Thanks so much for doing these beginner videos. I've been subscribed to your channel for awhile but your pieces were advanced and intimidating to me as I'm a beginner. I love your work so much but figured I could never do anything like that. Your videos are so helpful so I'm going to be brave and try it now. I'm getting a late start at 72 ☺ Thanks again!
Ohhh! That is wonderful, Arleen! It’s never too late to start! Yes, I do many rather more complicated projects, but there are so many other choices out there. Once you get started, you will find the style you love. I hope you love every step of the journey!
OMG😲🤪! For two years now, I've been starting my stitch... bottom left to upper right, then upper left to bottom right no matter which direction I go after having other stitches. OMG! How you explained how to do it makes so much sense🤗😉! In all the basics of cross stitching videos I've watched, I don't remember that being said🤥. Thank you, Jan, for explaining this🤗👍. I am one that cares a lot about how neat my stitches look😉. Also, some of my stitches, after a long period of time, have looked fuzzy🥴. I believe this might be the reason why it's happened🤔. Thanks again...😄👍
I am not a beginner cross stitcher, and I learned more about how to make neat, even, smooth stitches from this video than I have anywhere else. I already knew about railroading, but it’s not enough. You demonstrated and discussed so many techniques I’ve never heard before, such as which direction the thread goes underneath so as not to elongate the stitch. Also, coming up underneath the thread to prevent twisting. Fantastic video. Thank you so much.
1:00:14 OMGosh I can't thank you enough for this information!!!! THAT is why my work sometimes looks "sloppy" to me! OMGosh!!! I can't believe I actually thought I didn't need to look at all your "Basics" tutorials because I cross stitched years ago (a little bit) and thought I already knew the basics. Wow, I'm just silly sometimes! LOL! Jan, you are an amazing teacher and I'm learning SO much from you... thank you so much! #AhaMoment
Hi Jan, thank you for doing this. I have been stitching for over 30 years. Wish I knew you when I was starting out, made a lot of mistakes. My mother taught me embroidery and needlepoint. Then I found cross stitch and have been in love with it ever since. Looking forward to your next video.
Turning 70 and looking to learn a new craft. You were wonderful in your real life stitching dos and don't.. ( do I follow all my rules all the time ...... ) lol. Thank you so much !!! I'll be checking back many many times.
Hello from Australia. I have been stitching for about 8 years now, and found your videos this week while on leave from work. I found your videos very informative. I have picked up more from watching your beginner course than I have with my craft group, especially with evenweave. I have made so many mistakes on my evenweave by miscounting, the projects have been put in the naughty corner. I am eager to get back in to them now. Thank you for making these videos.
Hi Lexie! So glad you are finding these videos useful! I want to make the stitching process as easy as possible for those who need the tips. Let me know if you have any other questions.
"are we worried that its ooohhh not exactly in the centre" Yes, yes I am HA! I think this is why this is the video series I come back to time and time again - it makes everything so approachable without being overwhelming
Yes, while I strive to be as neat and perfect as possible, I have come to realize that if the center isn’t perfect, it’s not a big deal. As long as there is still at least an inch around the edges, it can be framed. If there is a stitch or two off here or there, as long as it blends and doesn’t throw off the rest of the design, it’s okay.
Omg. This is the best cross stitch video ever!!! As a novice, I know the basics and as I’ve been cross stitching, I’ve come across things I have questions about such as keeping thread straight, planning which way I should stitch, etc. This video is exactly on point AND the best part is, I can see what you are teaching. Thank you so much for making this video!!!🥰🥰🥰
For crafters who get into making their own thread or yarn, it’s important to know that 6 strand embroidery floss is not actually 6-ply. It’s 6 strands of 2-ply thread. But for 99% of your viewers, they won’t need that accurate technical detail. Great intro video, thanks! Coming back to counted embroidery after 30+ years doing other fiber/fabric crafts. Appreciate the refresher a lot. I watched many videos over the last couple weeks, and yours is in the top five most relevant and enjoyable.
Thank you so much Jan. The back of my first piece was a mess and now I know why.. I will be re-doing it the correct way. This is invaluable information for the newbie and very comprehensive. I will be coming back for more[ and sending my friends. Thank you again.
