5.Washing And Framing

Washing
Having spent some time completing your cross stitch project, it is now the time to begin the process of preserving this piece of work. Before you can frame your cross stitch pattern or picture, it must, of course, be spotlessly clean.

Cross stitched pieces must be washed separately by hand in Lukewarm water with mild dishwashing liquid and should never be allowed to mix with other garments. If you know there is a stain on the piece, treat it with either lemon juice or white vinegar before you wash it.

When you have finished washing the cross stitch, rinse it in several changes of water until the final rinse is completely soap free and the water remains clear. Place the work carefully face down on a clean white towel, smooth out any creases and then place a further clean white towel on top of it.

After it got dried,Set the iron into medium heat(cotton) continue pressing on the reverse side of the cloth carefully until it is completely dry.

You are now ready to frame the work.

Framing
Now your picture is ready to frame and add colour to your house.
Choose the frame of your choice.The pattern should be Backing board with stretching board/foam board whichever but it should be non-acid form.
Never use card board for framing it.It is composed of unrefined paper with a high acid content.
The glass should be cleaned perfectly.

Now your framed piece is ready to decorate your house for life long time.

FREE PATTERN LINKS
www.free-cross-stitch-pattern.com
They give the complete chart,floss details,fabric,etc..

I hope all this info for cross stitch is clear,if any mistakes please let me know so that i can correct.Whatever info i gather i will try to share it.If you to want to share something please mail me to soujanyakotnani09@gmail.com.

Finally i am thankful to my sister-in-law which inspired me by her wonderful and lovely stitching projects.

If anybody did the stitching projects i welcome to share the outcome.

Happy Stitching!

4.Stitches You will use

1.CROSS STITCH
By using this cross stitch we can fill the pattern.

1. Come up at A,

go down at B,

up at C,down at D,etc..,across the row.

2. Work the other half of each cross in the same holes so that the crosses touch at the corners.Be sure that all stitches cross in the same direction.Complete the whole row before you go on to the next row.

come up at G,down at H

up at I,down at J,etc..,across the row.

3.The back of your fabric should look like this.

4.Work vertical stitches individually.

For example
The chart will be like shown below

Cross Stitches according to the pattern.

Complete pattern cross stitched according to the chart.

2.BACK STITCH
Back Stitch is used for lettering,outlines,etc..

Come up at A,go down at B,come up at C,go down at A(same hole),come up at D,go down at C(same hole)continue,always going back down in the same hole as the previous stitch.

outlines example

3.FRENCH KNOT
1.Come up through the fabric hole.Lay the needlework down.Hold the thread about 2" away from A(the hole which you came up).Wrap the thread once,twice etc here i wrapped thrice around the needle.
2.Continue to hold the thread,insert the tip of the needle through the fabric at B.This forms the loop around the needle.
3.Pull the thread until the loop is tight around the needle.Holding the thread taut against the fabric,pick up your needlework,then pull the needle through the fabric.
4.this shows the completed knot.
video tutorial for french knot


Thanq for watching the blog,any comments/feedback are appreciated.

3.Let's Begin(Basic Things to learn)

Step 1.Finding the center of the fabric
In Counted Cross Stitch,the first step is to find the center of the fabric(Aida,matty)so you will know where to begin stitching.To find the center of the fabric,fold it in half vertically,then horizontally.Place a pin where the folds meet.

For example

The center can be approximate don't be worry it has to be perfect.The thing is when you mark the middle point work accordingly..

Step 2.Put the fabric in the loop
Loosen the screw,then separate the two rings.Position the inner ring with the lip on top.Center the fabric over the inner ring.Place the other ring on top.Tighten the screw to hold the fabric in place.

Step 3.Using your colors.
Sort your colors by comparing them in daylight and check the number of lengths according to the chart you follow.
Basic Things
Each length of thread is made up of six strands.Separate the strands by holding one end of the length between two fingers and pulling out one strand at a time.

To begin,thread two strands of it.blue through the eye of the needle.Leave a 3" tail of thread on one side of the needle as shown.

To start your stitch using thread,hold an inch of thread behind the fabric and secure it by working your first several stitches over it.
To end your thread,run it under the back of your stitches.Trim the loose thread ends

2.Basic Material You need for Cross Stitch

Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern are used to form a picture.

This is my Completed Cross Stitch Pattern.
Before discussing the pattern explanation i would like to discuss the basic material you will be required to start any pattern.

