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Hi everyone,

I am very new to this forum (as you can tell from this being my first post.) I wanted to come in here and get the opinion of experienced stitchers.

I have only ever completed three large Cross-stitch patterns. I prefer the much larger ones due to their complexity and beauty. All three patterns had backstitching, and it is my favourite part of the entire project. Mostly because I think it brings out such fine detail.

So recently I have been looking at starting a new project. I really want to do a nice wintery/holiday scene and have found a couple I'd like to start which are made by 'Heaven and Earth Design' or 'Mystic Stitch'. As I've researched their patterns more, they've both admitted to using only complete Cross stitches. No back, quarter, half stitches etc etc. I was shocked when I first read this, as I always assumed that all projects would include backstitching!

My questions to you more experienced members: Is there any reason one would want to exclude backstitching? Can projects look better without it? Maybe if they're going for a more "painting" style look? Should I keep looking until I find a pattern with backstitching, or is it possible these patterns will still look great without my coveted backstitching?

Thanks for your time everyone!

(edited for spelling)

You'll find most people hate back stitching. I believe it has it's place. I haven't done a Mystic Stitch or HEAD however they are VERY big projects usually done on very fine count fabrics - I think the detail in those designs comes from the complexity of the large number of tiny stitches - back stitching would overpower the fineness of the design.

I don't do large projects myself, but I think the idea behind HAED etc using only cross stitch is that the charts are so big that any detail which in smaller designs would be added by backstitch, can here be done by cross stitches.
The result is, in a way, more like a painting as you say (unless it's Mondriaan, who was rather hot on black lines ). It also means that when you look at a HAED very very close-up, it's just dots of colour -- it's not until you step back that the picture shows up!

Good points! As I've only ever worked with 14-count Aida, a project just didn't seem complete without backstitching. I suppose a higher count linen would make for a finer image, and thus not require the backstitching.

I love the fact that HAEDs have amazing detail with just full crosses. I'm not against backstitch and it is absolutely needed in a lot of designs. I think the reason I dislike backstitch is that sometimes it feels as though you are stitching the design twice as you are going over things you have already done! As far as detail is concerned it is a trade off - either you do the backstitch or have a design which contains a lot of confetti stitching! It is the blending of all the colours that gives HAEDs and designs like it the detail, not necessarily the fabric that it is stitched on. I have known stitchers use 14ct aida for HAED designs - the detail is still there as if you stitched it on 32ct - you just have to take another step back to admire it in its glory!

richardwall99 wrote:Can projects look better without it?

"Look better" is a subjective statement. Not everyone shares your taste.

I hate back stitch I much prefer HAED and Mystic stitch type charts because there is no back stitch and I find them more of a pleasure to stitch.
I also prefer the overall look of a project without back stitch because as you say it has a painting like quality to it.

I dont mind backstiching at all when it makes sense and really completes a design. I love HAED designs not because it doesn't have BS or fractionals but because of the detail that emerges as you stitch it. I am always surprised. Usually I first notice how clear one is when I'm taking a photo and then when I look at the piece I can see the pattern as a whole. (if that makes sense). I suggest you look at some of the SALs here which are HAED and Mystic Stitch patterns being done to see how detailed they are. There are other designers like Teresa Wentzler that use a lot of BS and fractionals and blended threads also, if you like her designs. She was my favorite until I discovered HAED.

Carole

I've done projects that require backstitching and didn't mind it. But the way HAEDs are, they cram all that tiny detail/sharp lines into the full crosses and it works nicely.

They are designed for 25 count fabric, but I am nearly done my first one on 18 count aida. You can see the latest pictures here: http://crossstitchforum.com/viewtopic.p ... &start=140" target="_blank" target="_blank

The detail remains the same even on the larger fabric count, but it definitely looks "cooler" and more photorealistic (this pattern anyway) when you stand farther away from it. I am considering my next project to be on smaller count fabric because they just get so big!

Have you ever been to an art museum and seen a painting that looks like a complicated landscape or portrait until you get up close and realize that it's actually made up of tiny dots of paint? (I'm sure there is a name for this style of painting, but I don't know what it is) This is essentially what HAEDs and the like are except instead of using paint you are using full cross stitches. This is why these designs tend to be very large and full of confetti stitches. You need the large size in order to keep the detail. If the same design was done on a smaller scale without backstitching, then most of the fine details would be lost. Whether or not that's a good thing is a matter of personal opinion.

mechie

Do you mean pointillism? It's quite amazing isn't it?

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Do you mean pointillism? It's quite amazing isn't it?

Mrs. Mabel, you beat me to it. And yea it is amazing. Truly takes a long time to do, but is well worth it in the end.

I dislike back stitching, but if it's needed I'll do it. Two of my HAEDs are being stitched on 25 ct fabric and my third is being stitched on 14 ct. The details are still there for both, but there is ALOT of confetti, which brings out the detail of the picture. I say if you want to do the designs because they appeal and call to you than go for it, just don't do a design because it doesn't have any back stitching. You'll be amazed on how much detail is there without it.

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Do you mean pointillism? It's quite amazing isn't it?

That's it! It's been a long time since I took any sort of art class and I couldn't remember what it was called. Thanks! It is amazing to see and that is what my HAED has always reminded me of.

mechie

I agree with everyone else. Backstitching can look great on a design, but the really detailed and really large charts like HAEDs don't need it. It's always best to choose a design based on a picture you love - a lot of us regard no backstitching as a bonus!

mechie wrote:

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Do you mean pointillism? It's quite amazing isn't it?

That's it! It's been a long time since I took any sort of art class and I couldn't remember what it was called. Thanks! It is amazing to see and that is what my HAED has always reminded me of.

mechie

Mechie - and of course the ultimate insanity is the one I'm engaged in at the moment - one of the most classic pontilist paintings ever in cross stitch! (Seurat's Sunday Island) Confetti doesn't begin to describe it!!!!

Lessa54 wrote: Mechie - and of course the ultimate insanity is the one I'm engaged in at the moment - one of the most classic pontilist paintings ever in cross stitch! (Seurat's Sunday Island) Confetti doesn't begin to describe it!!!!

Had to go look up which painting that was (I recognized it when I saw it, but I can never remember their names). Oh my! I hadn't realized you were doing that one! Do you have a SAL for it? >off to go look...<

mechie