I have been cross-stitching for the best part of 35 years, and I have never seen pulling a thread like you have shown, so thank you for sharing that with me, because cutting straight is not something I am very good at.
Your video just popped up in my suggestions. I am so glad I decided to watch. You talked about people buying projects because they saw it on flosstube, and that responsibility falls back to the viewer. No one is forcing someone else to buy something, flosstubers are just sharing their projects, experience, and love for the craft. I also agree that some flosstubers are great to watch and some are not for me, that doesn't mean they are bad flosstubers or people. There are others who like watching them and may not enjoy watching the ones I enjoy watching. I appreciate that it is a great community, and there is something for everyone.
Just found you. I agree with your thought that all floss tubers may not be my cup of tea. I have yet to find the right Milibilia for me. I’m searching WIP parades to help my decision.
I know this is a year old video, but I always searched you tube for Mira stitchers as well! You’re so right, they are hard to find on here. Flosstube, I agree with you too. So many I stopped watching. One Flosstube, would show so many designers each week, which I enjoyed. Now it’s just their charts, like a infomercial.
Hello 🙂 I started my very first Mirabilia while watching this video. I was cross stitching a long dog sampler while watching the first chunk of this video and then the minute you started speaking about finding where to start on the piece I switched tactics. I grabbed my sewing machine and zigzagged the edges of my wichelt (😉) 28 count fabric, I then grabbed a q snap and started! I'm very excited lol. Thank you for sharing your joy of Mirabilias, and yes I agree, it is great to find a floss tuber who enjoys fancy ladies 😁 alrighty, I am going back to working on Lady of Mystery. P.s new subscriber from 🇨🇦
This video showed up as I was stitching, so you were my stitching buddy, two years later after you made this video, but enjoyed your talk and no I never heard of starting a stitch on the vertical thread, I paused to look at my fabric, lol. But hmmm, I may try it and see. 😊. I love Miras designs, right now I just started Dimensions gold collection, Garden Lady, it's very pretty, I am enjoying it. 🌹🧚🌿
Loved your video! I've just begun the Miribilia journey, was a little hesitant at first but now I think I'm hooked. Your voice is soothing and easy to listen to. Being an Aussie sometimes some voices really grate on us ;) I'll keep watching your videos so keep producing them!
Found your comments on flosstube really stuck a chord with me. I'm new to crossstitch ( 18 months) so started watching every flosstuber I could. Recently I began feeling almost second class as I'm working on a tight budget, which shouldn't be a problem but , my goodness it is. Many of the big name flosstubers are really becoming channels of very hard sell, you must have this or that, you must get this or you will regret it, you must attend this retreat/shop. Rarely are they even showing their own stitching just whatever a company or designer or shop has sent them to 'subtly ' push. I very much appreciated hearing I'm not alone in this feeling. Part of the reason I enjoy Saltbox Stitcher so much is because it's a conversation, show and tell without the sell. Thank you so much for this video, though I'm 12 months late, I'm starting a Bewitching Pixie as I'm watching this.
There is a way unravel the entire skein, match ends once, twice, three times. One end will be all loops, the other end will have 7 loops and the ends of skein. Cut through the 7 loops and you have an entire skein of floss cut all at once. Your way works of course but I love doing it all at once! Besides the loop start, learning this has been one of the BEST tricks I’ve ever learned. Saves so much time. And I love to pre cut all my floss for my projects. Loved stitching with you this evening. You inspired me to shop my stash so I worked on Christmas Elegance that hasn’t been touched in like 5 years but after watching your Mira videos it encouraged me to pull it out. And made me order Cassiopeia!
I found this video whilst looking up beading tutorials, and really loved your outlook on flosstube - and in a way on youtube as a whole. You've given me a few pros to add to my column of one day potentially recording my own videos. I'm off to marathon watch some flosstube me thinks.
I definitely understand your views about some flosstubers. One in particular I used to enjoy just recently starting going real hard on making her channel into a business and is very vocal about it. Not only was she talking about it a lot, but you could just see this sudden shift in content and overall feeling in her videos. I had to unsubscribe after awhile. I was watching her most recent video at the time and said to myself “if she talks about her making this channel a business, I’m out” and no joke, within 3 mins she talked about it and I unsubscribed right then and there. I love longer videos. I, like many I’m sure, stitch while I watch so not having to go to the next video every 15 mins is a plus for me. You may have even inspired me to start a flosstube. I use this current channel for another hobby of mine - journaling and fountain pens. So I may just start a new channel all together. I have a few Miras and Bella Filipinas that I’m itching to start. I only work on 1-2 projects at a time so I won’t start one until I finish a current project. I also much prefer to follow other people as they make progress on something. I’m not here to see a finish in every video. I recently found your channel thanks to your Mira stash dive 😍 and I’ve been enjoying going back and watching your videos.
