All my Rules for Fast Stitching over 20 Years of Experience

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

00:33 Thread and needle keepers 03:08 Stitch in numbers’ order 04:13 Live the most frequent colours to the end 05:40 Stitch in the area 07:23 Mark as done all stitches in one touch 08:12 Stitch from an app 09:30 Use many needles 10:40 Have a needle prepared 12:10 What I use as a stand 14:34 Anchor 16:38 How to stitch with two hands 18:15 Move faster 18:52 Half-way stitching for long thread 21:32 How to deal with the mistakes 23:55 Different types of grids 27:20 Half stitch. Does it make sense? 29:00 Right needle Happy to hear from you! And discuss more on this topic! 🥰🤗

[@KT-sq2ml]

Thank you!! 😊

[@muddy5380]

Stumbled upon your video and very happy about it. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Muddy! Happy to have you here! 🤗💐

[@Kellzbellz17]

thank you for taking your time to show us your techniques look forward to the next video

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Thank you Kellie! 😘💐

[@Macedonica]

Олеся, дякую за Ваші поради. Влучно та пізнавально. Знайшла для себе дещо нове. PS. Дизайни чудові 😊

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

🤗😘

[@NeedleBugg]

Just found your channel and enjoy your videos. Would love to see one on making your floss organizer. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi and welcome! Yeah, I’ll try to do it as soon as possible. Thank you for the kind words! 😘💐

[@mosan8555]

Thank you❤ great teaching!! I'm going to be more patient... as I'm learning how to stitch with 2 hands this week.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Good luck! For sure you’ll love it if you don’t stress yourself too much! 🤞😘

[@AB-nk7qu]

Would love to see a video on how you make your organiser! Great video, very helpful :)

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! I am almost done with it. Hope to have it published today or tomorrow 🤗

[@AB-nk7qu]

@@StitchingMasterpieces looking forward to it!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@AB-nk7qu Hi! It is already there ASMR. Sounds of creation. No talking. All words in text kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp7NaHiCe8ikfsU Hope you’ll find it helpful 😘💐

[@kimedge7493]

Wow! Those are a lot of good ideas! I enjoy seeing how you set up your work space. The clamps from your husband's repair job are a good idea! :) I was interested in how you use zip ties, too. It looks like you whip stitch a wooden chop stick to the sides? Maybe you can show us how you do this in another video? That may give me better tautness on my wooden frame than the suspender clips I bought. I do not stitch full coverage pieces but on 28 count linen I was very happy with the results of doing tent stitch with two strands of floss. I got good coverage and of course, it is twice as fast as cross stitch. :)

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Kim! Good idea! I’ll try to make a video about the zip ties as well. But in short, you are totally right. I just quickly whip stitch a wooden sticks that I did not use from sushi restaurant. (New bought one should be even better because they would be less flexible). And move a zip ties between stitches. So I can easily remove them when needed. I used rubber bands for it, but they are not so good as zip ties for sure. Oh! On 28th count coverage should be perfect! Even on 25th it is a good one. Sometimes I think if I should try 28th or even 32nd. But it might be a challenge to finish such project with 250k stitches 😂 Thank you Kim for lots of good words! 😘💐 Happy stitching! 🥰

[@kimedge7493]

@@StitchingMasterpieces I forgot to say, I stitched my 28 count piece over one, so two threads were good coverage. :)

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@kimedge7493 yeah! When I even thought about 32nd it was about over one. I very rarely stitch small designs. And for full coverage I can’t imaging the size on 28th count if you stitch over two 🤣. At least, It would be Mind blowing task 😂

[@sharondeverslobaton3511]

I’m getting ready to start my first full coverage project, so I’ve watched several videos to learn from more experienced cross stitchers. I’m really impressed with your advice and methods. The tip that I felt most helpful was to practice two-handed stitching. I tried it before and gave up almost immediately. I like your advice of trying it for two weeks. You are absolutely correct. After a few days my stitching is better and faster. I will stick with it for another reason. For some reason, the thread doesn’t seem to twist as much so my stitches are laying flatter. I also like your approach of sewing in relatively small areas rather than parking. Thank you so much!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! Congratulations on your first full coverage design! It is so exciting! I remember when I started my the very first one I was so nervous when I’ll be able to finish it. If I can do it at all. Or probably it is too difficult and impossible for me to stitch?! 🫣 But now I absolutely love them. They look great even if I did not finish them yet. Best of luck for you! Hope you’ll enjoy every stitch of it! 🥰 For sure, two-hands stitching should give you more stitches in a day than many other options. When you get use to it check other suggestions from this video, probably you’ll find more interesting to check out. I like parking method a lot, but moving from it on my every project because it is slower. And it is easier to stitch if you don’t need to move hanging threads there and back. I am glad you found helpful tips and your stitching will be faster and still bring joy and relaxation 🥰🤗

[@sharondeverslobaton3511]

@@StitchingMasterpieces Thank you so much for your encouragement! Just one question. Is there less thread twisting with the two-handed method?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@sharondeverslobaton3511 that’s a good question. Probably you are right and a thread twist more with one hand stitching. I think if you want to stitch with one hand and have it less twisting try to let a thread hanging for a second every 10 stitches so it untwist.

