From: rehak@rap.ucar.edu (Nancy Rehak)
Subject: Re: Need x-stitch hints
Organization: NCAR, Research Applications Program
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 14:45:58 GMT

In article <1k4bov$q99@agate.berkeley.edu> holsten@golden.berkeley.edu () writes:
>In article <1993Jan26.084806.21780@newstand.syr.edu> jareed@rodan.acs.syr.EDU (Judith Ann Reed) writes:
>
>>* How do you deal with patterns that need a stitch or three of a color in 
>>widely varied places? 
>
>I would like to hear some answers for this question, too.

I guess my answer to this is that it depends on several things -- how far apart
the stitches are, how much stitching in other colors there is around these
stitches (for anchoring the beginning of the thread or for running the extra
thread under to move from one spot to another), if the final product will be
framed or is an article of clothing and my current mood.  In general, I try to
keep all of my stitching localized (no running thread from one spot to another),
but this is not always feasible.


>
>>* Do you work in straight rows across the pattern, in one direction, or do you
>>follow the design sections, working on various sections as you get to that
>>color?
>
>I start in the middle of the piece and work out from there.  I will
>usually work in color blocks, rather than in straight rows across the
>pattern.
>

I usually start in the middle of the pattern, but will sometimes start at a
corner if I have extra cloth and don't feel like estimating the size and cutting
off the extra before I start.  I always work in color blocks.  If I have any
extra threads on the back of the piece, I'm the type that will make a huge
tangled mess!


>>Do you mark up the pattern as you go?
>
>Yes.  I fill in the squares with a light pencil.  If I feel that there
>might be a chance that I will want to reuse the pattern, I make a copy
>before I begin.
>

I never mark on a pattern unless it's to clarify some stitches.  But then I'm
the perfectionist type who doesn't like to mark up anything!


>>* Is it possible to clean the face of the work when you finish, as I note it
>>can sometimes get a bit dirty.
>
>I always dry clean my work.  Also, if you put a kleenex over the fabric
>before you put it in the hoop, and then just tear out the part that
>covers your working area, the rest of the fabric stays cleaner.
>

I may be a perfectionist, but I'm also lazy!  So I don't do anything helpful
that might be a little more trouble like use the kleenex like mentioned above.
What I do do, however, is make sure I don't hold the front of the fabric when
I'm stitching.  I always hold the hoop from the back with a little bit of the
fabric wrapped around the hoop.  I haven't had any trouble with the front of
the piece getting dirty using this method, so I don't know how to clean a work
when I'm done.


>>Should it be put in a frame with or without glass?
>
>A frame with glass will keep the piece clean longer.  With some types of
>embroidery (pieces with texture), glass is detrimental, but with
>cross-stitch, I find that it works well.
>

I've always used a frame with glass to keep the piece clean as suggested.
However, I was told once by a framer that if you live in a very humid area or
put the piece in a humid room like the bathroom, you may not want to have glass
on the piece because the piece can get wet and the glass won't allow it to try
and then it can mildew.  I have never had this problem and I do have a couple
of pieces in a bathroom that's not used much, but it is something to consider
and maybe as the framer about.


>>* Do you knot the threads on the back, or rely on weaving it in under other
>>threads?
>
>I always weave the threads under other threads--I find it faster than
>knotting.
>

I always weave the threads, also.  It's fast and it's also less bulky.  I would
be afraid that knots would cause bumps under the piece or would show through
the holes.


>Hope this helps.
>
>Donna Holsten
>holsten@insect.berkeley.edu
>
>

Me, too!

Nancy Rehak
rehak@ncar.ucar.edu