As I'm teaching and talking with stitchers, I am always surprised by the number of little tips that are new to even the most experienced stitchers... even me!  I am always on the lookout for a new technique or trick - which is how I learned about modified 3/4 stitches, loop starts, and have started paper embroidery recently (wait for a new chart next month)!  Even after all these years, there's always something new to learn.

So this month I thought that I would take a moment to explain a few of the 'basics', and come of the "why's" behind them.

First of all, before you even begin stitching consider your materials.  For example, is your fabric large enough to allow for framing or finishing?  Since dyes can vary from dye lot to dye lot, have you purchased enough floss to complete the project - better to be generous than sorry!  Have you chosen a project you will enjoy stitching, which isn't too difficult for your skill level, even if it provides a slight challenge to increase that level? 

Make a 'working copy' of the pattern - most designers do not mind this, as long as all copies are destroyed once the project is stitched.  A copy allows you to mark off each row, or section, as it is stitched, so you always know where you are working.  Another good idea is to put a marking pin, safety pin, or small piece of floss to designate the TOP of the stitching until enough is completed that you can see which way is up <wink>.  This can be especially important if you are working on something like a topper or tree skirt, where you work around a circle (and especially if the design has a repeat in it!).  You want to keep the fabric in the same position and turn the pattern (if necessary for a repeat), so that your stitching faces the same way down the entire piece.  If you turn the fabric - trust me - it will look horrible!

OK, so now you're ready to stitch, if you're not familiar with LOOP STARTS, look for my 07/2017 TIP BLOG covering that ... for now, just let me say that it is very important to make sure all tails (both beginning and ending) are well secured, or they will come loose - and generally show through after the piece is framed, which is VERY annoying!  If the item will get some wear - like a topper or tree skirt, then I suggest running the tail in 2 directions.  In any case, be sure all tails run AWAY from the edge of the stitching (or open areas), so they don't show through the fabric. 

NEVER carry floss across unstitched areas of the design - it WILL show!

Some stitchers cut their fabric with a 3" allowance on each side and begin stitching 1.5" in and down from a corner, but if you begin in the centre of your pattern, and the centre of your fabric, then the finished stitching will always be centred, allowing an equal fabric allowance all the way around!

Be sure to wash your hands before starting, keep pets away from your work (as much as possible), and remove the hoop after each stitching session.  All of these things will help keep the fabric clean.  Once the project is finished, wash in mild dish soap and cool-to-warm water, and rinse well.  To dry, place face down on a clean towel and press from the back with a hot dry iron.  Lift the iron and move it around the stitching until the fabric and floss are fairly dry.  Pressing from the back, and using a towel, allows the stitching to raise off the fabric and become more prominent.  I generally leave the piece sit overnight after pressing, to be sure it's completely dry before mounting and framing.

Let's talk for a bit about floss.  There are so many kinds!  Shiny, fuzzy, over-dyed... some of which require delicate handling.  Sometimes the best thing is to use shorter lengths, or different techniques.  For example, when working with either fuzzy floss or over-dyed floss, you will want to complete both legs of each stitch as you work across the row.  In the case of fuzzy floss, you do this because it's furry, and it can be hard to see where you want to stitch on the way back across the row.  Using the same technique (working both legs of each stitch) with over-dyed floss allows the color changes to flow through the design.  I do a whole lesson on working with over-dyed floss, LOL, and the various looks you can get, and the difference between over-dyed and variegated so maybe we'll get into that next month...

Well, I think that may be enough info for one day, <GBG> - let me know if you think of any other tidbits like this that you think I should share - there's a free LITTLE LEAFLET for you if you come up with something no one else has shared yet. 

Happy Stitching!