I just want you to know Everything you said was exactly how I’ve been feeling about floss tube. I am and have always been a fancy lady stitcher. And when you started your channel I was beyond excited! You are one of the ones I look for updates on a regular basis. Like you I was on that same hunt looking for more Fancy lady stitchers. I love your positivity and the whole vibe of your channel. Bottom line thank you for your awesome videos!
And yes, I pull a thread to cut my fabric but I always put my salvage at the top so I know which is top of my project. I’m glad to see someone else who doesn’t mess with their edges. I leave mine alone. It frays a little but not really a ton. I was taught about the vertical thread when stitching on linen. My eyes have gotten worse as I got older so I stitch a lot on evenweaves . I didn’t love linen overall even when my eyes were better. I was recently diagnosed in my 50’s as having ADHD. Once I got medicated for it, not only can I stitch longer and not get as distracted by other hobbies, my spending is way down on not just crafts but other stuff too.
I love your Flosstube channel. I have been cross stitching off and on for years and never heard or seen the thread on top of the cross thread. Also I have always used the loop method but, I do it on top (right side of fabric). I have never used a que snap. I use a frame. It had taken me about 6 years to do my first Mirabilia. And I only bought one and finished that one. Now over 50 years later I have a lot of a variety of patterns. I love them all, started a lot as well. I am a starter not so much a finisher but seeing all your Mirabilia's has given me the desirer to finish as much as i can. I have about about 6 Mirabilia. My projects are medium to large in size no small pieces. I have stopped buying any more now that i am retired and cannot afford to buy. In Australia the fabrics and patterns are quite expensive, yet alone to kit each one up. I love the way you change things I have completed a lot of cross stitch patterns where i did not like a certain part of the pattern but I still stitch it, I never thought about not doing any part of that pattern. I listened to the end and i agree with what you had talked about. It did put a dampener on me, not being able to do thousand stitches a week. I also watch stitchinmommy for the main reason that she does what she can and she made me realise that a little is just fine and just as satisfying. I now stitch in hand and love it. Keep up with what your doing, i need to continue watching the rest of your episodes. :)
I have to agree with a lot of what you’re saying. I’m getting a bit bored with the constant hauls and serial starting. I love to watch someone who is happy to buy a little and stitch big projects that I can follow as the grow towards a finish. It’s more how I stitch. Watching some like Fiberlisous ( probably spelt it wrong lol ) who has just 3 large projects on the go is a real treat. And now I’ve found you I’m going to treat myself to watching your back numbers 😊
When I first started with Flosstube I had to watch them all (that was about 2 years ago when I got back to cross stitching after a very long absence). Now I only enjoy watching maybe 10….and interesting enough I love the ones who stitch large projects that take years to finish. After watching you maybe I will start one of the Nora Corbett’s I have. Thank you.
THANK YOU for being authentic. I feel the same exact way about flosstube - so many channels, so few that I enjoy watching 😁 I'm also a huge fan of Nora and Mirabilias, so this video was so much fun to watch and listen to 🤩
Hi Amy! I really enjoyed stitching along with you, and yes, it felt like we were just talking and stitching with a friend! How fun is that! I did know about the vertical thread, but I’ve been stitching on linen for years. I think somebody originally figured out that if you start by the vertical line that there is less chance of your stitch slipping behind the one beside it and you “losing a stitch” ! You gave a terrific explanation. I also learned it from Jan Hicks, who described starting as leaning on the thread next door! I sure am glad you figured out that the Indigo wasn’t going to work before you had a whole bunch of stitches in. It was a beautiful color, but rubbing off would sure ruin your project. Thank you for this most excellent video! I will look forward to the next one! (I don’t care if you finish anything at all. Smalls strike me as a waste of time that could go into a big project!)
This was the clearest example of starting on the vertical thread I’ve seen. Thank you. A suggestion - you’ll have less thread tangles if you stitch with a shorter length of thread. Also, If you watch yourself stitch, it takes multiple hand motions for you to make each cross. A shorter floss length would eliminate that. Happy stitching!
Enjoyed this stitching time with you! You're prepping for a start and I'm knitting socks! I started a Nora Corbett fairy by simply "jumping in". I wanted more suggestions on stitching this type of pattern and have found you very refreshing. I started stitching in the 1980's when we lived in the Pittsburgh area but life happened and I put it aside. Have returned to cross stitch, and just as you said, no local cross stitch shop and no local friends that cross stitch! So here we are ! I appreciate your insight and directions for a start! I work on seasonal smalls, samplers, and now wanted the New Year challenge of working on a Nora Corbett creation! Your progress is always appreciated!