Thank you for explaining and showing about going up in clean holes. I’ve been getting messy stitches because of coming up in dirty holes. Game changer!!! Thank you!!
Thank you Jan I am just getting back into cross stitch and threads aren’t laying flat all of the time so this video was very clear ways to get flatter stitch’s. I can’t wait to see the difference in fabrics
Even though I started stitching 30 years ago (with a 20 year break), this is an excellent video for me. When I started stitching there was no youtube or facebook or websites devoted to cross stitch so I'm basically self taught. When I restarted stitching (due to covid lockdown last spring) I'm finding the same frustrations I had years ago. You answered so many of my questions about starting and stopping, loop stitch, and back stitch. And single isolated stitches. You are a wonderful teacher, Jan!
Thank you so much, Renee! So glad you found this helpful! It is so nice to have a place to go to have you questions answered, isn’t it! I do love to teach, so let me know if you have questions about anything else!
Thank You Jan...I learned a lot....haven’t cross stitched for years but am eager to pick it up again...wish RUclips was around then. I taught myself and obviously not the right way....🥰🇦🇺
Jan you are sooo clever about the floss end, having it on the “top” of your work further on so that you don`t have to hang onto it! I`m so glad I watched this as I have so many problems holding the ends on the back and invariably catch one but not the other - will try!!!
🙋♀️ Jan you are awesome and doing a great job explaining everything about cross stitching. New cross stitcher's are very lucky to have these tutorials by you. ❤🐈
"my noodle" hahaha I don't know why, but I had to laugh so hard! Hahaha. Thanks soooo much for this video, I was looking for something like this and couldn't found it.
Hi Jan. I'm from Baltimore and I've been really enjoying your podcasts and tutorials. Question: would you show on your video how to execute the 3/4 stitch in cross stitch??🌻
Thanks so much for that really good tuturial. You explained it all brilliantly. I haven't done any for years so needed a reminder. I'm definitely going to do some now and watch your others. Very informative. X
Thanks so much for this tutorial I’m working on my piece and this has been very helpful. I’m such a newbie but I’m determined to learn how to cross stitch. Your so very talented ❤️
Love this video. I always thought I had to turn my stitching over to catch the loop! And, as I am a bottom left to top right stitcher for the bottom leg - I would have thought it was a big no-no to do top right to bottom left! This video was so very helpful. Oh, and please share where you got those lovely scissors!
Thank you very much for this Jan! 🖒 I'm a new subscriber to your channel and a fairly new beginner to this fantastic hobby. Ps: I loved the way in which you said "Bollocks!" 😂🖒. The reason so is that we in the UK use it all the time and I actually couldn't imagine an American using it, but thought it was fabulous the way in which you did. It's a great word bollocks and really adds richness and highlights how badly one feels about something. But thanks again Jan, your teaching method is fantastic and easy to follow. I really enjoyed it! -Chris x.
Thanks so much, Chris! My husband and I actually use “bollocks” all of the time! We learned it from some British friend or British show. I don’t really remember now. But you’re right, it’s the perfect word for many situations! Of course, British English has so many perfect words like that that we Yanks just lost. So sad!
Hi Jan! I love watching your videos. I’m getting lots of great tips. I assume you stitch in hand mostly but curious if you ever use a q-snap for bigger projects? Asking because I don’t really know if I need a frame big enough to fit my entire stitched piece inside or if I can use a smaller frame and move it around? And if I can use a smaller frame, how to I clamp it over my stitches so as not to stretch or harm them? I also am super curious how to use the spool huggers (or how best to wrap the fabric close to the frame in order to use them I guess is what I’m saying). Would you be willing to do a short video on this too? I hate to ask but I’m sort of beginning from scratch, realizing that everything I did as a teenager was probably not best practice. ;) Thanks again for all the fantastic videos!!! 💕
Very helpful video. I'm just making sure I understand correctly. I should start the running stitch by hiding its floss tail on the back side in some of the stitches of the outer cross stitch border, right? Hopefully, the floss from the skipover won't be visible from the front? (Maybe I'm just obsessing over nothing too important.)
