The Stitchery Blog

An Easy Way to Determine Stitched Pattern Size and Fabric Size

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:30:47 +0100

Go to Fabric Sizing Calculator This is a Microsoft Spreadsheet that will Calculate the size of your fabric and the stitch pattern.

Instructions: Enter your answers to the questions in the yellow boxes. Calculation results are shown in the blue boxes.

How to Center Lettering or Numbers (1) (2)

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:28:06 +0100

Go to Centering Formula This is a Microsoft Excel worksheet that will calculate the centering for you. Fill in the yellow cells. Calculation results
appear in the blue cells. Use the Tab key to navigate the spreadsheet.

How many strands of floss should I use?

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 14:08:52 +0100

Here's an easy chart to help you out.

Four to six strands of floss are equivalent to one strand of #5 Pearl Cotton or one strand of Watercolours.

When stitching over a loosely woven fabric such as 18ct. linen, use one strand of #5 Pearl Cotton, one strand of Watercolours or six strands of floss over one thread.

Why is Jazlyn all the rage?

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 14:02:18 +0100

When we first discovered Jazlyn last year through Picture This Plus, it became an instant success with our customers.

It is so soft to the touch. This evenweave is a rayon and cotton blend. It is available plain and opalescent. The hand-dyed colors are subtler on Jazlyn than on 100% cotton Aida.

For a variegated soft background, we suggest you try Jazlyn from
Picture This Plus�

What else might I do to spruce up a pattern?

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:07:13 +0100

Have fun with buttons! There are lots of imaginative ways to add dimension by adding buttons to a piece even if a pattern doesn�t call for buttons.

One of the favorites here at River Bend Stitchery is the seagull button.�Add a few sea gulls to a light house or nautical pattern and you add more life to the pattern.

Just Another Button Company and Stoney Creek have buttons for almost any theme.�We carry both lines and can easily get you going.

Do you have any low cost ideas for displaying my stitching?

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 14:05:40 +0100

Several easy ways of displaying stitched pieces were recently suggested
to me by a friend. Both use inexpensive throw, or occasional,
pillows from a dollar or discount store. They’re great
ideas so I thought I would pass them on.

Here goes:
Stitch your piece and stitch a border around it or fold under. If
you stitch a border, you may want to create a fringe. Attach
your stitched piece to a coordinating color pillow by:

Tacking down;

Using buttons at the corners of the pattern; or

Attaching ribbons to the stitched piece, bringing the ribbons around
to the back of the pillow and tying the ends.

Look at the following example from Sandra Murray of Needle & Frame.

Should I consider using variegated threads?

Sun, 13 Nov 2005 14:03:42 +0100

We carry four lines and over 500 colors of hand-dyed cotton threads � Sampler, Weeks Dye Works, Crescent Colours and Dinky-Dyes. In May 2006, DMC is presenting their line of variegated threads � Color Variations. Some are highly variegated while others are very subtle. Variegated threads bring a beautiful dimension to counted cross stitch and punch needle patterns.

A few Tips:

Hand-dyed threads are not colorfast and may bleed.
If you cannot see the variegation (that is, there are only a few stitches of the color where it may not be noticeable), substitute a less expensive DMC. Many patterns give you a choice of using variegated or regular DMC.
Always make a full X when using variegated flosses. You will lose the light to dark gradation if you make a half stitch and then cross on the way back

Should I wash my fabric?

Sun, 06 Nov 2005 13:58:37 +0100

At River Bend Stitchery, we recommend that you wash your fabric in cold water with a de-greasing detergent such as Dawn after you stitch. No matter how clean your hands seem there are still oils that penetrate the fabric.

Never rub any part of the embroidery against the fabric. You may, however, rub discolored areas together or use a soft toothbrush to coax out a stain.

Rinse your fabric two or three times in cold water to remove all the soap. Roll the wet fabric up in a clean towel. The towel will absorb the excess moisture. Unroll the towel and air-dry your fabric on another dry towel.

Hold your stitched piece under gently running water for five to fifteen minutes if bleeding occurs. If necessary, continue until all bleeding stops.

You may press your stitched piece on the reverse side once it�s dry.

The French knot is hard for me. Do you have an alternative?

Thu, 06 Jan 2005 14:07:48 +0100

We love the Colonial Knot! I have taught it to so many people who’ve said: “I can never do this. It has French Knots.” The Colonial Knot is easier and more uniform in size than the French Knot.

Here’s how to make a Colonial Knot. Basically, you will be making a figure 8 on your needle.

If you are right-handed, hold the thread with your left hand.
Put the needle under the thread. Then, bring the thread over the top of the needle to create the figure 8.
Holding the thread securely against the fabric with your left hand, bring the needle back down into the fabric.
The French knot is hard for me. Do you have an alternative?

We love the Colonial Knot! I have taught it to so many people who�ve said: �I can never do this. It has French Knots.� The Colonial Knot is easier and more uniform in size than the French Knot.

Picture extracted from Bonnie’s Cross Stitch Zone