryls]

NEVER feel like you can't ask a question. We all ask questions no matter how long we've been stitching and can always learn something new. I don't remember every seeing what Lady S sent you about the last x stitch in a row, but I think I am going to try that on my HAED and see if it makes that last stitch a bit easier.

Also, what Mrs MBK suggested about checking to see if there is floss bunching up or knotting up when you are pulling your thread back through is important. I find that is what causes my backs to get thick if I am not careful.

Carole

[carolanne]

these stitchers are so smart. I would never have thought without seeing it, that the tangles and bunches are knots and such, that sounds so plausible. And using shorter lengths of thread and watching the back as you go are terrific solutions. Early on in my stitching, I thought I was being smart using longer threads, but I now know that it tangles and frays and gets messier. Something I'm working on now, a kit, seems as though some of the threads have different thicknesses and some slip and slide and get unruly. It seems like it is just certain colors. I can manage I think, but it seems weird.

[milkmaid]

my backs are always messy and i found i use something called stitch heaven and it's stopped most of the knotting combined with shorter lengths

[anashenwrath]

Thank you for all the great advice!

I think I am definitely going to use shorter lengths of floss from now on, to keep the insane knots at bay.

Also, just keeping an eye on the back to make sure it's not turning into a disaster every now and then helps.

finally, i think i needed to do what was mentioned in the other thread: when i get to the last stitch on the return, do it differently so that i start the next stitch on the next row up in the right place. the front looks the same no matter what, but the back looks a little neater--thus satisfying my neurosis.

@milkmaid: ooooh, i'll look into that too! thanks!