Cross-Stitching

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Hit me in the head
Fri, Jun 6, 2014 3:37 PM
Posted by Barbara
Just had to vent here. Will someone please hit me in the head if I ever ever order a cross stitch kit that is 18 count? What a mess. I have been working on the pattern for 4 days now 8 to 10 hours a day and barely have a 2x2 inch area done. The stitches are so tiny there is no way to complete them neatly. My fingers are bleeding from pushing the needle through the tiny holes.

Lesson learned, even if you love the pattern be sure to check what the count is before purchasing.

  • Reply from Pam Waters
    Friday, June 6, 2014 3:46 PM
    You could change the materiel size. It would make your project larger but I have done that before. Go to top
  • Reply from Judy
    Saturday, June 7, 2014 12:22 AM
    Barbara, you might use a different size needle if you're having trouble pushing it through the fabric.

    Enjoy your day and happy stitching...Judy :) Go to top

  • Reply from darla
    Saturday, June 7, 2014 2:22 AM
    Get a magnifying glass. Most craft stores sell them. Some have cords that go around your neck and they rest on your chest (that's what I have and it works great). And some just hook onto your frame (if you're using one). I would recommend getting one with a light attached, though, it cuts down on the glare from your room lights. They are good to have for other things, too. Go to top
  • Reply from Roselind A Berry
    Sunday, September 7, 2014 2:51 PM
    It may help to obtain a gold-plated needle, which will slip trough the fabric more readily. You should definitely get a good thimble to spare your sore fingers. And finally, treat those sore fingers to some healing ointment, while you rest them for several days. Go to top
  • Hide Replies
    Reply from Barbara Callahan
    Monday, September 8, 2014 12:43 PM
    Well I am still working on the cross stitch from you know where. I have now run out of about 15 of the color of threads. I emailed diminsions and they told me I must be doing something wrong. I told them I am very experienced at cross stitching and there is no reason not to supply enough of the colors of threads. They said they would send them out, but they aren't happy about sending out so many of them. Has anyone else run short of the colors? I have quite a supply of leftover threads, that I have organized by number and don't have any of the ones I need. Has anyone else had this problem with not enough to complete their project?
    Or am I doing something wrong. Go to top
    • Reply from NANCYE G
      Monday, September 8, 2014 3:55 PM
      I think the only thing that you are doing wrong is buying kits from you know where (LOL) Go to top
  • Reply from Betsy
    Tuesday, September 9, 2014 3:50 PM
    Dimensions is TERRIBLE about the amount of thread they supply. I've had some where it's run out, but I've also had some where there was way too much. I'm starting my own stash, since their numbering system is different, too, and the conversion tables aren't very accurate. Go to top
  • Hide Replies
    Reply from Valerie
    Friday, April 24, 2015 11:42 PM
    Barbara - only if you'll promise to hit me in the head when I do it! I didn't realize how small 18-count would be until I tried a small kit of it. Talk about humbling experiences! I became very unpleasant to be around, there for a while...I threw that kit in the trash and never looked back. Then I saw for the first time, those breathtaking "Heaven and Earth" gorgeous things done over one thread of 25-count. Even when I was young, my vision wasn't good enough for that. But what I wouldn't give to be able to do one comfortably. "Comfortably", I said.
    If it's truly making your fingers bleed, admit defeat and throw it away. It wasn't meant to be. Go to top
    • Hide Replies
      Reply from stitchyliz
      Thursday, May 7, 2015 12:59 PM
      There are a few things that make stitching on a finer gauge much easier (I have even used 40-ct. silk gauze).
      1. Use a finer needle - I prefer a 26 or 28 petite, platinum seems to be the best I have found.
      2. Don't try to use too many strands, this MIGHT be why you run out of floss.
      3. Use a good light, you can pick up a clip-on OTT-light at JoAnn's on sale or with a coupon for $25 or less, a good investment in your eyesight.
      4. Use the inexpensive magnifying glasses available from drugstores or even $1 stores. Try them out, they are not created equally and the more expensive ones are not necessarily better. I wear bifocals and when I stitch at home, which is most of the time, I wear a pair of 2.5X glasses right over my regular glasses. I checked with my eye doctor who said that there was no problem doing this.
      I hope this helps, I don't want to sound like a know-it-all but I have decades of stitching and teaching under my belt and know a lot of tips. Go to top
      • Hide Replies
        Reply from Valerie
        Thursday, May 7, 2015 11:25 PM
        Thanks for the tips, stitchyliz! I don't know how this site works, but will Barbara be able to see your reply? I think she made the original post about not being able to work on 18-count easily. But I was thinking...I read so many posts in which the stitchers say that their local stores (not the big chains) have been going out of business...have you thought of opening a store? Everybody misses them; I know I do! And I'll bet the folks in your area would be thrilled. Somewhere we could go and actually, in person, ask you our questions and show you our problems. What about it? Valerie Go to top
        • Reply from NANCYE G
          Friday, May 8, 2015 10:39 AM
          The problem with opening a small needlework shop is that everyone wants outstanding supplies and service but want to pay big box store prices. We can't have both. Go to top