6 Steps to Prepare Fabric for Happier Cross Stitch (for Beginners) Flosstube

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Check out the full tutorial article here: www.notoriousneedle.com/prepare-fabric-for-cross-stitch/

[@valeriemoen4441]

I have been cross stitching for over 20 years. I love the masking tape method. Be it on a hoop, hand-held or working frame. Doesn’t come apart and easy to take off.

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

Great tips! I've saved this video if I need to revisit the info. Happy stitching!

[@1986KillerQueen]

OH BURN!!!! ROASTED!!!! THE TEA!!!! lololol Mom is wrong and now she is learnt PUBLICLY omg that was adorable perfect comedic timing

[@franzrogar]

3:42 Or you could use double-sided fabric tape, that just ironing will fix in place your cloth without any further issue.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Definitely!

[@rebeccajourney3183]

I am always amazed at those who don't measure their fabric correctly for the chart they choose. Conversions tables eliminate that issue. Measure twice, cut once!

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Yep! And although I’ve been doing this for 30 years, I STILL get it wrong sometimes lol 🤷‍♀️

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

So no rinsing the fabric before? My fabric seems really stiff and seems kind of hard to get taut in the hoop. I don't remember this issue when I was a young kid and my grandma taught me how to cross stitch.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Kris - You might be working with aida fabric, and it is starched to be stiff on purpose to make it easier to stitch on without a hoop. It's ok to rinse it before you start stitching and get the starch out to make it softer. Make sure that if your fabric is not white, that it is colorfast, so that the colors don't run or bleed when you rinse it.

[@CarolinaGirlCreationZ]

@@NotoriousNeedle thank you sooo much! Excellent and super helpful information! 💕

[@wendy4235]

Just a quick question because I can’t find any videos on what I’m about to ask. If I have two pieces of fabric that I have to join them together, what would you recommend to do? My piece is 72.24cm x 127cm in a 18ct fabric. Reason why I’m asking is because I did see them up together as we would normally do for sewing, but there is a slight bump. I haven’t gone over that piece of fabric yet. I also cannot find any fabric that comes in a bigger size where I could work on just one whole big piece of fabric.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Hi Wendy, I wish I had something more helpful for you. But I will do my best. I prefer to stitch on one big piece for a few reasons. When you sew 2 pieces together: The holes never seem to line up right. The color is usually slightly off. There’s a seam that creates a bump, making it hard to stitch on and hard to frame. I usually just don’t like how it looks. Of course, if you’re stitching Frankenstein’s monster, this would be an amazing effect!! If you don’t mind any of those things above, then go ahead and stitch on two pieces sewn together. Stitching over the bump at the seam shouldn’t be too difficult. You may need to use an embroidery needle (with a sharp pointy tip) instead of a tapestry needle to get through the multiple layers of fabric. And instead of an embroidery hoop, you should use a scroll frame to hold the fabric taut while you stitch. But it’s so big, you’d have to do that with a single piece of fabric anyways. The tough part will be when you frame it. You can pay a professional who you trust will hide the bump as best she can. Or if you frame it yourself, use a soft material in the backing so that the seam sinks in a bit and is less obvious. If I were stitching that project, I would keep looking for a single piece of fabric big enough. 72x127cm is big, sure, but you can buy fabric by the yard! (91cm) Maybe contact a fabric seller and see if they’ll cut you an especially large piece. They buy in wholesale by the bolt. What do you think you’ll do?

[@wendy4235]

@@NotoriousNeedle Thank you writing back, I really appreciate the detailed feedback on what I could possibly do. I never knew that I could request a single big piece from sellers. I will definitely do that when I locate a seller in the future. As for now, I don’t want to lose my quarter piece of cross stitching as I already started on it, so I have no choice but to stitch two fabrics together. It might be framed or not, I don’t know for sure yet. Once again, thanks for your reply!!

[@jessb3621]

Love the tips! How can I get rid of the mark of the hoop after I finish? I would love to frame it in square but I can see the hook mark. (Like 3:10)

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks for the kind words! To get rid of hoop marks, you need to wash and iron your project after it's finished. Wash: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mF7Li5h7itBros0 Iron: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3qqi3qCZ7WimbM Two things: 1) All of the textiles should be colorfast before washing so the colors don't bleed. If you're not sure, test it out. 2) If you are using specialty threads or fabrics, you need to follow the manufacturers instructions for care. Hope that helps!

[@jessb3621]

@@NotoriousNeedle Omg didn't expect to hear from you this quick. Thank you so much!! I also learned why I should wash it other than getting rid of the crease by the video.

[@spoon7926]

I use mod podge on my edge

[@annaherbert9314]

I washed my cross stitch cloth midway through the work and it softened and it is harder nou to see the holes and to stitch Any advice?

[@NotoriousNeedle]

For light fabric, put something dark in your lap while you stitch. Maybe a blanket, towel or wear dark clothes. For dark fabric, put something bright in your lap. Or you could try putting a light in your lap while you stitch, like a book light or the flashlight from your cell phone. The high contrast between light and dark will make it easier to see the holes in the fabric.

[@forsomenotreally]

I have found that the pinking shears method tends to have the material shred quicker. I personally do not recommend this particular method at all

[@NotoriousNeedle]

Thanks for adding that!