The only time I worry about whether a floss will show through on the front is if it’s a pretty dark color. But it also depends on the fabric you are using. If using an Aida fabric, the weave on that is generally thicker and floss that you’ve trailed behind for a few stitches generally doesn’t show. But yes, it is easiest to catch the tail in the outer border.
thank you so much ...iam a sponge and i just requested to join your facebook page...Teach away i downloaded the chart you linked and its different But cute
Jan, this was perfect. I can't wait until the morning to try and see if I can now make my stitches lay flat. This is something that has been driving me crazy. I also use the loop method but not starting from the front. I stitch with a hoop and I have been practicing stitch by hand. You make it look so easy. I don't know if you have received this request or not. I have been stitching on aida and would love to move on to 25/28 ct evenweave. Could show how to stitch on evenweave and when to us 2 over 2, or 1 over 2. Thank you Jan.
Hi Deb! Glad you found this helpful! In one of my last videos in the series, I show and give tips on how to transition from aida to evenweave. Be sure to check that out and let me know if you have any questions!
I always loop on the back. As far a si can tell the more advanced stitchers like to do as much as possible from the front because they don’t like turning the work over - presumably because it’s often big and inconvenient.
When the outline shows a long straight line, how many stitches maximum I could go across without making the resulting back stitch too loose? I suppose it depends on the fabric. On Aida I don’t go over more than 3 stitches but I was wondering what your view is. Thank you. This video was jam packed with useful information, thank you
I recently did a design called Mushrooms Botanica. You will see that in my videos about a month or so back. It had a ton of backstitch, quite a bit of which was those long slanted lines. I think the longest .one was over 4 stitches and that was fine. But yes, any longer than that and it would be too loose and wouldn’t lay flat. Hope that helps!
Lots of info in this video - I always hold my opening tail on the back and stitch over it, but I am going to try your method of starting a short distance from the first stitch. Is there a reason why you do the loop method with the loop on the top of the fabric instead of starting the loop on the back? I was thinking if the loop was on the back, then you only have to come up to the front with the needle, and then go back down to the backside and make sure the needle goes through the loop that is on the back. Thanks again for such a great video.
@@JanHicksCreates The only reason is I customized, so I ended spending more money then I need to. The only one I've bought in the last few years is a Dimensions kit of a dragon and sorcerer stitched on black fabric.
Starting without a needle threader works for me to an extent with real DMC, but the typical “cheap kit” floss that is super loose and slubby, it just... not gonna happen.
This is such an informative video. Thank you so much! If you are working with light Aida and dark floss and need to skip to another section a few holes away, do you worry that the floss will show through? I am working on a piece with black lettering and it would be such a pain to have to start each one separately.
Yes, you do have to worry that the floss will show through. I don’t think it shows as much on aida, though, as it does on linen. But test it. Do a letter, then go over to the next letter and do a stitch. Hold your fabric up to the light and see if you can see that thread going over to the next letter.
Hi Sarah! I do have two videos showing the sewing method. Here is the first - ruclips.net/video/xHwY3Wgd7ws/видео.html. And here is the second - ruclips.net/video/JQUniDvhkFg/видео.html. Hope these help. Let me know if you have any questions.
New subscriber, new cross stitcher, thank you for the video. Just purchased my first kit, 2 questions? What does the symbols with the color mean, why are they different? What do we do on the edge of the fabric so it won’t unravel. Thank you in advance. 😍
Each symbol represents a different floss color. So you look at the pattern and see what symbol you are stitching first or next, then look back to the key to see which floss color that symbol represents. Does that make sense and answer your first question? For the edges, you can either sew a zig zag stitch around the edges, or use masking tape or blue painters tape, or use a product called Fray Check. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Can i ask a question please.. When i do a row of half stitches first and then go back and do the other half (like you showing in the video) ans then i do next row of stitches the other way (full cross), well the first row always looks like its sticking out(risen, more fluffy, dont know how to explain it) them two rows just look different. Do i also have to stick to just one method? I want my crosses to look nice:) loved the video, ive learnt few things
I don’t know for sure, but my theory is that going out and back like the first row allows your floss to lay nicer, creating nicer, fluffier stitches. When you stitch one at a time, and this is where the explanation gets tricky, you are constantly changing the direction you are going, back and forth, so that puts more twist in your thread, preventing them from laying as nicely. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it, you just have to be more aware of the twist your putting in your thread, the way the threads are turning as I explain in the video, and compensate for that. You may want to try railroading when you stitch one stitch at a time across the row, to help your stitches lay more evenly. Hope that makes sense!
