Flosstube episode 28 - stitchy conversation, what I've been stitching and FFOs! (March 6, 2024)
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Hi everyone, welcome to my FlossTube episode 28!
In this episode, I've got some FFOs, my current WIPS and lots of stitching conversation!
I hope you will sit back, relax and stitch as we visit together. Thank you again for joining me,
#flosstube #crossstitch
KAREN'S INSTAGRAM / karendcombs
KAREN'S ETSY PAGE www.etsy.com/s...
KAREN'S WEBPAGE www.karencombs...
SHOPS MENTIONED
Patchwork Pawprint
www.patchworkp...
(Val’s Instagram @patchworkpawprint )
Curating Cambridge (Samplered Lives Book)
tinyurl.com/4e...
Ernest Wright (4" embroidery scissors)
www.ernestwrig...
The Attic:
atticneedlewor...
Hobby House:
hobbyhouseneed...
Victoria Clayton silks
www.hand-dyedf...
Sampler Bird Stitchery
www.etsy.com/s...
STITCHING GUILDS
Tudor Rose Sampler Guild - www.tudorroses...
Queen City Sampler Guild - www.queencitys...
FLOSSTUBES MENTIONED
@katiestrachanembroidery
@brendaandtheserialstarter2410
SALS MENTIONED
GH1857 SAL with @suzyrunswithneedles and @jodisstitchingadventure
Shores of Hawk Run Hollow - @disorderlystitcher
ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS FLOSSTUBE
4.00 readers - 5 pack with case amzn.to/3lxlrM8
6.00 readers - 4 pack with case amzn.to/3K1w2JO
Bobbin Case for silks amzn.to/3N5bfpc
(As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase through these links, we may earn a few cents on the sale.) - Навчання та стиль
I have returned after 35 years! I just started stitching again in November and finished a sampler I started in 1989 in January. Everything has changed! I started on 14 count aida and it is still my favorite even today. First time here so I subscribed! Happy Stitching! Kari
Hi Kari, so glad you enjoyed the video, thank you so much for your nice note and for subscribing. 🙂
Hi Karen. I’m new to cross stitch. I’m working on my 2nd piece now which is a Pumpkins & Bats by Teresa Kogut. My first one was last month, it was an XOXO Valentine’s pattern. The seasonal graphics is what attracted me to starting this new hobby and I’m loving it!
Hi Caroline, Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
Karen!! You educate, guide, inspire and are so easy to listen to!! I learn so much in your episodes!! Appreciate reviewing the basics, eg the various stitch counts and fabric. Have fun with all your projects !! Thank you for mentioning the glasses with higher magnification! I'll grab a pair or two! Thank you again for sharing all the things, and your tomato and fob are adorable too!!
Hi Anna, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and I truly appreciate your sweet comment. Made my night!
Thanks again 🙂🙂
Karen, thanks for such an enjoyable video...loved all that you shared...best wishes ❤❤
Thanks, Loretta! 🙂🙂
Another enjoyable visit with you, Karen! I wanted to tell you that the tip you gave last video about threading your needle…..if you cannot get the thread to go in one side, turn the needle and try the other…..has worked beautifully for me! It never dawned on me that a needle hole would have a right and wrong side! Thank you for that information! Carol in Texas
Hi Carol, so glad you enjoyed this video and very happy to hear that the tip was helpful.
🙂
I use that tip all the time, it has saved me much aggravation and I wanted to make sure and share it.
Thanks again !
Enjoyed this so much. I love all your projects.you’re so right about getting better with time. Good to remember that. Thanks for your video.
Hi Allison, so glad you enjoyed the video and thanks so much for your note! 🙂
Love watching your channel, Karen! You are always a wealth of information! Thank you for your kindness and guidance.
You are so welcome! So glad you enjoyed the video. 🙂
Thank you so much for the nice comment. It is very much appreciated!
Good morning Karen, thank you for another wonderful informational FT❤ I enjoy listening to you and your needlework savvy ❤
Hi Michele, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your nice note. 🙂
What lovely stitching! Can you tell us which Lugana you used for Winter is Past? Thanks!
Hi Anna, I used 25ct Cream Lugana, 1 strand over one for Winter Is Past.
Thanks for your note!
@@karencombsstudio Thanks for this and for your lovely Flosstube. It’s always a pleasure to hear about your creative work!
Congratulations on all those FFO’s! The framing is beautiful. I love the tomato scissor fob, too. I’ve had my eye on that kit on Etsy. I’m glad you brought up not talking yourself out of trying something new. I came back to stitching after 30+ yrs away from it when the UA-cam algorithm suggested I watch a FlossTube video. As I watched 2 stitchers share their enthusiasm for cross stitch, discuss different charts, floss, and linen, I realized how much cross stitching had evolved over the years and I was eager to try it again. I watched a LOT of FlossTube before buying a chart and many were talking about 40 ct linen. So, I just decided that’s what I’d buy. As I looked at different charts I kept being drawn to “Consider the Lilies.” Yes, it’s big (in my ignorance I didn’t realize how big) but it attracted and interested me, so that’s the one I bought. And well, you’ve seen how that turned out. 😉 in all honesty, while I waited for supplies to arrive I bought a piece of 32ct linen at Hobby Lobby and downloaded a free alphabet sampler so I could at least try stitching on linen before the big sampler chart arrived. I only did about 2 rows, realized it wasn’t hard and was ready to dive into my big project. I’ve always felt that if you’re interested in what you’re doing, you’ll figure out a way to do it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. That’s their perspective and opinion, not yours.
Thanks, Jackie! Totally agree!
