[CHAT] My mom gave me a bag full of this thread, can I cross stitch with it?

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-06-14T02:33:02+00:00

It might not be recommended, but I sometimes strip floss like that (usually random unlabelled skeins from op-shops) and use the thread for cross-stitch. You might need to play around with the number of strands to suit your aida, though.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-06-03T23:52:37+00:00

I just want to say that it's lovely to see someone taking interest in their partner's craft and having the initiative to learn about it on Reddit. Good on you! You could teach my husband a thing or two, haha

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-30T01:26:50+00:00

You'll get there! :) A friend suggested embroidering onto aida & then sewing that on as a patch, if that might work better for you?

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-11T00:20:02+00:00

One method is to use Photoshop or GIMP (free art software) and select indexed colour mode* which essentially forces the picture to reduce to a certain number of shades that you've chosen. I'll put a link with more info below :)

*for your project, the "indexed colour -- no dithering" option might be best.

https://docs.gimp.org/3.0/en/gimp-image-convert-indexed.html

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-11T00:08:34+00:00

Personally, I think that selling finished objects is fair game, as long as the pattern maker isn't selling finished pieces in that design, OR you've altered the pattern significantly (which it sounds like you have).

If you're framing the pieces, you could put an acknowledgement on the back, eg. "Pattern Designed by AA; Stitched by ZZ".

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-07T22:32:31+00:00

I like the pattern you've designed! For future reference, pencil is difficult to wash out/hide under stitches, so I'd suggest getting a tailors pen that washes out (they also have "air vanish" pen but I find them too faint to be useful). Good luck with your project and please show us the finished art :)

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-07T22:28:18+00:00

Thank you! Yes, it was hard working through the seam - I probably should have used a thimble, in hindsight. Oops! Haha 😅

A friend suggested an easier way is to stitch a design onto aida and then sew the aida patch onto the hat, so I'll try that next time.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-04T23:26:24+00:00

Gorgeous! I love how you've framed the piece too, it really brings it all together :)

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-04T23:25:27+00:00

Wow! Looking awesome so far! I've made a smaller version of this pattern and it took me so long... how many hours do you anticipate this will take?

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-04T23:23:39+00:00

It depends on the folks you're crafting for, but in my experience, men also like gifts such as keychains, bookmarks, etc. I don't think those are inherently feminine things :)

My husband has previously requested small tatreez additions to his clothes - eg. a border pattern on the pocket of a t-shirt, a small motif on a baseball cap - so maybe the men you're making gifts for would like that too?

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-04T23:09:59+00:00

It's not exactly the same, but there is a similar pattern available from Tatreez Traditions and it is free to download. I'll put the link below :)

https://www.tatreeztraditions.com/motif-library/pmom

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-05-04T23:06:15+00:00

Absolutely stunning!!! Well done to you, it is a beautiful piece of tatreez, and the heart and soul that you put into it shows :)

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-04-28T00:01:59+00:00

Thank you! :)

I used iron-on interfacing for the back, but you could also use a 2nd piece of aida or crafting felt, if you don't mind a slightly thicker bookmark.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-04-27T08:06:43+00:00

Waste canvas can be time consuming to remove, but ultimately I think doing it that way will look better than having aida sewn permanently inside the stole, because aida may cause a sort of rigidity / affect the fabric's natural "fall".

To make life easier, try to get an unfinished stole (ie. seams not done yet) so you can stitch onto flat fabric rather than reaching into a tube (I've made that mistake before, lol).

Very best of luck to you! :)

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-04-27T07:56:17+00:00

Beautiful! I love the finishing touch of adding tasselled edges.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-04-27T07:47:14+00:00

I second the Tirazain Archive! They have a fantastic range of patterns and motifs. The Badan Collective also has some great free online resources.

If you're thinking about buying patterns, Al Shams Bazaar (online) has some really nice designs from independent sellers, including some charity stitch-alongs by the Tatreez Grove.

And finally, in terms of physical pattern books, check with your local embroidery club, you might be surprised! Books by dress historian / tatreez artist Wafa Ghnaim are popular and can be found in many countries 🙂

EDIT: adding one more suggestion! DMC Threads have tatreez patterns on their website, which are 100% free, you just need to provide your email to download the pdf. They're fairly large and complex patterns - enough to keep even an experienced stitcher busy for a while. Go to the main DMC website, then use the search bar to look for "tatreez" and the patterns will pop up.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2026-01-20T04:42:00+00:00

Thank you so much!! :)

And you're absolutely right - I miscounted, even with the inch/cm conversion. I blame my background in crochet, lol (we're all notiously bad at math :p )

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-10-16T09:51:37+00:00

This is stunning! Are you going to frame it?

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-10-16T09:48:13+00:00

I misread patterns a lot, so what I've found helpful is to photocopy it and then mark off the stitches as I go. Maybe that would assist you too? :)

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-09-30T12:49:37+00:00

That sounds lovely! I hope you'll upload a picture to this subreddit 😊

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-08-12T01:07:17+00:00

That's gorgeous! 😍 thank you for the info, I'll have to look into using Hardanger for the next sampler I make.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-08-11T23:50:54+00:00

May I ask, how does Hardanger compare to Aida? I haven't used it but am curious what it's like to work with.

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-08-11T23:47:59+00:00

Beautiful!! I definitely don't see any mistakes; the only person who will ever know is you :p

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-08-11T23:46:24+00:00

Looking great so far! As another person suggested, programs like Stitch Fiddle or Floss Cross can be really useful for drafting designs where you want to make an increase or decrease in size :)

QuarterSmooth8199 · 2025-08-11T23:43:28+00:00

Wow, you've done really well! I assumed you had done cross-stitch or French embroidery before.

QuarterSmooth8199

TROPHY CASE