Tuesday Tips - Getting Centered

(Okay, so it’s not Tuesday, but it’s been so long I figured I better post anyway!)

In order to start any stitching project, it is proper to start in the middle of your fabric and work out. There is a very good reason for this: if you start in a corner and didn’t measure properly, you might not end up with enough fabric to finish the piece!

Fabric Size

Your fabric should be large enough for your pattern, based on the number of stitches in both length and width, plus about 3 inches around all edges for finishing. To get the proper measurements, you can ask the nice salesperson at the craft store to help or follow these steps (this does require some math):

1.  Determine the total stitches from the pattern. This is usually listed as the pattern dimensions.
2. Divide the number of stitches in the pattern by the count of your fabric to get your total finished piece size. The fabric count is the number of stitches per inch; for example, Aida 14 has 14 stitches per inch.
3. Add 6 inches (3 inches per side) to each dimension.
4. Buy fabric with at least these dimensions.

So if you have a piece that is 112 x 140 stitches (8” x 10”), you will need a piece of Aida 14 count fabric that is 14” x 16.”

Preparing the fabric

You may notice that some fabrics tend to fray at the edges. While this may not be a big deal in the beginning, over time these straggling bits of thread do become annoying. To prevent fraying, either wrap the edges in some masking tape or zig-zag stitch along the edge with your sewing machine.

Finding the Center

Now to the heart of the story: finding the center of your fabric.

To do this, simply fold your fabric in quarters, lengthwise and widthwise. At the folded point, this is your center. Poke a needle into this point so you don’t loose it after you put the fabric in your hoop. This is where your first stitch will be placed.

See this quickie slideshow for some illustrations.

Make sure you find the center stitch of your pattern: it is marked with arrows on the edges of the chart.

For more advanced projects, or if you are undertaking a project that is larger than one you’ve done before, it may be helpful to mark the center with a few basting stitches. Take a piece of thread that is a different color and create very long stitches that cross the center point of your fabric. Make sure they are loose enough so that you can pull them out later, but tight enough that they are useful. It’s a fine line. :-)

Finally Finished!

Wow, I tell you this has been one of the longest projects I have worked on in my life! After a year and a half, it is finally finished. Ok, so it didn't help that I sold a house, bought a house, moved twice, and started an Etsy business during that time, as well.

"Sacred Connection" by Dimensions Gold designs, stitched on 18 count navy blue Aida fabric. Stitching on such dark fabric is a real challenge to the eyes! Definitely needed extra light for this one.  And instead of so many french knots for all the little stars, I used white Mill Hill glass beads. 

I already stitched a companion piece, "Hidden Spirits," in 2008.  Another tough one, but somehow didn't seem to take so much time.  Maybe I have selective memory.

So, Happy Father's Day, Dad!  Now you have the set to finish decorating.  Enjoy!

Friday Fun Find - Unusual Crafters

Truckers!

I saw this online via the Wall Street Journal and thought it was too good to miss a posting.  I know it's not my traditional "Friday Fun Find," but we need to shake it up a little!

Who would’ve thunk it? Can you imagine it?  A big, burly, tattoed guy sitting in a truck cab knitting a pastel sweater for his wife. A formidable, ex-soldier making a quilt of yellow and purple flowers.

Since the trucking industry has suffered with the economy, many truckers have more time on their hands between hauls. That gets boring. So, many have taken up the art of crafting in their cabs, mainly knitting and machine quilting. But I think it’s going to be a long time before talk of threads and fabric swatches are heard amidst the din of truck stops!

Just goes to show you: appearances can be deceiving!

Tuesday Tips - Tutorial on how to secure your thread neatly

I was going to save this post for a later date, but I realized I’ve been slacking lately. So here is my first official tutorial! It is also going to be posted on the Etsy CREST blog this week as part of their needlecraft week. (If you don’t follow etsyCREST, you should! :-) )

Many of my friends comment on how neat the back of my stitching is. True, there is a bit of planning involved in my stitching “trail,” but much of it is how I secure my thread when I begin stitching. This may be non-traditional for many and some may feel that I am cheating. It is a sort of knot, which is a no-no in cross stitch! But it’s a nice flat knot, I assure you! (I’m such a rule breaker!) This was taught to me by a friend of my mother’s when I was a few years into my stitching habit.

Note: This only works if you are stitching with an even number of strands.

1. Start by cutting a piece of floss twice as long as you normally work with. I tend to cut mine about arm’s length.

2. If you are stitching with 2 strands (the most common), separate out only 1 strand of floss. Fold it in half and thread the open ends through the eye of your needle, leaving the loop on the end you will stitch with.

