Tutorial Tuesday: Cross Stitching Tips & Tricks for Faster Stitching!
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Hi friends! I've had a few people ask me how to stitch faster, so I'll show you a few tricks in this video that have really helped me over the years.
Let me know what you think!
If you'd like to practice these techniques on simple patterns, you can check out my silhouette patterns for stitching with one color throughout:
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I also have hundreds of other kinds of cross stitch charts available for download or paper chart in the mail in my eBay shop here:
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I cannot wait to start this. It is going to make my huge project go much quicker. I wish I would’ve found this video about 10 years ago and I appreciate you sharing.
Wow, I've never seen this type of stitching before! I'm such a slow stitcher and it gets frustrating. I'm going to try this - thank you!
Thanks! I hope it helps you a bit - I know it's been a TOTAL game changer for me. I not only get so many more projects done each year, but I enjoy the stitching process so much more now too. Please keep in touch and let me know how it works out for you! Happy stitching!
I am with you. Stitching off and on for years, still slow, and this is new to me. Going to give this a go for sure!
Wow!!! Game changer to flip the fabric upside down!!! Thank you so so so much
Oh fantastic! Thanks so much for stitching with me today! ❤️✂️
Holy moly!!! I can't tell you how super happy i am that i came accross this tutorial video. I've only ever cross stitched on weekends bc of the time it takes to work on even a simple piece. I had to plan to sit for hours on end in order complete a few rows. I will certainly practice this technique so i can make more stuff
YES! That's fabulous! Please keep me posted and let me know what you think of the tips. I hope you really enjoy cross stitching in a new and exciting way. Thanks so much for your feedback and happy stitching!
One reason for the two ways of sewing is that the sewing through the fabric, in general, makes the stitches more even in tension, whereas sewing from the top is faster. When you do it faster, you have to watch that you keep your tension the same from one area to a different area, and the same when you stitch your half-stitches across a row versus down.
That's a good point. I've never had issues with tension, but it may be due to the fact that I have my finished pieces stretched and framed, so it just pulls it back into shape. :)
I am only 25 stitches into my first project so I’m happy I found you. One UA-camr turns his work over for every stitch. It’s dizzying! I live near Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts (1830s living museum-highly recommend) and sometimes they have a quilting bee frame set up in a large room of the Towne House - ladies would hand stitch quilts together by only sewing from above. Makes sense because the quilts are so big and pulled taught on the wooden frame. Thank you for explaining!
Oh yay! Welcome to cross stitching! I hope this helps make the process even more enjoyable. I find it so very relaxing and it's a great past-time for doing while watching shows or listening to audio books. I'm 100% jealous of your Massachusetts-ness! I'm sure there's so much amazing history there. My hubby's looking into grad school in that area, so maybe we'll be neighbors one day! :)
I love OSV! One of my favorite places but haven't got to go in a few years. I should plan another visit.
I have been cross stitching for years and have never know of the 1st method. I am in shock lol. I can't wait to try it. I also thought I had to use a hoop....I do however do consecutive 1/2 stitches in a row and then go back over. Excited to watch more of your videos.
Oh good! I'm so glad you could stitch with me this week - hope it helps! I hate using hoops, personally. It just feels in the way. The only time I'll use one is if it's a tiny project that fits entirely in the hoop. Even then though...
OMG! Mind blown! I’ve been cross stitching since I was a kid but took a looong break for years. Only just now coming back to it. Last time I did it was before social media. This is such a better way to stitch.
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it! Welcome back to cross stitching!! 🪡✂️🧵
I am so excited to start my Outlander pattern. Great techniques in this video I had forgotten about. I haven’t stitched in 15 years. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and I can't WAIT to see your finished Outlander! Please keep me updated with work in progress pics! Happy stitching, my friend!
I’ve completely lost my mind! Amazing technique!
Oh, that's so nice to hear - thanks so much for your kind words, they really made my day. :)
Thank you finally someone I can understand and learn from.
Oh wow! Thank you so much - that made my day ❤️❤️🥰
My mom taught this way of stitching and it's much easier for me than the regular way
Right?! So much more enjoyable too!
Awesome! I am a long time cross stitcher and just now saw this technique. I have not watched a couple videos on it, love yours!!! I will be trying this on a new project I am starting. Thank you for posting this video!
Oh good! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the tutorial! Let me know how it works out for you - happy stitching!