“If you want to do something, you will figure out a way to make it happen.”
Love that statement, and it’s one I’ve lived by during my entire quilt career . . .and now doing the same with stitching.
We do figure it out, sometimes it takes a detour or takes longer, but if you really want it, you will find a way. 🙂
Your Consider the Lilies is so beautiful! Glad you didn’t let the size deter you and just dove in. I loved seeing it. 🙂🙂
Thanks so much for your note.
Thank you! When I bought the chart for CTL, I didn’t know I would change it so much. I honestly didn’t know I could! I was under the mistaken impression that I had to follow the chart as it was. 😊 So, it wasn’t until I saw an IG post where someone changed the Adam & Eve figures that I realized I actually could redesign parts of it. At that moment it was as though I had “permission” to change things as I wanted and then I was off on a journey to make it my own. I loved the whole experience.
Now THIS is the kind of FT I love! Very informative, no fluff! Beautiful finishes!
Thanks Charlotte, so glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your nice comment! 🙂
Thank You for sharing so much of your knowledge of cross stitching !l can’t tell you how much l enjoyed your flosstube . You are very talented and an incredible teacher ! Your stitching is just amazing , beautiful work . Thank You again for sharing so much of your knowledge with all of us .
You are so welcome, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for your nice note. 🙂
hi karen, enjoy your videos! i'm a quilter and a cross stitcher, tho don't do much quilting these days! a person can only make so many before she runs out of beds to put them on, walls to hang them on, people to give them to! i wanted to share my reason for using floss drops exclusively. for years i used the floss bags, on a ring. I tried bobbins for 1 project and wasn't satisfied. now not only did i have to unwind the floss and tease 1-2 strands apart, i had to rewind the bobbin. and my floss had that telltale kink in it. then i started watching floss tube and i'm a floss drop stitcher for life! i love being able to pull off the 1-2 strands i need, i don't have to rewind the remainder, and no kinks. i'm also into reduce/reuse/recycle, and use a punch to make my own floss tags from lightweight cardboard and greeting cards! my advice to stitchers is to try bobbins for a project before you jump in with both feet and wind all your floss. same with floss drops - try them for a project, then decide! take care, terri
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your note.
Excellent information about floss drops or bobbins. Thank you so much! 🙂
Thank you Karen, you have a wonderful manner and a particular talent for explaining. I have a little comment regarding ironing. I never iron my stitching until it has been washed after completion. My fear is that ironing will tend to set any oils from my hands into the fabric, and hence, they may not wash out readily. These oils may be invisible at this point, but over the years, they will cause yellowing. I have seen this happen. So because of this you need never apologise for any unironed WIPs.❤
Great tip, thank you so much for sharing it! 🙂
Thank you so much for your nice note, I appreciate it so much.
I originally started stitching in the mid 70s and continued pretty regularly until about 10 years ago when I retired and moved to Alabama from northern Virginia. I started back up a few weeks ago and I remember how much I love stitching. I’m a monogamous stitcher (and even my knitting and crochet) one pair of socks /one afghan/one piece of cross stitch. I may do all 3 during any given day, but just one project in each genre. I started back with the Valentine Quaker from Primrose Cottage on 14 count Aida. I now remember how much I prefer to use linen/evenweave, but stitching is stitching and I enjoy it very much. This is the first of your FlossTubes I’ve watched, but enjoyed it immensely and will subscribe. Happy Stitching and thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge.
Hi Karen, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your nice note. I appreciate it! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your stitching journey, enjoyed reading it very much !
Oh dear I forgot my question/request. Would you do a brief commentary on blackwork. I have purchased some blackwork samplers and I want to begin them, but I am not sure if even weave is best, or Aida or linen. also if there is a "smart" way to stitch the black work, such as how to do the Holbein stitch. also starting and stopping threads with blackwork can be tricky. Any suggestions and comments would be really welcome. Thank you so much.
Hi Virginia, I will share what I’ve done in Blackwork on one of my future videos. Thank you for asking. . . Not sure I’m an expert, but will be happy to share what I found works well and how I did it.
I did some blackwork with gold over 50 years ago, but I’m not sure where that (unfinished) design when. Will have to dig around and see if I still have it.
Thanks so much! 🙂
I started back doing cross stitch a few years ago. I had been doing black work, Hardanger a some quilting. The first pattern was a Blackbird designs sampler on 32 count. Fast forward I now work on 40 count, although I have 2 projects that I have just started on 56 count & 45 count. And I am loving it all. And enablers like yourself. I have just started Sarah Milthorp I love it. Hard to put down. Thank you for your great videos.
Hi Susan, so glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your nice note.
Isn’t Sarah Milthorp a beautiful sampler ?!? I’ve been working on some other things, but really need to get back and finish her.
Thanks again! 🙂
Your black work is gorgeous!