3. Bring the needle up through the back and make your first stitch as you normally would. Instead of leaving a “tail” to stitch over, bring your needle through the loop and pull taught. This creates the flat knot. (Images are of the back of the fabric.)

Note: Don’t pull too tight or you risk pulling the knot through to the front.

4. Continue stitching as usual and when you come to the end, thread the needle behind the last few stitches as you normally would. Be sure to clip the threads close to the fabric so you don’t leave thread hanging out. In the images, I started in the bottom left corner and ended in the top left corner.

So essentially the back looks the same as before, you just have fewer “beginning and ending” spots visible, which makes it look just a little cleaner.

My Boys

Who wouldn't love these guys?  They make me smile.

Friday Fun Finds - Upcycled and Recycled!

I'll be honest:  the most recycling I do is separating my paper from plastic for the recycle guys on Monday morning.  It always amazes me what people come up with for their old stuff that may still have a little life left.  So, what do they do with all those things? Well, these fun finds have found some truly unique uses for old jeans, records, and magazine advertisements.

I don’t have any children myself, but I understand they grow up fast, often before their clothes run out. So, unless you have other children who need the old hand-me-downs, you can find a use for those jeans. For example, Nico Papergoods has made these great little journals out of children’s clothes. They come with a pocket already attached for holding pencils, markers, or other small treasures. Check out the other journal designs and map notebooks from this Swiss-born bookbinder!

Remember those days of old when we pulled out the old turntable to listen to some tunes? Well, those days are gone with iPods and such, but I’ll bet you can’t part with all those old LPs. Reclaimed Wreckage found a use for her’s in the form of a unique purse. Molded carefully and secured with a seat belt, this makes for an interesting accessory. This girl can find a use for anything: plastic shopping bags, spiral plastic rings, newspapers, bike tires. I think she’d be able to turn just about anything into a piece of jewelry, bag, or other accessory.

And finally, you know all those magazine subscription cards that fall out of your favorite zines? Don’t throw them away! Let Make Shop Live turn them into an address book for you! It makes perfect sense: the name, address, and sometimes phone and email lines are already there. Keep checking their shop this summer for more items that didn’t get thrown out!

Now that you’re inspired by all these cool ideas, go turn that old shower curtain into something fun!

Thursday Threads - Kreinik.com

I’ve been spending a lot of time on the Kreinik website lately. This company is mostly known for their metallic threads but I’ve discovered they also have a lot of other cool stuff.

I originally went on there to see if they had any free patterns since I’m always looking for freebies. And they certain have a good selection! Everything from beads and crochet to stamping and scrapbooking. So of course, I headed straight to the cross stitch section where I found a cute Valentine’s Day pattern for conversation hearts (like the candies). It uses Silk Mori thread and Eyelet heart “Tokens and Trifles” sewing cards. Well, I missed Valentine’s Day so I’m definitely keeping this in mind for next year! The heart sewing cards are a bit expensive (about $10 each), but I bet I can do something similar on regular perforated paper with a nice border.

So then, I surfed some more and found a lovely Easter egg ornament pattern. It uses several pastel metallic threads, Stik ‘n Puff shapes, and trim, all stitched on 28 count Jobelan pastel fabrics. Well, I have time until Easter so I thought, “What a great idea!” There are lots of specialty stitches on these so my talents will be tested! Might be good fodder for a future “Tuesday Tips” blog…

I then went to the “Kreinikmall” to place my order for the threads. This is where it got a little confusing. Apparently you don’t buy directly from Kreinik but through stores that sell Kreinik products. So I clicked on my nearest shop, placed my order, and voila! I then got an email from the shop stating they would order it next week and I would get it soon thereafter. I’m beginning to think I might not make it by Easter, at least not for any Easter sales. Chalk this up to experience!

So, what else can you find at Kreinik? Of course, there are the threads and braids: metallic, machine sewing, silk, iron-on, real metal, and embellishments. Then there are color cards, “Tokens and Trifles” sewing cards, various kits, sewing tools, tapes for costuming, paper crafts, and fly fishing.

That’s right: fly fishing. Apparently this company makes materials that are durable enough to make fish flies. Everything from thread to patterns to foam tying discs and special scissors. I don’t think the hooks are included. I guess fish like the shiny threads too. Who knew?

Another item of interest on the website is the Education section. Here you can find videos, a stitch library, and other articles. The stitch library may not always give specific instructions, but the diagrams are nice as are the hints on when to use each stitch.

I will definitely have to come back and see about these new holographic threads.  The flecks of color in them create a 3D effect. Hmmm… psychedelic Easter eggs…