I love this. And didn't expect to laugh so hard when you said, "it's usually not so dangerous, but now it is!!" 🤣
😂😂😂😂I like to live a bit dangerously 😂😂😂😂
So glad you liked it! Thanks for crafting with me! 🪡🧵
You look like you doing the Victorian Cross stitchway. It looks awesome, and it works for you. Looks awesome. I have seen some people do the Danish Cross-stitch way on u tube, and some do the English way. 😮
Oh that's fun to learn! Who knew there were so many ways to make tiny X's? :)
Thanks for a great video ❤
I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for crafting with me!
UM WHAT.
YOU JUST CHANGED MY LIFE.
Awesome!!! Best comment ever ❤️
Happy stitching!!
Fantastic makes my journey into cross stitch so much easier Thank you
That’s awesome! Thank you so much! Let me know how it works for you 🥰
Like you I use paper pattern where I enlarge at FedEx to a comfortable size to see the symbols and symbol sheets better bc some symbols can be very similar to another. I too use markers first to mark off a symbol in a 2-3 row area so that I can create a pathway instead of starting and stopping for a few stitches.Then I mark off in another color as I start to stitch the symbol to show where I am along the path. Very useful especially w a lot of confetti. I don’t park bc it’s too messy to me. I use loop method to begin and thread through stitching on the back to end.
I don't know how I would keep track of my pattern without highlighting. My sister doesn't mark up her paper charts, and it blows my mind how she knows where she is.
@@bellastitchery8043 Yes, I totally agree. Even w every fiddly thing I do, I still make little mistakes. But pregridded fabric is a lifesaver for me. I even number the columns on the fabric w the washable blue marker. Now THAT REALLY REALLY helps me keep track of where I’m going. No one is in the room but I often count outloud like, “ lower right diagonal” or “skip two stitch one,” etc. lol
@@5877user I've never heard of pregridded fabric! WHAT?! Do the lines show up on the finished piece? How does that work? Is it Aida cloth or some other brand? I'll definitely have to look that up.
Thank you! This does help. I’ve been doing the halfstitch rows but the long way. I’ll give this a try tonight
Oh good! Let me know what you think! Happy stitching!
I only just discovered the sewing method within the last year. I had also stopped using hoops around that same time. It makes my stitching go so much faster.
Right?! So much faster without a hoop!
I have never seen the first example, so I’m going to give it a try. The second example I’ve been doing for years. I sorta stumbled upon it one day when I was looking at my project and thought there had to be a faster way. I started thinking about just doing a whole bunch of half stitches and then complete the cross. Definitely speeds things up!
Right?! I'm doing a silhouette piece now that uses only black (you can see my progress on my Bella Stitchery Facebook and Instagram if you'd like), and I've been doing entire chunks of pattern that way. There are areas of 100+ stitches all in a row, so I just zoom down in 1/2 stitches and then flip it to fill back the other way). Let me know what you think of the other process too. I use that one when there's lots of smaller areas of color or speckled color throughout. It's really quite handy. :)
I’ve been cross stitching since I was 13 and I never knew this. Thanks for this tip!
Oh that’s awesome! I’m so glad I’m not the only one 🥰🧵🪡✂️
You literally just blew my mind!!!
Oh that’s awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed this tutorial!
I really like to do all the half-stitches on a big one-colour part than close all of them. I don't know how much it gonna take me to do a project if I would go closing every cross every time. It's really good idea.
Yep! I’m doing a project now that’s a silhouette piece all in black. I do an entire row in half stitches and then flip it to finish the X. It’s sooooo much faster when you have large sections in one color 👍🏻🥰
This was great, Bella! Thank you! Even an old dog can learn new tricks!
Teresa Boyer oh yay! That’s so great to hear - I’m glad you enjoyed it
Mind blown hahahaha how did I not think of this 🤣
Oh yay! So glad you liked it! Thanks for stitching with me today! ✂️✂️✂️
i've been stitching like this since i was a child. when i started watching videos of ppl stitching with a hoop, going to the back of the fabric all the time, i thought it was kinda funny because it seems to take so much longer..
Why didn't I meet you years ago?! I'm glad to hear you haven't been spending decades on every single project. :) I probably get 3x more done every year. It's amazing!
I finally get it! Mike drop!! You rock! Thanks 🙏🏼
Oh yay! So glad you liked it! Thanks for stitching with me today! 🧵🪡✂️
Only 4 years later :) I so want to learn this sewing method but it messes with my brain so much the last times I've attempted. One more try before giving up! It sure would cut down on time for my big full coverage piece with has several BIG areas of the same color (sky, grass etc). Looked up a small kitty cat silhouette pattern I'm going to try with.
