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Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Thu May 29, 2014 8:56 am
by Rushani
Thanks Rose!!! Those were some handy tips.. I'm fairly a newbie, so was really helpful.. Thanks again... And to all those who've given their share of inputs too..

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 8:25 pm
by debpeb
I always make a photocopy of the chart and sometimes enlarge it if there are lots of different coloured stitches in certain areas. I also use sticky notes (can I say Post-it? or similar) as a marker to see where i'm going as they can be lifted off and put back onto the chart a few times.

suggest for a newbie

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:39 pm
by pepperpot
My suggestion for a newbie would be to choose a variety of designers to stitch . In that way you can judge what style you like as you build your "stash". I actually think Kits are harder to use than a simple pattern and purchased threads. Start with Aida fabric when learning and graduate to linen later. Use DMC when first starting and graduate to special fibers in time. Most of all enjoy yourself!! Norma

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 4:51 am
by SarahLSells
As a newbie, I really appreciate this thread. I'm a bit overwhelmed, and definitely need to read up on my vocabulary, but there is so many useful things here.

Thanks everyone!

Sarah

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 12:04 am
by bracken
Great advise. Thanks!

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 12:05 am
by bracken
Oops - my spelling - should have been 'advice'

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:02 pm
by Kibakyu
There are so many awesome helping hands here! Just some things I've either learned the hard way or taught myself...or been taught!

1) Don't get overwhelmed. Even small projects can take hours of time, especially when you consider finding a pattern, looking at colors you will need, getting the colors you need, doing the pattern, then doing details and finishing. It is all worth it, but...

2) Take breaks, even if you haven't done much. If you get tired or frustrated sometimes it is better to put it down even if it's for a few minutes or, in my case, half an episode or ten minutes of a movie ;)

3) Find an organization that suits you. There are many ways to organize projects or containers, but it's best to have an idea of what you want to do first. I currently have about 3 big containers, and 4 organizers for thread, 2 for DMC individually organized thread, and 2 for projects.

4) Start with a small project, especially to get used to different stitches like full and half cross stitches. Half cross stitches are NOT a bad thing, they are excellent for subtle details. However, there are plenty of designs with only full cross stitches. If you enjoy the small project, start something bigger and make your way up to more detailed and bigger projects.

5) Sometimes working on something with a goal in mind can be motivating. Over the years I can start Christmas projects as early as August, but Christmas is a huge motivator, especially if it is a gift. This last year was a success, everyone received their gifts to actually put on their Christmas trees! But any holiday or upcoming event like birthday or anniversary will do!

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:53 pm
by lynnieB
A lot of wonderful information here.
Any suggestions on where to get information and help with backstitching?
Thank you

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:49 pm
by rcperryls
This tutorial on back stitching by Scarlet Quince and this tutorial by Mary Corbet are two of the best I've seen explaining back stitching. Hope they help. If not, do you have a specific question about back stitching?

Carole
:thinks:

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 7:31 pm
by ashleyvanwagoner21
I've been stitching since i was a kid but didn't really get into it until a few years ago, I've done a couple of big projects (11x14) and now i am attempting a much bigger project (26"x18") and I'm wondering what specific hoops/frames you guys suggest, i looked at the Q-snaps and one called Edmunds Handi Clamp, just wondering what you guys think is the best to use! thanks for all the other suggestions i have been doing some of them since i was a kid but most of the advice has been really helpful!! thanks for all the advice!

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2015 4:03 am
by cairee
ashleyvanwagoner21 wrote:I've been stitching since i was a kid but didn't really get into it until a few years ago, I've done a couple of big projects (11x14) and now i am attempting a much bigger project (26"x18") and I'm wondering what specific hoops/frames you guys suggest, i looked at the Q-snaps and one called Edmunds Handi Clamp, just wondering what you guys think is the best to use! thanks for all the other suggestions i have been doing some of them since i was a kid but most of the advice has been really helpful!! thanks for all the advice!
I do my larger projects in Q snaps (11x17) or on a scroll frame if its really big and I want the excess fabric out of the way. I have a home made wooden scroll frame, but I have heard good things about the handi clamp.

for a 26x18 either would work well, just make sure the scroll rods on a scroll frame are longer than the width of your fabric

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:44 pm
by WordMom
Hello. I not entirely a "Newbie", but I am going to start my first Christmas Stocking... and i don't know how to start it. :(
Do I find the "middle" of the pattern and material and start from there? If so, how do I do that?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
WordMom

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 4:33 pm
by richardandtracy
I think it may be worth you looking at this link: http://www.scarletquince.com/stitch1.php
If that's not enough, give a yell.

