How do I improve my stitching?

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

I think your stitching looks fine! The important thing to remember is that cross stitch is not supposed to be looked at while it is touching your nose! Personally I know sometimes I look at my stitching and think it doesn't look neat, but somehow overnight it "settles" and in the morning it looks fine! It's all to do with perspective and practice. I don't use thread heaven unless I'm working with a really unruly thread, I don't think it would make stitching look any neater, but that's just MHO.

I wouldn't be so hard on yourself - but as stitchers I think this is difficult for all of us!

[curly sue]

I think your stitching looks good. I'm not always happy with my stitches either. Twisting thread seems to be my problem. Some times I have a lot of knotting. I also find that the shorter my thread gets, the worse it looks.

I used Thread Heaven on part of my current project. It was the first time I had used it. It really worked well for me, although I didn't particularly like the "residue" feeling on my fingers. I will definitely use it again.

I certainly don't put down the perfectionist, as we are all different. There is nothing wrong with trying to improve or do your best, just don't let it spoil the pleasure of the process. For me, the joy is in the making.

[crosstitcher1]

For a "beginner" you do awesome work.
I don't see "anything" wrong with the 1st pic. or the other pics. I don't work on linen.
I am a "perfectionist", by my standards, in cross stitching. Been stitching since 1983. I don't use anything on my thread. I just let my thread "hang" to unwind. When I "feel" a knot coming, usually near the end of the row I am working on, I just take a straight pin and "gently" tug at it til it comes out.
It's a "hobby" to enjoy and relax with. It's "not" a "race" for the finish.
Just "enjoy" your work.

HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

[rcperryls]

I think your stitching looks fine. I completely agree with Amanda that stitching isn't meant to be looked at up close. I often think my stitching isn't nearly as neat as other peoples, but we are our own worst critics. (We must be because I either read that phrase a lot or type it a lot). I often find that until I take a photo of my work I am not happy with it. The photo seems to bring the right perspective and not only am I often surprised at how neat the stitches then look, but details I couldn't see seem to appear. I would love to see the piece you are working on not in a close up but in its normal size. Then we could provide you better feedback. (I just saw your fractional stitches and they look perfect! That can be hard to do. Good job!)

Carole

[Calypse]

Well, this is what I noticed with the pictures you posted. Could it look dull with the colors that you have done? Gray isn't very bold or shiny. Plus I think the red grid lines throw you off. Here's a gloomy sky and all of sudden this vibrant red is bam! in your face. Your stitches look parallel to me. If you look at the gray and the other color it kind of is speckly (not sure if that's a real word but I like it). Like you can see the minute differences when it was dyed along the strand. But the main thing is you are your worst critic! I hate my stitches but, I know I do every single trick in the book to get it to look right so it's my mind playing tricks. I think the poster that said it's not meant to be looked at from nose distance or under magnification is right. Also, if you make a mistake and frog, you will always see that mistake, like a residual flash in your eyes. So don't second guess yourself! It will drive you crazy! Trust me, I'm 38 and loonier than a coocoo bird! This forum is great because there will always be someone to give you an unbiased opinion.

[Bella]

Honestly, I don't see any improvement needed either. Looks great !!! I have never used anything on my threads either. I do the same as crossstitcher1 does, "unwind" and also use a straight pin to release any knot I feel coming on. I am my own worse critic too, don't be so hard on yourself, it looks great.

[Rose]

I think that you are showing a picture that is way to close up. If this is how you are looking at your work then of course you are going to be disappointed. When you look at your work that close then the stitches will look wonky. Set your work on a chair or table and take at least 1 step back. That is the best distance to look at your work and check to see if the stitching is good. I see 3 stitches that are done in the opposite direction as the rest of the stitches. That can make your stitching look off. There are really no set in stone rules as far as stitching goes except one and that is all your bottom stitches need to face in the same direction and all your top stitches in the opposite direction and there is an exception to that rule and it is when you are doing fractional stitches. So really there are no set in stone rules.........

Try to be a bit less critical of your work. We all think that ours is not as good as some one else and question if there is something better we could do.

[karen4bells]

Honestly, I don't see any improvement needed either. Looks great !!! I have never used anything on my threads either. I do the same as crossstitcher1 does, "unwind" and also use a straight pin to release any knot I feel coming on. I am my own worse critic too, don't be so hard on yourself, it looks great.

I absolutely agree!! And your fractional stitches look awesome!! As for the thread heaven---I honestly only use it when using kreinik or other metallic threads---I've never found a need for using it on dmc cotton floss. Keep stitching, you are doing a beautiful job!! Just make sure to keep the stitches all going in the same direction so they will look the most uniform

[Nachstenliebe]

Like others, I think your stitching is fine.. I think you are looking for ways to improve: work on the tension of the thread. To me it looks like you are, but some ways to improve on that is to not have super long thread. Long threads tent to twist and you have to untwist them periodically. I also usually keep my left hand under my work and I'll keep my index finger where I last stitched keep things tight...

[MaggieM1750]

Questions I have for everyone:
What do you guys think? Am I being too hard on myself?

Is thread heaven worth it? Will it improve the look of my stitching? (I'm gonna need to buy it online, I don't have a credit card so if it's worth it, I'll get a prepaid card and buy it)

Has anyone else encountered a snooty craft store owner?