Wishing you luck! I encourage you to keep trying and find what works best for you. Happy stitching!
The first tip blew my mind!!! Also, I'm right handed but I typically work left to right. I will try your way and see how it goes. Thanks for sharing!
Oh yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it - let me know what you think once you try it out! 🌟
What gaby said, I was like “what???” And I’m also a left to right stitcher…can this work the same way going the other direction? Would you happen to have a short video on how to do that? Thank you for sharing - this sounds like it will be a game CHANGER!!! I’m excited to try it out! (Just hoping I can do it left to right instead…)
@@Stitchy_Mermaid oh I’m sure you can do it the other way (I’m right handed so I would probably make it look horrible) but the idea is the same going in either direction. Let me know how it works out!
YES!! I do this all the time. The back looks different, but it is faster than stab-stitch. This was very helpful though. Great work!!
The back of my work always looks like a chaotic mess (I stitch all over the place, depending on my mood). :)
This was so helpful thank you so much for taking some time out of your day to share these tips! I’m gutted I just bought a few embroidery hoops, won’t be using them now that I know this 😅 thanks again, have a nice day!
lol - well, you never know. You might like using them (I just can't have anything get in the way of my super stitching speed!) Let me know which way works best for you - I'd love to hear what you think!
Omg THANK YOU!!! I'm on a deadline sewing project so this will help a bunch! 💐
Oh yay! I just posted a 20 second close up of me stitching on my Bella Stitchery FB page today too, if you want more samples. Happy stitching! ✂️🧵
I am so amazed!!! Thank you so much for this video, I just started cross stitching and you have helped me tremendously! ❤
Oh yay! Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it and welcome to cross stitching! ❤️✂️
New to me! I learned in 4H years ago - way too many to count lol. I'm so happy to learn this new way, thank you! I have a poster of a HULK I'm working on that's taking forever.
That is awesome! I'm so happy this helps! It's been a total game-changer for me too. I can now usually make 2-3 projects a year (it used to take me about 2-3 years to make ONE!) lol
I'd love to see your work in progress photos! Please keep in touch on my Bella Stitchery FB page and send pics. :)
I finished a death star a few years back. Its my favorite to date.
@@margaretbraun4618 Wow! I bet that looked AMAZING
I’ve just learned the sewing method and I love it. But I prefer it on projects with large blocks of one color. I use the regular method for more complicated patterns.
I agree. If I have to change colors often, I adjust my stitching methods. Right now I’m working on a silhouette piece with only one color, so it’s going pretty quickly 🥰✂️🧵🪡
@@bellastitchery8043 I hope you finish soon. Enjoy.❤️
@@CerroneSamuel Thanks! I'll have an update on my Bella Stitchery Facebook and Instagram with my work in progress photo if you want to check it out! :)
Thank you. I am going to try this.
Oh good! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. Good luck, and please keep in touch!
Just an FYI - I've been embroidering for over 50 years and I actually have been stitching in this faster method, what you call the new age of stitching, for this whole time. And yes it is so much quicker to stitch this way instead of what we use to call it "the stab method", which is definitely very tedious and slow. My mom was quite a stitcher and she taught me this method from the start. Love it!! Glad you found this method and happy stitching!
Yes - the stab method! It's sooooooooo slow. I just wish I had figured out this new way to do it sooner. I enjoy stitching so much more now. Thanks for your comments, Mary, and happy stitching!
So have I - I didn't realise everyone didn't do it this way. Except I'm doing it the Danish way from left to right, so I go from bottom left to top right and then directly to the next bottom left doing all the half stitches first before coming back.
I use embroidery scroll, too bad I can't do this method
@@pinkyssj4I like using the scroll. I think I may try this method, though. I’ll just have to use some latex gloves to prevent skin oils from getting on the fabric.
Love this tip, I am definitely going to do this, thanks so much, loved the video! Amazing !
Awesome! Thanks so much and please stay in touch!
When doing single stitches that may be far away ( like 3 rows up) I will put a pin at the square I want to stitch next and flip to the back and thread my floss through the back threads til I get to the pin. Then as I withdraw the pin, I insert my needle and flip back to the front and stitch. Hope this helps someone. My pattern has tons of confetti and that’s what I’m doing.
Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing! I'd love to see what you're working on now too - feel free to post pictures of your work in progress photos on my Bella Stitchery Facebook page!
I stitch that way but I use a hoop but the fabric is very loose in it. I just cannot stitch in hand to save my life!! Great tutorial.
I'm glad you found a way that works for you. I think finding the right method for the person really makes a difference in how much they enjoy the project. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tutorial! Thanks so much for crafting with me and please keep in touch!
This is the best tutorial I have seen on this. I get it now. Thank you 😊
Oh that’s so nice to hear! Thank you so much - please share this video with your friends too! I love video referrals from my crafty friends! 🥰❤️
Oh my god this is great. Thank you
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it - please subscribe and share! Happy stitching ✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️
I did already
@@teresitamarino5650 thanks! That really means a lot to me ❤️✨
Thank youuuu
Oh yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for crafting with me and commenting!
When I was learning to cross stitch many years ago, I too had pulled it through the front. I was told not to do that because of the tension would give me uneven stitches and the needle could damage the fabric and enlarge the holes or pull the holes. And yet your stitches look great! I think I will go back to my old way and see what happens! Thanks for the info!!!!
I’ve never had an issue with either thing. I always have mint tapestry stretched and framed when I’m done anyway, so it will straighten out any issues I may have had. Let me know how it works for you! 🥰
Call me crazy, but I genuinely like the poking method, it's soothing to handle and control the thread when the needle is on the back, it's easier to keep track on which hole to go in and I also love doing complete crosses. I'm not racing against the clock to get my WIPs done. For one thing, I never amass more than five or six projects at a time and they are not super large. I do stitch in hand but unlike you I never touch the front with my fingers while I'm stitching, I always roll up the fabric so that I only touch the backside...
I think it's great to do full X stitches too, if you enjoy the process. For me, the slower stitching just didn't keep my attention and the faster stitching technique is more engaging. At the end of the day, it's all about the crafter and the craft. If you find what works for you, then you win! :)
Thank you, really helpful!
Oh good! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
A bit disappointed that your new fast way is the way I always stitched. 😆 This is how we learned in school. Can’t imagine doing it any other way, but was hoping you had an even faster way. Thanks for the tutorial though, seems like it helped a lot of people! 😊
I'm glad you never wasted a decade on the slow stitching like I did - lol. I don't know why I never saw this before I found it accidentally. I used to find cross stitching somewhat boring before. I think it was just way too slow the other, full X, way.
I love to cross stitch!!! I have been crossstitching for a long time and have not seen this done this way!! This is awesome!!! I can't wait to try it!! Thank you!!!!
Oh yay!!! It’s always so much fun to share this technique- you’re not going to believe how much faster you stitch this way! I posted a little 20 second clip of me stitching on my Bella Stitchery Facebook page yesterday too, if you want to see more. Happy stitching and please keep in touch! ✂️🧵
thanks that was very helpful
bearded cat oh good! Thank you so much - I’m glad you enjoyed it 🥰
There are many styles of stitching. Whatever you enjoy is best for you. There are no stitching police!
Of course! That’s the wonderful thing about crafting in general - it’s all good fun however you do it ❤️
The only rule I f
Love this...
Awesome! Thanks so much, and happy stitching!
Thanks for the tip of simply turning your project upside down to finish the cross stitch! So simple but genius!
Linda Taylor oh Hahn I’m glad you found it helpful! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
I am using this technique since decades, I've never used a hoop in my life, but today, I wanna try it, but it's so exhausting! My left hand is in pain after 10 minutes of work...
Yeah, I don't understand why people use hoops either. It's always in the way for me, and I have my finished projects stretched and framed anyway so I don't know that a hoop makes any difference at the end of it.
The only rule I follow is be consistent in which way I start and end a stitch, the under stitch is lower left corner to upper right (or visa versa) and then the top stitch is lower right to upper left (or again reversed if it’s convenient.)
Same - that's the way I do it too. :)
I'm a newbie, first time
Welcome to cross stitching!! Hope you enjoy it! ❤️
super helpful thanks! :)
Oh I’m so glad! Thank you!
Stitching in hand and the sewing method. What I always use.
