Learning to Cross-Stitch

I have been so inspired by the cross-stitch of Susan Ache lately that I decided to learn cross-stitch. I learned to embroider last year on a quilt panel. I was surprised by how enjoyable it was. Of course, I never even considered cross-stitching. It was totally unappealing to me. I had not seen a piece that I considered lovely and worth my time.

That is until I saw the work of Susan on Instagram and her patterns on Aurifil’s website. I downloaded the Christmas Quaker pattern and ordered the thread kit for this pattern.

Of course once I purchased one kit, I began to see how many beautiful kits there are! Just look at them below…dreamy. Cross-stitch is similar to quilting-absolutely amazing and so therefore quite addicting.

Have I enjoyed my cross-stitch learning so far? YES!! The thing about Susan’s work and all the cross-stitch I had seen since that I loved is that it is the really fine hand work. It turns out that I chose the most difficult fabric to start with. There is in fact another world of jargon and fabric and cross-stitch speak that I was totally and completely unaware of.

So what does this mean? It means I have been watching video after video. It means I went to the library. There have been a few kind person on instagram (including SUSAN) who have been giving helpful advice. Thus far, the most difficult part has been trying to keep my stitches vertical in the back and neat. I am so quite surprised how few videos I have found thus far on the actual cross-stitch method of what it looks like on the back, switching rows and even how to keep your stitches consistent. I think there must be more out there I just have not found yet. The library also had many books but not beginners. They really were just books of 500 patterns, etc.

The reason I wanted to take up some hand work is because while I love to sew, it isn’t conducive to family activities. There are many times when a few people are working on a puzzle and others are drawing at the dinner table. I felt like I was missing out because my hobby was in another room. I dont really hand bind and hand quilting is something I have yet to try. it is true that I could have brought my machine but there is nothing like a conversation killer than sewing at maximum speed.

I went to Joann fabric and bought the 28 ct everweave. The number refers to the number of holes per square inch in the fabric. The larger fabrics called Aida have 14 holes per inch. What a difference!! Still though, I was determined to learn on the one I wanted to end up at.

This is where I am so far. I love the look. When I make quilts, I usually make them for a specific room and so they tend to match the room. When I decided this cross-stitch, I immediately thought of Christmas ornaments. Yea, my love of Christmas will spread here too! But I want to make many of these and then frame them as ornaments on my tree. This years theme is going to be old English and I think it will fit just nicely.

I will keep upndating on my progress but so far so good. And lets just say I now have ANOTHER hobby.