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What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:36 pm
by dark_king999
My mother commented about how she could stitch faster than me, so I sat and watched her for a moment while she was cross-stitching. She was right, but the methods we sew with are different. I googled techniques, and it turns out that I' a stabber and she's a sewer.

What's your technique? Is there a reason you do it that way? I read that stabbing makes neater stitches than the sewing method, but it is slower. Opinions?

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:40 pm
by jadely
I stab, but I am intrigued by the sewing method if it will make stitching quicker :)

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:30 pm
by dark_king999
I tried using the sewing method (essentially, you poke your needle through two holes of fabric at once), but I couldn't quite do it on my 16 ct aida.. It just wasn't cooperating with me XD

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:36 am
by tnitnetny
I am a stabber. It takes me a long time to complete things. I also would be interested in the sewing technique. I didn't realize there were different ways to actually cross stitch.

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:24 am
by blackberrybear
I stab. It feels like I have more control over the thread and can prevent it from knotting better.

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:16 pm
by tnitnetny
Here is what I found on the different techniques:

http://crossstitch.about.com/od/learnho ... tabsew.htm
http://www.creative-cross-stitch.com/stab-method.html
http://www.better-cross-stitch-patterns ... ethod.html

I think I am going to try this on the piece I am working on now. I am making a SMB3 World 1 map and it is HUGE. I have been working on it for three years and can't wait for it to be done. I think I will try the sewing method when I work on it on Friday. I'll let everyone know how easy/hard it is. I don't work with a hoop anyways, I always disliked them.

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:26 pm
by blackmageheart
I am most defnitely a stabber, although I can sew if I have to. Also, not sure if stabbing is actually slower than sewing, since I can work really fast (tnitnetny will tell you I'm a machine :P) - what I do think is that when you get used to a technique you speed up anyway. Also, pretty sure that stabbing does give neater stitches. But that's just my opinion! :P

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 5:49 am
by moon_noodles
I'm a stabber. That feels weird to say...

I think BMH is right, once you get used to a technique you get faster at it. I also agree that it gives me neater stitches.

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 6:37 pm
by rosey175
I'm a stabber too, although I'm a two-handed stabber~ Obviously this only works with a hands-free stand, haha. Maybe if I hold the hoop with my toes it'd work too. :P
I've heard of the sewing technique but never could get the hang of it. I'd love to be able to stitch faster!

Re: What's your technique? Stabbing or Sewing?

Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 7:19 pm
by tnitnetny
So I walk up to mom tonight:
Me - Hey mom, did you know there are different cross stitch techniques? Apparently I am a stabber. There is also the sewing technique.
Mom - Uh, yeah. That is how I cross stitch, with the sewing technique.
Me - What? You taught me by stabbing, why did you never teach me sewing?
Mom - I don't know, I thought you would figure it out.

Lol.