Specialty stitches are even easier to do on evenweave or linen than on aida! 🎉❤
Thank you so much! !! Excellent comment about evenweave and specialty stitches, thank you. 🙂
I stumbled across flosstube and cross stitch by happenstance - looking for something else! I thought I'd woken up in an alternate universe... parking? diagonal stitching? confetti?!! I was hooked! so I watched for a while and got excited - dug out my bins that I had a couple of projects in - from the 80's to the 2000's - I had sort of stitched up to 2016 - that was the last thing I began - a bell pull - beautiful! worked on it for the month of January last year and finished the bottom half and thought wow - is that slow! I am a quilter, knitter, do punch needle, and wool appliquéd has occupied me the last 7/8 yrs.... I stitch. I was surprised as I had 4 unfinished projects (WIPS) - cross stitch was the only thing I did where I could regulate one-at-a-time. I was also very surprised at what I had in my bin - patterns that I'd never do today! And a lot of 14 ct Aida. I was eager to try something small in linen... BUT - in order to begin a new chart, I had to finish one. I decided to continue working on Maggie the Messmaker - you know sewing room... and, as I was longing for something large as well as small count I thought it would show me if I was a 'stayer' - if I spent the $ on the kit-up - would I finish it? I enjoyed it a lot - though it is not a chart I'd choose to do now as a start. This has all happened since September '23! and I'm hook, line and sinker in! We were blessed with our first grandchild last March and I did allow myself to leave Maggie to work on a birth chart.... Woodland Castle - thought I could do it in 3 months - only 50,000sts! Well I am thankful that that baby will not remember that his Grams was a year late - and I did indeed find out what confetti is... if you're starting fresh - find a chart you are crazy about - that will get you through! My husband goes to Mexico for 3 or 4 months in the winter - I find it too hot! Guess what I'm doing?!!
Hi Dawn, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your lovely note. I enjoyed reading about your stitching journey very much! 🙂
Hi, Karen! Thank you for another great video. Your framed finishes are just beautiful! The first project I stitched after coming back to the hobby after many years was Bake The World A Better Place by The Tiny Modernist…a very brightly colored piece that was so much fun to stitch. 🤗 I didn’t interpret your “scary start” comment as negative either; I just figured it was a big new project that you were excited about, but a little nervous to begin. 😊 I’m so happy you’re enjoying it, it’s really gorgeous! Thanks also for linking the bobbin cases for the Vicki Clayton silks. Just what I need! Happy stitching until next time. 💙🪡
Meline
So glad you enjoyed the video and I’m glad you were able to get the bobbin cases for your VC silks. I just ordered another set, they are just so handy. 🙂
Thanks so much for your nice note, sure appreciate it. 🙂🙂
Besides making notes in calendar book I write on the chart: what fabric color & counts, when I started. When I finished. Easier than the book. 💖🥰🌺
Hi Jude, thanks so much for your note. 🙂
🖐 hello from Devon England. I came back to stitching with Stacy Nash Maggie Mae Rabbit but always sewed Samplers in the 90s these are my favourites. Loving your reels ❤
So nice to see your comment, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂
Aren’t Stacey’s little animal crackers cute?!? I haven’t stitched any yet, but keep looking at them.
Thanks again for your nice note 🙂
Returned after hiatus from the 80’s. Started back with a chart for my first granddaughters born 27 days apart. I’ve stitched like crazy ever since.
That is awesome! Thanks so much for your note! 🙂
Hi Karen, just want to comment on how much I love watching and how much I value your teachings. I’ve learned so much from you. I immediately fell in love with your Stars FFO, so much that I ordered the pattern. However, I’m a bit confused bc your finish looks much larger than what the pattern size states (finished at 5”x11”)/87w x 171L on 32 count. May I ask what your pattern stitch count is? I might have bought the wrong pattern.
I positive I posted a reply to your question, but now I don’t see it. Not sure where it went.
I did Stars on 32 count Lugana and it is close in measurement to the size stated in the chart. I guess it just looks larger than that. 🙂
Thanks so much for your note!
I read your response somewhere else😂. No worries. Thanks Karen.
40:38 that fob is adorable!! Well done
Thanks, Laura! It really is cute and was fun to make. 🙂
Good morning from the UK..So pleased to have found your flosstube, very informative.
I came back to cross stitch in COVID lockdown having not x stitched since a child.Started out on 14 count Aida, miss counted my placement of stitches and ran out of space, lol, but didn’t put me off. Now really enjoying my hobby and get very twitchy if I have to miss a day without stitching.
Hi Marion, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your lovely note. 🙂
Karen, I so enjoyed this floss tube. Your gentle encouragement, your wonderful informative offerings, the way you answer questions are conversational, but you don't beat down on the topic and become all heavy. I also love your stitching. It is so beautiful and uniform.
I also love 40 count, in particular, in linen. I love the small stitch, the dainty crosses and I don't have to use 2 threads. My crosses when I use two threads are just not so uniform.
You asked what our first projects were. Mine started about 30 years ago when I lived in Japan. I bought a cross stitch kit of a partial alphabet with some floral motifs as well. It was on an Aida or even weave, and yet, a quite soft and lovely fabric. The Japanese do things beautifully. I didn't know how to start or end a thread and because it was in Japanese and I couldn't't read the kanji, and there weren't many pictures, I made knots! Can you imagine. Only later, did I figure out myself that it would be much easier to hide the starts and finished under the stitched threads. I still have the little sampler and it totally hooked me.
This was in the early 90's or even late 80's. That little chart made me fall in love with alphabets and to this day I love to do them. I made my sister a sampler with the letter of her first name using all different fonts. I created the chart and because there were not such things as charting programs, and I didn't even have a computer at that time as they were not yet common items in a household, I used paper and made a huge chart and then stitched it. I love it. I sent it to my sister and she framed it. It is quite lovely if I say so myself.
I then took a break from it for many years, perhaps decades, and I began to stitch again in 2023 in February and have fallen back in love with stitching again. I began again with a small pillow sampler kit and some Hands Across the Sea sampler exclusives. What a jump. But I am so happy to have found my niche again.
Oh dear this is a letter. I am so sorry. Thank you for all your lovely, lovely floss tubes. I so enjoy them, but for some reason, this one just warmed my heart. Looking forward already to your next visit.
Hi Virginia, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, and I truly appreciate your kind note. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your stitching journey, I enjoyed reading it very much.
