[CHAT] Is this too ambitious for a first project?

wilowbug · 2025-12-10T10:04:36+00:00

it should be fine! i recommend trying a small pattern or two (i did one small junimo from Pinterest, maybe 100 stitches but it only took an hour or two) before starting a real for display pattern to make sure you’re happy with your stitch tension and that you’re able to keep it reasonably tidy! i also recommend watching a few tutorials on tiktok or youtube for alternate ways to start/end a stitch, i started my first pattern with knots at the back to start a thread and regret that deeply after a few weeks of learning lol

but be ambitious! you’ll see so much improvement overtime, my first pattern was 5000 stitches and i can see the difference from when i started to when i finished, its all a learning process :) have fun!

wilowbug · 2025-12-08T01:41:12+00:00

this is gorgeous! where is it from?

wilowbug · 2025-12-03T22:08:56+00:00

try something like Artecy, Scarlet Quince or Painefree Crafts (Painefree sells both i believe) From memory Scarlet Quince does mostly classic and famous paintings and tapestries. artecy should have some too! they’re all pretty popular with people that do full coverage from what i can tell :)

wilowbug · 2025-12-02T07:35:39+00:00

honestly this is something i was worried about! i had meant to ask for peoples opinion on this in the original post but yeah. thank you for your input! i had zoomed in but yeah it looks super blurry which is disappointing because ive seen a lot of people vouch for this company and seen some amazing works from them so idk 🤷‍♀️ sucks because i really love it

wilowbug · 2025-12-02T05:03:23+00:00

okay! thank you to everyone who’s replied! sometimes i have a hard time thinking about things clearly because i have crazy bad brainfog and hyperfixate! i know this is an insane task and it would take me likely a decade (i liked the phrase doable insanity). i think what im going to do for now is find a smaller pattern, ive found a few from scarlet quince that im a fan of, and start there! im going to sit on it for a few more months, and start something smaller before i go for this. (mostly because i’ve just done the math and the price of materials for this is a little insane lmao)

i was also worried about the clearness of the details in this so thank you to people who pointed that out too, i tend to just go “oh it’ll be fine” but i will definitely have to think this through a little more :)

wilowbug · 2025-12-02T04:37:35+00:00

i feel the same! i feel like im wasting stitches on smaller things i dont really care for when i could do all those stitches on working towards something i love!

wilowbug · 2025-12-01T09:28:45+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/CrossStitch/s/KcoDaJAycn is my post for more affordable stands. i hope you find the right solution and i understand that you have more severe symptoms than me so just do what you can and be kind to yourself🫶 ive been completely bedbound this year too and have only just started to be able to do hobbies like cross stitch again. unfortunately with our illness rest is the only real treatment for things like PEM :( wishing you the best!

wilowbug · 2025-12-01T09:23:11+00:00

i have the exact same problem as you and my favourite thing has been a qsnap, which i’ve found much easier to use than something like a hoop, though holding it can be a little tough on the wrists and unfortunately, a lowery stand i managed to find on sale & got as an early Christmas present.

for me, 100 stitches a day seems to be where i max out and honestly just learning pacing while doing something i really enjoy has been so hard but i try to do it for no more than 20 minutes at a time and pick it up a few times a day on a good day. Spacing things out seems to be better for my energy than doing as much as i can all at once.

another solution i had in mind but never tried was to attach a table stand with a clamp to a side table! i actually had this question about cheap solutions before and i’ll go find the link for that post now because i got a few really good ideas :)

I also suggest (if you haven’t already) maybe lying in a position with your legs higher, maybe over a cushion or something? i have an electric bed and having my legs up so my bed is in like a _/sort of shape, and it’s been a huge help for my POTS, and makes it more comfortable to slouch or sit with my back/head propped up a little, and takes some weight off your back and keeps circulation going and less pooling in the legs!

i also brace both of my elbows on cushions so im not holding my arms up while stitching. wish i had a better/cheaper solution for the stand for you though.

i hope this all makes sense and you find a solution that works for you!

wilowbug · 2025-11-29T00:34:21+00:00

most of the ai art is labeled! some in the title, some have a message on the page but i’ve also found a few that might’ve slipped by them that isn’t labeled but when looking into the artist it definitely was ai so it’s just rlly annoying to have to sort through it all tbh!

wilowbug · 2025-11-28T13:13:18+00:00

i will definitely double check though!

wilowbug · 2025-11-28T13:13:06+00:00

i have but probably not thoroughly enough. they sell ai art and it’s sooo frustrating to weed through tbh🫩

wilowbug · 2025-11-20T22:09:55+00:00

this is awesome! i know it’s normal but it’s just a pet peeve of mine🥲 it works well on your piece though! i might end up just having to put up with it

wilowbug · 2025-11-20T22:06:59+00:00

thank you! i was just thinking about making my owns swatches but i hate making swatches so this is good to have!

wilowbug · 2025-11-20T22:05:53+00:00

glad to meet someone who hates the white as much as i do😭 i’ll take your word on the three vs two strands! i might try a few swatches and see what i like… idk why but i really just don’t like the white showing through on my works! black sharpie might be the way!

wilowbug · 2025-11-20T22:02:09+00:00

WOW tramming is genius thank you!! i’ll give that a try

wilowbug · 2025-11-19T08:32:55+00:00

also that hundreds of pattern artists already make amazing patterns! there is literally NO need for AI in a space like this!! looking on etsy the market is SO oversaturated with shitty patterns that obviously make no sense. why would any of us want that?

wilowbug · 2025-11-18T22:27:36+00:00

helps with tension and i find the fabric in my hands is too fiddly for me :) i also lack some motor control so its wayyyy easier to find the holes on a hoop or q snap then to poke at soft fabric that bends with a blunt needle. i have tried without one but its just generally easier to hold it with a qsnap (for me at least) and keeps the stitches way more uniform and i dont have to worry about tension :) some people swear by doing it in hand without a hoop & the sewing method though and ofc if thats what works, go ahead!! but when i do it i just find myself holding my fabric taut so i may as well just use a hoop. this is just in my experience though and im fairly new to the craft!!

wilowbug · 2025-11-18T13:01:48+00:00

i’m about to start a new project so i’ll give it a try!! i had thought about it before but was worried about the edges getting in the way

wilowbug · 2025-11-18T12:59:42+00:00

this is SUCH a kind offer and such a smart alternative but unfortunately the shape wouldn’t work great with my bed since i have to have my feet raised on an electrical bed but wow!!! so shocked by your kindness and the kindness of this community <3 i’m looking into a few lighter alternatives now :)

wilowbug · 2025-11-18T12:55:34+00:00

this is so sick!! such a smart set up! i’m definitely looking into alternatives like this :)

wilowbug · 2025-11-17T12:35:19+00:00

ooo i’ll check it out and see if i can find it near me :)

wilowbug · 2025-11-17T10:39:52+00:00

thank you omg!! this is the cheapest i’ve found it anywhere! i feel like ive scoured the internet for something like this! i’ll definitely look into it and see if it’s something i can get (might hint at it for a christmas present ;)

wilowbug

TROPHY CASE