It was probably tent stitch. That is basically a half cross stitch, the difference being that instead of just coming back up in the hole directly below (or above) where you went down, you go in the opposite direction and come back up in the hole one over to the left. It’s really hard to put into words, but you are basically making an elongated / on the back of the fabric. You also don’t finish the cross, so it’s just the half cross that’s showing. I hope that makes some sense. But if you do a search on tent stitch, you’ll see lots of examples and tutorials.
Thanks so much, Solange. I’m so glad you are finding these helpful. If you mean a stitch in an empty area, the first thing to think about is how far away it is from other stitching. Usually, if it’s 5 stitches away or less, I will just trail the floss across the back of my work and do the stitch and then move on to the next area, if it’s another close area. If I have to end the thread with that stitch, I’ll take it through that stitch on the back and then under a few stitches in the area I trailed from. (I hope that makes sense!) if the single stitch is too far away, then there is a technique called the pin stitch to start and stop your single stitches. I don’t have a video showing how to do it, but many others do, so if you search on pin stitch, you should find some. Hope this helps!
Thanks so much for doing these beginner videos. I've been subscribed to your channel for awhile but your pieces were advanced and intimidating to me as I'm a beginner. I love your work so much but figured I could never do anything like that. Your videos are so helpful so I'm going to be brave and try it now. I'm getting a late start at 72 ☺ Thanks again!
Ohhh! That is wonderful, Arleen! It’s never too late to start! Yes, I do many rather more complicated projects, but there are so many other choices out there. Once you get started, you will find the style you love. I hope you love every step of the journey!
Can’t thank you enough for these beginner videos - the only ones that have made sense to me as I try to be a cross stitcher!
Thank you sooooo much! I enjoyed starting over after years of not cross stitching. You are a treasure!
So many years later this is still so helpful
Yaay! That is so good to hear!
OMG😲🤪! For two years now, I've been starting my stitch... bottom left to upper right, then upper left to bottom right no matter which direction I go after having other stitches. OMG! How you explained how to do it makes so much sense🤗😉! In all the basics of cross stitching videos I've watched, I don't remember that being said🤥. Thank you, Jan, for explaining this🤗👍. I am one that cares a lot about how neat my stitches look😉. Also, some of my stitches, after a long period of time, have looked fuzzy🥴. I believe this might be the reason why it's happened🤔. Thanks again...😄👍
So glad you are finding my videos helpful! Let me know if you have any questions about anything!
I’ve watched so many beginner videos and this one is the best. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
I am not a beginner cross stitcher, and I learned more about how to make neat, even, smooth stitches from this video than I have anywhere else. I already knew about railroading, but it’s not enough. You demonstrated and discussed so many techniques I’ve never heard before, such as which direction the thread goes underneath so as not to elongate the stitch. Also, coming up underneath the thread to prevent twisting. Fantastic video. Thank you so much.
Glad you found it useful, Anita!
1:00:14 OMGosh I can't thank you enough for this information!!!! THAT is why my work sometimes looks "sloppy" to me! OMGosh!!! I can't believe I actually thought I didn't need to look at all your "Basics" tutorials because I cross stitched years ago (a little bit) and thought I already knew the basics. Wow, I'm just silly sometimes! LOL! Jan, you are an amazing teacher and I'm learning SO much from you... thank you so much! #AhaMoment
The loop start is the best thing I ever learned when I came back to stitching! It makes stitching so much more enjoyable for me💕Michele
It sure does make things easier!
Since I downloaded the pattern I am going to try it and work tomorrow
Hi Jan, thank you for doing this. I have been stitching for over 30 years. Wish I knew you when I was starting out, made a lot of mistakes. My mother taught me embroidery and needlepoint. Then I found cross stitch and have been in love with it ever since. Looking forward to your next video.
