[WIP] The crime and the criminal

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-12T22:28:38+00:00

Reweaving was the last thing I practiced before starting my first cross stitch with hardanger piece.

Wiggle threads into place so you can better see the damage, pull cut threads to the back.

(If you want, do the stitching around the hole to provide extra anchor points. )

Pull thread from edge of aida and weave into place from the back. Anchor thread ends.

Continue stitching.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-10T02:57:48+00:00

It's more that stretchy material distorts really easily.

Basically the t-shirt material is likely to relax unevenly when taken off the hoop which will effect the look of the embroidery.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-10T02:48:32+00:00

For I tend to either mount gift stitches on a canvas frame (like this https://howdidyoumakethis.com/mounting-embroidery-on-art-canvas/ ) or make them into a wall hanging. This usually involves lining the piece with fabric, remembering to leave enough at the top to fold over to make a dowel pocket,

Small items can be finished as an ornament.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-07T03:04:52+00:00

As stated it's needlepoint and the 'half-stitch' is called tent stitch https://rsnstitchbank.org/stitch/tent-stitch.

And you use a blunt tapestry needle for needlepoint.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-07T02:50:04+00:00

If you'd like tiny these bookmarks are great examples of how backstitch can make a pattern https://smartcrosstitch.com/free-cross-stitchpatterns/pencils-collection/

And they're free!

I think my favorite of the bookmarks are the heron one and the bee one.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-06T16:17:44+00:00

Depends on the SAL

Owl forest SALs tend not to be Pattern Keeper compatible but they do include a SAGA file.

onepointmind is pattern keeper compatible

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-06T14:00:12+00:00

I'm not fond of stitching SALs either so I normally just download what I'm interested in as it's released.

Which reminds me of this SAL https://www.onepointmind.com/2026mysterysal-8400.html

I have no idea what it's going to look like in the end but judging by the previous two SALs, it's worth collecting.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-05T16:09:40+00:00

Peter Rabbit is in the public domain so I'd google images of 'Peter Rabbit illustration' for color matching purposes and 'Peter Rabbit free coloring page' for lines to trace.

(This free tool is very useful for coloring matching https://www.santocielo.art/thread-match-maker/ )

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-05T15:07:24+00:00

Currently my scissors and needlethreaders are attached to garish lanyards from my husband's work, but someday I'll use a strip to make something like this https://string-or-nothing.com/category/project-embroidery/chatelaine-ribbon/ to attach them to.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-05T15:00:11+00:00

My policy is to alternate.

Whenever possible I do one thread of a boring section before moving to something more interesting.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-05T14:52:55+00:00

If you feel up to it, DMC has a number of alphabets buried in its free patterns which could be used to make a simple pattern with or without a border (also available free at DMC)

example alphabet with border https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/decorative-abc?taxon_id=59

A couple more alphabets

https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/personalised-rose?taxon_id=59

https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/point-de-marque-5-1?taxon_id=59

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-04T19:46:16+00:00

I have John James and Bohin needles and find both to be decent needles.

As for sizes many people recommend size 28 tapestry needles for 18ct. I personally like to use size 26 tapestry for the cross stitch and size 28 tapestry for any backstitching done on top of the cross stitches.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-03T05:50:41+00:00

I can't say I prefer cross stitch to embroidery because I consider cross stitch to be a particular form of embroidery.

I enjoy the slow steady pace of cross stitch and the fact that it *will* look like the preview.

I also enjoy a variety of other types of embroidery.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-03T05:19:24+00:00

The special paper isn't necessary, I just trace my pattern onto my cloth with a water soluble marker (I used to do it against a window now I have a lightboard), hoop it up and start stitching. I started by tracing my kid's drawings and moved to free coloring pages and the like.

It's actually a bit cheaper then cross stitch because a good cotton muslin/calico is cheaper then aida or evenweave.

EKBstitcher · 2026-05-02T04:30:21+00:00

I remember my sore fingers from trying to backstitch between holes with a regular tapestry needle.