I agree, so many of my favorite designs and notions/supplies are from Japan. When I was traveling and teaching quilting classes and would see the Japanese quilts at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. I would stand and admire the Japanese quilts. I was in awe of their talent.
Thanks again 🙂
Hi Karen, you are making great progress on your WIPs and your Finishes are spectacular! Thank you for sharing you knowledge & encouragement with us. Happy Stitching until we meet again! xoxo
Hi Barbara, thank you so much, I appreciate your sweet comment very much!! 🙂🙂
Karen , That was a wonderful floss tube! I love all three of your newly framed pieces. Thank you for the encouragement to keep trying even when we are not sure we can work through a tough spot. I want to start The Shores of Hawkrun Hollow. How big was your piece of 40 count linen for this piece? Thanks for all you do to encourage this community!❤
Hi Linda, so glad you enjoyed the video, it helpful and I appreciate your nice note!
The stitch count for Shores of HRH is 371 x 278. On 40 ct, the design area is 18 3/8" x 13 7/8". Plugging the numbers into the cross stitch calculator, the linen size needed is 26" x 22".
After looking at these numbers, I knew a fat quarter (27" x 18") would not be larger enough. So I searched my linen and found a 1/2 yard (27" x 36")of Lakeside Linen Sand Dune. I decided to use that and after stitching the boxes, will carefully cut off the extra to save for another project
I think the called for linen is Lakeside Vintage Autumn Gold, but I could not find that and really liked the Sand Dune as an option.
The first chart I ever stiched was a little owl kit that everyone in my home economics class had to do. I understand why my teacher picked that chart it had a little bit of everything like backstitching and French knots. That was in '86 wow.
That kit sounds perfect, taught you so much!
Thanks so much for your note! 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement. I thoroughly enjoyed your chat today . Very inspiring. Jan x
You are so welcome, so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks doe your note! 🙂
That self talk is so important to recognize and I’m cheering you on as you push through the fear with your stitching. Having the same conversations with myself, but I started my Maria Ewin while I wait for the Ann Tong Uffindell silks to arrive and wondering what took me so long! As soon as they are here I will select the linen (choices have been narrowed to two) and try to catch up with you. You had asked what chart brought me back to stitching after my twenty year hiatus and it was Remember Me from Teresa Kogut. It’s still in process, but has stalled due to a counting error that I’ve been too busy to stop and find. It makes me think of my Dad who was my best friend and cheerleader in all things crafty so I know it will come back into the rotation soon. And the BAP got ordered so it will wedge itself in somehow too along with several new quilting projects this year. Never a dull moment!
Thanks so much and I totally agree. Sometimes we talk ourselves out of something before we've even started . . .
I do love Teresa's designs, they are so lovely.
Thanks again for your note! 🙂
Hi Karen, thank you for the mention of the Shores of HRH SAL. I love that stitch and find it hard to put down. I am also working on Ann Tong in DMC, love it too.
You are very welcome, I need to post photos of my progress with the SAL. I haven’t done that yet.
It’s such a beautiful piece, I am a fan of all of the HRH pieces.
Thanks again 🙂
You're the first flosstuber that I have seen who is working on Loara Standish. I have her completed and framed so you can see the back. I was blessed to be able to attend the Just CrossStitch seminar at Plymouth, MA taught by Joanne Harvey. Talk about an experience!!! I got to meet Pat Carson of Gloria and Pat during part of the seminar. My friend and I rode with Pat and her friend to the 17th century meal prepared for us at Plimouth Plantation. Fantastic! I am glad I did Loara reversible. It was amazing to sit under Joanne Harvey. Reversible stitching is about many passes of needle and thread. I had several ah-ha moments during the seminar. I walk by my Loara daily…and, often pause to gaze at her and stand in awe of her…definitely the crème de la crème of my stitched pieces that I have done over my many years of stitching! So glad to see your progress on Loara. Oh, another aside…we went to Loara's grave and many of us left silk threads on her grave stone. And, we saw the original Loara sampler in Pilgrim Hall…very tiny in comparison to mine! The first band called the Standish stitch…Joanne named it that because she had never seen that particular stitch in any other sampler. She was invited to Plymouth when they were taking Loara out of the frame…she had to restart configuring the stitches once she saw it was reversible. Because her husband was a museum photographer, he was allowed to photograph the sampler in detail and with those photographs Joanne figured out how to do the stitches. Amazing to hear her story of "unraveling" the secrets to reversible stitching! At the time she reproduced this sampler 36 count was the smallest even count linen…Loara's was stitched closer to the 54 of today…but 54 count linen was not 54 in both directions so it would have distorted the sampler stitches and thus the shape. In the back of my mind I thought I would stitch it again if I could ever get even weave in that high of a count…but…think that I will not revisit Loara…too many other lovely pieces out there tempting me presently!!! Interesting that Loara was stitched over 3 linen threads…took me a bit to get out of the habit of stitching over 2 linen threads! I look forward to seeing your progress on Loara,
Lois, thank you for your lovely comment about the Loara Standish sampler. I enjoyed reading it so very much. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I visited the Pilgrim Hall museum about 10 years years ago to see a piece of furniture my ancestor (Kenelm Fuller) made. I’m sure I saw the Standish sampler, but it was before I had returned back to stitching and did not spend time studying it. I am looking forward to going back again and really looking at it.
And several of my earlier videos, I do talk about the Standish sampler, but I cannot remember which ones.
How fortunate you were to study under Joanne Harvey. Her instructions and illustrations are outstanding. I can only imagine how wonderful it was to attend the workshop with her.