Thank you, Virginia! It’s so good to hear that this is useful for those who have been stitching for a long time, too!
Turning 70 and looking to learn a new craft. You were wonderful in your real life stitching dos and don't.. ( do I follow all my rules all the time ...... ) lol. Thank you so much !!! I'll be checking back many many times.
Good to hear! Thank you! Please let me know if you have any other questions I can answer!
Hello from Australia. I have been stitching for about 8 years now, and found your videos this week while on leave from work. I found your videos very informative. I have picked up more from watching your beginner course than I have with my craft group, especially with evenweave. I have made so many mistakes on my evenweave by miscounting, the projects have been put in the naughty corner. I am eager to get back in to them now. Thank you for making these videos.
Hi Lexie! So glad you are finding these videos useful! I want to make the stitching process as easy as possible for those who need the tips. Let me know if you have any other questions.
This is the exact kind of information I was looking for. Thank you!
So glad you found it useful!
This is the best beginner crosstitch video I've seen. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!
"are we worried that its ooohhh not exactly in the centre" Yes, yes I am HA!
I think this is why this is the video series I come back to time and time again - it makes everything so approachable without being overwhelming
Yes, while I strive to be as neat and perfect as possible, I have come to realize that if the center isn’t perfect, it’s not a big deal. As long as there is still at least an inch around the edges, it can be framed. If there is a stitch or two off here or there, as long as it blends and doesn’t throw off the rest of the design, it’s okay.
Very helpful video.
I've been cross stitching for a while and learned several new things from watching this video. Thank you!
Omg. This is the best cross stitch video ever!!! As a novice, I know the basics and as I’ve been cross stitching, I’ve come across things I have questions about such as keeping thread straight, planning which way I should stitch, etc. This video is exactly on point AND the best part is, I can see what you are teaching. Thank you so much for making this video!!!🥰🥰🥰
You are very welcome! So glad you found this useful. Enjoy the rest of my Basis of Cross Stitch videos and let me know if you have any questions! ❤️
Even though I have been stitching for a number of years, I have picked up a few great tips. Thank you.
For crafters who get into making their own thread or yarn, it’s important to know that 6 strand embroidery floss is not actually 6-ply. It’s 6 strands of 2-ply thread. But for 99% of your viewers, they won’t need that accurate technical detail.
Great intro video, thanks! Coming back to counted embroidery after 30+ years doing other fiber/fabric crafts. Appreciate the refresher a lot. I watched many videos over the last couple weeks, and yours is in the top five most relevant and enjoyable.
Thank you so much Jan. The back of my first piece was a mess and now I know why.. I will be re-doing it the correct way. This is invaluable information for the newbie and very comprehensive. I will be coming back for more[ and sending my friends. Thank you again.
Awesome Ronnel! Glad you found it useful!
Thank you for explaining and showing about going up in clean holes. I’ve been getting messy stitches because of coming up in dirty holes. Game changer!!! Thank you!!
Thanks so much for helping us with cross stitch. You are a GREAT TEACHER!!
Thank so much, Cyndie! I’m glad you are finding these helpful!
Thank you Jan I am just getting back into cross stitch and threads aren’t laying flat all of the time so this video was very clear ways to get flatter stitch’s. I can’t wait to see the difference in fabrics
Glad it was helpful, Joyce! I’ll be doing the fabric video tomorrow!
Even though I started stitching 30 years ago (with a 20 year break), this is an excellent video for me. When I started stitching there was no youtube or facebook or websites devoted to cross stitch so I'm basically self taught. When I restarted stitching (due to covid lockdown last spring) I'm finding the same frustrations I had years ago. You answered so many of my questions about starting and stopping, loop stitch, and back stitch. And single isolated stitches. You are a wonderful teacher, Jan!
Thank you so much, Renee! So glad you found this helpful! It is so nice to have a place to go to have you questions answered, isn’t it! I do love to teach, so let me know if you have questions about anything else!
This is exactly the information I have been looking for. Thanks so much for creating these beginner videos
Glad you are finding them useful! Let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you for such very helpful information!
