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You can also change the number of threads within your piece for texture or technique, for those beginners who don't know. For instance one my timewasting pieces that im working on (for when i need a break from all the detailed commissioned stuff) is a simple bird on a branch. Certainly a common enough theme. I'm using 1 strand satin stitch for the bird itself, two strand satin for some light detailing in shading for the feathers to give illusion of depth where there is none and for the eye so it doesn't get lost on this to scale bird all done in the same stitch. Some one strand french knots for some of the spotting around the eye (that kind of looks like freckles on a person in the referance im using) because it breaks up the flatness of satin stitch without making it look like random lumps either. I'm using a mix between 6 strands to form the underneath/base and then three strands to form the weave of the picot to give that bark like texture of the main branch. Thinning that down to the more delicate branches before switching to a satin stitch for the really delicate twigs and that. Again, lowering the threads means as the branches get thinner they will sit closer to the fabric im embroidering on giving an illusion of depth and movement. Im using a mix of fewer strands for the leaves in front (1 strand), closer to the viewer and for those leaves hidden farther back (2 strand for the mid-view and 3 strand for the very back leaves) im using a slightly larger aount of strands to give the illusion of things being closer being in more focus and those behind being less detailed. To the naked eye unless you are actually examining the piece it wont appear any different but it does get picked up subconsciously anyway. Giving again, the illusion of depth and motion where there is none. Its going to be part of a larger piece wall hanging eventually. Hopefully this time people won't walk into the wall thinking they're going outside. It's my year piece where i work on a piece of it everyday for a year to keep motivated and to deal with the frustration and boredom of commissioned work. There are only so many embroidered hems and pockets one can do before going insane. Bigger pieces cost more and take more time so the dont get commissioned as often. Plus commissioned work means doing it to the customer's vision which can be frustrating when the customerhas no idea what goes into some of this or how time consuming a seemingly simple request can be.
This one of the most helpful videos for embroidery. Explained with sooo much patience and details! Perfect for starters like me! Most people forget to teach the basic basics because sometimes we forget to teach since we “already know them” but not for people like me! :) Also, thank you for that chart you showed. I am going to start and make one for myself. Brilliant ideas!! Thank you soooo much!
Thank you for explaining this, makes perfect sense!! Mom taught me how to embroider when I was about 7or 8 and I remember her telling me to use 2 or 3 strands depending on the design which was usually a flower or on the type of stitch ie a french knot 3 or 4 strands; when we were running low on a color and the project was nearing the end, we used less strands to finish the project! LOL!! Another way of figuring it out!!! Love the idea of tapping the top of the thread vs holding one end between your teeth and pulling the strands apart!!! Not elegant or hygienic but it got the job done!!! TFS!!
Great way to make the specific color threads last to finish that project! Such a good tip to learn from your mom! A lot of seamstresses used their mouth, to moisten thread, etc. :) Thanks for sharing!
That's how I learned to separate the strands, use both hands and my mouth! And I learned at about the same age, back when we had embroidered tea towels and pillowcases! Watched this video as I've not done embroidery for decades now and needed a refresher course on how many strands to use on counted cross stitch. Since these will be used on baby blankets for my local pregnancy resource center, I'll use the hands only separating technique. 😊
Great thread review! When I took a cross stitch class in the early 1980's, my instructor stressed the importance of separating the six DMC strands. Now with slow stitching, I still do it out of habit. I didn't know about the "tap and pull up" technique. I have always peeled the strands down, as in stripping a banana. I will try your method today. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and inspiration. 😊😊😊
Daniella thank you so much for doing this. As a beginner sometimes I just don’t know. This really helps me in figuring it out. I have learned so much from you. Keep those tips coming . Have a blessed day!👍😄
Experts were beginners once. If you try to only compare your work to your past work, not to other people's stuff you'll keep your enthusiasm and never lose motivation to do more, is my advice, and you seem to be on the right track xxx Happy stitching
Daniella, what a great video. Thank you so much. I’ve been using bees wax to condition my thread. It takes out the “bumps” from the thread wrapped on the bobbin. How do you feel about thread conditioners?
Thank you. I use beeswax on my threads, too. I find them very helpful, especially on certain threads. I find that some floss tends to be more "cottony or dry" (compared to the satiny finish) and the beeswax helps keep it from tangling. I have also used Thread Magic and love it too.
There is also a correct way the floss is made. If used the wrong direction, it can show as a bit fuzzy vs the correct direction of use is smoother. For me, doing that means that after a while, I can't remember which direction is the correct one.