I have recently purchased my first Miribilia pattern and have been having a hard time knowing which colour fabric to use - I’ve finally hand dyed a piece and have started gathering floss. Your vlog has come at such a great time for me and I understood everything you explained so well. Thanks so much. I’m 80 yrs and have just in the last few months been able to get back to cross stitch after quite a number of years having poor eyesight with cataracts which have now been corrected. I feel more confident now in beginning. 🐨
I was so excited you had a floss tube up. I did know about pulling a thread but I stitch from kits at the mo as NZ is very very hard to post to at the moment. I didn't know about the vertical Stitching thing. I loved the explanation about floss tube. Was a neat thing to think about why I watch what I watch on floss tube. Thanks
"While it doesn't matter in terms of your stitching, if you really want to know which side is the right side and which is the wrong side of a piece of Aida or linen, the selvedge holds the answer.... If you look closely, you will see small pinholes in the selvedge. Run your finger along them, and you may be able to feel that the holes are smooth on one side and pokey on the other. The smooth side is the front of the fabric. This little trick works for all kinds of fabric, not just cross stitch fabric, so now you know!" Also, thread has a correct end to begin to stitch from, or at least the thread I use, DMC, does, and I bet they all do. If you gently run your fingers down the thread, it will feel smooth in the correct direction and slightly catchy in the wrong direction. This is due to the manufacturing process. The end of the piece you pull from the skein is the end to start with. This is why I learned to not cut all of my lengths at once. Yes, you can feel for the correct direction, but it's easier to just know you start with the bit between your thumb and forefinger that you just pulled out. You like long lengths of thread, and the more times you pull your thread through fabric in the wrong direction, the more it will be traumatized until it finally frays obviously. When you attach with a loop, you always have one of the two threads running in the fraying direction. If you pull a hair from your hair through your fingers, you will also see that there is a smooth way and a catchy direction. That can help develop your sensitivity. If it doesn't bother you, no problem, obviously. But, hey, at least the algorithm may appreciate the post, so there you go. I enjoy your videos! Sorry if I sound too school marmy. lol
I've stitched a for over 30 years and several Miras, so wasn't sure what I'd learn from your video tonight, but I was pleasantly surprised. Beside picking up several tips, I enjoyed your "philosophy" toward flosstube and how you stitch what you want, and the very easy way you present our craft. I'll certainly be watching and tuning in to your videos in the future. Thank you for a very comfortable hour of FT! Steph
I enjoyed your video very much. I have just started my very first Nora Corbett!!!!! Yay! I am so excited. I chose Azure. My grown daughter loves mermaids and she is so pretty. Was searching for videos of Miribilia and found you. As I sat here starting it, I felt like I was with a friend chatting. Thank you for your videos 😊
I have learnt soooo much from you on how to cross stitch. Thank you. I will be following this to start snow queen since all but a few of the beads has arrived
I love this video!! I felt like it was me talking about what I like and dislike about Flosstube. I agree with you 100%. I learned the trick of starting on a vertical thread from watching Jean Farrish’s flosstube, but the trick of pulling the thread out to cut straight is something I have not tried. Also, I have no trouble unsubscribing to people that I do not enjoy!! Thank you for your thoughts ❤️.
Thank you! I watch Jean Farrish sometimes. She’s very knowledgeable so I guess I’m not surprised she knows the vertical thread trick; she reminds me of the quilt shop owner I learned it from.
Hah, this was great fun to watch ( well, admittedly more like listen to since I was indeed stitching at the same time, lol ) I'm not a Mirabilia stitcher or a female figure stitcher at all but I do enjoy the colors in those patterns and the wonderful dresses, the way the fabrics fold and all that jazz so I don't mind watching somebody else stitching these kind of designs. Also, it was surprising to hear you address the kind of things I've been thinking for a while now about certain Flosstube channels - didn't know this had come up in the community at large but yeah, there are some channels that I loved watching religiously when they were still fairly new and not so popular, only to find myself staying away from them recently because that cozy vibe has gone and the old projects went by the wayside and suddenly it's all about patterns that the stitcher had previously said she really wasn't into at all, but once the subscription count goes up and designers and sellers obviously offer some kind of deal of promotion, now she is really into them and starts to focus on them more and more... I still sometimes go and watch one of those old videos from "the good old days" just for the sake of nostalgia, haha - been watching Flosstube videos for SIX years now! The great thing is, new flosstubers come on board all the time and I tend to subscribe to people like you who just genuinely want to share the wonders of this hobby with others - like you, I have no real life stitchy friends so UA-cam and Instagram is there to connect with other stitchers. I'm going to check out some of your earlier videos and I greatly look forward to your future uploads, thanks for the laughs and for keeping me company virtually. Oh, and I do know about the "proper" way of putting in that first stitch but have never bothered with it and I can't see anything wrong with my stitches on linen or even weave - unless I've somehow accidentally started in the right hole all this time, hahah!
I loved your video thanks for being so honest...I love Mirabilia and Nora Corbett and it’s pretty much all I stitch. I look forward to your next update 🥰
Hello Amy! I’m in the Fancy Folk group with you. Enjoyed this video (first one I’ve watched). Going to go watch your first one. I feel the same about watching a floss tube & feeling good when you leave.