Thank you! I had no idea how to get the floss to lay correctly. Navigating the canvas takes some thought.
Thank you for this excellent tutorial. I’m just returning to cross stitch after a 20 year hiatus and this is such a fantastic refresher course.
Thank You Jan...I learned a lot....haven’t cross stitched for years but am eager to pick it up again...wish RUclips was around then. I taught myself and obviously not the right way....🥰🇦🇺
This video helps me a lot, thank you so much for sharing !
Glad to hear it! Let me know if you have any questions!
I am also starting again after years of not stitching and am very happy to have your videos to watch! Thank you 💕
Jan you are sooo clever about the floss end, having it on the “top” of your work further on so that you don`t have to hang onto it! I`m so glad I watched this as I have so many problems holding the ends on the back and invariably catch one but not the other - will try!!!
🙋♀️ Jan you are awesome and doing a great job explaining everything about cross stitching. New cross stitcher's are very lucky to have these tutorials by you. ❤🐈
🤗🤗🤗
Happy Thanksgiving!
This instruction is exactly what I was searching for great content. Thank you.
Needle minders are so awesome I really must get one someday
Thank you Jan for a great tutorial! I am new to XS and learned some great techniques here.
Great! You covered everything I wasn’t clear about. Thanks! Very helpful........
Good to know, Jacqueline! Let me know if you have any questions!
"my noodle" hahaha I don't know why, but I had to laugh so hard! Hahaha.
Thanks soooo much for this video, I was looking for something like this and couldn't found it.
Hi Jan. I'm from Baltimore and I've been really enjoying your podcasts and tutorials. Question: would you show on your video how to execute the 3/4 stitch in cross stitch??🌻
Thanks so much for that really good tuturial. You explained it all brilliantly. I haven't done any for years so needed a reminder. I'm definitely going to do some now and watch your others. Very informative. X
Awesome! So glad you are finding these helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions as you watch through the others.
@@JanHicksCreates Thanks very much Jan. I will watch the rest. If I need any advice I'll be sure to ask.
Thanks so much for this tutorial I’m working on my piece and this has been very helpful. I’m such a newbie but I’m determined to learn how to cross stitch. Your so very talented ❤️
Thank you! So glad you are finding these helpful!
thank you it is makin sense now to me have a great day
This is great Jan! I plan to share this on my IG, as Ive has friends interested in getting started. Thank you!
Great comprehensive video! Excellent 💕
Thank you, Davi! Glad you found it helpful!
just discover this video n i learn a lot from this tutorial thanks soo much
When you get to the part about linen, please explain about starting by a vertical thread. I cross stitched for YEARS before knowing this!
Good point! I’ll be sure and mention it!
Wonderful instructions.
Happy New Year Jan !!! Looking forward to see more of you in the coming year...
Love this video. I always thought I had to turn my stitching over to catch the loop! And, as I am a bottom left to top right stitcher for the bottom leg - I would have thought it was a big no-no to do top right to bottom left! This video was so very helpful. Oh, and please share where you got those lovely scissors!
So glad you found it helpful! The scissors are by Sajou and were a gift from a former employer.
@@JanHicksCreates just added to my wish list for after I have recovered from my recent Cohana scissors purchase.
Great video! Thanks!
That was great! Thank you!
Great tutorial. Thanks.
Great demostrations!
Thank you, Pat! Glad you found it helpful!
This is great I got many tips and tricks!
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. Really great video! Cheers 😘❤️😍😊🥰💕
Thank you very much for this Jan! 🖒
I'm a new subscriber to your channel and a fairly new beginner to this fantastic hobby.
Ps: I loved the way in which you said "Bollocks!" 😂🖒. The reason so is that we in the UK use it all the time and I actually couldn't imagine an American using it, but thought it was fabulous the way in which you did. It's a great word bollocks and really adds richness and highlights how badly one feels about something.
But thanks again Jan, your teaching method is fantastic and easy to follow. I really enjoyed it!
-Chris x.
Thanks so much, Chris! My husband and I actually use “bollocks” all of the time! We learned it from some British friend or British show. I don’t really remember now. But you’re right, it’s the perfect word for many situations! Of course, British English has so many perfect words like that that we Yanks just lost. So sad!