It just feels so much more comfortable to me too
Here is a really odd question. I was watching another floss tube video and the lady was talking about the fact that she never counts stitches. Then loads of comments of people that said they have never counted stitches. These videos were over a year old so I don’t know if I would ever get an answer from them but my question is how in heavens name do you do counted cross stitch without counting the stitches. Maybe you can explain to me what they are talking about
Hmmmmm, I'm not really sure what they're referring to either. If I have a huge section of one color (the project I'm currently working on is only black thread for a silhouette piece), I just count stitches on the very first section's row and then just build upon it after that: if the next row starts 2 out from the first row, I just go 2 out and then fill in the rest. Does that make sense? I usually stitch my entire top row first and then just build down according to how it builds off of those. Hope that helps. Not sure if that's what other stitchers are talking about?
@@bellastitchery8043 thank you. I hope they answer me.
The first step had my jaw on the floor how did i not know this? After all these YEARS?!
Right?! That's how I felt too! So glad I wasn't the only one. :)
Thanks for sharing this. This is how I've stitched for a long time but I always felt like I was cheating and that somehow my work wasn't as good because of it. It makes me feel good to know that a great stitcher like you thinks it's a good technique!
Oh yeah! Time saving isn't cheating in my book. There's just so many things I want to stitch - no time to lollygag around! :)
Yes, me too!!
Work smarter not harder!
@@olive.i.a exactly! 😉
Do you have any recommendations for what they call confetti patterns? You know, where there are 10 colors all intermixed in the area? They are super time consuming and slow going because it is easy to goof up. I am working on a nativity pattern that has a lot of hay which is all confetti stitching.
I’m not familiar with that style - do you have an example you could send me on Instagram or Facebook @bellastitchery ? Now you have me curious 🤔
Can you show me how to do the first trick working left to right? I'm loving it but it's backwards for me and I can't figure it out!
Sure thing! I'll post a video close up on my Bella Stitchery Instagram and Facebook tomorrow - hope that helps! Feel free to DM me on social media too with any questions. :)
@@bellastitchery8043 thank you!
Not sure if you’ll see this but I can’t really see… even with glasses lol but I can’t see which squares. Is it that you’re going diagonal? Like upper right to lower left?
Thanks so much for your comment - I'm going row by row, lower left of the square to the upper right of that square. Then closing the X on the way back up the row when I'm finished. :)
So like lower left to upper right and then to the upper left, go down, and lower right to lower left?
@@eshasempai5850 lower left to upper right and then I either flip the fabric over and stitch back or go upper left to lower right.
I enjoy stitching from the front like this, usually with smaller pieces and it does feel a lot faster. You're essentially doing two movements in one or a cross stitch in two moves rather than four. But this method means your fabric gets dirtier with hand oils over time, you will likely get hand cramp holding the fabric for a long time and the stitches are more likely to look uneven because they're not stitched on taught fabric. I have managed to train myself to use two hands when stitching though, so one hand is underneath my frame and one on top. This has made it easier because my right hand isn't repeatedly going from the top to underneath the frame, which can make my arm ache. I find that to be a pretty fast method and doesn't hurt as much! But for those people who never use frames or hoops, this method is the go to one imo for faster stitching.
Thanks for your feedback! I haven't had issues with soiled fabric, but I'm super careful to wash my hands before handling any of my projects (especially if there's white Aida background like on the Alice silhouette I'm doing now). I have had some slight bunching with this method (but I don't use a hoop), although it straightens out when I have it stretched and framed, so it's really not a big deal for me.
I’m today old finding this out. I have been working on one pattern for ten years now. I got bored with it because it was taking forever. Thank you for enlightening my life. ❤️
Oh yay!! That’s great to hear. I hope it helps make it fun again ❤️
That was really helpful. I have been doing cross stitch for years and didn't know these tricks! Thanks!
Oh that’s great! I’m so glad you found it helpful. Happy stitching!!
So, I cross stitched years ago and just yesterday I got out my unfinished projects to think about finishing or giving away. This is interesting because I remember when I learned, I was told that all your x's have to be done the same, i.e. either right to left top to bottom first then left to right top to bottom to complete the x or any combination you want but I was told that if you change it up throughout your piece, it will look uneven and ragged and unprofessional. So have you noticed that you can tell a difference when you do all half stitches then all the other side of half stitches in a row or when you do a row of complete x's?
I hope you finish the projects you started - I need to get back to mine too. It's been awhile since I've done much stitching (too many crafts, too little time). I haven't had any issues with changing up the way I stitch throughout, but I always have them stretched and framed, so it all evens out that way anyway. :)
After you work is finished, how do you wash your fabric?
