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Ok ladies, I've been reading here for a while now and I think I'm going to take the plunge into doing an HAED (maybe 2 at the same time). Granted, this is just the early stages of picking the right pattern...I think I have it narrowed down to 3 or 4.

I would like some insight for a first-timer. I do believe I'm going to do the 25 count over 1, as the site suggests. I haven't decided on full crosses or tent stitching. Does the tent stitching also require a full X?

When choosing the fabric, have you been more pleased with hand dyed or colored fabric or due to the design is it easier to use a basic color?

I do plan to graph it some how. I've read the pens can bleed, which worries me. I've also read about stitching a graph and would like more info on that if possible. However, I'm also nervous about removing the stitched graph after wards.

How do I calculate how my floss will be needed? On smaller projects I would just eyeball the amount of each color and get 1 more skein than I would "need" just in case. But with a project of HAED size, that just doesn't seem smart.

Ok, I think that's all of my questions....for now

The HEAD chart has a list of floss and how much you need of each, the tent stitch is like half a cross stitch but you take the thread the long way across the back of your material. You can find diagrams of this technique.

Not all HAED charts have a floss list with amounts but you can email tham for one if the chart dosn't have one.

I've always used plain white fabric - the design is fully stitched so I've never seen the point of using hand dyed fabric.

I use a fabric pencil for gridding - it washes out like a pen but does nice fine lines without bleeding.

For fabric I always use a plain 25 count Lugana - white, ivory, cream or beige. As the designs completely cover the area, it's a shame to waste a nice piece of fancy fabric.

For the floss, for my HAEDs I simply stock up on one skein of each colour needed and then replace them as they get low, rather than buy several of each at once.

I can't help on the gridding as I never use it myself, but there will be plenty of people here who can advise you on that.

For the stitches, before I began my first HAED I took a small sample of the fabric and tried stitching full crosses over 1 with 2 strands of floss, then with 1 strand of floss and then tried tent stitch with 2 strands and compared the three samples to decide which one I liked the best before starting on the actual design. I settled for tent stitch using 2 strands, but I can definitely recommend trying out each option yourself to make sure you're happy with your choice.

Looking forward to seeing which design you choose to stitch!

If you're worried about not being able to get guide threads out, some stores now sell a filament that is almost like a really brightly colored fishing line. I've found it slides out pretty easily.

Hello! I really enjoy stitching HAEDs and I'm sure you will too! They're not as bad as they seem. Thought I'd let you know about my experience with your questions...

1. My first start I used 25 Lugana like is recommended. I hated both the 25 count and the Lugana and I really wish that I had tested all the options before I started. I tent stitch since it takes half the time, but with 25 count using 2 strands, the coverage for me isn't that great. Full crosses with 2 strands was too much and makes the fabric bunch. I personally have found that 28 count 2 over 1 tenting is perfect... and I also prefer to use Jobelan (it's softer than Lugana). I'd recommend buying small cuts of all the fabric options (25, 28, 32 count and Lugana, Jobelan, Jazlyn) and test it out before you start a big project.

2. I love the hand dyed fabric, but I think it's unnecessary unless you have a design that has spaces that show the fabric. As for colors, I hate stitching on white and a color that is similar the the predominate color of the design helps a bit with the fabric showing behind your stitches. And it's more fun to look at while you're working on it! The lighter the fabric, the easier it is to see to stitch, in my experience.

3. I grid and for me it is a life saver. Could not do HAEDs without gridding and I have the utmost respect for those that can. I use Sulky metallic thread to grid with - it's a sewing thread that you cannot split with the needle, so it just slides out when you're done stitching. I tried a lot of ways of gridding, so I think that's a big personal preference... I've been using 10 over/10 under for the most part.

4. The floss usage chart is included with the design and if you need any help with it, the Michele and Bob at HAED are very helpful and fast at getting back to you.

I hope I didn't overdo it here, but I had SO many questions before I started my first that I feel like I should pass it on! My thread for The Heart of the World has a lot of my experiences from starting out if you want to check it out. The best thing that I can recommend is to join the HAED message board on Yuku (there's a link to it on the HAED website). There are many, many threads on any question you can possibly think of and some that you didn't.

Hope I've been helpful and good luck!

While I haven't finished an HAED (just started my first one!), I've done a number of large projects and one suggestion I have is to make sure that if you need multiple skeins of a single color, either buy them all at once, or ensure that you get skeins from the same dye lot. I've got several skeins of darker colors that are slightly different -- bought at different times/from different places and the tones are not quite the same. If you have large blocks of color, it might be noticeable.

The other commonly mentioned suggestion is to "park" your threads -- keeping multiple threads going at the same time so that you can stitch the one and two-stitch groups. Keep more than one needle threaded at a time with the primary colors you're working with, so you dont' have to stop and start each time you have a stray stitch in a specific color.

Thank you for the great suggestions!! I'm hoping to do some online shopping to order the fabric soon. I have to order some for my nephew's piece and figured I'd get it all at once.

I've noticed some pieces with the "parked needle" and I have to admit it worries me. How do you keep them from getting tangled/knotted together? That's my biggest concern. Well, that and how not to get poked by the extra needles!

I haven't tried parking yet (although I do keep multiple needles threaded). From the notes I've seen of other people using the parking method, they simply coil up the thread and clip them together with a hair clip or something similar. They say the threads really don't tangle much.

The idea is that you work 10x10 or 20x20 blocks of stitching, so you have everything in one small area.

I've seen a clear explanation on another forum, I'll try to track it down.

The couple of times I have parked my thread, the way I keep it from getting tangled into my stitching is that I park it some place opposite to the area I am stitching in. I'll find an area above and to the left of where I am stitching. Far enough away that I use up length of thread getting there. If I have a super long tail, I will tape it down on the back with clear tape. Its strong enough to hold but not so strong that it will pull stitches when I remove. I take my needle out usually.

i dont think i could ever park my threads!
i use 1 strand 1 over 1 full cross on 25 count