Ugh, I wish we lived closer to each otherrrrrrrrr….I would SO be down for a Mirabilia stitch night! 😂 I’m with you, I’ve been considering doing Flosstube, but I really don’t want to unless I feel like I’ve got something to say or contribute and just want to talk about what I like vs actual finishing. 😂 I’m not into smalls, they just don’t make me happy? I gotta have those big ass babes, Mirabilia, Bella Filipina, even Chatelaines. 😂 Those are my J-A-M. I love your flosstube, I also spend a crazy amount of time looking for Mira stitchers, Bella Filipina stitchers, and Chatelaine which seem to have even less flosstubers focusing on. Sharky Stitcher is also a good one, she stitches almost exclusively the Big 3. LOL Thanks for sharing your tips, no I did NOT know those things. 🤣🤣😂
Living closer would be great! I also watch Sharky Stitcher; her projects are fantastic. I almost fainted watching her go through all of her Teresa Wentzler finishes on one of her older videos. I have no idea how she finished so much! Thanks again for watching, and for your lovely comments. 😊
I just subbed to your channel. So glad I found you. I would love to see you do more of your Mirabilia stitch with me. Going to check out your videos from the beginning!!!
I would love you to film when you are working on Red. It is gorgeous and would enjoy listening to you and stitching and looking up to peek at that piece or another you are working on, not just starting.
Another comment, because I accidentally hit enter: I also always change who I watch, because I dont like smalls or samplers, or primitives, and I seek out full coverage and fancy ladies, because that;s what I like to stitch. Thankfully, I have never been tempted to buy anything that I wouldnt like to stitch. Thank you for being real, not on a rigid schedule, and stitching what you want, when you want! (sorry, my apostrophe key isn;t working)
I found out about you 2 weeks ago. I thought that I would start from the beginning. Your stitching is beautiful. What was the name of the big cross stitch you're doing with the outdoor motifs and the bear? I love it!
I learned how to start by a vertical thread and also to pull a thread of fabric to cut straight from my EGA. I must admit I learned so much from my EGA. I also thought everyone did the same but have found many stitchers do not do the same. That is fine because stitchers should do what they are comfortable with. There are no cross stitch police👮♀️. You might want to see if there is an EGA group near you. Great flosstube!!
Thanks! There’s an EGA in Pittsburgh, but on a different side of the city and it takes a long time to get to. I looked into it a while back but I’ve basically tabled that until my kids get a bit older. I’ve never been a member but I’m very interested in it. It’s good to know that they share that sort of information.
I loved listening to your video while I stitched, and watching you start a Mirabilia! I have not learned to start on a vertical thread, but it makes sense. When I start with a pin stitch by going down in the center, and coming up in the right-middle, I tend to pull down a bit towards the bottom of my piece. When the stitch starts on a horizontal thread, the pin stitch slips down. When it is on a vertical thread, it stays put. I never noticed why or paid any attention until you mentioned this, and maybe that is a reason. I dunno. 🤷♀️I don't know if that made any sense to you, or if what I wrote sounded like a bunch of jibberish. 😁. Take care and enjoy your me time when you can!
What you’re saying about the pin stitch makes total sense. I use it to start a thread when I’m stitching with one strand on a higher count fabric. I’ve never had trouble with the thread slipping, but I’m always starting on a vertical thread, so maybe it really does make a difference. Thanks for watching, and for your input!
to answer your questions: a) yes, I know about the vertical/horizontal thread thing, but I can never remember which is supposed to go on top, so I dont really care. b) that is how I always cut my fabric, by pulling a thread. c) I also count how many loops I pull from the skein, but I pull 4 times for a loop start, when stitching 2over2. I like working from the bottom up, so I start my X on the top left. If I have to go down I start on the bottom right of the X, but Id much rather just turn the q-snap around and stitch upside down, so Im still stitching up.
I actually always go over the horizontal thread always. I almost exclusively stitch on 40 plus count...I can see the squares over two somehow naturally that way but not the other. I will get off if I start over the vertical and end up over the horizontal. I did learn what you learned...it just doesn't work for me.
Thanks for the suggestion, but this is fabric I indigo dyed myself. The dyeing process is very different. Vinegar also will only work on an animal fiber, and only if the dye wasn’t set correctly to begin with, not if there’s excess dye. Since this is linen, vinegar would only cause it to degrade more rapidly. I talk about it some in my more recent videos, but vinegar trick is largely an old wives tale. It works in a very narrow set of circumstances only. I appreciate your interest, though. Thanks for watching!
When others are teacher about where to start it is next to a vertical thread because otherwise it can fall under the stitch. I loved watching
I have been cross-stitching for the best part of 35 years, and I have never seen pulling a thread like you have shown, so thank you for sharing that with me, because cutting straight is not something I am very good at.
Your video just popped up in my suggestions. I am so glad I decided to watch. You talked about people buying projects because they saw it on flosstube, and that responsibility falls back to the viewer. No one is forcing someone else to buy something, flosstubers are just sharing their projects, experience, and love for the craft. I also agree that some flosstubers are great to watch and some are not for me, that doesn't mean they are bad flosstubers or people. There are others who like watching them and may not enjoy watching the ones I enjoy watching. I appreciate that it is a great community, and there is something for everyone.
