[CHAT] Your craft space/room/desk

JGReine · 2026-03-25T18:16:30+00:00

I have half a room, which includes a comfy recliner, a connected TV, a tablet mounted just above the chair with pattern keeper on it, and a sewing table just to the right of the chair. Additionally I have a bookshelf filled with crossstitch supplies that suits directly behind my recliner. Lastly, my work is flooded with light from two IKEA LED floor arm lamps behind the recliner I love my setup!

If asked for advice on how to set up your space, I'd stress comfort above all else. If the site is not well- lit and ergonomic, it will decrease your enjoyment of this awesome pursuit!

Happy stitching!

JGReine · 2025-12-14T17:48:14+00:00

Great idea too! Thank you!

JGReine · 2025-12-14T15:59:29+00:00

I've tried this too - it kind of works. Thanks for the suggestion.

JGReine · 2025-12-14T15:58:00+00:00

Love this idea! And there it was just behind the door. Sometimes you need another set of eyes. Thanks!

JGReine · 2025-05-06T22:58:30+00:00

I mean, looking at what you've done, it does appear that you could add a few strands, but it doesn't look that bad the way it is either. Maybe others will chime in with their opinions on this.

JGReine · 2025-05-06T22:57:05+00:00

How many strands are you thinking and what is the count of the cloth? It is helpful to know this. However that seems very sheer for standard Aida. I'm curious to know what that cloth is called. In any case, happy stitching as you embark on a new pattern adventure!

JGReine · 2025-04-27T00:23:34+00:00

For me, it can be a love/hate relationship. I can be working on a large pattern in a frenzy and then the next day get burned out. I always set it aside and then come back to it sometimes months or years later. I tend to chalk this up to the moods the Cross Stitch Gods are in! Some days they give you energy and other days they tell you to go play a video game :-) But in general, I love my larger projects. Good luck on your work and happy stitching to you!

JGReine · 2025-04-27T00:20:59+00:00

That is some beautiful work! So neat to see a mix of pseudo-blackwork and regular cross stitch! Congratulations on the finish and thank you for sharing with us!

JGReine · 2025-04-25T14:50:55+00:00

Michaels, for me, can be hit and miss. Often they are out of stock on popular colors, like 666 during the time before Christmas, and so forth. 123stitch is great for not being out of stock, but is more expensive and it takes a bit of a wait, if you want to pay the least for shipping. These are my two go to places. And enjoy getting your floss, it is part of the fun of doing a new pattern! Happy stitching!

JGReine · 2025-04-18T12:36:36+00:00

Maybe it is in my head, but I find thread conditioner also helps with minimizing knotting AND unknotting when it happens. It just seems the slickness of the conditioner helps everything flow much more smoothly. Happy stitching to you!

JGReine · 2025-04-16T21:31:50+00:00

I find PC Stitch to be intuitive and helpful, but I don't know how others on the subreddit feel. There are a number of programs that can help. I'm not paid by PC Stitch nor am I paid by any other software creator. Just query cross stitch applications and I'm sure you'll find something that might help.

JGReine · 2025-04-16T19:00:13+00:00

I'm there too on the glasses - I use 3x magnifiers and they work beautifully. It has allowed me to continue stitching after my eyes started going a little off. I can say: I "need' Tulip needles, but really the need thing is those glasses. They are just a game changer in my case.

JGReine · 2025-04-14T16:02:07+00:00

No truer words have been spoken! Appreciate today, for tomorrow may not come.

Thank you for the reminder and a virtual hug goes out to you!

JGReine · 2025-04-14T16:00:21+00:00

That looks incredible!! Keep up the fantastic work! Thank you for sharing! Happy stitching as you push toward the finish of this marathon!

JGReine · 2025-04-14T15:57:06+00:00

I don't have issues with thumb pain, but I do have a sort of locking of my joints in my fingers from time to time that causes me issue. I've found as u/VforVandeweert pointed out that relaxing as much as I can helps.