This is my question too. For a pattern that calls for one strand, do we only knot one of the tails of the floss when it’s been threaded through the needle ?
Hello, how do you know when to double your thread? Some times I can't tell if teachers are using 3 strands but are doubling it to make 6 strands. I hope you can understand my confusion and my question. Thank you in advance for helping me
I understand your question. They should specifically say that they are using 3 strands. Some teachers will say that they are using 6 strands, but not always.
Take as many threads, as you would like to rejoin and hold one end (of all the threads) between two fingers. With the other hand, gently pull the threads taut. You may have to guide the threads, gently pulling them together, as if you were brushing long hair. Then, hold the ends together and thread through a needle, as you normally would. Knot the end (if needed) and it should work well. You may have to smooth the threads, just to make sure they aren't tangled, but they will soon act as one thread.
@@DanielaMellen Thank you! I have never been interested in sewing before but I am loving your videos and may even try to do these pretty little things myself. It appeals to me very much as an art form. Very much appreciate your clear explanations. Best regards :)
Just to be sure - are you taking the strand of embroidery floss from the skein (whatever length you need) and then separating it into 6 strands? From there, you would bring 4 together and thread your needle. It should work for your pattern. (Instead of combining 4 strands of floss, straight from the skein).
@@DanielaMellen yes out of the 6 strands I’ll pull out 4 and thread my needle and sit the other 2 to the side. And then I’m hurting my fingers trying to pull it through. It’s a hobby lobby kit
@@lindseybrannon8110 Maybe try using a slightly larger needle? Even if the kit came with a needle, sometimes companies err on something in the kit. Decades ago, I had a needlepoint kit that was short on the black yarn. Trying to find a black that matched wasn't working. So got something as close as I could and used it in a way where the 2 black shades didn't join. It worked. (Part of the problem was that I had bought the kit years before I made it up so could not get more yarn from the company...) I'm sure no one else buys kits or patterns to do up later to add to the projects that are already in that catagory.
Hi Daniela, im a real beginner with cross stitch and the size of my material is; 40-50 129×173 there was no instructions regarding the amount of strands per square. Pls help. Thanks x
Hello, how do you know when to double your thread? Some times I can't tell if teachers are using 3 strands but are doubling it to make 6 strands. I hope you can understand my confusion and my question. Thank you in advance for helping me
I think I know what you are referring to, as when you thread 3 strands on the needle, then the "excess" gets folded over while sewing. So, if a particular pattern calls for 3 strands (or any specific number of strands) it will mentioned in the pattern. If you are unsure, you can always, choose a number of strands. The fewer the strands, the more delicate the work. So, if I were unsure if it were 3 or 6 strands, I'd err on the side of 3 strands.
✅Consider joining my channel as a Bonus Stitcher Member for exclusive content. ❤ / @danielamellen
✅Join me on Patreon Classes bit.ly/3ISYQlu
✅Follow my Facebook Page: facebook.com/Daniela-Mell...
✅Facebook Group Stitch with Me 2023 facebook.com/groups/34536...
✅► SUBSCRIBE ► bit.ly/2RS2fdi
You can also change the number of threads within your piece for texture or technique, for those beginners who don't know.
For instance one my timewasting pieces that im working on (for when i need a break from all the detailed commissioned stuff) is a simple bird on a branch. Certainly a common enough theme. I'm using 1 strand satin stitch for the bird itself, two strand satin for some light detailing in shading for the feathers to give illusion of depth where there is none and for the eye so it doesn't get lost on this to scale bird all done in the same stitch. Some one strand french knots for some of the spotting around the eye (that kind of looks like freckles on a person in the referance im using) because it breaks up the flatness of satin stitch without making it look like random lumps either. I'm using a mix between 6 strands to form the underneath/base and then three strands to form the weave of the picot to give that bark like texture of the main branch. Thinning that down to the more delicate branches before switching to a satin stitch for the really delicate twigs and that. Again, lowering the threads means as the branches get thinner they will sit closer to the fabric im embroidering on giving an illusion of depth and movement. Im using a mix of fewer strands for the leaves in front (1 strand), closer to the viewer and for those leaves hidden farther back (2 strand for the mid-view and 3 strand for the very back leaves) im using a slightly larger aount of strands to give the illusion of things being closer being in more focus and those behind being less detailed. To the naked eye unless you are actually examining the piece it wont appear any different but it does get picked up subconsciously anyway. Giving again, the illusion of depth and motion where there is none. Its going to be part of a larger piece wall hanging eventually. Hopefully this time people won't walk into the wall thinking they're going outside. It's my year piece where i work on a piece of it everyday for a year to keep motivated and to deal with the frustration and boredom of commissioned work. There are only so many embroidered hems and pockets one can do before going insane. Bigger pieces cost more and take more time so the dont get commissioned as often. Plus commissioned work means doing it to the customer's vision which can be frustrating when the customerhas no idea what goes into some of this or how time consuming a seemingly simple request can be.
