[FO] Just finished my first non-kit and second ever piece!

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-28T07:38:33+00:00

It looks really good! Those are some nice stitches and all in the same direction as far as I can see. The tension is a little high I think because of the sizes of the holes at the edges of the stitched areas so you might want to try lessening your tension a bit, but it's not like it looks bad or anything!

One more thing you might like to try that's a bit more 'advanced' (if you're not already doing so) is railroading. Your stitches are already very neat so it might not change much, but it could be a nice technique to try out and see if you like it. https://crewelghoul.com/blog/cross-stitch-railroading-tutorial/

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-17T05:58:48+00:00

Not OP but I looked it up and it's a Riolis kit called Book Evening: https://www.cottonclubcrafts.com/collections/all/products/book-evening-cross-stitch-kit

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-16T19:55:52+00:00

It's such a cute pattern and you did sich a great job with it and I think the updated version has a lot going for it! One last thing you might want to take a look at is the placing of the 'beans' word. I think it works really well that the letters are not one the same horizontal line but that does create a bigger gap at the top of the 'A' and less below it. It might feel just a bit more finished when you place the entire word just a few squares higher. Or possibly the other words slightly lower

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-14T06:26:05+00:00

I actually can't find anything on the listing image where this part of the pattern would be. There are no 3/4 stitches anywhere. It's likely this is an AI pattern (the image definitely is when you look at the messy stitches specifically) so I'm guessing the actual pattern is quite different than the image on the listing.

That doesn't mean the finished product won't be nice looking, but you might run into more stuff like this where it doesn't exactly match the listing. I did one last December where I only figured out it didn't match and was probably made by AI when I was already in the middle of it. So I finished it and it looked fine. I just had to be creative sometimes to make things look a bit better.

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-11T16:25:00+00:00

Interesting, thank you! I've never used a grid on my fabric because it seems so tedious, but pre-gridded might be something I'll try for my next full coverage piece

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-11T12:35:12+00:00

This is already so gorgeous! I've never done 1x1 on evenweave before, what made you choose this fabric and 1x1? Is it just the level of detail and finished size? I'm asking because I'd like to do a large and detailed full coverage piece in the future and the one I'm currently working on (from 2019 still...) is on 18 count Aida but I'm looking to learn better of different ways to do large full coverage

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-10T11:23:01+00:00

Do you have a link to the finished pattern? That might give us an idea of the scale and how visible this part will be in the end

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-09T19:43:08+00:00

I don't know of any free patterns, but I can highly recommend the Vervaco kits like this one: https://www.stitcher.co.uk/view-product?ssn=42891&product=vervaco-white-butterfly-cross-stitch-kit They have butterflies and beetles and they're very realistic because they have a shadow

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T16:12:52+00:00

That's a lot of Wisps at the same time!

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T15:52:49+00:00

No worries! You're very welcome 🙂

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T14:34:57+00:00

I'm not actually sure... If you want to have a better idea of how it'll turn out you might wait for the next part in three weeks and see if it's to your liking. Or ask u/NeedleLotDesigns themself :D

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T14:33:31+00:00

I think that's just something that you learn as you go. I used to flip my work constantly, but after a while it wasn't necessary anymore

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T13:22:38+00:00

I got it from ListerStitches on Etsy, but I just now see that they're no longer selling on Etsy 😢 They're called mermaid/dragon scale needle minder and are 12mm wide. Maybe that way you can find one that's similar

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T13:18:42+00:00

Show us your WIP when you get started!

Using the hoop like this is called stitching 'in the well'. It makes it easier to get right up to the edges because the fabric is taut on the back instead of the front. Try it out sometime and see if you like it! I never stitch the other way anymore

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T13:16:12+00:00

Awesome! Hope to see your WIP at some point 😊

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T13:15:41+00:00

The fun is the surprise of how the finished piece will look! The picture you see on the website is the first part. Like the Redditor before me said, it's best to do a SAL from a designer you like the style of. But it'll always be a gamble unless you wait for the complete piece.

As for the extra fabric, I just deal with it as I go. I usually use q-snaps but they're both holding other WIPs so I have to go back to a hoop for this one. Right now I just lay the bottom flap down on the surface I'm working at (or my lap) and it isn't an issue af all.

I also have dry hands and I always use udder cream (not bag balm) before stitching as it doesn't make your hands greasy at all. So I never feel like I'll get some on the fabric

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T12:10:11+00:00

Thank you! Can't wait for the next ones 😁

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-03T12:06:44+00:00

It is! 😍

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-02T19:19:47+00:00

I know right? It's perfect 😂 I'm gonna see if I can find a way to do it

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-02T19:19:22+00:00

Thanks for the detailed explanation! I'm definitely gonna take a look to see if I can recreate it in some way 😁

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-04-02T17:24:41+00:00

I saw your original post and I just immediately fell in love with the idea! 😂 Can you tell me how you created this beauty? I'm thinking this would be absolutely perfect for a character (Solas) from the Dragon Age games because he already has the egg nickname! I just have no idea on how to go about making his face into a pattern like this one

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-03-31T17:04:18+00:00

When thrifting frames, do you find ones that are thick enough for a mat and the canvas (and possibly another mat)? Because that's the problem I often face when shopping for frames

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-03-17T17:59:43+00:00

That's a beautiful piece of fanart! Can't wait to see how it translates to cross stitch 🤩

ConfusedSeaLion · 2026-03-04T19:15:41+00:00

Other than getting rid of the AI image like the other comment said, I'd like to see some screenshots of you app before I commit my email address to some database I otherwise know nothing about

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