Just found you. I agree with your thought that all floss tubers may not be my cup of tea. I have yet to find the right Milibilia for me. I’m searching WIP parades to help my decision.
I know this is a year old video, but I always searched you tube for Mira stitchers as well! You’re so right, they are hard to find on here.
Flosstube, I agree with you too. So many I stopped watching. One Flosstube, would show so many designers each week, which I enjoyed. Now it’s just their charts, like a infomercial.
Hello 🙂 I started my very first Mirabilia while watching this video. I was cross stitching a long dog sampler while watching the first chunk of this video and then the minute you started speaking about finding where to start on the piece I switched tactics. I grabbed my sewing machine and zigzagged the edges of my wichelt (😉) 28 count fabric, I then grabbed a q snap and started! I'm very excited lol. Thank you for sharing your joy of Mirabilias, and yes I agree, it is great to find a floss tuber who enjoys fancy ladies 😁 alrighty, I am going back to working on Lady of Mystery.
P.s new subscriber from 🇨🇦
Welcome! And I’m so excited for you! Lady of Mystery is a beautiful pattern! I’m so happy you’re here. 😊
This video showed up as I was stitching, so you were my stitching buddy, two years later after you made this video, but enjoyed your talk and no I never heard of starting a stitch on the vertical thread, I paused to look at my fabric, lol. But hmmm, I may try it and see. 😊. I love Miras designs, right now I just started Dimensions gold collection, Garden Lady, it's very pretty, I am enjoying it. 🌹🧚🌿
Loved your video! I've just begun the Miribilia journey, was a little hesitant at first but now I think I'm hooked. Your voice is soothing and easy to listen to. Being an Aussie sometimes some voices really grate on us ;)
I'll keep watching your videos so keep producing them!
@@janinelevy7177 💞thank you!
Found your comments on flosstube really stuck a chord with me. I'm new to crossstitch ( 18 months) so started watching every flosstuber I could. Recently I began feeling almost second class as I'm working on a tight budget, which shouldn't be a problem but , my goodness it is. Many of the big name flosstubers are really becoming channels of very hard sell, you must have this or that, you must get this or you will regret it, you must attend this retreat/shop. Rarely are they even showing their own stitching just whatever a company or designer or shop has sent them to 'subtly ' push. I very much appreciated hearing I'm not alone in this feeling. Part of the reason I enjoy Saltbox Stitcher so much is because it's a conversation, show and tell without the sell.
Thank you so much for this video, though I'm 12 months late, I'm starting a Bewitching Pixie as I'm watching this.
There is a way unravel the entire skein, match ends once, twice, three times. One end will be all loops, the other end will have 7 loops and the ends of skein. Cut through the 7 loops and you have an entire skein of floss cut all at once. Your way works of course but I love doing it all at once! Besides the loop start, learning this has been one of the BEST tricks I’ve ever learned. Saves so much time. And I love to pre cut all my floss for my projects. Loved stitching with you this evening. You inspired me to shop my stash so I worked on Christmas Elegance that hasn’t been touched in like 5 years but after watching your Mira videos it encouraged me to pull it out. And made me order Cassiopeia!
Hi its my first mirabilia you a😢re helping me alot tnx started cross stitching august 2022 so im a baby in stitching but i love challenge
Love Mirabelia. Don’t have one yet. Want stitchy stuff. Like different things in different charts. To see what different treasures they have
I found this video whilst looking up beading tutorials, and really loved your outlook on flosstube - and in a way on youtube as a whole. You've given me a few pros to add to my column of one day potentially recording my own videos. I'm off to marathon watch some flosstube me thinks.
Thank you! I say jump in and share. It’s brought so much to my life. 😊
I definitely understand your views about some flosstubers. One in particular I used to enjoy just recently starting going real hard on making her channel into a business and is very vocal about it. Not only was she talking about it a lot, but you could just see this sudden shift in content and overall feeling in her videos. I had to unsubscribe after awhile. I was watching her most recent video at the time and said to myself “if she talks about her making this channel a business, I’m out” and no joke, within 3 mins she talked about it and I unsubscribed right then and there.
I love longer videos. I, like many I’m sure, stitch while I watch so not having to go to the next video every 15 mins is a plus for me. You may have even inspired me to start a flosstube. I use this current channel for another hobby of mine - journaling and fountain pens. So I may just start a new channel all together. I have a few Miras and Bella Filipinas that I’m itching to start. I only work on 1-2 projects at a time so I won’t start one until I finish a current project.
I also much prefer to follow other people as they make progress on something. I’m not here to see a finish in every video. I recently found your channel thanks to your Mira stash dive 😍 and I’ve been enjoying going back and watching your videos.
I just want you to know Everything you said was exactly how I’ve been feeling about floss tube. I am and have always been a fancy lady stitcher. And when you started your channel I was beyond excited! You are one of the ones I look for updates on a regular basis. Like you I was on that same hunt looking for more Fancy lady stitchers. I love your positivity and the whole vibe of your channel. Bottom line thank you for your awesome videos!
Thank you so much for such kind words!
