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railroading
Tue, Apr 24, 2007 2:12 PM
Posted by Melissa
My stitches can get uneven-looking; some are "fat" because they lay flat and some are "thin" because the thread twists.

I read about this technique of separating the stitched floss with the end of a needle so it lays flat on the fabric. But it seems like a lot of extra work. Does anyone bother with this, or how else do you keep all your stitches looking even?

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    Reply from Sue
    Wednesday, April 25, 2007 2:10 AM
    Hi Melissa

    There are a couple of different ways to achieve the smooth look.

    One is to use some sort of laying tool, and the other is railroading using the needle you are stitching with to separate the threads as you stitch.

    I found this site that has good diagrams and text to show you how to do both techniques - it's much simpler if you can see it in a diagram!
    http://www.twdesignworks.com/Resources/Tips/specialty.html

    I hope you persist with the technique, it really does make a big difference to the look of your finished piece.

    Sue Go to top

    • Reply from Melissa
      Wednesday, April 25, 2007 3:41 AM
      Sue,

      Thank you for the link! I tried the railroading and with only a few stitches could see a difference. Better coverage and a more consistent shape.

      This technique will actually mean *less* time for me since I will spend less time trying to smooth out the stitches afterwards!! Go to top

    • Reply from frances
      Saturday, April 28, 2007 7:53 PM
      Does "thread heaven" help with this problem? Go to top
    • Reply from Connie
      Saturday, June 2, 2007 11:28 AM
      I cannot thank you enough about the information on railroading! I have been cross stitching for 20 years and never heard of this! I am a self taught stitcher..just always assumed I was doing okay. Never thought my stitches were as good looking as the others I see in craft stores but just figured I was being critical of my own work. I am now addicted to railroading! What a difference! I wish I had learned about this technique years ago! Go to top
  • Reply from Yolanda
    Wednesday, April 25, 2007 7:29 AM
    Hello!...I learned about railroading and was very skeptical. I gave it a try and WOW! What a difference it makes. It's a bit cumbersome, at first. Once I got used to it, it was nothing to do. Kinda like blinking. (hahaha) Go to top
  • Reply from Judi
    Saturday, April 28, 2007 9:23 PM
    I railroad 90% of the time and love it!! After just a little while it becomes automatic and is no trouble. At least that is how it is with Me. Give it a week or so and see. Judi Go to top
  • Reply from Barbara
    Wednesday, May 9, 2007 4:24 AM
    I do take the extra time for railroading when I'm stitching with two threads. When I look back on projects I did before I learned this techniqe, I flinch. Those messy stitches!

    Barbara Go to top

  • Reply from Redlollipop
    Friday, June 1, 2007 2:20 PM
    Hi Melissa,
    I was having similar problems with my stitching to those you have described and it took me some time to untwist the thread to even up each stitch. I then discovered the technique of 'railroading' and I tried it, on both halves of the stitch (some stitchers only do the top half stitch) I noticed within a few stitches that it had improved the look and neatness of my work and I also discovered that I was stitching slightly quicker because there were less stitches to re-do. I still find that when moving from row to row (usually on a diagonal) that sometimes my stitches aren't as even as I'd like them to be but they are much neater than previously. I also use thread protector on all of my thread and have found this works well too.

    Hope this info helps. Go to top