How fast cross stitch

Focusing on a small area, I study the pattern and put small dots on the fabric where my stitch will center. In that small area or on a single row, I mark the stitches for whatever is my current color. Then I am able to count once and stitch freely in that small area, rather than looking back and forth from pattern to fabric over and over.

To cover large areas of stitching, I mark the perimeter, stitch it in a timely manner before the ink disappears. Then I can fill the section in at a time when I cannot concentrate on counting. This tactic has sped up my work significantly.

I hope my explanation makes sense. This tip concerns counted stitch and I use it with Blackwork and the Holbein stitch. This rule not only makes the stiches easier and prettier, it also helps find errors rapidly. So by keeping aware of the correct hole to go in and out, the speed of stitching is increased and the rate of error decreased. I sure appreciaate this article as I preparing to get back into needlework this winter. I had shoulder surgery preceeded by months of therapy and schlepping around to doctor appointments.

So this article and all the links on one place, give a me a great starting point to review the literature in preparing to get going again. Thank you so much Mary!! I am constantly wasting time, energy, and thread because I park in the back of the piece and then manage to catch the unused thread in the current stitches.

What a mess. Just leaving them in the front where I can see them will save so much hassle. Mary Corbet writer and founder.

Daily Email Newsletter. Connect with Mary. Types of Hand Embroidery. Pictures of Hand Embroidery. Archives Tags pictures embroidery tips and tricks needlework pictures Embroidery Projects See All Tags. Ad 6: Inspirations Magazine. Ad 9: Search Press. Ad 7: Haystack. Ad 2: Tres Chic Stitchery. Ad 3: Thistle Threads. Take a stand! Gather it up! Snip it!

Thread it! Park it! Railroad it! For parallel, smooth stitches, try railroading instead of using a laying tool. Stay in front! Start and end your threads on the front of your fabric. Here are some articles that can show you how this concept works: Anchor stitches on a line Starting and traveling threads 8.

Choose wisely! Prepare it! Clean as you go! One More and Over to You One more thing that helps me accomplish more in a stitching session: I listen instead of watch.

Tags beginner embroidery embroidery tips and tricks. Leave A Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Therefore, you are stitching more quickly than doing each stitch individually.

At first, the feeling of not flipping your work will feel unnatural. How will you know where to stick your needle? Trying to find the right hole will seem impossible. The more you stitch, the more you will develop muscle memory. It will be almost like magic. Suddenly, you will stop looking at the back of your work and focus on stitching.

Your hand will be in the right place and you will intuitively find the right spot. The sewing method is using one motion to create your half stitches, instead of poking your needle through one hole at a time. This method is meant for stitching in-hand. Your fabric will need to have more of a drape so that you can weave your needle through two holes.

Because you are condensing your movement, you will get more stitches done in a shorter amount of time. Similar to the sewing method being limited to in-hand stitching, this method is an option for hoops, Q-snaps, and frames that are held by a stand. This creates a hands-free alternative so that you can put your other hand to good use.

Usually, your more dominant will go behind the fabric because it is harder, and using your dominant hand will give you more control. However, feel free to try your nondominant hand behind the fabric to figure out which you prefer. Both situations will feel really awkward at first. However, once you get the momentum, it could become addicting.

Much like with not flipping your project over constantly, stitching with both hands will take some getting used to.

The more you stitch the faster you will get. Admittedly, I am a rather slow stitcher. I am a perfectionist and take the time to railroad my stitches and make sure they are as good as they can be. I have noticed that when I go through long periods of stitching, the quicker I become.

Cross stitching is meant to be fun so try not to stress how fast you can stitch. Batch your stitching by doing all your half stitches first, then completing them. This will speed up the process. You can practice the sewing method or two-handed stitching methods to get faster.

The other critical factor is light and the value of good lighting cannot be understated. Eye strain or headaches caused by squinting while stitching can be horrible and can have a detrimental long term impact. Thankfully there are a number of light manufacturers who have realised the needs of the modern stitcher by producing daylight lights that can be flexed to suit your stitching position.

This means that I can keep it in my lounge, use it when I need to and not really notice it the rest of the time. Try not to let budget get in the way of the health of your vision — good eyesight is an important thing to save. The gains in seeing the holes in 32ct linen will easily outweigh any concerns you might have about the perception of the product. But what it does do is enable you to push deadlines back a bit. If you get tired of stitching that project, switch to something with a completely different colour palette for a while as that will refresh your perspective and might help you re-enthuse for the task ahead.

So there you have it! If you want to improve your stitching speed, try some of these tweaks and see what happens.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top tips, or if you have success in trying these ideas. He is also the founder of XStitch, the game-changing cross stitch design magazine which launched in Summer Today we focus on the career of textile art designer Ruri Clarkson. This artist works as a visual artist who delves into feminist issues.

They are translated and vocalised via illustrations and Nature is a focus of interest for Marian Jazmik and used massively through her work in textile art. It comprises of Skip to content Welcome to Ask Mr X, a series where we answer your embroidery and textile art questions. A seat frame like this can be used with a variety of hoops or frames. The Elbasee 24 inch Maxi Clip Frame.