Regards,

Richard

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:53 pm
by Diane1012
I would suggest to a newbie to sit under a bright light. At night, when working, it will be the only light I have on. Also, I use a lighted magnifying lens to help read the stitch symbols. Some times, they are so small, it is hard to tell the difference.

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:20 am
by weeseechew
My suggestion is to sort your thread. And if your pattern calls for 2 strands of the same color, use only one strand but fold it in half and that way when you start your first cross you can just loop through the strand...it makes things a little neater on the back of your pattern.

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 12:06 pm
by Gande
Hey, new here. Have been cross stitching since I was about 5 years old. Stopped 3 years ago and now I'm back. So happy to have found this forum (and this thread) as I am starting my first truly big cross stitch (normally I have done christmas calenders and such, now I am attempting a mosaic style disney pattern on 22" by 15". So that is quite a change, but I look forward to it and can't wait to begin. I am happy to see that I know a lot of what you told me, but the looping method and the gridding will probably be my new thing and lifesavers for this project.

To give out my own advices:
Sometimes a mistake is not really a mistakke. If you make a mistake in a night sky by putting in two dark blue tiles extra in the gradient? No one will see it and you will forget it. If you have to alter like one other in here did, it is more than that, but choose you frogging battles. Sometimes it is nothing.

Do stuff you like. There are so many stuff to get. Here in denmark we have a couple of firms almost dominating the scene, but the web opens up to so much more. Use it. It might be pricy, but you'd be happier in the end paying a bit more for something you like than just something you think is okay.

Test yourself. Sometimes making something you've never knew about might help you. When I tried linen the first time I learned something to bring back to aida. My linen wasn't perfect, but I had fun, it was a small project as a test and I could use what I learned.

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 5:56 pm
by DahliaDoll
Thanks for all the tips here!

One thing I do that I don't think has been mentioned ...

Most of my stitching would be considered "mini" and I do it in-hand. I always mark the top of my fabric (small dot with fabric pen in the upper left corner). Sometimes when I pick up a project, if I haven't done very much, or there isn't anything distinguishing the vertical and horizontal directions, it helps me get my bearings as to where to start.

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 10:47 pm
by ecology665
There is a wealth of information on this post. :dance:

Thank You all for the advice. A lot of these tips help a great deal. :whoop: :wave:

I take my patterns to Staples and I copy the pattern into numerous sections and expand each section to fit 11 x 17 paper. It's easier for me to read. I organize the papers as number ex., page 1 beginning upper left, page 2 beginning upper right.
I use Dritz beeswax for the floss threads. I use Thread Heaven for: metallics, light effects, satin thread, and blending filaments.

I organize my floss on bobbins and put them into those plastic containers and I create an illustrated label for what each pattern the box represents, for example "This kit is for Rosy Bouquet Pattern :wip: , Kit for Zinnia Pillow Pattern, etc. :wip:

Extra floss goes into large plastic seed bags (I wintersow). I keep a word document with a list of all threads, # of skeins and where it is located.

Love this Post! :wub:

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 11:25 pm
by fccs
DahliaDoll wrote: I always mark the top of my fabric (small dot with fabric pen in the upper left corner). Sometimes when I pick up a project, if I haven't done very much, or there isn't anything distinguishing the vertical and horizontal directions, it helps me get my bearings as to where to start.
I do the same.

Re: Suggestions for a Newbie!!

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 7:39 am
by Podolyanka
I do the same with a bright thread(in one strand), come the need