Below is a very, very, non-professional video, made around 1 a.m. this morning. Hopefully for those who have never heard me speak, the accent isn’t too noticeable. I had tried taking pictures of my stitching through the magnifier because I’m working on 36 or 40 count linen. That didn’t work. I tried drawing a grid and making numbers to show where to take the needle next and that didn’t work so . . the video was my only option but I did want to share this “new to me” method that I’m loving..
A while back I mentioned that I had switched to using the sewing stitch method for cross stitching and it really increased my speed and accuracy. The problem was that I could only stitch from right to left. I would stitch a row going from right to left, then turn the work and stitch back going the other way but still making my stitches from right to left but because I was stitching with the work upside down, it worked. The only problem with that was that I couldn’t stitch in a scroll frame, which is how I prefer to stitch.
A few nights ago I was watching a video from a flosstuber I had never watched before and now I can’t find it. She was talking about doing the sewing stitch and moving vertically. I tried it and it was very awkward. You know how new things always seem weird at first. I gave up after a few tries but yesterday, I thought . . I’m going to try this again.
I couldn’t believe how much easier it was to stitch this way. It is taking a bit of getting used to because I’m still stitching the chart horizontally but with the piece held sideways. I’m sure it will all seem normal after I’ve done it for a few days.
Anyway, here’s the video. I hope it helps explain it better.
patty says
I have always stitched in hand and to go left to right I just start with the thread coming out of the upper right hand hole, go into the lower left hand hole come out the upper left hand hole and into the lower right hand hole then repeat. If I would had a long row, I usually turn the piece upside down.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s what I was trying to avoid – turning the piece upside down because that doesn’t work so well if I’m stiching in a scroll frame attached to a stand.
Cindy F says
I love the sewing in hand but yes, I have issues coming back as I also go right to left. I will have to try going vertical. I think I will have to turn my chart on it’s side though…lol Ironic that I spent money on various hoops and the stand and now I just hold the fabric in my hands. I do worry a little about if I’ll have enough floss when I use some of the brands that come with a smaller amount. I noticed that depending on how I was moving along I could use just a tiny bit more of the floss in one stitch than I would with the stab method. Depending on the amount of color used I worry about that as little bit could add up. I haven’t thought a lot about how much floss is used depending on the count of the fabric. Guess I’m thinking about it now and need to check! lol
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I do believe I use a little more floss but for me, floss is easier to come by than extra time. I ordered the floss from Owl Forest Designs for the Cardinal project and that’s one I could have trouble getting more floss for so may have to be careful with it but otherwise, most of the floss I use is easy enough to get more if needed or, at some point, substitute a color that’s close. I don’t think I’ve ever come close to running out of floss but all it takes is once and I wouldn’t be a happy stitcher.
Nancy H says
When I first started doing the sewing stitch I was doing it vertically. Yours looks about what I do. It is amazing how much fast we the sewing stitch is from the poke method. I do have trouble doing the sewing method in a frame still. I mostly stitch in hand.
Moneik Stephens says
Interesting video. I loved watching. I’ll have to practice doing that.
Deborah Stokes says
Stitching in hand and the sewing method are what got me back to XSing. I could not wait to try it and I think my tension was good because of using hoops for so long years ago. Learning to stitch one X at a time took a lot of practice but did get easy pretty quick. However, turning the fabric over to go the other direction was just impossible. That just threw me all off. So I just kept going slower left to right and that also got easier. I hold the fabric the same as stitching right to left and vertical both ways but just barely angle the fabric up on the right side. That works almost as fast as going the other 3 directions. I hope that makes sense. I love stitching now!!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
It does make sense. Thanks for sharing your method. It’s fun tha we all find our way and then someone shares what works for them, others try it and like it too. I’m glad you’re back to cross stitching! 🙂
Lorraine says
Would you share a picture of the back of your work? Just curious to compare with how mine looks using the poke method. Great video! And so interesting to hear your voice after reading your words for so many years!
Melody Mendenhall says
Wow, I have never been taught that method of stitching, let alone your revision! Love it!! I have recently picked up cross-stitch again after a few decades. I was originally taught half stitches in a row, then back across the row (I don’t know the names of methods). I love how you worked each square. It seems so simple now that I’ve seen it. Looking forward to memorizing it and then your revision! Nice to have the internet to learn these days…I feel like there’s so much to learn, even with an “old” craft!