I use (recycle) Christmas cards for backing. I've used backing similar to the front; for instance, doing a Mill Hill snowflake I will find a card with snowflake/snowflakes and use as backing.
Thank you for explaining the legend between beads and floss stitches…I was intimidated by the instructions and all the information. I have never beaded anything so thank you for that visual. Happy Stitching 🙋♀️
I really like the Mill Hill kits and I have stitched quite a few. The most challenging thing is separating the floss colors. When you have four different browns, four yellows, and three oranges in the same kit, it can get very tricky to differentiate between them. Lots of light and comparing them a skein of the same DMC number is sometimes what it takes.
Mill Hill kits are my favorite to stitch and I have gotten the process down very well. It just requires prep time. One of the issues I had when I first started (over 15 years ago) was working with the paper in hand for the 6"x6". I eventually created a system that is usually used for needle point. Buy a sheet of stiffened felt, 2 sets of F.A. Edmunds stretcher bars 8"x8" or bigger to form a square and no more than 1/2" thick & flat head thumb tacks. Put the stretcher bars together and cut the stiffened felt to the size of the stretcher bars. Since the paper is 6x6, you'll need to cut a square out of the center of the stiffened felt. Find the center by drawing a diagonal line from each corner. Allow 3/4" to attach the project to the stiffened felt. You should have an opening of 5 1/4". Or you can find your own workable attaching distance from the edge of the center cut out. Attach the stiffened felt to the frame with the thumb tacks. I usually use 8 tacks. Use floss to attach the paper to the felt at several places (2-3 strands & not the floss from the kit). It's going to be hard to get a ball point needled through the felt, so use a regular sewing needle to push through and use a long stitch going side to side. When you have finished with the project, just cut the floss used to tack down the paper and it's ready for another project. I also made a rectangular one for the small projects. You can use lap stands that have side clamps or a top clamp. This will not work on scrolling rod lap stands. I use the Beadsmith sticky pad for my beads. I pre-sort them and when I'm ready to use a specific color, I put them on the beadsmith. I like it because it's washable and I have had mine for years. Not sure about the Tacky Bob. These things can loose their tackiness over time unless cleaned and I wash mine after each project with soap and water. Good stitching.
Good tutorial, thank you for sharing. I've been stitching Mill Hill beaded kits since the 1980's when a friend introduced them to me. They are fun to stitch, and the smaller ornaments do work up quickly. Using a Tacky Bob, or a Tacky Bill is a huge game changer, those weren't available when I first started. Lots of fun to make and gift!
I love Mill Hill kits. Also, another help when sorting floss is the DMC numbers listed by each floss color. The kit floss is all DMC, so you can compare it to a color card or floss in your stash.
Take a look at at my comments on this video for a helpful way to mount the paper. It’ll make it a lot easier for you since you’re just starting out. Once you get accustomed on how to stitch these, you’ll probably get hooked. Good stitching!
I have a Mill Hill Kit called Garden and I have been scared to work on it because there are not a lot of videos out to show you how to start and finish it. Thanks for the wonderful video and now I think I can start on my Mill Hill Kit.
My mum loves these Mill hill kits. She makes me sort the floss for her, and puts it on a plastic floss organizer. The tacky bill looks useful, probably easier than getting the beads out of a plastic bag!
I love mill hill kits and I have done a bunch. On the bigger kits I will use my DMC card to figure out close colors and I use a floss card to separate them but I like the idea of the little plastic bags especially on the smaller kits. I have done some kits on Aida too even the small kits. Thanks for the demo!
I also find the most challenging part sorting the colors and use my DME card. I also use a Tacky Bill but prefer to sort my beads also. I know they suggest using a full cross on the petite beads but have always used a half.
Thank you so much for this! I finished stitching my first Mill Hill (the Christmas Canada Goose) but was afraid to finish him! I was going to ask what glue to use for the felt backing, but it seems Tacky is the way to go, right?
I love mill hill kits. They are fun, fast and easy to whip up. I've done over a 100 of them and have close to that still in my stash to do. The majority of them purchased at 123! I really liked the the ceramic buttons they used to include and I'm quite disappointed that they have gone to the clay ones. I don't find them nearly as nice or as good a quality as the ceramic ones.
I am using a curved scissor, although I'm not sure it's necessary. Just something small and sharp to give you good control when cutting. This is the pair shown in the video - www.123stitch.com/item/Karen-Kay-Buckley-Perfect-Scissors-Curved-3-34/KKB003
Link to see all of the Mill Hill Beaded Cross Stitch Kits
www.123stitch.com/m/Cross-Stitch-Kits-from-Mill-Hill
I use (recycle) Christmas cards for backing. I've used backing similar to the front; for instance, doing a Mill Hill snowflake I will find a card with snowflake/snowflakes and use as backing.
That is such a great idea!
Thank you for explaining the legend between beads and floss stitches…I was intimidated by the instructions and all the information. I have never beaded anything so thank you for that visual. Happy Stitching 🙋♀️
You are very welcome!
Thank you for this tutorial. I am no longer intimidated by my Mill Hill kits.
You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful. I was always intimidated too but they really are easy, and I just love them!
I really like the Mill Hill kits and I have stitched quite a few. The most challenging thing is separating the floss colors. When you have four different browns, four yellows, and three oranges in the same kit, it can get very tricky to differentiate between them. Lots of light and comparing them a skein of the same DMC number is sometimes what it takes.