I don't wash mine. I have it stretched and framed at the craft store. I know some people have handwashed theirs in cold water (if you plan on washing it, you may want to consider pre-washing your floss before stitching. I know some colors - especially red shades - can bleed from time to time).
I work lower left to top right, then lower right to top left, working across the row before turning back. Is there an advantage to the way you do it? How do you keep skin oils from discoloring the fabric?
For me, it's just a matter of what's comfortable to handle and stitch. I always wash and dry my hands before taking anything out of my cross stitch bag, so I've never had issues with staining or discoloration. I make sure not to have any kind of lotion on too.
Thanks, just starting and this seems a lot faster and less fluffing around with frames/hoops. One thing I don't fully understand is how to tie the tail/finish the thread. I might be doing it wrong but using this method the threads are ending up horizontal rather than vertical so I can't tie the tail as I normally would, and finishing there's less places to thread the end under.
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the tutorial! I just tuck the thread under several stitches on the back with my needle before cutting it. Sometimes I'll loop around a few rows if there isn't a bulk of threaded areas in the back. They always stay in place just fine. Just don't knot them, otherwise you may have a lumpy tapestry at the end of your project. :)
WOWSER.....that is one of those things you facepalm yourself and go "Why didn't I think of that?" , but what happens if you are working multiple colors where you have to "park" your thread?
Glad you liked it! I haven't done the multiple thread technique. That just seems super confusing to me and likely to get tangled or mixed up. I'm a "one color at a time" kind a stitcher. :)
How does that technique work on stiff Aida cloth? I have a stamped cross stitch kit I purchased from Amazon and the cloth is very stiff.
Hi! It works out pretty well. All Aida is super stiff at first, but it softens a BUNCH with use (maybe about a week or so after starting your project?) I've been working on mine now for almost a year and the Aida is like butter. :)
Omg I tried the half stich method but I've only seen it one stitch at a time which mean you have to go over the same area in the back when you stitch and I felt it always got messy and troublesome when I was aiming for full coverage but it never struck me that I could just...flip it? Go longer in the back? Thanks so much!!!
YAY! Yes - that's what I do all the time. Right now I'm working with a HUGE black and white silhouette piece (I have a video about my Alice pattern in the cross stitch playlist on UA-cam) and so I'm only stitching with black - and massive sections of it. The 1/2 stitch and flip method is PERFECT and also very zen for me. I love listening to audiobooks or watching tv and just doing that general stitch movement over and over for hours. It's so super fast too!
Let me know how it works for you!
I’ve been cross stitching for 35 years and I’ve never used a hoop. . This is a great video, thanks.
Right?! Isn't it so much easier to work with w/o the hoop? Thanks for your feedback and for stitching with me!
I have been watching all sorts of videos on hand stitchery. I am struggling with which hole to come up thru to make the fist stitch or even the second one. Can you please explain to me like I am a 5yo.
Hi friend! For your first stitch, you're going to come up through the bottom/left hand side of your square and then across to the top right so your stitch looks like this: / Then you finish it from the top left side to the bottom right side so it looks like: \ Does that make sense? You want all your top stitches going the same way so it looks smooth when you're finished. :)
This is Brilliant! Thank-you for sharing. I just started on a 20x25 Thomas Kincaid that I would love to get done in this lifetime
Oh yes!! These techniques should really help. I probably stitch 3-4 times faster than I used to. Let me know how it works for you! Thanks for crafting with me today and happy stitching!
When you first started how long did it take before your stitches looked neat because mine look poopy lol I've been stitching for years with a hoop but I'm trying to learn in hand
Mine get a little lumpy too sometimes. I try not to pull the thread too super tight (that’s always my downfall with knitting too). When I’m done with my project, I take it to Michael’s to be stretched and framed. It really evens everything out nicely 🥰
I will try the trick with turning fabric upside down - the only one that hasn't hit me yet even though it's probably the easiest of them 🙂
Thanks for stitching with me! Hope the upside down trick works for you! :)
I was shown this way a few weeks ago and my mind was BLOWN! Thank you for explaining the stitch. I will have to watch you do that multiple times in order to get it!
Thanks! I'm so glad you found it helpful! Thanks so much for stitching with me today and feel free to let me know if you have any questions. :)
OMG the 1st tip is an eye opener😳 I was following gramma moses too. Thank you for this!
