Starting cross stitch

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[Post New]08/29/2016 22:20
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Anonymous
I want to take up cross stitching, but I don't know where to begin. What are the basic supplies I need? I don't know anyone who does it. Also I don't live near any Michael's or other craft stores, so being able to order online would be great. I looked at stitchery.com but it was overwhelming.
[Post New]08/29/2016 22:30
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Anonymous
What do you want to cross stitch?
[Post New]08/29/2016 22:40
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Anonymous
I would look on youtube. People post videos on all kinds of things.

Also, try meet up. There might be a group near you.
[Post New]08/29/2016 23:05
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Anonymous
I would buy a kit first and see if you like it. Something small.
Should have everything you need except needles and scissors.
[Post New]08/29/2016 23:11
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Anonymous
I've seen basic kits in the craft section at Wal-mart before if you have one near you. Otherwise, I'd just google basic cross stitch kit and pick something that appeals to you. A lot of beginner kits include the needle, so all you'd need would be scissors.
[Post New]08/29/2016 23:13
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:What do you want to cross stitch?


My goal is to get to where I can do a simple birth record/sampler. A family member has done them for all the babies in the family, but she died unexpectedly this year. I'm hoping to take over the tradition.
[Post New]08/29/2016 23:18
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Anonymous
I haven't done it for 20 years (I have a project I started sophomore year of college in a box somewhere) so I may not get everything exact but here's a list. Like PP said you can start with a kit so make it easier and less expensive to try. Start with something small.

an embroidery hoop

Aida cloth (it's woven into squares and comes in various sizes. The numbers tell you the number of squares/stitches per inch). It's helpful to put masking tape over the edges to keep it from fraying.

Embroidery floss. DNC was the major brand, not sure if that's still the case. The colors all have numbers and patterns will list the colors you need.

Needle, and if you're over 40, a needle threader.

A pattern. It's helpful to have highlighters to mark what you've already done. Usually the pattern will tell you what count cloth is recommended and the size the project will be. I'm guessing these days you can probably find them to download online. My mom probably has hundreds in storage somewhere.
[Post New]08/29/2016 23:24
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What do you want to cross stitch?


My goal is to get to where I can do a simple birth record/sampler. A family member has done them for all the babies in the family, but she died unexpectedly this year. I'm hoping to take over the tradition.


That's sweet. See if there is a needlework store in your area. If you can find one I would bring a photo of what your relative did to the store and ask them to help. If you're able, you may want to go through your family member's supplies for her pattern and the colors she used.
[Post New]08/29/2016 23:43
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Anonymous
My mom and grandmother taught me cross stitch when I was little. It's still my hobby and I also make birth records.

They taught me using kid cross stitch kits where the colors are stamped on a very large plastic grid using a large plastic needle and yarn. Once I mastered that I moved onto non-stamped kits (actual counted cross stitch) for kids with proper sized needles and fabric. Then I finally moved onto normal kits.

I would suggest starting with something like https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003W0OBIC/ref=pd_aw_sim_201_of_10?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9RJJAT7787YF2XXTX1BT
Or: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TAKA2S/ref=pd_aw_sim_201_of_12?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9RJJAT7787YF2XXTX1BT Get comfortable with the stitches and then move onto a harder project.

ACMoore used to have a pretty good cross stitch kit section. It's tiny now, but they still have some beginner kits.
[Post New]08/30/2016 00:19
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doodlebug
Member Offline
The others all gave good basics and I just want to chime in and say it's pretty easy to learn and it's pretty easy to get good at in a relatively short amount of time. It's not one of those things that takes years of practice like knitting or quilting (for me anyway.) Another fun thing to try when you get the hang of cross stitching is embroidery. I actually like that better since it's a little more free form and more forgiving of errors. Good luck and enjoy.
[Post New]08/30/2016 00:38
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I haven't done it for 20 years (I have a project I started sophomore year of college in a box somewhere) so I may not get everything exact but here's a list. Like PP said you can start with a kit so make it easier and less expensive to try. Start with something small.

an embroidery hoop

Aida cloth (it's woven into squares and comes in various sizes. The numbers tell you the number of squares/stitches per inch). It's helpful to put masking tape over the edges to keep it from fraying.

Embroidery floss. DNC was the major brand, not sure if that's still the case. The colors all have numbers and patterns will list the colors you need.

Needle, and if you're over 40, a needle threader.

A pattern. It's helpful to have highlighters to mark what you've already done. Usually the pattern will tell you what count cloth is recommended and the size the project will be. I'm guessing these days you can probably find them to download online. My mom probably has hundreds in storage somewhere.


Why a needle threader if over 40?
[Post New]08/30/2016 00:50
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Anonymous
Definitely recommend the kit to try it out. As you get better, you can do freeform as opposed to just following patterns. It is tiring non the fingers so keep that in mind.
[Post New]08/30/2016 01:12
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Anonymous
Have fun OP. It's a great hobby - I did it lots when my first child was small. I have a half finished very large Victorian dollhouse pattern that I really should pull out. Sigh.

I ended up buying the binders for all the floss they were handy. (DNC)

The stitches are fairly simple to self teach.

Thanks pp for the highlighter idea I never thought of that. The counting can get mucky on large patterns. Agreed on starting simple and small. I also used more strands of thread when I first started.
[Post New]08/30/2016 01:31
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I haven't done it for 20 years (I have a project I started sophomore year of college in a box somewhere) so I may not get everything exact but here's a list. Like PP said you can start with a kit so make it easier and less expensive to try. Start with something small.

an embroidery hoop

Aida cloth (it's woven into squares and comes in various sizes. The numbers tell you the number of squares/stitches per inch). It's helpful to put masking tape over the edges to keep it from fraying.

Embroidery floss. DNC was the major brand, not sure if that's still the case. The colors all have numbers and patterns will list the colors you need.

Needle, and if you're over 40, a needle threader.

A pattern. It's helpful to have highlighters to mark what you've already done. Usually the pattern will tell you what count cloth is recommended and the size the project will be. I'm guessing these days you can probably find them to download online. My mom probably has hundreds in storage somewhere.


Why a needle threader if over 40?


Because the day after people turn 40, they can't see the tiny hole in the top of the needle anymore that they need to stick the thread in.
[Post New]08/30/2016 07:29
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Anonymous
Try 123stith.com for supplies.

I make Christmas stockings and have always used kits. Dimension makes good lits, especially their Gold collection. Comes with everything you need except a hoop and scissors.

Good luck!
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