[@sharondeverslobaton3511]

@@StitchingMasterpieces Thanks again!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@sharondeverslobaton3511 you are always welcome! 🥰

[@officialmermaidscove1376]

Wonderful advice! I hope to implement a lot of these tips on my full coverage designs. Thank you 😊

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

That’s great you find them helpful! Hope you’ll have improved your stitching speed with them without losing a piece of enjoyment 🥰😘

[@loriclarke2931]

Ty I learned a few things today. Loved how to end on tent stitches

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

That’s great that I helped! Love to be useful! Thanks Lori for your feedback! 😘💐

[@anaussieinakiwiworld9355]

Thank you for sharing your tips on speeding up your stitching. May need to change where i sit to see if it works faster for me. I currently sit on a recliner for comfort. Will definitely share your video on my FT channel to allow others the chance to learn some tips too. Take care and happy stitching 🌷🌷 from Judy in New Zealand FT An Aussie in a Kiwi world

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi from Canada! Nice to hear from New Zealand! It is my dream to visit it one day. I would be happy if my tips will help somebody else! 😘💐

[@anaussieinakiwiworld9355]

@@StitchingMasterpieces I think lots of people will get a good tip from this video. New Zealand is a lovely place, hope your dreams come true to visit.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@anaussieinakiwiworld9355 thank you! New Zealand is far far away from any place in the world. But, probably, in January it worth to spend 30 hours for a flight to get warm weather. I can’t imagine that people in Auckland might not know how snow feels like 🤭 I can’t imagine how winter feels like without looots of snow 😂. Sometimes we have about 50 cm per night. And in these days New Zealand feels like a dream place. Any way. Happy to hear from you 😘💐

[@mariannevonscheel]

Thank you so much for sharing your rules. I’ve learned a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing a tutorial on the organizer. I’m making my own as well but I’m really interested in yours 😊

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Awesome! Hope to have it this week😘

[@zsofiahargitai9205]

Hi, very nice video, so many good ideas, thanks for sharing!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Zsofia! Glad you liked it! 🥰

[@KT-sq2ml]

So you advise to work from the least number of stitches of one color - I’m going to try that! I’ve been doing the opposite - stitching the colors that have the most stitches in an area. I guess for me it seems like I’m getting more done that way, BUT then I need to of course go back and fill in all those scattered white spots!! So probably not as fast as your technique. It’s interesting to learn how every stitcher has a different way to do things!!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Yeah, I tried so many different techniques but all the time come back to stitch from least colour to most frequent one. Or go by number, but leave last most frequent colour to the end. For me it is not only faster, but easier to find spots for the first 50 colours in the area

[@KT-sq2ml]

@@StitchingMasterpieces thank you!!! I’m using a program called Markup XP and it lets me sort the colors/numbers both ways. I’m going to try your technique! 😊

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@KT-sq2ml nice! If you can sort it is already the most important feature. Some others are good to have but not so vital

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Alysia...very informative video...great meeting you...best wishes❤

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Thanks Loretta! Happy stitching! 😘💐

[@EmyStitcher]

❤❤❤so many good ideas, thanks for sharing!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Thank you Emy! 😘😘😘💐

[@KT-sq2ml]

I keep coming back to watch this video to see how you made your frame to hold your project! Looks like you bought two dowels that were long enough first. I need to go to hardware store and buy rods long enough!! My project is over 40” wide and 25” or so long. Thank you for your videos. I love your accent. What is your language/where are you from I should ask? Florida here in the U.S. Thanks again! Kevin

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Kevin! I have three videos with closer look to my handmade frames. If you are talking about horizontal bars, I would take hard wood at the Home Depot 2.5x2.5 square cut. It should holy tension in the middle for such a big project better than usual rounded wood from local hardware store where they sell it for garden and home. Or check very hard one . Thank you for the kind words! My first language is Russian. There are lots of stitchers and channels that have many interesting ideas regarding embroidery Btw, I immigrated to Canada long time ago. Nova Scotia. Coastal line. I was in Florida several years ago. Such a great place to live! So warm! And ocean is amazing!