And yes, I pull a thread to cut my fabric but I always put my salvage at the top so I know which is top of my project. I’m glad to see someone else who doesn’t mess with their edges. I leave mine alone. It frays a little but not really a ton. I was taught about the vertical thread when stitching on linen. My eyes have gotten worse as I got older so I stitch a lot on evenweaves . I didn’t love linen overall even when my eyes were better.
I was recently diagnosed in my 50’s as having ADHD. Once I got medicated for it, not only can I stitch longer and not get as distracted by other hobbies, my spending is way down on not just crafts but other stuff too.
I love your Flosstube channel. I have been cross stitching off and on for years and never heard or seen the thread on top of the cross thread. Also I have always used the loop method but, I do it on top (right side of fabric). I have never used a que snap. I use a frame. It had taken me about 6 years to do my first Mirabilia. And I only bought one and finished that one. Now over 50 years later I have a lot of a variety of patterns. I love them all, started a lot as well. I am a starter not so much a finisher but seeing all your Mirabilia's has given me the desirer to finish as much as i can. I have about about 6 Mirabilia. My projects are medium to large in size no small pieces. I have stopped buying any more now that i am retired and cannot afford to buy. In Australia the fabrics and patterns are quite expensive, yet alone to kit each one up. I love the way you change things I have completed a lot of cross stitch patterns where i did not like a certain part of the pattern but I still stitch it, I never thought about not doing any part of that pattern. I listened to the end and i agree with what you had talked about. It did put a dampener on me, not being able to do thousand stitches a week. I also watch stitchinmommy for the main reason that she does what she can and she made me realise that a little is just fine and just as satisfying. I now stitch in hand and love it. Keep up with what your doing, i need to continue watching the rest of your episodes. :)
I have to agree with a lot of what you’re saying. I’m getting a bit bored with the constant hauls and serial starting. I love to watch someone who is happy to buy a little and stitch big projects that I can follow as the grow towards a finish. It’s more how I stitch. Watching some like Fiberlisous ( probably spelt it wrong lol ) who has just 3 large projects on the go is a real treat. And now I’ve found you I’m going to treat myself to watching your back numbers 😊
When I first started with Flosstube I had to watch them all (that was about 2 years ago when I got back to cross stitching after a very long absence). Now I only enjoy watching maybe 10….and interesting enough I love the ones who stitch large projects that take years to finish. After watching you maybe I will start one of the Nora Corbett’s I have. Thank you.
THANK YOU for being authentic. I feel the same exact way about flosstube - so many channels, so few that I enjoy watching 😁 I'm also a huge fan of Nora and Mirabilias, so this video was so much fun to watch and listen to 🤩
Thank you!
Hi Amy! I really enjoyed stitching along with you, and yes, it felt like we were just talking and stitching with a friend! How fun is that! I did know about the vertical thread, but I’ve been stitching on linen for years. I think somebody originally figured out that if you start by the vertical line that there is less chance of your stitch slipping behind the one beside it and you “losing a stitch” ! You gave a terrific explanation. I also learned it from Jan Hicks, who described starting as leaning on the thread next door! I sure am glad you figured out that the Indigo wasn’t going to work before you had a whole bunch of stitches in. It was a beautiful color, but rubbing off would sure ruin your project. Thank you for this most excellent video! I will look forward to the next one! (I don’t care if you finish anything at all. Smalls strike me as a waste of time that could go into a big project!)
😊😊😊thank you!
This was the clearest example of starting on the vertical thread I’ve seen. Thank you.
A suggestion - you’ll have less thread tangles if you stitch with a shorter length of thread. Also, If you watch yourself stitch, it takes multiple hand motions for you to make each cross. A shorter floss length would eliminate that.
Happy stitching!
Enjoyed this stitching time with you! You're prepping for a start and I'm knitting socks! I started a Nora Corbett fairy by simply "jumping in". I wanted more suggestions on stitching this type of pattern and have found you very refreshing. I started stitching in the 1980's when we lived in the Pittsburgh area but life happened and I put it aside. Have returned to cross stitch, and just as you said, no local cross stitch shop and no local friends that cross stitch! So here we are ! I appreciate your insight and directions for a start! I work on seasonal smalls, samplers, and now wanted the New Year challenge of working on a Nora Corbett creation! Your progress is always appreciated!
I have recently purchased my first Miribilia pattern and have been having a hard time knowing which colour fabric to use - I’ve finally hand dyed a piece and have started gathering floss. Your vlog has come at such a great time for me and I understood everything you explained so well. Thanks so much. I’m 80 yrs and have just in the last few months been able to get back to cross stitch after quite a number of years having poor eyesight with cataracts which have now been corrected. I feel more confident now in beginning. 🐨
I’m so glad! I hope you enjoy your first Mirabilia! 💜
I was so excited you had a floss tube up. I did know about pulling a thread but I stitch from kits at the mo as NZ is very very hard to post to at the moment. I didn't know about the vertical Stitching thing. I loved the explanation about floss tube. Was a neat thing to think about why I watch what I watch on floss tube. Thanks
You’re very welcome. Thanks for watching!