Great tips!
Thank you! ❤️
Oh my gosh...love the way you do your tails. So much easier than trying to hold the back. Love it!. Thank you so much
Happy to help!
Thanks Jan❤️
Hi love your videos!
Thank you, Lisa!
You are fabulous
Hi Jan! I love watching your videos. I’m getting lots of great tips. I assume you stitch in hand mostly but curious if you ever use a q-snap for bigger projects? Asking because I don’t really know if I need a frame big enough to fit my entire stitched piece inside or if I can use a smaller frame and move it around? And if I can use a smaller frame, how to I clamp it over my stitches so as not to stretch or harm them? I also am super curious how to use the spool huggers (or how best to wrap the fabric close to the frame in order to use them I guess is what I’m saying). Would you be willing to do a short video on this too? I hate to ask but I’m sort of beginning from scratch, realizing that everything I did as a teenager was probably not best practice. ;) Thanks again for all the fantastic videos!!! 💕
Very helpful video. I'm just making sure I understand correctly. I should start the running stitch by hiding its floss tail on the back side in some of the stitches of the outer cross stitch border, right? Hopefully, the floss from the skipover won't be visible from the front? (Maybe I'm just obsessing over nothing too important.)
The only time I worry about whether a floss will show through on the front is if it’s a pretty dark color. But it also depends on the fabric you are using. If using an Aida fabric, the weave on that is generally thicker and floss that you’ve trailed behind for a few stitches generally doesn’t show. But yes, it is easiest to catch the tail in the outer border.
thank you so much ...iam a sponge and i just requested to join your facebook page...Teach away
i downloaded the chart you linked and its different But cute
Jan, this was perfect. I can't wait until the morning to try and see if I can now make my stitches lay flat. This is something that has been driving me crazy. I also use the loop method but not starting from the front. I stitch with a hoop and I have been practicing stitch by hand. You make it look so easy. I don't know if you have received this request or not. I have been stitching on aida and would love to move on to 25/28 ct evenweave. Could show how to stitch on evenweave and when to us 2 over 2, or 1 over 2. Thank you Jan.
Hi Deb! Glad you found this helpful! In one of my last videos in the series, I show and give tips on how to transition from aida to evenweave. Be sure to check that out and let me know if you have any questions!
@@JanHicksCreates Thanks Jan, I think that is my next video
I always loop on the back. As far a si can tell the more advanced stitchers like to do as much as possible from the front because they don’t like turning the work over - presumably because it’s often big and inconvenient.
When the outline shows a long straight line, how many stitches maximum I could go across without making the resulting back stitch too loose? I suppose it depends on the fabric. On Aida I don’t go over more than 3 stitches but I was wondering what your view is. Thank you. This video was jam packed with useful information, thank you
I recently did a design called Mushrooms Botanica. You will see that in my videos about a month or so back. It had a ton of backstitch, quite a bit of which was those long slanted lines. I think the longest .one was over 4 stitches and that was fine. But yes, any longer than that and it would be too loose and wouldn’t lay flat. Hope that helps!
Thank you, it definitely helps.
Lots of info in this video - I always hold my opening tail on the back and stitch over it, but I am going to try your method of starting a short distance from the first stitch. Is there a reason why you do the loop method with the loop on the top of the fabric instead of starting the loop on the back? I was thinking if the loop was on the back, then you only have to come up to the front with the needle, and then go back down to the backside and make sure the needle goes through the loop that is on the back. Thanks again for such a great video.
The main reason I do the loop on the top is because I don’t have to turn my fabric over to see the loop to go through. Just easier and a bit quicker.
I rarely buy kits. I usually get charts and buy my own supplies. The only time I buy a kit is when the design is something that grabs me.
That’s pretty much how I am with kits, too.
@@JanHicksCreates The only reason is I customized, so I ended spending more money then I need to. The only one I've bought in the last few years is a Dimensions kit of a dragon and sorcerer stitched on black fabric.
Starting without a needle threader works for me to an extent with real DMC, but the typical “cheap kit” floss that is super loose and slubby, it just... not gonna happen.
