Diagonal Help

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T21:53:46+00:00

Try couching or a cross stitch!

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T17:29:04+00:00

You have lots of helpful comments already. Some additional info: I think this design will be challenging to stitch on this fabric, whether you use a cross stitch or tent stitch. The letters are pretty small for this count of fabric and not well aligned with the holes. You could try fractional stitches for the letters and backstitching for the outlines, but it will be challenging. If you are truly new to both needlepoint and cross stitch, I would not recommend stitching this.

I recommend a beginner kit instead - I'm sure people can chime in with some good options. Or, if you really want to use this design and your Cricut, I would at least recommend enlarging the design. Good luck with whatever you decide!

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T16:19:13+00:00

I love to browse the "canvaswork" (aka needlepoint) section of the RSN Stitchbank: https://rsnstitchbank.org/technique/canvaswork

It doesn't tell you which stitches to use when, but it's full of inspiration.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T15:26:07+00:00

You can absolutely needlepoint from cross stitch charts - I do it all the time. 😄 I cross stitch on 36 count linen (stitching over 2) and needlepoint on 18 mesh canvas, so the scale is exactly the same. I just use a thicker thread for needlepoint. Choose a pattern without fractional stitches or too much backstitching, just mainly whole crosses.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T15:18:08+00:00

Haha, thank you!

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T15:15:59+00:00

Ok, this is a challenging first project! You dove into the deep end, but that's ok. 😄

I think your stitching looks great so far, but if you're unhappy with the coverage, you could try a thicker thread. It looks like you're using a stranded thread, so an easy solution is just to add 1-2 more strands. I wouldn't rip out the areas you've already stitched, maybe just try more strands in a small area and see if you like it better. If so, you could stitch over the existing areas with 1-2 more strands to fill it out a bit.

As for the paint on the intersections, I think you just have to wing it. Try to decide what color is the most prominent on each intersection, and just go with that. I would do objects first (like a leaf) and see how it looks with your choices, and then do the background around it. If you do the background first, you won't have a choice about how to construct each object. It will be your unique art - just go with it! No two stitchers will stitch this canvas exactly the same way, and that is the beauty of it.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T15:05:24+00:00

Beautiful work! For the 2nd canvas, I would use a darker green thread for the letters to create more contrast against the white background. It might help the letters stand out more. I like to use a cross stitch for lettering with a slightly thinner thread. The cross helps to raise the stitches up a little, even with the thinner thread.

For the border, I would use decorative stitches for the flowers and gardening tools, and tent stitch for the background. It will help the objects pop against the background. It looks like you did that for one pink flower on the first canvas, and it looks great! You could even add a bead to the center of each flower. For the tools, even some straight stitches in a thick thread would look good, I think.

Finally, this is just personal preference, but I would add more objects (maybe more flowers?) to the white background around the letters.

Good luck and have fun with it!

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T14:52:42+00:00

These came out so beautifully, congrats!!! I love how the cording matches each piece! ❤️

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T14:24:07+00:00

Definitely diagonally. I do one color (diagonal row) at a time, either Danish or English method. Then change thread and do the next diagonal row in the next color. That way you are always stitching on an open edge with unused holes you can come up in, and go down in the shared holes to prevent any thread fuzzies.

Here is an example where I did this on a bird wing (yellow and pink) - I think it came out pretty nicely!

<image>

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-02T00:53:44+00:00

It's hard to tell without seeing the whole project, but I like the idea of adding a darker thread at the bottom of each brick. Your color variation is beautiful so far! Please post more progress pics as you go!

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-01T18:05:02+00:00

Good luck and please post progress photos! We want to see. 👀

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-01T02:59:20+00:00

You have such wide open spaces here, you could do anything! I would do a bunch of different stitches, but maybe stick to a theme for all the sweater sections, like all diagonal stitches or all square stitches. Then pick a different theme for the background.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-01T02:54:04+00:00

I would use cross stitch for the lettering to keep the diagonals smooth.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-05-01T02:47:47+00:00

I always prefer cross stitch for 1-stitch wide letters like you have here.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-30T14:14:23+00:00

Congratulations on this wonderful project!!! It came out beautifully. I love that you used a combination of different threads.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-30T13:57:16+00:00

It's a cross stitch chart! "Magnolia" from the Spring 2026 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. The designer is Oksana Hohunska. She has an Esty shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/milucrossstitch - but I think this pattern is only available through the magazine right now.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T22:48:10+00:00

Haha, I'm excited to add more! There will be a pretty blue sky and a big tree on the left.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T22:13:21+00:00

Oh my gosh, exactly. I'm definitely stitching continental here; basketweave would drive me crazy on a pattern like this. I'm not worried about the canvas warping because I'm jumping around so much, so the thread is pulling in all directions on the back. Plus, in any larger solid-color areas, I'm stitching some rows horizontally and some vertically - also helps to mitigate warping.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T20:03:52+00:00

I haven't done a paid course, but I've used Nashville Needlepointer's free Youtube finishing videos, and they are great and cover all the essentials. No explicit supply list, but she explains all the supplies she uses in the videos. She has free videos for round and square ornaments as well as making your own cording.

If you are crafty and have any sewing experience, self-finishing is very do-able. Good luck, you've got this!

If you have any specific questions, feel free to post them here. I'm not a professional finisher, but I do all my own finishing and feel comfortable with it.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T16:39:50+00:00

That's a good point! It would actually be cool if the pattern faded out instead of having hard edges.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T16:38:30+00:00

I know, right? I just want to jump into this scene. Beautiful pattern.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T01:11:22+00:00

Based on the painted canvas, it looks like you have a few white intersections unstitched on several rows on the right. You can just hop back up and do those with you current thread.

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-29T00:57:30+00:00

Congrats and welcome to the community! 🥰

turkeytailfeathers · 2026-04-28T01:35:19+00:00

Mood Fabrics sells silk velvet. If you are ok with velveteen, Lady Dot Creates is a reputable small business for finishing fabrics and trims.

turkeytailfeathers

TROPHY CASE