I find my DMC Color Chart a big help.
Very helpful video! I’m getting ready to do my first MH kit and was a bit intimidated by the process. I’m ready now to dive in! 😁
Mill Hill kits are my favorite to stitch and I have gotten the process down very well. It just requires prep time. One of the issues I had when I first started (over 15 years ago) was working with the paper in hand for the 6"x6". I eventually created a system that is usually used for needle point. Buy a sheet of stiffened felt, 2 sets of F.A. Edmunds stretcher bars 8"x8" or bigger to form a square and no more than 1/2" thick & flat head thumb tacks. Put the stretcher bars together and cut the stiffened felt to the size of the stretcher bars. Since the paper is 6x6, you'll need to cut a square out of the center of the stiffened felt. Find the center by drawing a diagonal line from each corner. Allow 3/4" to attach the project to the stiffened felt. You should have an opening of 5 1/4". Or you can find your own workable attaching distance from the edge of the center cut out. Attach the stiffened felt to the frame with the thumb tacks. I usually use 8 tacks. Use floss to attach the paper to the felt at several places (2-3 strands & not the floss from the kit). It's going to be hard to get a ball point needled through the felt, so use a regular sewing needle to push through and use a long stitch going side to side. When you have finished with the project, just cut the floss used to tack down the paper and it's ready for another project. I also made a rectangular one for the small projects. You can use lap stands that have side clamps or a top clamp. This will not work on scrolling rod lap stands. I use the Beadsmith sticky pad for my beads. I pre-sort them and when I'm ready to use a specific color, I put them on the beadsmith. I like it because it's washable and I have had mine for years. Not sure about the Tacky Bob. These things can loose their tackiness over time unless cleaned and I wash mine after each project with soap and water. Good stitching.
Thanks for sharing your great ideas, I'm sure this will be helpful for others!
Good tutorial, thank you for sharing. I've been stitching Mill Hill beaded kits since the 1980's when a friend introduced them to me. They are fun to stitch, and the smaller ornaments do work up quickly. Using a Tacky Bob, or a Tacky Bill is a huge game changer, those weren't available when I first started. Lots of fun to make and gift!
You are very welcome. I love them too!
Thank you for this great tutorial ! 🤩
You’re welcome 😊
I love Mill Hill kits. Also, another help when sorting floss is the DMC numbers listed by each floss color. The kit floss is all DMC, so you can compare it to a color card or floss in your stash.
Great tutorial! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful. I have a couple of the kits but haven't had the courage to try them. You made it all look so easy. I'll stitch mine now. Thx!
That's great! Have fun!
Take a look at at my comments on this video for a helpful way to mount the paper. It’ll make it a lot easier for you since you’re just starting out. Once you get accustomed on how to stitch these, you’ll probably get hooked. Good stitching!
Very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. I am just getting ready for the beading on my first Mill Hill kit!!
You're going to love it!
Thank you - always avoided these kits because beads scared me-might give it a try now!
Me too, but now the beads are my favorite part! I hope you give it a try!
Very nice tutorial! I have several of their kits.
Thanks for watching!
I have a Mill Hill Kit called Garden and I have been scared to work on it because there are not a lot of videos out to show you how to start and finish it. Thanks for the wonderful video and now I think I can start on my Mill Hill Kit.
That's great! Have fun with it!
My mum loves these Mill hill kits. She makes me sort the floss for her, and puts it on a plastic floss organizer. The tacky bill looks useful, probably easier than getting the beads out of a plastic bag!
I seriously love the Tacky Bill and I think it makes beading so much easier. I used to drop those beads all over the place!
Great and helpful tutorial!!!
Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful!
I love mill hill kits and I have done a bunch. On the bigger kits I will use my DMC card to figure out close colors and I use a floss card to separate them but I like the idea of the little plastic bags especially on the smaller kits. I have done some kits on Aida too even the small kits. Thanks for the demo!
I also find the most challenging part sorting the colors and use my DME card. I also use a Tacky Bill but prefer to sort my beads also.
I know they suggest using a full cross on the petite beads but have always used a half.
I do too -it works fine
It IS much easier to than I thought!
Great tips!
Glad you like them!
Cute! Wish I'd had time to do some of these before xmas
Thank you so much for this! I finished stitching my first Mill Hill (the Christmas Canada Goose) but was afraid to finish him! I was going to ask what glue to use for the felt backing, but it seems Tacky is the way to go, right?
I really like Aleene's Tacky glue - www.123stitch.com/item/Aleenes-Turbo-Tacky-Glue-4oz/ALE-29682
I love mill hill kits. They are fun, fast and easy to whip up. I've done over a 100 of them and have close to that still in my stash to do. The majority of them purchased at 123! I really liked the the ceramic buttons they used to include and I'm quite disappointed that they have gone to the clay ones. I don't find them nearly as nice or as good a quality as the ceramic ones.
Over 100! That's impressive!
What brand of scissors are you using? Are they curved? Great Tutorial!! 😻
I am using a curved scissor, although I'm not sure it's necessary. Just something small and sharp to give you good control when cutting. This is the pair shown in the video - www.123stitch.com/item/Karen-Kay-Buckley-Perfect-Scissors-Curved-3-34/KKB003
Love the video
❤
I find them to be a bit too challenging and it bums me out.
I hope you try one some day. Pick a small one, without a lot of color changes. Let us know if you need help!