Re: Thread Heaven: I only use it when working with metallic threads. Its sold in a lot of quilt/sewing shops and I've seen it at my JoAnns. In both the cross stitch and on the quilting wall by the needles. Its in a little blue box, maybe a 1" cube. I think I paid around $3-4 for it. 1 box will last a long time.

But- I don't think there is anything wrong with your stitching. It looks fine. I don't see any twisted stitches. And as Amanda said- its not supposed to be looked at when its 2 inches from your nose. Even at 35 my mother is the same as yours. Every one of my projects is fantastic according to her... but isn't it moms job to be encouraging?? You can't trust mom!!
I entered a competition just for the feedback on my pieces. I really did not care what the outcome was- I wanted the judges notes. I wanted the evaluation from people that know stitching. Or does the snooty shop have a stitching group that meets? Maybe bring in some pieces and ask some of the members?
My only suggestion would be to not use red floss for gridding. Buy a spool of regular machine thread. Lime green, electric purple, metallic blue.. something that will stand out on any project. Reason being, floss gets fuzzy and leaves fluffs and fuzz on projects when you pull it out. And also, you can sew through it as you are working. You can't with machine thread- and it doesn't leave any fluffs behind when you pull. Machine thread is cheap- it comes in a million colors- and 1 spool will last a long time. Buy some odd, off color whenever its on sale, or pick one up at a rummage sale, or thrift shop.

Re: snooty store owners: Yes I have and I avoid her shop as much as I can- even paying for shipping to not shop there. She *tsk* if you don't buy your whole project from her. And heaven forbid if you tape the edges of your fabric instead of sewing it. Or don't know exactly what you want when you walk in the door. There is a discussion here- something about Encounters at the Crabby Shop. It was a while ago, maybe over the summer? Enter Crabby Shop in the search box- that should bring it up.

[LilacDragon]

Oh, my! Your stitching looks lovely!

For what it is worth - here are my thoughts on stitching and neatness.

I try to be neat on the front but if some of my stitches are a little uneven or if a missed stitch (or an extra) means that I will have to do a ton of frogging, chances are the problem is going to stay there and I will work around it. All bets are off when it comes to the back! If I get a knot in my thread that I can't get out, a lot of times I'll just hold the thread down and stitch over it. I stitch for the joy of it, to relax after a stressful day of work, school and taking care of my disabled husband.

Besides - if you are giving your projects away - this is a handmade item. I would rather that there were some imperfect stitches then it look like someone made it on a machine.

[fccs]

First, I think your stitching looks great. I don't see any missed holes, your stitches all seem to be crossing the vertical threads, and I don't see any knots or twisted threads. Personally, I think you're looking at it too closely and being too hard on yourself. (And you're not alone...I do the same thing.) Like others have said, take a step back and look at it again and I think you'll realize your work is really very pretty.

Second, I've never used Thread Heaven, but I'm pretty sure you can get it at Joanns since your snooty LNS owner doesn't carry it. I've never needed it for regular floss, but I am tempted to pick some up for a project that uses a lot of metallics. A lot of stitchers on this forum use it, so I would go with their opinions...no one here is going to steer you in the wrong direction.

Third, I have dealt with snooty LNS owners and employees. In fact, the LNS I used to go to in GG has at least one of those snooty women working there. I usually try to ask the other one for help if I need it. I would shop there despite her attitude because their selection was so impressive and they either always had what I needed or could get it for me. (That was mainly pre-123stitch.com days.)

So, my advice...don't let snooty employers get you down, and don't be so hard on yourself. Remember, it's a hobby. It's supposed to make us feel happy and serene and relaxed...we all need that, right?

[Reta]

Your stitching looks fine

for gridding you would possible be better useing a single thread

To get a better idea just take out the red lines in that square you have shown us then show us again

[NinjaBetty]

I think your stitching looks fine as well. I have to agree with everyone that it's not meant to be looked at from two inches away. Step back a bit and look at it and you will see that it looks great. I use thread heaven only on kreiniks or other metallics as I didn't find that it helped with just regular floss. Keep up the good work and try not to be so hard on yourself.

[socialsue]

I agree with everyone and I think your stitching is fine! Love the designs that you did when you were younger! I haven't use Thread Heaven yet but it is available when I need it.

socialsue

[karen4bells]

I love the design!! It looks like you've really made great progress on it already too!! Keep up the great stitching!

[rcperryls]

I love the design!! It looks like you've really made great progress on it already too!! Keep up the great stitching!

I agree! Love the owl!

Carole

[Rose]

I was not trying to be over critical when I mention the stitches but some newer stitchers do not realize that going in different directions with the stitches will cause your work to be different from what you are hoping for.

Seeing the bigger picture I think it looks great keep going you are doing a wonderful job!!!!!!

[cairee]

I see 3 stitches that are done in the opposite direction as the rest of the stitches.

yeah, I know lol, by the time I noticed I don't wanna risk picking them out and mess up any other surrounding stitches.

picking out one stitch in a fully covered area can be done! what I do is cut the top leg of the stitch to be picked and frog the bottom leg (assumed it was a confetti stitch, if not then either cut the bottom leg or frog the stitch next to it) poke or pull the cut bits to the back of your work and secure them with the stitch you replace it with.

[fccs]

Seeing the bigger picture I think it looks great keep going you are doing a wonderful job!!!!!!

I agree!