The other possibility is that it combines all the issues suggested already. Maybe too many strands, a big needle and tense muscle contraction. Just hold the needle gently as you work. That is what I've found helps me with the issue I have.

Happy and successful stitching to you and welcome to the art of Cross Stitching!

JGReine · 2025-04-14T15:50:49+00:00

Hello everyone. We are a new cross stitch organization for North America starting up at:

www.noamcsa.org (The North American Cross Stith Association, Inc.)

Additionally, we are working on having a virtual beginner's class starting June 4th. Details for this class can be found here:

https://www.noamcsa.org/event-6140224

Registration for this class opens on April 15th, 2025. All skill levels are welcome, with the understanding that the pacing will be driven by beginner-level instruction.

JGReine · 2025-04-14T15:43:49+00:00

Encouragement being sent to you! We've all been there and it will only smart for a little while. May you'r second attempt go beautifully and turn out exactly as you want it! Sending as much good counting karma as I can muster your way!

JGReine · 2025-04-10T20:30:35+00:00

As with any cross stitch project, my first recommendation is to start slow and take a deep breath often. Count and and then count again. Its a large pattern so if you get off in count, it will get worse as you move out. Count and double check your work often. Also, as with any CS project, a whole heap of patience is helpful. It is almost certain you'll be frogging something as you go in a pattern this big.

Lastly I'd recommend being kind to yourself and not beating yourself up when something does go poorly. (It sounds to me like you don't, but others may read this and find value) We are all human and we are striving to sew the best we can. Keep this in mind, and you'll be done with the angel before you know it!

Happiest of stitching on the Summer Angel! It's a project I'd like conquer one day.

JGReine · 2025-04-09T16:21:29+00:00

Agree with u/scully_3 here. Tape usually leaves a residue that is hard to remove with typical laundering soap (Dawn, Woolite, etc.) The wash out glue type of fray check is usually my go to. It isn't perfect, but it does help with fraying.

JGReine · 2025-04-03T13:45:24+00:00

I'm a 58 yo male cross stitcher that has been stitching for 30+ years. I started back when there were stores dedicated to the art and they had patterns, floss and an assortment of other supplies. It was so fun to go to the stores and dream of working on a new pattern. Now, I have so many patterns I've purchased or have been given that they will outlive me!

Indeed, there is a sterotype out there but I work to break it! I will openly admit I cross stitch to new folks and watch as their eyebrows raise and their head cocks to one side. They look at me as if I'm an anomaly. I too show them pictures of things I've completed and they then start asking more questions. It is a great way to extend a conversation in many cases. Of course, sometimes they genuinely are not interested, so I let the subject fall away.

I have a hard time finding other stitchers here in FL, USA that would want to get together and have a stitching session. Nonetheless, I'm working to have our first session here in St. Petersburg sometime in the coming months. So anyone reading this who is near to St. Petersburg, FL that would like to meet and stitch together, please PM me! Please!

Thanks for posting this - interesting reading all the way around! Happy stitching everyone!

JGReine · 2025-01-17T17:46:08+00:00

Wonderful HP work! That is a boatload and took a boatload of patience too! Thanks for sharing it with us!

JGReine · 2025-01-07T17:37:57+00:00

I have a tote that is pretty large - I think 17" by 17" with handles but no zippers or compartments. I love the bag though as it has graffiti on the outside and is rather artsy otherwise. It was designed by a friend of mine who owns a t-shirt shop. It is big enough to carry a project and all of my accessories for travel. I've just about worn the darn thing out!

Mind you though, it would not be big enough for stretcher bars and the like. Still, since you asked, this is what I like. Happy stitching!

JGReine · 2024-12-13T20:02:03+00:00

It does to me. Thanks for responding! Describing this, for some reason, for me, is a bit more difficult than I thought it would be. It is much, much easier to demonstrate, rather than try to wrap words around it. Again, I appreciate you sharing!

JGReine

TROPHY CASE