Thank you again for your wonderful comment!!!!
I have just discovered your channel and plan to go back and catch up with them all. I look forward to hearing what else you have to say about Loara! 😁
Karen- fabulous video & I thank you. I appreciate your response to my question about Vicky Clayton silks. What a clever way to use 1 strand at a time. I’m going to try it.
That blue frame is a stunner. 💙
Thanks, KC! I really am loving the VC silks.
I’m thrilled with the blue frame. I think it’s my favorite of the three.
Thanks again! 🙂
Karen, Your videos are always informative. I learn something new with each one. I will be attending Nicola's classes in Cincinnati in May. I look forward to meeting you there. Happy stitching. Best, Karen
Thank you for your note, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video.
I’m looking forward to the workshop in May and look forward to meeting you, be sure to say hello! 🙂
Thank you for almost the encouragement! I’ve joined the Shores of HRH SAL the Disorderly Stitcher is running and have month 1 done.
You are welcome!! Month 1 of Shores done, wonderful!! 🙂
My first cross stitch pattern upon returning to stitching was Ink Circles Blackwork Garden.
That sounds lovely! Thanks so much for your note! 🙂
I started stitching in 1977. Picked up a couple of Christmas ornament kits that I saw in a store one day. When I opened the first kit, I was surprised that the fabric was blank. I had never heard of counted cross stitch. The kit supplied 22 ct fabric, the thread, the needle and excellent instructions, and I loved it. I made at least a dozen or more ornaments that year, which hung on our Christmas tree that year and every year since. As our family grew, my stitching slowed down and stopped almost completely for a few years. I returned to stitching on a regular basis in the mid 2000's and was amazed at all the changes. Now, in my retirement, my stitching is a daily enjoyment!
Hi Nancy, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your note. I enjoyed reading about your stitching journey, thank you for sharing it with me! 🙂
Thank you so much for explaining things. As a new stitcher I need information and you give that and I’m very grateful. 🙂 Have a good day!
Hi Mary, so glad you enjoyed the video and I appreciate your note so much. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you Karen for your wonderful video.
Hi Lynda, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and truly appreciate your nice note. 🙂
Your framed pieces!😍 I enjoy listening to you, you have a very pleasant voice and you are very knowledgeable.
Thank you so very much. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and I truly appreciate your nice comment. 🙂🙂
Love you are talking about VClayton silks. I’ve several questions I’d love to chat about, but figure I’ll work it out as I use them. I did get the bobbin boxes. Thank you so much. Very helpful in keeping the bobbin’s contained. I am a bit concerned I’ll loose the label on the bobbin. Thinking I may need to store in a floss bag after a project ends?
Hi Ginger, I do make sure that the little labels stay on the bobbin as I put it into the bobbin box.
I agree, once the project is done I will probably store the bobbins in a floss away bag or maybe in a small box. Need to ponder that once the project is done. 🙂
Thank you Karen❤ I’m about to finish BBD Loose Feathers so going to try…tho I may just keep them in the bobbin box as I have a few!❤Handworkmaniac uses an index card in her floss bags so need those now too. Such a process to get it all figured out. I do think the index card will help see the colors better.
@@gingermccafferty9572 Hi Ginger, great idea about the index card in a floss bag with the silks! Thanks so much for sharing it. 🙂
Another great floss tube❤ Your framed pieces are stunning with the perfect frames 👌 Now I'm thinking about starting GH 1857, Something I've loved for a while 😅😅😅 Take care and enjoy your stitching 😊
Hi Bridget, thanks so much for your nice note!!
I am looking forward to starting the GH 1857 sampler, such an unusual color combination and so pretty. I need to decide on a linen. . . . 🤔🤔
Thanks again 😘
Just loved every bit of this. Thank you. I stitched in the 1980s and early 90s. I also taught my identical triplet girls to cross stitch. All of us stopped at one point. But two of my girls and myself have picked it back up again. We are totally obsessed. I think when I picked mine back up again after Covid, I started with the DMC sampler. It was a pattern from the 1990s I believe. And I love your tip on doing a border. Oh my. I’m actually going to try it tonight on a piece I’m working on. Thank you! And I always say practice makes better.😃 have a great weekend!
So glad you enjoyed the video and found some of the tips helpful.
I appreciate your nice note as well. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your stitching journey with me, I enjoyed reading it so much! 🙂
Great projects.
I don't remember what my 1st stitched piece was, I've been stitching so long.
Nice info, as always.
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn, thank you for your nice note, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoy the videos and thank you so much for your lovely note.
Isn’t the chart Stars by The Drawn Thread beautiful?!?
I checked my notes, I stitched it on 32 count stormy night Lugana. On mine, the stitched area measures proximately 10 1/4” x 5 1/2”. With the border and frame, it measures 14 1/2” x 10”. (That is the outside edge of the frame.
Hope that is helpful and thanks again for your note.
Yes Karen, this chart is so so lovely! I knew right away I have to stitch this one. Thank you for sharing with us. I’m also looking forward to GH 1857. Definitely going to participate in the SAL. Thanks for taking the time to get back to me. Your measurements are very close to the Stars pattern I ordered, so I should be ok. Looking forward to your next video…can’t wait 😊
@@cecterr
It’s interesting, the sampler looks larger than it is. Must just be an illusion. 🤷♀️
I did enjoy stitching it and love how it looks in the frame. Trying to decide where to put it right now. . . .
🙂
Beautiful stitching! So good to see you, my friend!
Hi Ellen! Thank you so much!