[@KT-sq2ml]

@@StitchingMasterpieces yes it’s pretty in Florida and great weather in the winter. Sadly the politics in this state are not my beliefs, but for now it’s where I am. I’d love to move to Canada and get out of here! 😉

[@KT-sq2ml]

@@StitchingMasterpieces thank you for the tips on the bars!!! I hope to try this out and will let you know! I need a place at a table to set it but I’ll figure it out.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@KT-sq2ml good luck with that! I have heard one girl used ironing board instead of desk and she loves it. I tried it and did not like it because I did not have enough room for the legs. But you might have different type of the board. It might be a good option for you

[@monakiyani6115]

Thank you for sharing your experience ❤ would you please also share your thoughts and tips for pricing big projects?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! If you are talking how to save some money on big projects, in my opinion, it is just buy a pattern, floss and cut it by yourself. Don’t buy kits, they cost more usually. And, if I count how many dollars I spend per day, original dmc floss is not so expensive. It is less than 1$ per day. I can afford it. Sometimes, if I want to save some money, I can buy chip materials from AliExpress. But on most cases they are lower quality and do not give as much satisfaction while working with them. So, I keep saying myself that my nervous cost more.

[@cynthia8022]

If stitching faster is NOT your goal, then skip to the thousands of other Floss Tubes. To suit your personal taste. We all stitch for different reasons and outcomes. Process vs. Productivity is what it is typically referred to. If you want to be as prolifically productive as she is, with dozens of large full coverage pieces already under her belt, then of course one would need to learn faster techniques. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to accomplish the same goals as she (and thousands of other stitchers) have. That is their primary goal. Accomplishing as much as they can in a sitting (some, not all the time). It’s called, “You do you and I’ll do me!”

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Absolutely agree. However, sometimes there are some ways to speed up a little bit just but using new ideas without losing even a piece of joy of stitching itself. I combine these two. Enjoy every stitch and get faster results 🤗

[@אדלמינץ]

Hii! first time watching your video and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for this video! Can you make a video on how you make the threads organizer please? I am a beginner embroiderer (about a year) and I am still looking for a good method to organize the threads.. Thank you so much❤

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! Welcome to my channel! Yeah, for sure I’ll make a video about my organizers some time soon. I stitch for 20 years already and still looking for the best organizer ever 😂 Happy stitching!

[@gabrisstitches8038]

Thank you for sharing this, it’s always interesting to see how other stitchers manage the process of stitching. A quick question: I see you’re using a specific area on your app that you stitch at a time and once you finish that area, you move to the next one. How do you avoid gap lines between the areas? I know people suggest staggering stitches over the perimeter of the chosen area, to avoid that gap forming. Do you use any particular method to avoid those lines? Many thanks.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Gabri! I have tried to explain my approach in this video. My approach to stitch full coverage designs faster kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4iuqIaagLN8qKM It might be not very informative though, so in couple words: If I see that about 5 stitches go to the connected area, I stitch them. But cut the thread if there are more than 5. Usually it helps to make a bridge between areas and less risk to have gap lines. Second one, I still don’t understand if it works or not, but use this approach for half a year. I don’t see lines, but it does not mean it works: I start a stitch from an empty corner. Especially it is important on the connection. So, if you stitch from the bottom to the top, a single stitch should go in opposite - from top corner coming towards the stitched area. So, in this case you don’t change direction of stitching between areas and it should be like finishing the thread. At least, my brain does not see why in such approach lines should appear. Same for cross stitch. If you stitch all of them in one direction every time, do not reversing up and down, it might help Hope I explained at somehow understandable. Probably, one day I’ll make a video with that. But don’t want to show it right now because I still don’t have a proof that it works

[@gabrisstitches8038]

@@StitchingMasterpieces thank you, it makes perfect sense!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Awesome! I am glad I was able to explain it 🥰

[@Hezz6142]

Thank you that was very helpful

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Thank you! Happy to hear it! 🥰💐

[@kathycrawford8777]

I don't really understand the reasons behind learning to stitch fast. My stitching goal is tranquility rather than product. I stitch because it calms my life. It seems to me that putting stress on ones self to stitch fast would rob you of the pleasures associated with stitching. I guess it's the difference between goal oriented stitching and process stitching. I consider my stitching time my "down" time and I value it as a really welcome part of my day to just unwind and relax. To each their own.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Kathy! I totally understand you. And for me stitching is a process in the first place. But with really big full coverage designs I feel like optimizing my time is super important. Otherwise, I might get tired of the same pictures for years or they will stuck in a drawer unfinished. And, in most cases, I am talking not about rushing yourself, but optimization such things, that are not important for the good time or just annoying when I stitch. Let’s say, for me, turning a trestles or stitching with one hand is a pain. Stitching from a paper is a pain for my eyes. And it is good improvement for the stitching speed if I work on these stuff. Any way. Happy stitching! 😘

