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How do I know if my stitching it too tight? Like i'm pulling too hard? I thought i did fine on my first project but i saw other people mention that you gotta keep your stitches light and even and stuff so now i'm not too sure about my work. I tried not pulling too much but it feels unnatural. I've only done 2 projects before, one is complete and the other is currently a WIP. Please help!

I am in the same boat. Everyone is very supportive on here but I hope they are comfortable enough to give constructive feedback for us beginners? I really want to do a good job and learn the right way from the start. My feelings won't be hurt! Everyone on here does such amazing work and I would love to learn from all of you.

Thanks!

MnLtWspr wrote:How do I know if my stitching it too tight? Like i'm pulling too hard? I thought i did fine on my first project but i saw other people mention that you gotta keep your stitches light and even and stuff so now i'm not too sure about my work. I tried not pulling too much but it feels unnatural. I've only done 2 projects before, one is complete and the other is currently a WIP. Please help!

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, so if you post a picture or two of some of your work, especially close ups of it, then it would make it easier for us to let you know if you are on the right track or not

I would say that as long as there are not any loops or unnatural sloppy looking X's then it is not to loose. If the fabric does not pucker and the holes do not distort then it is not to tight. Alot will depend on the fabric that you are working on to judge how tight to pull the thread.

Also don't listen to to many "experts" as they will drive you nuts. Everyone has an individual style and if you are happy with the results then you are doing a good job. I have a different style then some of the other stitchers but we all have great results.

I once was stitching and a lady came over and asked why I was wasting so much effort in doing my stitching in that way. I told her it was because that was what worked best for me. She sniffed and said well it is wrong and you should use the proper technique. I was much younger so I asked her what she meant. She showed me her way of working and I tried it. I could not make it look right and I thought it was loose and sloppy. I told her I could not make it work for me. She rolled her eyes and said well if you don't want to be taught the proper way then you shouldn't be doing it. I was really hurt and when I got home and told my husband he said. Why are you even worried about it. If you enjoy it and you like the work and how you finish something then ***** her, you are not doing it for her appraisal you are doing it for your pleasure. I am still stitching and I have never had anyone return a gift because it was not stitched with the proper technique.

Lori0 wrote:Question is " Is there a proper technique?" My way is proper, yours is proper. If you are comfortable with your way of stitching, pride of the results. Then that is the proper technique. As Rose said, no loops, no puckers or holes distorted then you are good.

Well stated both of you

Lori0 wrote:Question is "Is there a proper technique?" My way is proper, yours is proper. If you are comfortable with your way of stitching, pride of the results. Then that is the proper technique.

Yep.
As long as your stitch tension is similar, its fine. What is the right tension? Its not something you can teach- its one of MANY stitching lessons you will just learn as you figure out your style. A hoop or frame of some sort will help keep your tension even- wooden or plastic hoops, spring hoops, scroll bars, Q Snaps.. whatever works.
Look around on the SAL board. Some will have super closeup photos of their work.

Here are some pics of my work. The tiger is the first one I ever did and the stitches seem to have loosened or puffed up over time. the Dragon is my current WIP

Looks fine to me 8}

My tapestry teacher always said I pulled too tight but I didn't like how sloppy and loose hers looked either ... so it really is your own preference.

And yes, I like to think everyone here is brave enough to offer constructive criticism - any ladies reading this it's welcome at least for me.

I think it looks fine. I can't see where there are loose or puffy stitches on the tiger. I have sometimes found that I end up with a loose stitch because I wasn't paying attention. Then I have to find the stitch and pull it a bit tighter in the back. Certainly the dragon looks lovely. Like Mystonique, I think people will offer constructive criticism and always do if you ask for an opinion (like you're doing now). I also agree very much with Rose, that what matters is do you like it? are you happy with the results? If you are THAT IS ALL THAT COUNTS. If you aren't, then certainly post a picture and ask if anyone has any suggestions to make it better. You'll probably get more than you want.
I am looking forward to seeing the rest of that Dragon!

Carole

Thank you everybody, I feel better now. @rcperryls i just meant that they look as if they thickened up a bit. Like when you iron down yarn a bit and it starts out flat but then you check it later and its back to its puffy thickness?

Rose wrote:I would say that as long as there are not any loops or unnatural sloppy looking X's then it is not to loose. If the fabric does not pucker and the holes do not distort then it is not to tight. Alot will depend on the fabric that you are working on to judge how tight to pull the thread.

I agree with Rose 100%. I probably work a little tighter than most, but that's how I like it.

Your stitching looks fantastic to me!!! And as long as you are happy with it, that is all that really matters. They look nice and even and beautiful!!

I don't see what the problem is here. If your stitches lie flat (if they are the sort that are supposed to lie flat), all the crosses go the same way, and the fabric isn't distorted when you are cross-stitching, it seems to me that all's well. (Beautiful work, btw, especially if you are a beginner tackling black fabric! And my cross stitch couldn't bear such close scrutiny and look so lovely.)

There are efficient ways of creating stitches, so I suppose that could be construed as "proper", but Rose, honestly! Talk about the Stitching Police!

@SunnyDay: Never, never be afraid to ask questions on this forum. We are always happy to help or direct you to a place that you can find the answers.

I like the coverage of your tiger...it looks great to me

I also like how your dragon is coming along...looks great to me

I guess I'm just glad Mondays over.

Thank you...I won't hesitate to ask. Now I just have to find the thread that I posted some questions on! Hahaha. I get so lost in all of these. I had asked what is couching and what is parking. I will try to see if anyone answered me on the other post if I can find it and if not, maybe I can find my way back here and get the answer.

I am glad that I can count on all of you to give it to me straight. I want to be good at it but at the same time I love the way Rose simplifed it. If I like it, then it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks.

You guys are the best!

I agree with everyone on here as long as you are happy with the results thats all that counts.
I think my tension is tight and sometimes when I thread loose ends through the back I sometimes pull a stitch in so I pull it out a bit from the front, I also put my middle finger at the back of the stitch I'm doing I think it helps but I've no idea why!
I notice a sight difference in my stitches and I've been doing it for years, but I seem to notice if I look at a piece for too long, now I still do that but from arms length instead
I think your work looks fantastic btw

I've just peered closely at my screen to look at your stitching. All I can say is what great projects (I'm a big cat fan and partial to dragons too!). On a serious note like everyone else has said as long as you are happy with how it looks then that is fine. Thankfully I have never met anyone who has tried to tell me how to stitch (other than my mum who taught me but she herself is self-taught) and I think I would be inclined to tell them where to take their stitching if I did.

Keep up the lovely work and start an SAL for that dragon se we can watch it grow please!

From the pictures posted I think the tension looks just fine.

Yes stitches will change a bit once you let them be and they may puff up as the thread relaxes, that is natural.

SunnyDay wrote:Thank you...I won't hesitate to ask. Now I just have to find the thread that I posted some questions on! Hahaha. I get so lost in all of these. I had asked what is couching and what is parking. I will try to see if anyone answered me on the other post if I can find it and if not, maybe I can find my way back here and get the answer.

When I have a thread that I want to refer back to I "bookmark it" and if I am eager to get an answer to a question or curious what the response will be to a thread I "subscribe" to it and get notified via email that there has been a response. You can always undo these also. I used to get lost looking for things also and I think someone suggested this to me when I first joined, and I use these forum tools a lot.

Carole