I enjoyed our coffee chat in January and look forward to more when we are snowbirds next winter. 😘
Me, too!@@karencombsstudio
I used to do lots of needlepoint. We used even weave as well as linen.
I dislike the bobbins because I hate the krinkles in the thread. Floss drops eliminate that issue. My sister used bobbins for years.
I am to blind to see the big count fabrics. Therefore my fabrics are generally 28 count some 32 count. I se what works for me. I use magni-clips with my continuous glasses on.
I have always parked my needle in my linen just usually out in the border.
I am mostly a monogamous stitcher as it drives me crazy to have unfinished projects laying around. Currently I have 6 WIPS as I have had to stop the project I was working on for some gifts to be completed. Getting back to unfinished projects is difficult for me hence the reason for being monogamous.
Depends on chart. Some times I start up in a corner other times I start in the center. I started once in a bottom corner - I will never do that again. Shepherds Bush Christmas Stockings are best started in the season so you have plenty of fabric all the way around.
I returned to cross stitch and started on aida I almost immediately went back to linen.
I made clothes for years. I then moved into needlepoint and hardanger. Then the quilting bug hit me. I made several tops and rarely got mine quilted. I did long arm quilting for a business for about 20 years. Then we moved to N Dakota and just a couple of months later Covid hit. That’s when I got out a cross stitch project I had bought a couple of years prior to that. I have been hooked ever since. I’m now trying to finish all my quilt WIPS and when I get the opportunity to get my quilt machine back together I will get all my tops quilted.
Wow I love GH1857.
I didn’t order anything from market. I have an opportunity to travel to a couple of cross stitch stores coming up. Therefore I wanted to keep all my limited stash for the stores.
You calling a project scary just made me think you were excited but didn’t want to make a mistake. Was not negative to me.
Hi Tami, thanks so much for your note. I love reading your stitching journey, thank you for sharing it with me.
Thank you for the reminder of parking in the border, I sometimes do that and I forgot to mention it. Appreciate your note about it. 🙂
Your trips to several cross stitch shops sounds wonderful, enjoy!
Thanks again for your lovely note!
Hi Karen!
I just want to thank you for your fabulous flosstube videos! I was super excited when I laid down & you came on!! 🥳🎉 🪡 I have learned so much from you!
I came back into stitching when the Pandemic hit. I'm a Quilter however I've always loved to cross stitch as well! I jumped right into 25 ct then went to 32 ct then 36 ct. I LOVE those higher counts! I'd think! If they can do it I can too!! ❤ I'm so thankful for all these fabulous designers!! After watching you I'm going to order some 40 ct. 🥳 I'm a person that can't have 20 plus starts! It just gives me so much anxiety!! I was getting nowhere fast! So, I had to take 2 steps back & decide what I really wanted to stitch. I loved EVERYTHING so much so it was hard. YA KNOW. 🤷
I'm doing much better now. Actually finishing things projects!
I LOVED your framed pieces you've finished! They are gorgeous Karen!! Just think when you hang them on your walls! You can smile every time you look at them!! I'm so happy for you! 💞 You can make your tea towel into a project bag! Thank you for letting us know. I just love Katie Strachan!! I'm stitching some of hers now too! Those counts are way high! I love that too! She's the kindest person! As you are too Karen! Thank you for being YOU!
Hi Melanie,
So glad you enjoyed the video and I appreciate your nice note so much.
I enjoyed reading your comment and will be interested to see what you think about 40 count.
I’m right there with you wanting to start everything but I try to focus on a few at a time. The word is “try”. 😂😂😂😂
Thanks again! 😘
Thanks for another great video! I started stitching again last Fall after about 20 years. My first project was Plum Street Goody Grimwood. It was such fun. As you said there are so many new linens now. I don't have an LNS to see them in person. Can you please point me to information that compares the different dyers? I have already seen that the weaves are looser/tighter based on the dyer. I would like to know the other differences. Thanks!
Hi Debbie, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your note.
If you take a look through my past videos, I have done some linen comparisons that compare different linens. The demos are scattered in my past videos and there quite a few. That may be helpful.
Thanks again. 🙂
Great information Kathy and wonderful projects!❤
Hi Ginger, so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your note. 🙂
Thank you for all your great info. Love your flosstube.❤️
Hi Elaine, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your nice note. 🙂
I've been stitching since 1987... I put my kit project down for almost 2 years because DMC changed the color 647 from gray to green... took me 2 years to find the correct shade. After 2 years, I stumbled upon Colorado Cross Stitcher's Flosstube & thought OMG, what Paradise is this?!!! Off I went watching every Flosstube I could find. My first piece was a Heaven & Earth Designs Aquarius by Pat Brennan... I now have 40 WIP's... most of them are full coverage. I have completed some samplers in the midst of stitching the full coverages. I will be finished with Aquarius in April this year (342,300 stitches, 1 over 1 on 28ct Lugana).The frames you chose to finish your pieces are wonderful!
Hi Jane, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your nice note.
I enjoyed reading about your stitching and wow, your full coverage projects must be amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Really enjoy your informative videos. Thank you.
Hi Peggy, Glad you like them and I appreciate your note, thank you. 🙂
Karen, I started doing tapestry and cross stitching over 40 years ago after a 15 year break I started cross stitching again early last year. I have about 5 Wips but I don't think I'll be starting any more unless I fall in love with the next Owl Forest SAL. I'm enjoying stitching the 2024 Fox & Rabbit SAL and determined to keep
up. ❤️🌹Linda from Qld, Australia
Hi Linda, thank you so much for your note. I do love Owl Forest, have one kitted and waiting it's turn. . . and really love Fox & Rabbit, both their linen and their charts.