Welcome to the faster stitching club!! I can’t wait for you to see how many more projects you zip through now! It also keeps stitching interesting and is much more fun 🤩
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I taught myself cross-stitching nearly 40 years ago...I have always done it this way...mostly cause seemed quicker, less effort but also figured a way to use less floss stretched over areas. I have been told my projects look nearly the same on back as front... just the way I do things🤔
Oh nice! I used to stitch sooo much slower before I figured this one out 🤦🏻♀️
I've never seen this before, but I'm pretty new at it. I've only been cross stitching for a few months.
Welcome to cross stitching! Hope this video helps. It's such a relaxing practice for me, and I just love it so much.
It just keeps going up and down or side to side.. I can't get it to cross. Idk what I'm doing wrong.
If you want to message me with a photo or video on my Bella Stitchery Facebook page I’ll take a look at it and try to help 🥰
Maybe due my thick heavy hands but I feel floss is too short. any ideas? thank you for ur help.
You can cut a longer second of floss if it’s too short. If two strands feels too thin, you can also stitch with 3 or 4 instead. It will make your tapestry thicker looking when you’re done, but I’ve done it that way before when I wanted a thicker, fuller look. 🥰
Just came across this and it made my jaw, I have never seen this before totally gonna try this.
Oh that's great! Let me know how it works out for you!
Saw this method several months ago but the first time I tried it I became very confused but I'm trying again and you were a great teacher. Thank you for sharing
Oh thanks so much! That really means a lot to me. Happy stitching and thanks for crafting with me!
Awesome method of stitching, I never knew that, but when you get to the end of your row working right to left, how do you go back?
I flip it and stitch the other direction (or stitch down) 🥰
@@bellastitchery8043 Thank you so much :)
Yes, I use this technique if the color is anywhere in the area (as long as it’s not too super far away). 🥰
Wow. This is brand new information!! Thank you!!
@@gemmajohnson2215 oh thanks! Hope it helps - let me know what you think 🥰
I've stitched this way for YEARS. I'm 72 LOL
Isn't it so much faster? It's really made it more engaging for me too. I used to feel a bit bored and restless before. :)
Thanks for the great video and time saving techniques!
I was wondering how you design your cross stitch patterns and if you test stitch them before you put them in your shop?
Thank you so much for your comments and kind words! I use a software program called PC Stitch and it gives me a digital version of what they will look like stitched. I have stitched several of my patterns (maybe close to a dozen?) but certainly not all 1,000+ lol. I love getting updated finished project photos from customers so I can see lots of different tapestries that way and share them on social media. I keep a file on my computer of buyer's finished project pics.
@@bellastitchery8043Thanks for the response!
Wow..hmm that’s cool 🙏🏽🙋🏻♀️👍🏽Mia
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
What size needle should I use
I usually use either a 24 or 26 size needle 🪡
this is how i learned to cross stitch from my grandma 55 years ago. ;->
Oh that’s wonderful! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing this! I am a cross country stitcher but I wanted to learn how I could stitch faster like those that do the parking method. This is lovely.
Oh thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the tutorial. I've never met a cross country stitcher before - that sounds amazing! Thanks for stitching with me today!
Oh my gosh! Why am I just now discovering this?! I never realized that stitching could be done without going through the back. Thank you so much for making this video and sharing this tip with others. I will definitely be using this, starting with a project that's taking me a year to complete.
Oh yay! Let me know how it works out for you. It’s all I ever do now and it has made a HUGE difference for me 🥰
Hi! I’m new to cross stitch and my fabric seems so stiff compared to yours?? (Aida 14 count) and it’s hard to bend to get the needle in the right holes like you do from the front? I really want to try this method again. Any idea how I can make the fabric more flexible?
Hi! Yes, my Aida is always super stiff at first too. It softens up a LOT as you handle it though. It should be much easier to handle after about a week or so 🥰
@@bellastitchery8043 thank you! I tried a soaking method which did soften the Aida as well as handling it. I’ve been able to use this method and I love it! So much faster and easier! 😁
Oh nice! I’ll have to try that out next time. Thanks for the tip!
I would like to say you are doing Counted Cross Stitch. It is not cross stitch
Yes, it's counted cross stitch. :)
I always take my pattern to Staples to get laminated then I use a dry erase pen.
Oh, I never would have thought of that! :)
Hi that was awesome, but I could not c that tricks stich cleary.
Thank you for your feedback! I’ll post some more close ups of the process on my Bella Stitchery Facebook and Instagram later today if you want to check it out 🪡🧵👍🏻