tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post286079399987998422..comments2024-03-19T12:03:08.057+00:00Comments on Through The Keyhole: Joyful World - FebruaryJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-53934065252462634982016-02-29T09:21:51.532+00:002016-02-29T09:21:51.532+00:00Thanks for that advice. I can't use a sewing m...Thanks for that advice. I can't use a sewing machine so I shall have to see what else I can do before I remove the masking tape. I've now restarted the cross stitch moving right in away from the edges so I'm hoping that will help. I'm still not using a hoop or a frame, it's just too awkward for me to hold it with it being such a large piece, I'll just have to see how I get on with it.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-75999125790628931002016-02-28T23:11:10.213+00:002016-02-28T23:11:10.213+00:00Here's my two cents worth, even though I feel ...Here's my two cents worth, even though I feel you have gotten really great suggestions already. Masking tape is great but the edges do tend to fray when you remove it. If you can, a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine really works best. As far as a hoop, I am using one more and more as I get older. I didn't use to because I like controlling the fabric with my hand but as I have RA and my hands tend to hurt doing this now, I do use a hoop. I love the idea of the cling wrap. I will have to try that. <br /><br />On most designs, it is best to start in the middle, however, I have bought two pieces lately that advise to start in the upper right hand corner. The pieces are large landscapes and the graphs are on several pages. It just makes sense to start in a corner. Good luck and keep us posted on the stitching.<br /><br />Hugs,<br />SharonGrammy Braxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15719293877336161714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-71982266665361533442016-02-14T19:43:38.277+00:002016-02-14T19:43:38.277+00:00Thanks for that, I have noticed where she mentions...Thanks for that, I have noticed where she mentions the extra 3" now. I'm doing the 4x3 layout but that extra 3" is still included in the sizes given for that.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-37707404813823351312016-02-14T17:38:34.137+00:002016-02-14T17:38:34.137+00:00Jo, I have just enlarged the January graph and the...Jo, I have just enlarged the January graph and the designer says that you will need fabric 28" x 28" for the 3x4 layout. This INCLUDES 3" around the design for framing; so if you haven't already restarted your stitching, measure down from the top left corner 3" and in from the left hand edge 3" and start where the lines cross and you should be in the right area.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08550500516229291436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-64933220586808345472016-02-14T11:57:55.319+00:002016-02-14T11:57:55.319+00:00I'm so pleased that I've asked the advice ...I'm so pleased that I've asked the advice of those more knowledgeable than I am, as you say, it's worth getting everything right from the beginning, it would be awful to get to the end and find out I'd done something wrong at this stage. I'll probably make lots of errors along the way, it's all a learning curve, but it won't be for the lack of great advice I've received from everyone. Thank you for your help.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-35971368161767740662016-02-13T16:02:43.670+00:002016-02-13T16:02:43.670+00:00Lots of helpful advice here, isn't blogging go...Lots of helpful advice here, isn't blogging good for that? My tuppence worth would be to have plenty of fabric spare around the edges to make framing easier. I favour using a hoop, but a little one just on the area I'm working on and roll up the rest with a clip. As you can't start in the centre of this piece, I would count it out on the fabric and tack guide lines to make sure the whole design fits correctly. It's worth double checking everything at this stage so you don't get near the end and find you've made a boob xxAlisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10007583111181817717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-26592781867690029792016-02-13T11:17:10.528+00:002016-02-13T11:17:10.528+00:00It's a new hobby to me but I'm really enjo...It's a new hobby to me but I'm really enjoy it, as you say, it's quite addictive but relaxing at the same time.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-25663517598672247312016-02-13T03:37:52.280+00:002016-02-13T03:37:52.280+00:00The last time I cross-stitched was high school! Go...The last time I cross-stitched was high school! Gosh, it's like a lifetime ago. But I admit it's addicting.Lux G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00557863683608790087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-28149673146142583862016-02-12T20:50:18.520+00:002016-02-12T20:50:18.520+00:00I've had loads of great advice which is very u...I've had loads of great advice which is very useful. I've pulled out what I've done so far and I'm going to start again, putting the advice I've had in to practice.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-24914442786273633852016-02-12T20:45:43.176+00:002016-02-12T20:45:43.176+00:00Hi Jo, unfortunately I am going to be no help what...Hi Jo, unfortunately I am going to be no help whatsoever here, I think what you have done so far looks great though and I hope that you get the advice you need.x Tanya.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08436595615435609755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-69030002716644892532016-02-12T20:12:31.644+00:002016-02-12T20:12:31.644+00:00That would be great, thank you so much. I'm so...That would be great, thank you so much. I'm so lucky to have such great advice from everyone.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-29494556381411067652016-02-12T20:10:46.392+00:002016-02-12T20:10:46.392+00:00That's so true. There's such a wealth of i...That's so true. There's such a wealth of information on the internet, and particularly when blogging, it's such a great community. We're lucky to be a part of it.