Many years ago I did quite a bit of cross stitching and so wish I still had all my supplies. I lost most of it in a house fire in the early 90’s. But, back then, all I needed was a pattern/chart, aida cloth, needle and DMC floss.
These days, there is so much “fluff!
You need a grime guard, which I will probably make. I see how this could be useful. It’s basically a piece of fabric with elastic and you stretch it over your hoop or frame so your cross stitching fabric doesn’t get dirty.
You need floss tags. Yes, they’re very pretty and I do need those! Who would dream of putting floss in a project bag if the floss wasn’t all on matching floss tags? 🙂
You need a lap frame. I understand that and have one ordered. I do have an 8″ Q-Snap but I can see how older hands holding onto that for hours could cause issues.
You need needle minders – magnetic gizmos so the needle doesn’t fall out and end up in your chair or in the carpet. Of course I need those!
You need project bags. I can see how those are useful and I’ll some day make some of those (right!).
You need fancy floss. Not just DMC any more – there’s overdyed floss; there’s silk floss; there’s more floss than I need to know about.
You need linen, lugana, evenweave. Plain old aida just doesn’t seem to cut it any more. I’m going to try some of those fabrics just because I love how they look, especially on samplers.
You need a finisher. I’m not knocking it but people send their stuff out to be finished – even if it’s a pillow or an ornament.
Then, there’s a whole “language” that cross stitchers use:
- FFO – I get the FO but I think FFO means “fully finished object”. A finshed object apparently means the stitching is done. A fully finished object means it’s framed, or the pillow has been made . . it’s ready for display.
- In Hand – This means people are stitching without a hoop – they’re holding the piece in their hand while stitching.
- Called For – They will say “I used the called for threads” or the “called for fabric” meaning they stitched their piece using the exact colors suggested or used the same fabric as the sample was made with.
There’s more . . that’s just all I can think of now.
I think back to when I cross stitched in the early 80’s, or even when I was quilting then. The internet was not something I had ever even heard about. I had no idea what the stitchers in Sweden were making nor did I dream about being able to order supplies from a shop in Buda, Texas or State College, PA. Never did I dream I could track my packages and know where they were all along the path from there to here.
We’ve come so far . . but have we really? I look at samplers made by children in the late 1800’s. I look at exquisite work done by stitchers over 100 years ago. They designed their own! They had no microwaves, automatic washers and dryers, central heat, curbside pickup for groceries. How did they do it all?
Oh, that reminds me . . I have to mop my kitchen today . . something they probably did EVERY day except they may have had a dirt floor for all I know. When I think back to how hard our ancestors had to work just to survive and yet they found time to make pretty things, it really is mind boggling.
Mary says
I’d love to go back to simpler days! Maybe not back to the 1800s but maybe to the 50s or 60s!
Rebecca says
I am flabbergasted thinking of the women who cressed the prairies in wagos. It took a while (maybe they didn’t need new clothes), but they still had to do the cooking and some cleaning. How did they do it?
Judy Laquidara says
I cannot figure out how they did it. It makes me feel like a total wimp. I guess they did what they had to do but I don’t know if I could have done it.
Susan Nixon says
They didn’t know any different. That’s what everyone did!
Patty McDonald in Sounthern California says
I’m with Mary, I would like things to be similar as in 1950. That means a lot more cooking and cleaning I’m sure but definitely a slower life. We push ourselves to finish multiple projects in a month. We finish one cross stitch and have at least 10 others waiting to start. I read that Jane Sickle, who was the maker of the Dear Jane quilt in the 1800’s with over 6,000 pieces, ran a farm while making that quilt. It is spectacular..not perfect…but really spectacular in design. The blocks are fantastic but then she had the thought to make it a trip around the world in colors. Also, the article said no other quilts were found signed by Jane. Was that her one and only quilt? Maybe, if we did step back in time, we wouldn’t have the time or money to invest in our hobbies…..too busy with all that cooking and cleaning. I will just enjoy the process and continue with my stitching.
quilter44 says
I purchased the cloth and patterns to do the series with you. Haven’t cross stitched in years so I will need all the guidance you and Denise can provide. I’ll probably need one of those magnifier gadgets that go around your neck. Couldn’t resist because the project will be beautiful.