Thanks for the explanation of this very detailed technique. It sounds intricate and precious.
This isn't the easiest topic to find a video on so I really appreciate your well-made video!! ♥️
Thank you. Glad it was helpful!
This one of the most helpful videos for embroidery. Explained with sooo much patience and details! Perfect for starters like me! Most people forget to teach the basic basics because sometimes we forget to teach since we “already know them” but not for people like me! :)
Also, thank you for that chart you showed. I am going to start and make one for myself. Brilliant ideas!! Thank you soooo much!
Thank you, Imelda. I find it helpful, as a reference tool, too.
Thank you for explaining this, makes perfect sense!! Mom taught me how to embroider when I was about 7or 8 and I remember her telling me to use 2 or 3 strands depending on the design which was usually a flower or on the type of stitch ie a french knot 3 or 4 strands; when we were running low on a color and the project was nearing the end, we used less strands to finish the project! LOL!! Another way of figuring it out!!! Love the idea of tapping the top of the thread vs holding one end between your teeth and pulling the strands apart!!! Not elegant or hygienic but it got the job done!!! TFS!!
Great way to make the specific color threads last to finish that project! Such a good tip to learn from your mom! A lot of seamstresses used their mouth, to moisten thread, etc. :) Thanks for sharing!
That's how I learned to separate the strands, use both hands and my mouth! And I learned at about the same age, back when we had embroidered tea towels and pillowcases! Watched this video as I've not done embroidery for decades now and needed a refresher course on how many strands to use on counted cross stitch. Since these will be used on baby blankets for my local pregnancy resource center, I'll use the hands only separating technique. 😊
Thank you for sharing your experience! Where did you find those cute wooden thread holders?
Thanks. I found them on etsy. Here is a shop that sells similar ones etsy.me/4cbICRI
Thank you, you answered so many of my questions in a clear manner. Glad I found your video.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
You are so welcome!
Great thread review! When I took a cross stitch class in the early 1980's, my instructor stressed the importance of separating the six DMC strands. Now with slow stitching, I still do it out of habit. I didn't know about the "tap and pull up" technique. I have always peeled the strands down, as in stripping a banana. I will try your method today. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and inspiration. 😊😊😊
Thank you for your comments! I need to get in the habit, like you, of stripping my threads!
@@DanielaMellen it's a rather mindless, but somehow satisfying detail.😊😊😊
Daniella thank you so much for doing this. As a beginner sometimes I just don’t know. This really helps me in figuring it out. I have learned so much from you. Keep those tips coming . Have a blessed day!👍😄
You are so welcome! Thank you for your kind words.
Experts were beginners once. If you try to only compare your work to your past work, not to other people's stuff you'll keep your enthusiasm and never lose motivation to do more, is my advice, and you seem to be on the right track xxx Happy stitching
I only separate and rejoin for satin stitch, where it makes a real difference.
Thanks for this video.
Great tip!
Very interesting thank you Daniella!
Thank you for all these tips!!!
Glad they are helpful.
Than you for you tip 😊❤
You're welcome!
Hii, could you make a video how to start embroidery and end it? I still confuse why people sometimes use double or single, thank you so much
That's a great topic! Yes, I'll work on a video for that. Thank you for the suggestion.
This is so helpful and thorough. Thank you very much!
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful tutorial, thankyou! 🧵✨
Glad it was helpful.
Very helpful, thank you!!
So glad!
Daniella, what a great video. Thank you so much. I’ve been using bees wax to condition my thread. It takes out the “bumps” from the thread wrapped on the bobbin. How do you feel about thread conditioners?
Thank you. I use beeswax on my threads, too. I find them very helpful, especially on certain threads. I find that some floss tends to be more "cottony or dry" (compared to the satiny finish) and the beeswax helps keep it from tangling. I have also used Thread Magic and love it too.
There is also a correct way the floss is made. If used the wrong direction, it can show as a bit fuzzy vs the correct direction of use is smoother.