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-63486525080986019572016-02-12T18:30:01.271+00:002016-02-12T18:30:01.271+00:00Fold the fabric under the clip so it does not hang...Fold the fabric under the clip so it does not hang off the frame, I will pop a photo in my next post, so great to see so many helpful comments.Poppypatchworkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12749159567150084975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-47820169093470326722016-02-12T17:45:36.349+00:002016-02-12T17:45:36.349+00:00I was just thinking the exact same thing as Sustai...I was just thinking the exact same thing as Sustainable Mum - 20 or even 10 years ago, it would have been quite difficult to get such great, personalized advice unless you had a shop with someone knowledgeable in the craft nearby.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-67925614262533642302016-02-12T15:35:15.436+00:002016-02-12T15:35:15.436+00:00As you say, we all have to learn somewhere and I&#...As you say, we all have to learn somewhere and I'm sure I'll muddle through. It's good to have friends on hand to give me some advice though, I'd hate to get to the end and find out a mistake I've made right at the beginning has ruined it. Thank you, Happy Valentines to you too.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-26830717771722648732016-02-12T14:27:20.321+00:002016-02-12T14:27:20.321+00:00I use a different type of frame than the one you h...I use a different type of frame than the one you have so I cannot comment - the one I use for my tapestry - which is good for large pieces. I would check the instructions and see if they state what size piece of fabric you need and where to start the pattern, that should give you a good idea of whether or not you are in the right place. The most important thing is to enjoy the process of it and remember, this is your first thing so try things out and as long as you have the pattern you could always make another in the future. Also, two years ago I saw a Kaffe Fasset exhibition and the state of some of his work was incredible, so if his doesn't have to be perfect, don't worry too much about yours! I mean that in a good way! Enjoy! Happy Valentines! xxAmy at love made my homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17111180584250029433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-21266577297275203782016-02-12T13:46:40.644+00:002016-02-12T13:46:40.644+00:00There's so many tips here as well as great adv...There's so many tips here as well as great advice, the blogging community are wonderful people.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-61549583140920007832016-02-12T10:25:01.141+00:002016-02-12T10:25:01.141+00:00That's the great thing about blogging, there&#...That's the great thing about blogging, there's so many knowledgeable people out there on any topic who are very generous with their advice, you only have to ask. What a great group of people the blogging community are, I'm so thankful for the friendships, old and new, that I've made through my blog. Thank you, have a great weekend.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-44599825391437589352016-02-12T10:21:40.469+00:002016-02-12T10:21:40.469+00:00Eeek, I've pulled it all out now that I've...Eeek, I've pulled it all out now that I've been given the above advice. I shall be starting from scratch but better to have it right from the beginning rather than being sorry at the end, especially when it's going to take such a long time to complete.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-55402791139326364772016-02-12T10:19:54.492+00:002016-02-12T10:19:54.492+00:00I've got a clip frame so I'm going to try ...I've got a clip frame so I'm going to try rolling the fabric as you suggest, using a bicycle clip is a good tip. Also, the tip about having different needles threaded is sound advice, I never thought of doing that myself but it's something I shall definitely be doing from now on. Thank you for all your advice.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-11293448621663441462016-02-12T10:14:30.646+00:002016-02-12T10:14:30.646+00:00I've decided on the 4X3 layout, mainly because...I've decided on the 4X3 layout, mainly because I found it easier to get the fabric in these dimensions. I understand what you mean about finding the middle, even though I'm not going to start stitching there, that makes sense now. I wondered if the fabric would fray once I took off the masking tape so thank you for confirming that, I'll take precautions. Thank you for your help.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-33799230294896091772016-02-12T10:10:55.669+00:002016-02-12T10:10:55.669+00:00Well - I wouldn't have a clue!
Fortunately the...Well - I wouldn't have a clue!<br />Fortunately there are many who do ...<br /><br />Happy Stitching, and have a good Friday.<br /><br />All the best JanLowcarb team memberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07961199165290289611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-33905857004111417372016-02-12T10:06:32.459+00:002016-02-12T10:06:32.459+00:00What a great tip, I shall definitely try that. I k...What a great tip, I shall definitely try that. I know a lot of people don't use hoops because of the marks they leave but this would alleviate that problem. Thank you for the tip.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-82814335000211802602016-02-12T10:02:59.579+00:002016-02-12T10:02:59.579+00:00I've got a clip frame but even that feels awkw...I've got a clip frame but even that feels awkward, I shall try it again and roll the excess fabric and see if it feels any better. I hadn't come across rectangular frames before you mentioned them but I've had a look online and they look really good, something to definitely look further in to. Thanks for your help.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-627672589261888662016-02-12T09:56:09.261+00:002016-02-12T09:56:09.261+00:00It's exciting, isn't it, to be embarking o...It's exciting, isn't it, to be embarking on a new project. What a good offer you found. I got bought a clip frame for Christmas but I've found it quite awkward with so much spare fabric hanging loose, I shall try rolling it and see how it feels then. This is only the second cross stitch I'm attempting and the first one was tiny in comparison. Looking forward to comparing notes as we trundle along.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com