Judy Laquidara says
Let’s get our guidance from Denise! I haven’t cross stitched since the 80’s. I just ordered an Ott lamp with the magnifier and am hoping I can pick it up curbside at Joann’s today. WOW . . these holes are small and get smaller as the day wears on. The project I’m working on now is 25 count and I think that’s the smallest I’ll buy from now on, unless that Ott light is a zillion times better than this little one I’m using now.
Holly Garemore says
Google q snap, my husband made me a freestanding q snap from plastic pipe.
Dorothy Matheson says
Most things made back then were made by women who had house hold help. They made pretty things to show that their husbands were wealthy enough to provide for them to have the house hold help.
Stacey says
I only use overdyed floss when I stitch on 36 or 40 count fabric…or for something that my kids will keep. I don’t use it all that much, because I find stitching individual “x’s” required for the full overdyed effect to be too much of a PITA. I also find that my “x” don’t look like “x” as much when I do individual stitches with more than 1 thread. Google can provide you with conversion charts.
If you have a Local Needlework Store (LNS) around..after the pandemic, see if they sell scraps/odd cuts. My LNS has a couple baskets full of odds and ends. I buy fabric there when it’s on sale to beef up my stash. I prefer 25 count lugana, as I can use it for both cross stitch and hardanger. I find it’s a more economical way of trying out different fabrics and sizes. I’m also fortunate that my LNS can also find me substitutes, etc..as they are super knowledgeable.
Anyway, you’ll learn quickly enough to substitute and all that. Those sorts of skills transfer from craft to craft.
One thing I didn’t see, were do-dads to help you remember where you are in your stitching/help you read your patterns. Something that highlights (marker, tape, other tools made for the same purpose)..is something that I do find invaluable. I would also get a good tool for ripping out stitches. I don’t have one of those, but others have sworn by them.
In terms of crafts that are easy to pick up and put down, knitting (and crochet), EPP, and hardanger win hands down over cross stitch.
Judy Laquidara says
Mostly I’ll stitch using a computer program (Pattern Keeper) so the doo-dads for helping keep track are built into the program.
Are tools for ripping cross stitch different from a good sewing seam ripper? I’ll check that out. Thanks.
Most of the patterns I’ve purchased have the conversion charts for DMC but I have found them in several places online. Thanks for the tips.
Marcie says
This blows my mind! I have cross stitched since 1973, and still use the same methods and materials. I have WAY too many kits in my closet that I would like to make, but they are still the same basics. I had no idea some of these different weaves or over-dyed flosses existed. I’m looking forward to learning through your posts – and will honestly try to Not order new materials, except maybe the hoop cover. I did have some hoop marks on a couple of early endeavors. Lead us on! My next XS project is a stitching UFO – which for me is any fiber project, LOL, knitting, quilting, or XS. This one is a “bouquet” of butterflies in a vase. 😉
Judy Laquidara says
That’s exactly how I felt. What’s wrong with plain old DMC? Nothing – it’s just that it’s really solid where the overdyes are more tone on tone, which I love. I’m sure I’ll use some overdyes and I’ll try some silk but the majority of my stitching will be done with DMC because it’s so easy to get locally.
Finish those UFOs! 🙂
Carolyn says
You had to pick a beautiful Christmas project, didn’t you? Not sure if I’ll join you, but I’m very tempted! I haven’t forgotten about supplies, I wanted to wait until the post office was less overwhelmed before sending them…hopefully this week!
Judy Laquidara says
Don’t risk going to the post office. It isn’t worth that chance. I’ll eventually end up with what I need and once our world is safer, you can send it. I appreciate the kind offer but don’t want you to get exposed trying to get cross stitch supplies to me.
Jennifer Breitenbach says
I just started stitching again myself. Had to get a magnifier as my old eyes can’t see it all as well anymore. Happy stitching!