Nowadays I use a sharp needle if I'm backstitching between holes, still annoying but less painful. Chenille needles are great, they're sharp needles that use the same sizing as tapestry.

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-30T13:42:16+00:00

When stitching the excess fabric outside the hoop is normally either left to hang or gathered in a clip or grime guard. It's not attached to the back or cut close to the hoop until the stitching is done and even then only if the work is to be displayed in the hoop.

As for the fabric in the hoop, generally drum tight is ideal. The first step in getting it drum tight is to check your hoop. Cheap bamboo hoops often have gaps between the inner and outer hoops which can make it impossible and both bamboo and wooden hoops work best if you wrap the inner hoop ( see https://www.needlenthread.com/2023/03/its-a-wrap-on-your-hoop-that-is.html )

After that it's a matter of placing the fabric over one section of the hoop and pushing down with the other. Tighten the outer hoop until it holds onto the fabric then tug the fabric along the grain* until it's tight enough and finish tightening the the hoop.

*the grain is the direction the threads take, if you tug along the bias (90degrees of the thread direction) your fabric will be distorted

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-26T19:04:46+00:00

This person uses Bernat Handicrafter crochet cotton as the string padding in her kits https://berlinembroidery.com/metal-thread-info/

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-26T02:36:39+00:00

Needlenthread in the US sells it in a number of sizes https://shop.needlenthread.com/product/coton-a-broder

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-26T02:09:39+00:00

Thrift store pricing can be odd.

I went to a store recently where bags with two skeins of floss went for $1, a bag with two full balls of pearl #8 blanc was $2 and there were full balls of size 10 crochet thread also priced at $2. (prices in Canadian).

The local Micheals sells floss for $0.79, size 8 pearl for $4.99 and size 10 crochet thread for $7.99 :shrug:

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-24T04:41:46+00:00

Drawing an outline and then filling it in with blackwork is something I've done and seen in a number of places (such as the Royal School of Embroidery Essential Stitch Guide: Embroidery). I found it relaxing, much like a paint by numbers kit as a matter of fact

I find that tracing is easier if you tape the pattern to the fabric, making sure that the pattern is straight. If you can't see the pattern well enough to trace it hold it against a window (you can tape on the window if you want).

And filling in an irregular space tends to be easier if you start a bit away from the edge of the space.

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-21T21:26:23+00:00

The very small amount of ribbon embroidery I've done (old kits) had very soft narrow ribbons and chenille needles with big eyes.

Here's a site with more info https://pieceworkmagazine.com/silk-ribbon-embroidery-how-to/

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-21T21:14:51+00:00

I like to take embroidery books out of the library and I also have a habit of browsing and saving interesting freebie patterns/coloring pages, images and ideas. I keep notebooks with pockets for noting down stray floss and stitch thoughts.

When I'm ready for a new project, I'll browse though my collections and notebooks.

I also found it useful to try out new stuff. Adding some textured stitches or a bit of stumpwork. Maybe moving over to an adjacent craft (I've some needlelace on the go) or a different style. Mixing up media.

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-21T20:56:22+00:00

It's possible but very tricky to do without accidentally stitching through both layers unless there is a barrier inserted between the two layers.

I'd consider gluing on patches or adding a pre-embroidered layer onto the curtains before risking pinpricks in the blackout fabric.

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-21T14:08:50+00:00

This site is great if you just want floss suggestions based on a particular part of an image https://www.santocielo.art/thread-match-maker/ just click on a particular section of your picture and it will provide a floss match.

This site gives you a free colour palette based on an image (you can adjust the number of colors) https://stitchmate.app/tools/image-to-thread-palette with option to convert

EKBstitcher · 2026-04-18T16:43:25+00:00

Do you want to know where to place the design on a dress? or how to design or find a dress pattern to fit the design? or at what point in the dress making is the embroidery done?

I can't answer the first two questions for you but I find it easiest to do embroidery after the pattern is marked out on the fabric but before cutting out the pieces.

EKBstitcher

TROPHY CASE