What do I need to begin cross-stitching?

[Jack Lias]

I've never done this before, or anything similar. No knitting, no sewing, etc. Having said that, I have absolutely no supplies to do anything like this. There's a store in my town that sells equipment, tools, threads, etc, and I was wondering what exactly I would need to begin cross-stitching. I called the store up and they have a chrysanthemum pattern kit available, but I'm not a flower kind of man. It would be nice to be able to go into the store with a checklist of everything I need to begin.

I'm sorry if this has been asked before. If so, kindly direct me to one such thread.

Thank you!

[Eliste]

Aida cloth
Needle
Thread

You can cross stitch with just that. I pick Aida cloth cause not only is it easy to see where your needle should go (in the holes!) but it's probably the best for this type of sewing anyway.

I would always suggest getting something to hold your fabric taut, but you can cross stitch without it- it just wont look as good. I'd suggest a hoop of decent size- 8" or so- to start with as you can do most projects with just that one hoop.

But if you're brand new to this lark, a kit would be ideal. If you can't find something to your taste in your local store, there are TONS of places that have huge variety online. Just google it and you'll see what I mean.

Alternatively, you can find/buy a pattern. These usually include a list of what you'll need. Or you could try the craft section of your local bookstore or library. There will be books on cross stitching and generally have patterns in em and again give you a shopping list. I know a lot look like theyre more for... A certain gender/generation but thre are some cool ones out there. If I hadn't been waiting to be paid with an empty account the other day I totally would have picked up Twisted Stitches, for instance.

[spinuntilyoufall]

I know a lot look like theyre more for... A certain gender/generation but thre are some cool ones out there. If I hadn't been waiting to be paid with an empty account the other day I totally would have picked up Twisted Stitches, for instance.

I got this book for my birthday this year and it's freaking awesome!!! (Although I think some of the patterns on here are WAY better!)

That's a good way to start too, just pick a pattern on the Wiki Page and go for it! I would start with something smallish and not a ridiculous amount of colors unless you're an all or nothing sort of guy. There are a ton of super cool small to medium patterns that would be great starters without having to stitch kittens in a basket

Also, get a bigger piece of Aida than you need and don't try to start to close to the edges, once you get more used to it you can eye-judge things, but I still work with pieces that are quite a bit bigger than I really need just to keep my options for framing / finishing open.

Happy Stitching!

[blackmageheart]

I got this book for my birthday this year and it's freaking awesome!!! (Although I think some of the patterns on here are WAY better!)

I believe that two Sprite Stitch members were involved with that book

Agreeing with pretty much everything said before me.
Try starting off with a tiny, tiny pattern to get the hang of the actual stitching. Something like a Mario sprite might be a good entry-level thing to do.
Also, don't be scared just to have a go, you'll find it's really easy to pick up and quickly becomes addictive

And just as a side note, what's got you interested in starting?

[StitchPlease]

Whenever I send out a pattern I make a supply list for beginners along with some tips. Hope this gives a little more detailed list.

Supply List

• Fabric-Aida, 14-count or 18-count can be used.
• Needle-Size 24, this is a Tapestry needle which has a larger eye and a blunt tip.
• Floss-Thread, this pattern is made for DMC. When stitching split the floss and use 2 out of the 6 strands for stitching.
• Hoop-6 inch is best for most patterns.
• Scissors-3 inch embroidery scissors are best. Any will work, but the smaller and sharper the easier and the better they will work.

Reference sites
http://yarntree.com/007begin.htm
http://crossstitch.about.com/od/learnho ... ebasic.htm

These are the sites I used when starting out. they will teach you the basics of cross stitching.

All of my supplies are from Joann, Michaels, or AC Moore Craft Stores. Everything should be available in the cross stitch section of those stores.

A few quick tips:
This is stuff I learned aver stitching for a while, and I hope it helps!
• Every few stitches, or if you feel the thread tangling, let the needle go and it will untwist the thread. That way you’ll have fewer knots.
• If you do get a knot, don’t panic! Most knots are slip-knots, which mean tugging on it will only tighten it. Take your time and try different ways of getting it out. If nothing else works, then cut the knot out.
• Don’t worry about the back. No one will look at the back of the fabric once it’s in the frame. Always try to keep it as clean as possible, but don’t try to be perfect. The less knots and less thread, the flatter it will be in the frame.
• Careful when pulling your thread through. Try to keep a steady pace, if you pull too hard or not enough it won’t look even. Take your time and find the rhythm that works for you.

Have fun!

[Jack Lias]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

And just as a side note, what's got you interested in starting?

In general, this website got me interested in cross-stitching. In specific, I saw a stitch on here that I really liked, and I wanted to try something similar. Until I saw that one, cross-stitching was just an interest that I was content to admire from afar.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1081

[deborah]

I would pick out a pattern that I would want to do. I usually get a bigger size Aida cloth that is biggger than the size of the pcture is going to be. I usually get 14 count Aida because it is easier to see the holes in fabric. I would write a list of the thread numbers on a piece of paper that it has on the pattern you want to do. I take the list to the store and get the thread I need. I start stitches in the middle of fabric. I look for the center of fabric by folding it up from side to side. I look to see where the center is in the pattern and start there and work to outside.

[rosey175]

Everyone has given such great advice!

I just picked up cross-stitch a couple of years ago on a whim. I found a few tiny kits in a thrift store (little bitty things about the size of a small ornament) and even though the patterns weren't exactly my style, they worked for getting me started! Plus, older family members thought they were awesome (not a single person in my family does any kind of needlework) so I could gift them easily~

Hope you have fun with it; it's a great hobby.

[sharayah]

I started out with tiny kits, and then graduated to larger patterns. The kits are great, because they have your thread in them already. I'm probably the 2% of people that don't start their cross stitch in the middle though. If you're starting out though, it's a good idea to do so.

But the main thing is to just find a pattern you love so much that even though it might be frustrating, you'll continue with it. ^_^

[Celes_Lionheart]

A few other things I would recommend:

*If you have a sewing machine, go along the outside edge of your fabric with a zig zag stitch to help prevent fraying. If you don't have one you can also line the edges with masking tape or scotch tape ^_^

*If you are having a lot of problems with tangles and knots get a fresh new dryer sheet and rub the thread through the sheet. I actually do this to every thread before I stitch with it and haven't had any tangles or knots, and I use to have a ton!