BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Embroidery Cross Stitching?

There definately is such thing as a frame on a stand. Let me go through my links and see what I can find for you online.

You may have success searching for them under "tapestry frames"

Thanks Megan, I'd appreciate that.

hi fishwife

if you know anyone who has a mary maxim catalogue they sell them in there.... its been a while so i dont remember the price but they carry them as a regular item.

anita

I have made many items and love it. I also have charted my own patterns. Took a wedding invitation and charted it to do on 28 ct white Aida as a gift for the bride. Next project is a wall hanging of the many names for Jesus in the shape of a cross. I find it very relaxing - and addictive! You decide to just finish "this" row. Now I'll work until I start the new color. Maybe I'll just finish this section. By now it's 2 o'clock in the morning and you decide maybe you should stop when you're falling asleep with the needle in mid-air! Has anyone used the double pointed needle with the eye in the center yet?

LOL Puddy, how true about "just finish this row". It's so easy to get caught up especially when you see real progress. I've never heard of a double pointed needle. Sounds pretty intimidating.
Thanks for the tip anital, I'll do a search for Mary Maxim.

Don't we all know that one!

I've seen the double pointed and tried one out - but found that it was just a real pain to use - far too long and the thread kept getting tangled around the ends.

Puddy,

I read you charted a wedding invation. I need to chart a project on 14 count aida cloth!!! How did you do it??

Colleen

Hi Colleen

You can chart one of two ways - the easiest is to draw your design on graph paper. This is very easy, as you just draw straight onto the grid.

The other option is to use a charting software program - my own personal favorite is PC Stitch. This lets you say what fabric you'll be using, and you have a wide range of thread palletts to choose from.

The big problem I find with software programs is that they are a bit clunky to use - very, very hard to do small back-stitching details, as you have only your mouse to control things. I tend to do the main design, then print the design out and hand-draw in my backstitch details.

That said, PC Stitch also has a wonderful alphabet feature, where you can just choose the type of alphabet, type in what you want, and it charts it for you.

The best thing about the software programs is that when you print the file, you get a very professional looking chart, with instructions and floss list.

PC Stitch is at the cheaper end of the market, but is very good. Another of my favorites is Stitch 2000.

You can find details of PC Stitch at www.pcstitch.com

Hope that this helps

I usually post in "crochet" but I love to cross stitch also. I often incorporate cross stitching designs into my crochet patterns. Does anyone have ant cute sayings and such to stitch on samplers?

My personal favorite is "Dogs have owners: Cats have staff" I keep meaning to do a design around this - but time keeps running away from me.