"While it doesn't matter in terms of your stitching, if you really want to know which side is the right side and which is the wrong side of a piece of Aida or linen, the selvedge holds the answer.... If you look closely, you will see small pinholes in the selvedge. Run your finger along them, and you may be able to feel that the holes are smooth on one side and pokey on the other. The smooth side is the front of the fabric. This little trick works for all kinds of fabric, not just cross stitch fabric, so now you know!"
Also, thread has a correct end to begin to stitch from, or at least the thread I use, DMC, does, and I bet they all do. If you gently run your fingers down the thread, it will feel smooth in the correct direction and slightly catchy in the wrong direction. This is due to the manufacturing process. The end of the piece you pull from the skein is the end to start with. This is why I learned to not cut all of my lengths at once. Yes, you can feel for the correct direction, but it's easier to just know you start with the bit between your thumb and forefinger that you just pulled out.
You like long lengths of thread, and the more times you pull your thread through fabric in the wrong direction, the more it will be traumatized until it finally frays obviously. When you attach with a loop, you always have one of the two threads running in the fraying direction.
If you pull a hair from your hair through your fingers, you will also see that there is a smooth way and a catchy direction. That can help develop your sensitivity.
If it doesn't bother you, no problem, obviously. But, hey, at least the algorithm may appreciate the post, so there you go.
I enjoy your videos! Sorry if I sound too school marmy. lol
I did know about the pulling thread thing, but I was also taught to start on a vertical thread. Love your video style!🎉
I've stitched a for over 30 years and several Miras, so wasn't sure what I'd learn from your video tonight, but I was pleasantly surprised. Beside picking up several tips, I enjoyed your "philosophy" toward flosstube and how you stitch what you want, and the very easy way you present our craft. I'll certainly be watching and tuning in to your videos in the future. Thank you for a very comfortable hour of FT! Steph
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
I enjoyed your video very much. I have just started my very first Nora Corbett!!!!! Yay! I am so excited. I chose Azure. My grown daughter loves mermaids and she is so pretty. Was searching for videos of Miribilia and found you. As I sat here starting it, I felt like I was with a friend chatting. Thank you for your videos 😊
I have learnt soooo much from you on how to cross stitch. Thank you. I will be following this to start snow queen since all but a few of the beads has arrived
I love this video!! I felt like it was me talking about what I like and dislike about Flosstube. I agree with you 100%. I learned the trick of starting on a vertical thread from watching Jean Farrish’s flosstube, but the trick of pulling the thread out to cut straight is something I have not tried. Also, I have no trouble unsubscribing to people that I do not enjoy!! Thank you for your thoughts ❤️.
Thank you! I watch Jean Farrish sometimes. She’s very knowledgeable so I guess I’m not surprised she knows the vertical thread trick; she reminds me of the quilt shop owner I learned it from.
Hah, this was great fun to watch ( well, admittedly more like listen to since I was indeed stitching at the same time, lol ) I'm not a Mirabilia stitcher or a female figure stitcher at all but I do enjoy the colors in those patterns and the wonderful dresses, the way the fabrics fold and all that jazz so I don't mind watching somebody else stitching these kind of designs. Also, it was surprising to hear you address the kind of things I've been thinking for a while now about certain Flosstube channels - didn't know this had come up in the community at large but yeah, there are some channels that I loved watching religiously when they were still fairly new and not so popular, only to find myself staying away from them recently because that cozy vibe has gone and the old projects went by the wayside and suddenly it's all about patterns that the stitcher had previously said she really wasn't into at all, but once the subscription count goes up and designers and sellers obviously offer some kind of deal of promotion, now she is really into them and starts to focus on them more and more... I still sometimes go and watch one of those old videos from "the good old days" just for the sake of nostalgia, haha - been watching Flosstube videos for SIX years now!
The great thing is, new flosstubers come on board all the time and I tend to subscribe to people like you who just genuinely want to share the wonders of this hobby with others - like you, I have no real life stitchy friends so UA-cam and Instagram is there to connect with other stitchers. I'm going to check out some of your earlier videos and I greatly look forward to your future uploads, thanks for the laughs and for keeping me company virtually.
Oh, and I do know about the "proper" way of putting in that first stitch but have never bothered with it and I can't see anything wrong with my stitches on linen or even weave - unless I've somehow accidentally started in the right hole all this time, hahah!
I loved your video thanks for being so honest...I love Mirabilia and Nora Corbett and it’s pretty much all I stitch. I look forward to your next update 🥰
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for sharing how you cut the fabric! I did not know that trick…absolutely fantastic! Love your videos 😊
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Hello Amy! I’m in the Fancy Folk group with you. Enjoyed this video (first one I’ve watched). Going to go watch your first one. I feel the same about watching a floss tube & feeling good when you leave.