Thanks again! 🙂
Love your videos. Lots of content and positivity.
Hi Cathy, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your nice note. I appreciate it so much! 🙂
Wow! Your framed pieces are gorgeous!
Hi Kim, thank you so much!!! 🙂
I'm new at cross stitch. I did needlepoint in the 80's, but now I decided to try cross stitch. I started with 14 ct. aida with a Susan Ache pattern because I love the Quaker stitch. I'm now stitching on 18 count. I really don't like the smaller counts. Pittsburgh, PA
Hi Rosalie, thank you so much for your comment, I appreciate it. 🙂
I think the first chart i started back on was a small kit i got from spotlight. It was a laundry today or naked tomorrow. Those words with a full laundry basket. Then a little dress from a Cross stitch magazine that i found amongst my stuff in storage, which i need to find where a put it again because i need to finish the outline, it's in different colours and i only have the black & white copy. I found a work that i had in storage for many years, that i had to finish the back stitch. Currently working on a tiger, full Coverage over 400,000 stitches 🤦 I'm not happy with some of the quality of my stitches, which i may redo a little at a time. I discovered floss tube, so i have a very long list of patterns i want to acquire. All previous work is 14cnt stitches but one. The tiger is 16cnt. I have bought some new patterns that are smaller stitches, so I'm looking forward to giving those a go. I just got to stop ordering patterns and build up my fabric statch😊
@@debbiebarnett1920 Hi Debbie, thanks so much for your note! I enjoyed reading your stitching journey! 🙂
Hi Karen, I've recently returned to cross stitch, having been away from it since the late 70's. Floss tube has been a great help. I've discovered that I love dying my own fabric. Gridding and using GoodNotes has helped greatly. I have two starts...Riolis 'Wise Raven' on 14ct and Maximum Cross Stitch 'The Swans at River House' on 14ct I've dyed a light pink. And five projects kitted up, the largest being Halloween Quaker by Lila's Studio. Love your videos.
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. I love reading your comments. . . I haven't dyed fabric yet, but I keep thinking about it. Yikes, that is another rabbit hole to fall into. . . . but a wonderfully fun one!!
Thanks again. 🙂
When you choose linen for your smaller count projects, is there a particular linen brand that you prefer?
Hi Joanne, I have a few I really like and try to find when I can. I find on smaller count, I prefer linen that isn't too highly dyed. Sometimes the dying process can shrink the linen, so on really high count, I try and avoid that.
There are a few I've used and really higher count: Lakeside, Needle and Flax, Legacy Linen are just some I've used in higher count and enjoy using. I know there are others, but those are the ones that came to mind first.
Thanks so much for your note! 🙂
The piece that enticed me back into cross stitching again back in 2016, was Colonial Flag by Jeanette Crew Designs. I was looking through my patterns and decided that I really wanted that hung up on my wall. And I still love it. The reason I quit stitching years ago was because our LNS closed and I didn't know where to take my finished pieces to get them framed.
Hi Julie, thank you for your note, I enjoyed reading about your stitching journey. 🙂🙂
Your ffo’s are gorgeous and the framing is perfect! I started stitching in the 80’s and my taste gravitated to reproduction samplers …however, given career and children, I didn’t pick it up again consistently until the pandemic. I was searching on Pinterest and saw Ann Raynor and was on the hunt! Through that search I discovered flosstubes and could not believe all that I was missing! As a result, I now have “stash”, use silks, and have attended two retreats - and met you! What a wonderful feeling to meet so many with the same passion! Your Ann Tong Uffindell has me itching to start her…gorgeous! What linen are you using for her? I’m still trying to complete Hannah Elliott - and think I need to do a small before starting another large sampler…I’m more of a monogamous stitcher. Thank you Karen for another wonderful flosstube and discussion!
Another great video! I'm a member of the Embroiders' Guild. If a brand new stitcher, we start them out with Aida, then evenweave and then linen as it gives them confidence as they progress. We don't want new stitchers to quit if overwhelmed. 😊
Hi Georgia! Thank you so much! I do really love the framing and really, really, really love how the frame turned out on The Winter is Past. I think it is my favorite.
Ann Raynor. . . did you ever find the chart? What a beautiful sampler!
I'm using 40 count Needle and Flax Sleeping Bear linen and love it. Perfect sampler color, it's fairly new and I believe will become a classic.
I am so glad we got to meet last fall and look forward to our next retreat!
Thanks so much for your nice note, they always make me smile!! 😘
@@karencombsstudio - unfortunately, never found Ann Raynor but did find Sarah Stewart Hardman by Needlework Press and completed her. She’s quite similar…
@@georgiaobrien8393 I think Ann Raynor is a bit of a unicorn chart. Many people want to stitch her. . . maybe it will be re-released someday. 🤞
I will have to take a look at Sarah SH, sounds like a lovely sampler. 🙂
I always learn something new from you! My recent “scary” project was Winter Rose Manor, by Brenda Gervais. I stitched for the first time on 40 count linen. Oh, my!!! I loved stitching on it! So, I dove in the deep end and started Consider The Lilies, by Heartstring Samplery and a couple more projects using 40 count. You never know until you try! 😁
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your note. I enjoyed reading about your projects.
You are exactly right, you never know until you try! 🙂
Hardanger is done on even weave. it is a lot of special stitches . Just beautiful stitching! You can look it up on youtube. I have made Hardanger Christmas Orniaments.
Hi Nettie, thanks so much for your note and for the information. I appreciate it very much. 🙂
I returned after 30+ Years of raising children. I started with aida, I have tried linen but my favorite is Aida 18 ct and lugana 32 count.