This is such an informative video. Thank you so much! If you are working with light Aida and dark floss and need to skip to another section a few holes away, do you worry that the floss will show through? I am working on a piece with black lettering and it would be such a pain to have to start each one separately.
Yes, you do have to worry that the floss will show through. I don’t think it shows as much on aida, though, as it does on linen. But test it. Do a letter, then go over to the next letter and do a stitch. Hold your fabric up to the light and see if you can see that thread going over to the next letter.
Jan Hicks thanks Jan. Great idea about holding it up to the light!
Hi Jan do you have a tutorial on the sewing method on either evenweave or linen?
Hi Sarah! I do have two videos showing the sewing method. Here is the first - ruclips.net/video/xHwY3Wgd7ws/видео.html. And here is the second - ruclips.net/video/JQUniDvhkFg/видео.html. Hope these help. Let me know if you have any questions.
New subscriber, new cross stitcher, thank you for the video. Just purchased my first kit, 2 questions? What does the symbols with the color mean, why are they different? What do we do on the edge of the fabric so it won’t unravel. Thank you in advance. 😍
Each symbol represents a different floss color. So you look at the pattern and see what symbol you are stitching first or next, then look back to the key to see which floss color that symbol represents. Does that make sense and answer your first question? For the edges, you can either sew a zig zag stitch around the edges, or use masking tape or blue painters tape, or use a product called Fray Check. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
@@JanHicksCreates Thank you for your fast response, and yes it answered my questions. I will start and give it a go?
Can i ask a question please.. When i do a row of half stitches first and then go back and do the other half (like you showing in the video) ans then i do next row of stitches the other way (full cross), well the first row always looks like its sticking out(risen, more fluffy, dont know how to explain it) them two rows just look different. Do i also have to stick to just one method? I want my crosses to look nice:) loved the video, ive learnt few things
I don’t know for sure, but my theory is that going out and back like the first row allows your floss to lay nicer, creating nicer, fluffier stitches. When you stitch one at a time, and this is where the explanation gets tricky, you are constantly changing the direction you are going, back and forth, so that puts more twist in your thread, preventing them from laying as nicely. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it, you just have to be more aware of the twist your putting in your thread, the way the threads are turning as I explain in the video, and compensate for that. You may want to try railroading when you stitch one stitch at a time across the row, to help your stitches lay more evenly. Hope that makes sense!
Jan, in one of your previous videos you talked about the 10 stitch. What is that? Love your videos.
It was probably tent stitch. That is basically a half cross stitch, the difference being that instead of just coming back up in the hole directly below (or above) where you went down, you go in the opposite direction and come back up in the hole one over to the left. It’s really hard to put into words, but you are basically making an elongated / on the back of the fabric. You also don’t finish the cross, so it’s just the half cross that’s showing. I hope that makes some sense. But if you do a search on tent stitch, you’ll see lots of examples and tutorials.
Jan Hicks Creates Thank you Jan, very helpful.
How should you wash your project?
Tried to download the Chart but it downloads a different one. Can you post the link to the one you used?
Sorry about that. I corrected the link below.
🤗
Sorry ,how to add floss to a empty space in between? I’m new and you taught me a lot .
Thanks so much, Solange. I’m so glad you are finding these helpful. If you mean a stitch in an empty area, the first thing to think about is how far away it is from other stitching. Usually, if it’s 5 stitches away or less, I will just trail the floss across the back of my work and do the stitch and then move on to the next area, if it’s another close area. If I have to end the thread with that stitch, I’ll take it through that stitch on the back and then under a few stitches in the area I trailed from. (I hope that makes sense!) if the single stitch is too far away, then there is a technique called the pin stitch to start and stop your single stitches. I don’t have a video showing how to do it, but many others do, so if you search on pin stitch, you should find some. Hope this helps!
Skip stitch how to add 1 thread ?
I’m not sure what you’re asking.
Teach us how to to single lettering
By single lettering, do you mean just a letter here and there, or how to jump from one letter to the next in a word?
Both
I enjoyed your video.
Thank you so much this is really needed in cross-stitch!!!!!
Glad you liked it!