About the Fabric
Cross-stitch is usually executed on easily countable evenweave fabric called aida cloth (In India we call matty cloth). The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This form of cross-stitch is also called counted cross-stitch in order to distinguish it from other forms of cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch); the stitcher simply stitches over the printed pattern.

Picture of Aida Cloth how it looks.

Selecting the fabric
1. Different colours will be available.
2. The different types of Aida cloth are labeled according to their thread count. Therefore, 14 Aida cloth is a 14-count fabric which gives 14 stitches per inch, and 18 Aida cloth gives 18 stitches per inch, since it is an 18-count fabric.

"the finer the fabric used, the smaller the stitches become." For a smaller design, use 18 Aida; for a bigger design, use 14 Aida. The advantage that 18 Aida has over 14 Aids is that it makes the completed stitching look more fine and detailed. The holes are closer together on the higher fabric thread count, which is 18 Aida.

Floss/Thread
Commercial charts suggest which type and color of thread to use. Kits even supply the thread for you. However, there are times when you want to select the thread yourself.You get the thread color code by that you can buy in near by stores or online.The Brands i know are Anchor,Dmc.

Needle
Counted cross stitch should be done with a tapestry needle. Tapestry needles have blunt points and much larger eyes than sewing needles. The blunt points prevent the needles from piercing fabric threads.
Tapestry needles come in a variety of sizes. A larger size number means a smaller needle. Cross stitching usually requires a #22, #24, #26 or #28 needle.
One traditional rule says you should use a #22 needle if the fabric is 14 count (14 threads per inch) or less, a #24 or #26 needle if the fabric count is 16-18 count, and a #26 needle if the fabric is finer than 18.

The needle should be large enough to move the fabric threads out of the way just a tiny bit. This reduces the friction and wear on your stitching fiber.
The floss or fiber thickness and number of strands used can also affect the choice needle size.

Hoop or Hand

Advantages of "in the hand":

Stitching can be done with the sewing method, which requires less motion on the part of the stitcher than the stab method. The sewing method can be much faster.
There are no worries about squashing existing stitches or leaving hoop marks.
The project is much easier to transport without the weight and bulk of bars.
Some people like the feel of the fabric in their hand. It's part of the enjoyment of stitching.

Advantages of bars:

They can keep the fabric taut, for those who prefer this. They can be used with the fabric loose, for those who like the sewing method.
More of the fabric is immediately visible than if it were draped over a hand.
Most bars can be used with lap stands or floor stands. The stands allow "two handed stitching", where one hand is kept above and one hand below the project. Good quality stands are like fine furniture, and keep the current project on display.
People who have trouble holding projects for long periods of time also may find stands useful--they help avoid or reduce effects from tendonitis, arthritis and cramping.

These are all the basic material you use for the cross stitch.
The next post will be the "basic stitches -how to..??"

Thanq for watching the blog,any comments/feedback are appreciated..
Happy Crafting!

Cute Bunny with Honeydew

Hi!This cute bunny can be made with any melon like watermelon,cantaloupe,honeydew.Here i used Honeydew.very easy to do do kids(honey dew is best,bcoz its skin is not so hard as watermelon & cantaloupe) also can give a try.
Hope You like it..
Give a try & enjoy!

Lets see how to do it?

Step 1.
To stand without moving make a cut at the bottom.

Step2.
Draw the shape of face using marker so that it will be easy for you to cut.as shown below

Step 3.
Cut with knife as you drew and slowly separate the part.

Step 4.
Scoop the fruit nicely and prepare as shown below.

Step 5.
From here this is upto you.According to your availability put eyes,mouth etc...I used raisins,apple and toothpicks.

Step 6.
finally fill it with fruits.
Your cute bunny is ready.

Thanq for watching the blog,any comments are appreciated,if tried happy to know the outcome.
Happy Carving!

This is an entry for Fruit n veg Event May 2011 in http://harikaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/05/announcing-create-n-crave-fruit-n-veg.html and
http://www.simplysensationalfood.com/p/simplyfood-events.html

1."Cross Stitch pattern"

Hi! Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern are used to form a picture. Cross-stitch is usually executed on easily countable evenweave fabric called aida cloth. The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance.
The "cross stitch post" will explain you what is cross stitch?what you require?how to start?
Dont search for the answers....They will only come to u...

This is the pic of coming craft.

This is the final output of the stitch.

After Framing...

Thanq for watching the blog,any comments are appreciated