Ugh, I wish we lived closer to each otherrrrrrrrr….I would SO be down for a Mirabilia stitch night! 😂 I’m with you, I’ve been considering doing Flosstube, but I really don’t want to unless I feel like I’ve got something to say or contribute and just want to talk about what I like vs actual finishing. 😂 I’m not into smalls, they just don’t make me happy? I gotta have those big ass babes, Mirabilia, Bella Filipina, even Chatelaines. 😂 Those are my J-A-M. I love your flosstube, I also spend a crazy amount of time looking for Mira stitchers, Bella Filipina stitchers, and Chatelaine which seem to have even less flosstubers focusing on. Sharky Stitcher is also a good one, she stitches almost exclusively the Big 3. LOL
Thanks for sharing your tips, no I did NOT know those things. 🤣🤣😂
Living closer would be great! I also watch Sharky Stitcher; her projects are fantastic. I almost fainted watching her go through all of her Teresa Wentzler finishes on one of her older videos. I have no idea how she finished so much! Thanks again for watching, and for your lovely comments. 😊
My mother was a weaver in a cotton mill and she agrees with you.
I just subbed to your channel. So glad I found you. I would love to see you do more of your Mirabilia stitch with me. Going to check out your videos from the beginning!!!
I would love you to film when you are working on Red. It is gorgeous and would enjoy listening to you and stitching and looking up to peek at that piece or another you are working on, not just starting.
Another comment, because I accidentally hit enter: I also always change who I watch, because I dont like smalls or samplers, or primitives, and I seek out full coverage and fancy ladies, because that;s what I like to stitch. Thankfully, I have never been tempted to buy anything that I wouldnt like to stitch. Thank you for being real, not on a rigid schedule, and stitching what you want, when you want!
(sorry, my apostrophe key isn;t working)
Love your video, I am starting Mirabilias, I am gathering all the things😍. So, very helpful. Thank you
You’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
I found out about you 2 weeks ago. I thought that I would start from the beginning. Your stitching is beautiful. What was the name of the big cross stitch you're doing with the outdoor motifs and the bear? I love it!
I learned how to start by a vertical thread and also to pull a thread of fabric to cut straight from my EGA. I must admit I learned so much from my EGA. I also thought everyone did the same but have found many stitchers do not do the same. That is fine because stitchers should do what they are comfortable with. There are no cross stitch police👮♀️. You might want to see if there is an EGA group near you. Great flosstube!!
Thanks! There’s an EGA in Pittsburgh, but on a different side of the city and it takes a long time to get to. I looked into it a while back but I’ve basically tabled that until my kids get a bit older. I’ve never been a member but I’m very interested in it. It’s good to know that they share that sort of information.
What’s an EGA?
Have not looked back still doing Miribilias
I have Cinderella and The Snow Queen. Can't wait to start... you've set my anxiety at ease. Are you railroading?
I don’t railroad, but I do use my needle as a laying tool to adjust my stitches when I need to.
I loved listening to your video while I stitched, and watching you start a Mirabilia! I have not learned to start on a vertical thread, but it makes sense. When I start with a pin stitch by going down in the center, and coming up in the right-middle, I tend to pull down a bit towards the bottom of my piece. When the stitch starts on a horizontal thread, the pin stitch slips down. When it is on a vertical thread, it stays put. I never noticed why or paid any attention until you mentioned this, and maybe that is a reason. I dunno. 🤷♀️I don't know if that made any sense to you, or if what I wrote sounded like a bunch of jibberish. 😁. Take care and enjoy your me time when you can!
What you’re saying about the pin stitch makes total sense. I use it to start a thread when I’m stitching with one strand on a higher count fabric. I’ve never had trouble with the thread slipping, but I’m always starting on a vertical thread, so maybe it really does make a difference. Thanks for watching, and for your input!
to answer your questions: a) yes, I know about the vertical/horizontal thread thing, but I can never remember which is supposed to go on top, so I dont really care. b) that is how I always cut my fabric, by pulling a thread. c) I also count how many loops I pull from the skein, but I pull 4 times for a loop start, when stitching 2over2. I like working from the bottom up, so I start my X on the top left. If I have to go down I start on the bottom right of the X, but Id much rather just turn the q-snap around and stitch upside down, so Im still stitching up.
I started my first Mirabilia in 1990
I actually always go over the horizontal thread always. I almost exclusively stitch on 40 plus count...I can see the squares over two somehow naturally that way but not the other. I will get off if I start over the vertical and end up over the horizontal. I did learn what you learned...it just doesn't work for me.
You have to set the dye with vintages and hot water. It won’t crock anymore.
Thanks for the suggestion, but this is fabric I indigo dyed myself. The dyeing process is very different. Vinegar also will only work on an animal fiber, and only if the dye wasn’t set correctly to begin with, not if there’s excess dye. Since this is linen, vinegar would only cause it to degrade more rapidly. I talk about it some in my more recent videos, but vinegar trick is largely an old wives tale. It works in a very narrow set of circumstances only. I appreciate your interest, though. Thanks for watching!
Lol, auto correct is killing me. Vinegar.