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Archive for the ‘Better Homes and Gardens 2001 Cross Stitch Designs’ Category

Cross Stitch Tips

Better Homes and Gardens 2001 Cross Stitch Designs: The Essential Reference Book (Better Homes & Gardens Crafts) Reviews This book has a lot of variety. I gave it 4 stars because it has a real flaw. The charts are too small to read easily and although they are in color, the colors are subtle even when the designs are bold. If you are going to print a small chart to indicate color changes, even subtle ones, you need to keep it easy to see the distinction between colors on the chart. Cross stitch is often hard on the eyes. Some of these pattern charts are ridiculously hard to read and yet the designs are nice. It would have been a lot smarter to sharpen the colors on the charts and increase the size of the patterns. That said, there is a nice selection of everything you might want for building a design for a sampler. If you want an all over piece, this isn't the book for you. There are a lot of choices if you want to put together a large piece but there isn't a ready made full size design in the book. It isn't Donna Kooler but it is a good suppliment. One of the things that I particularly like about this book is that it shows many different background colors for working pieces. And it shows the pieces in a way that you can decide if this works for you or not. It also uses a good bit of outlining and colorshading withing the designs and that is clear on the finished pieces. I like the book and I'm glad that I have it. This book is a great tool. So many ideas are inside. It's definitely a book every cross-stitcher needs to have in their library. I highly recommend it. This is my go-to book for small projects or larger designs that I put together myself. I have made lots of fun things like ornaments, coasters, trivets, etc. My only complaint is that sometimes the colors aren't quite right...use your own judgment if you think the colors need to be adjusted. This is a great book to have in your stash if you like to stitch quick gifts or create your own projects. The book has a lot of simple motifs that are quick to put together, and instructions for creating several projects in the back. While it does not have any large, put-together projects already in place, such as samplers, it is a useful purchase when you can get it on sale. This is one of my best purchases!! The variety of patterns is fantastic. The patterns are easy to follow. Nothing is too complicated, and nothing is too simplistic. There's just the right amount of shading and detail to each pattern. I highly encourage the purchase of this book if you need small patterns!! Average Rating:

This golden encyclopedia of needlework complements the library of every cross-stitcher. 2001 designs for every occasion and category of stitching—holidays, alphabets, florals, nature, sports, children, babies, Christmas, animals, and numerous others...

Here are some cross stitch tips that will help you a lot with your cross stitch projects.

GETTING STARTED

Always start stitching from the center of your fabric. To find the center on your fabric, fold the fabric in half twice. The center will be at the intersection of the two folds.

Finding the center of your chart by following the two arrows. One arrow will be in the top center and the other one in the middle left side of your chart. Follow these two arrows. Where they meet is your center stitch.

FABRIC

Put tissue paper in your hoop with your fabric then tear away the center where you are stitching. This will keep oils from getting onto your fabric and help your hands from being moist.

Use different qualities of fabric. Try cheaper fabric for quick designs, saving money so that you can splash out on the best fabric for heirloom projects.

You will want to allow 3 to 4 inches of fabric on each side of the design. This will help you framing your project easily.

THREADS

When stitching with 2 threads use only one strand of floss, put the ends together and thread them through the needle leaving a loop on one end. When you put the needle through on your second stitch, catch it through the loop. This keeps the material from getting bumpy.

When ending your thread by running under other stitches, try to match colors. Never run a dark color under light stitched, it might show through to the front.

Back stitch should be added when all other stitching has been completed.

NEEDLES

Many of us we have the bad habit of leaving the needle into the fabric when we end a session. Be aware that this can leave a permanent stain or large hole in your fabric. Always store a needle properly.

TIPS

If you have pets or small children do not keep your cross stitch materials in a bag. Keeping your threads, needles and scissors in a box that shuts securely will prevent little fingers and paws from getting into things easily!

If you are working on a larger needlework project, invest in a set of stretcher bars. They keep the fabric from getting warped and it makes it easier to actually do the sewing. They come in several sizes, and are fairly inexpensive.

Using a highlighter in a light color - yellow works very well for marking off stitches or areas of stitching as you complete them. If your lighting make the yellow hard to see at night, you could use another color like green or blue or orange when stitching at night.