For me, doing that means that after a while, I can't remember which direction is the correct one.
Interesting. I'll have to look into that.
If you knot the end of your string it doubles. Does that mean you use two strands for 4 in a pattern when knotting the end before stitching?
Yes!
This is my question too.
For a pattern that calls for one strand, do we only knot one of the tails of the floss when it’s been threaded through the needle ?
Yes, just knot one of the tails.
I’m a new subscriber
Love your content and your teaching method
Welcome aboard! And thansk for your kind comment!
Hello, how do you know when to double your thread? Some times I can't tell if teachers are using 3 strands but are doubling it to make 6 strands. I hope you can understand my confusion and my question. Thank you in advance for helping me
I understand your question. They should specifically say that they are using 3 strands. Some teachers will say that they are using 6 strands, but not always.
This helped so much!!! Tysm 🤌🏼
Glad it was helpful!
How many strands would you recommend to work on a wool beret?
Depending on what you are stitching, I would probably use 3-4 strands.
@@DanielaMellen thank you so much ❤️
How do you rejoin the individual threads please?
Take as many threads, as you would like to rejoin and hold one end (of all the threads) between two fingers. With the other hand, gently pull the threads taut. You may have to guide the threads, gently pulling them together, as if you were brushing long hair. Then, hold the ends together and thread through a needle, as you normally would. Knot the end (if needed) and it should work well. You may have to smooth the threads, just to make sure they aren't tangled, but they will soon act as one thread.
@@DanielaMellen Thank you! I have never been interested in sewing before but I am loving your videos and may even try to do these pretty little things myself. It appeals to me very much as an art form. Very much appreciate your clear explanations. Best regards :)
Question, my pattern says to use 4 strands but that makes it almost impossible to pull through the fabric. What am I doing wrong?
Just to be sure - are you taking the strand of embroidery floss from the skein (whatever length you need) and then separating it into 6 strands? From there, you would bring 4 together and thread your needle. It should work for your pattern. (Instead of combining 4 strands of floss, straight from the skein).
@@DanielaMellen yes out of the 6 strands I’ll pull out 4 and thread my needle and sit the other 2 to the side. And then I’m hurting my fingers trying to pull it through. It’s a hobby lobby kit
Hmmm. This is a tough one! I'm sorry I can't be of more help. What fabric are you sewing using?
@@DanielaMellen well dang, at least it doesn’t sound like my fault lol. I think it’s just cotton whatever came with the kit Leisure Arts at Hob Lob
@@lindseybrannon8110 Maybe try using a slightly larger needle?
Even if the kit came with a needle, sometimes companies err on something in the kit. Decades ago, I had a needlepoint kit that was short on the black yarn. Trying to find a black that matched wasn't working. So got something as close as I could and used it in a way where the 2 black shades didn't join. It worked. (Part of the problem was that I had bought the kit years before I made it up so could not get more yarn from the company...) I'm sure no one else buys kits or patterns to do up later to add to the projects that are already in that catagory.
Hi Daniela, im a real beginner with cross stitch and the size of my material is; 40-50 129×173 there was no instructions regarding the amount of strands per square. Pls help. Thanks x
Hi. Typically, cross stitch uses 2 strands. This can vary by project, but without instructions, I would use 2 strands of floss. Good luck.
@@DanielaMellen Awesome, thanks for getting back to me as i have it all in front of me ready to go! X
@Daniela Mellen Hi again. Can I ask that when ive finished the whole thing, do i soak it in hot or cold water, and for how long. Thanks again. 😊
@@lisalashes47 Gently swish your piece in lukewarm water, then soak for 15 min or so.
There is no clear shot of your chart as the next video appears and covers the bottom left
Thank you for letting me know, I will try to remedy that later and I’ll get back to you.
I removed the "Next Video Screen". Thank you for pointing this out.
This video is very helpful. Tyfs 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Hello, how do you know when to double your thread? Some times I can't tell if teachers are using 3 strands but are doubling it to make 6 strands. I hope you can understand my confusion and my question. Thank you in advance for helping me
I think I know what you are referring to, as when you thread 3 strands on the needle, then the "excess" gets folded over while sewing. So, if a particular pattern calls for 3 strands (or any specific number of strands) it will mentioned in the pattern. If you are unsure, you can always, choose a number of strands. The fewer the strands, the more delicate the work. So, if I were unsure if it were 3 or 6 strands, I'd err on the side of 3 strands.