Hi Rosalia, thanks so much for your note! I really do love using lugana and really enjoyed stitching it 1(strand) over 1 (thread). Didn't think I would like it as much as I did and know I'm looking forward to doing more.
Thanks again for your note! 🙂
I would like to ask a question. I am a new stitcher, as in have not picked up the needle yet, and I wondered what is your stitching schedule? How long during the day and how many days per week do you stitch?
Hi Becky, my stitching schedule depends on the day.
Some days I’m able to stitch for an hour or two in the evening, some days not at all and then on other days I can stitch in the afternoon.
I have a garden, soon I’ll be occupied with that and I also like to can the garden’s produce. Summers are pretty busy, so not much stitching time.
Same as everyone else, I guess. I try to do some stitching everyday (even if it’s just for a few minutes) but sometimes my schedule does not allow it.
Thanks so much for your note.
I'm a quilter, but the fabric has become so very expensive,that I really can't afford to do it. I accidentally came across fat quarter shops flosstube after watching their quilting videos. I started cross stitching again in 2023 and stitch on 16 or 18 count as I never learned how to do linen. I started with Brenda Gervai's Home Sweet Home and other small projects like Primrose Cottage Quakers and just recently am getting into bigger projects as well as dyed evenweaves. I love your videos as they are informative and your stitching is beautiful ❤️
Hi Karen, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for your nice note! I do love Brenda G's designs, I have several kitted and just waiting their turn. 🙂
Thanks again!
After returning back to cross stitch after over a 20 years it was a Mill’s Hill kit that peaked my interest again. Now it’s samplers all the way!!
Hi Celine, Mill Hill, they just have such fun and lovely kits.
Thanks so much for your note! 🙂
Good message about getting back to certain stitches as you learn more. 🪡 See you in May at the QCSG retreat!
Thanks, Leslie! See you in May!
Hi Karen - I always look forward to your videos - thank you for doing them.
I noticed that your heart punch is perfect for floss drops as the punched heat is not too close to the edge. When I use my circle punch, the circle ends up being so close to the edge. What is the heart punch you use?
Thank you in advance! Lisa
Hi Lisa, so glad you enjoyed the video.
The floss drops are actually Kraft tags that I purchased on Amazon. I put the link to them in the previous video (episode 27). . . . in the description box. Should be a clickable link there.
They work so well, are very reasonably priced and you get quite a few in the package.
Thanks again for your note 🙂
@@karencombsstudio Thank you!
Enjoyed your video. Loved the tomato scissor fob!
Thanks, Paulette! So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your nice note. Isn't the little tomato cute?!? I just love it.
Thanks again!🙂
Thank you!
Hi Maggie, you are welcome! Thanks so much for your note! 🙂
Gorgeous FFO's !
Shari, thank you so much! 🙂
High powered readers are a Godsend! If I don’t have really strong pair nearby, I stack two weaker pair and it works! 😂
I love this idea!!!! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I am returning to cross stitch after 30+ years, and am finding that there is no place for me. All Flosstubers are working on linen, which is not something I've ever done. Linen is too small for me to work on. I only have experience with Aida. The majority of patterns are done for linen, so are not available to me. I still love to stitch, but appear to be out of step with the cross stitchers of today.
Hi Cynthia, thank you for your comment.
Please don’t feel out of step, many of my stitching friends and members of several guilds I belong to are Aida stitchers. While it is true many FlossTubers stitch on linen, others stitch in Aida and Evenweave.
Many of the charts are suitable for both Aida and linen. If you haven’t, please watch my last floss tube, I talk about which charts are suitable for Adia and what to look for.
You might want to check out SamBrie Stitches, Becca has a FlossTube, is so talented and she has such a sweet personality. She recently started designing and I just love her new designs.
Here’s a link to her channel: youtube.com/@SamBrieStitches?si=CCGN-P-s1hxr4hHV
Thanks again for your note, and please know that you are not alone, many stitcher are stitching on Adia.
Tomato fob is marvelous!!! Beautiful work!❤
Thank you so much! 🙂
Are Vickie Clayton silks ok to use on 56 count? I would like some variegated silks to use on 56 count, what would you recommend? 46 count is my preferred linen, but, it isn’t easy to come by.
Hi Debra, thanks so much for your note. 🙂
I haven't tried the VC silk on 56 count. I believe it might be similar in weight to 100.3 (but not positive.) Take a look at the Harriet Salk sampler I held up. The lighter red is Surfine (which is very fine) and the darker read is 100.3. It worked well, but did look a little denser. It may be personal choice on that one.
I would get a bobbin of VC silk and give it a try on 46 ct. You may like the look or it may be a bit too "thick."
I liked the look of both reds on Harriet Salt, but the 100.3 was a little thicker in appearance. Hope that helps and thanks again for your note. 🙂
🦉🧵🤗🌹🛎️
Thanks for all the advice,Karen! I too came back after decades..used to do kits..one at a time only!! when I came back, I jumped right in with the large pandemic! I heard it was originally free, but I ended up paying $30! It’s huge. I think I’m doing it on Ada since I hadn’t discovered linen yet. Now I have more than 20 wips… never thought that would happen! And some linen and some are even weave, and some are high count Aida… and I have enough thread floss and silk and patterns and material to last probably a good hundred years. And I blame it all on floss tube! Oh well, I’m enjoying it.😮😊
Hi Kathie! So glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your note.
I agree, I’m also puzzled how it happens that suddenly we have 20 WIPS and a stash to last a lifetime.
😳😂😂😂
Thanks again 🙂