[@joanngreen9714]

❤​@@StitchingMasterpieces

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@joanngreen9714 😘💐

[@Ofelia-12]

I'm a fast stitcher, I don't rush myself when I stitch, I've just optimized everything around my stitching which has sped up the process. Switched from paper to Pattern Keeper = I spend less time looking for where to stitch. Switched from bobbins to thread and needle organizers = I spend less time changing colors. I have basically just cut down on the time I spend not stitching while stitching and I get two to three times as much done while still enjoying the process just as much, if not more. There are things I could do to stitch even faster, but that I don't do because they're not enjoyable to me. It's all about finding what works for you and what you enjoy doing.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@Ofelia-12 Hi Ofelia! Totally agree with you! That’s my goal as well - optimize all the process not directly related to stitching so I can spend more time on stitches itself. That’s probably why I changed my organizers about 15 time to find that one working for me. So now I stitch but not looking for a next colour

[@loriholmes8705]

Thanks for sharing your tips for faster stitching. What type of fabric/canvas were you stitching on in the last demonstration where the threads were mostly blue?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! It should be Congress one www.123stitch.com/item/Wichelt-24-Ct-White-Congress-Cloth-36x50/9406-194

[@occam5123]

I just discovered your channel. Some great tips. Is the application you use, Saga???

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! Nice to meet you and welcome! Yes, I use Saga for stitching

[@kristenliska4560]

Where did you get your organizers, and if you made them yourself can you share how you make them please

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi Kristen! All steps are there ASMR. Sounds of creation. No talking. All words in text kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp7NaHiCe8ikfsU It is very easy to make and does not take lots of time. Hope you find it helpful! 😘💐

[@victoriab3053]

Buen día, yo también hago el truco de bordar sobre un punto ya bordado con el color equivocado 😜, solo deshago cuando no hay otra solución 😅. Una pregunta ¿qué tela usas para pinchar las agujas? Uso traductor pero no entendí que tela es. Gracias. Un saludo desde España.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hola, saludos desde Canadá. De acuerdo, es mucho más rápido no deshacer una puntada si no es del color totalmente incorrecto, sino agregar una puntada adicional encima 🥰. En cuanto a la aguja atascada, uso un círculo de goma que compré en la sección de cocina de una tienda de un dólar. Está diseñado inicialmente para abrir un frasco en la cocina.

[@victoriab3053]

@@StitchingMasterpieces hola! Me expliqué mal. La pregunta era por la tela amarilla que usas para poner las agujas en el organizador. Un abrazo y gracias por compartir.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@victoriab3053 ¡Oh, ésta! Esta tela amarilla es de fieltro. Tengo dos tipos. La primera es de una tienda de dólar. Es fina y "suficientemente buena". Y la segunda la compré en una tienda local. La etiqueta decía que se puede usar para perros, autos y en la cocina. Es mucho mejor porque es más gruesa y no se rompe con el tiempo. Por lo general, venden esta tela en tiendas de "hágalo usted mismo" para la parte posterior de los pequeños proyectos de costura.

[@victoriab3053]

@@StitchingMasterpieces Gracias!! Un abrazo

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@victoriab3053 🤗😘

[@Terrachroma_911]

😊

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

🤗😘

[@pamelateague9503]

What a wonderful video !! Thanks for sharing.😊❤

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Thank you Pamela! 😘💐

[@KT-sq2ml]

What application do you use when you stitch with your tablet/computer?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! I stitch with “Cross stitch Saga” it is great and has lots of features. But works only with xsd and saga formats. It does not open pdf ones. It works on android devices, but on Apple it updates more often. I know about another app which called “Paradise”. It works with pdf and can save pdf as Saga readable format, but works only on android. Paradise has its free version to try. All of my patterns are in xsd format and I know people who can convert for a small money pdf to xsd. But it might be a problem for some people. Anyway. Pattern keeper definitely not an option for me after “Cross stitch saga” You can find Paradise there there cs-paradise.com Hope it helps

[@RiversLove]

​@@StitchingMasterpieces How do you get Paradise to save in a Saga compatible format?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@RiversLove Hi! I did not try it by myself, so I know it only in theory. 1. Open PDF in Paradize Pro version 2. Save the pattern (it is in dize format, which is compatible with saga) 3. Open this newly saved file in saga

[@RiversLove]

​@@StitchingMasterpiecesthank you. I just tried it, and it absolutely does work! Looking forward to your next video!

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

@RiversLove that’s so awesome that I works for you! Glad you like it! I hope to get use to some kind of schedule with videos and have it every 3 days…. 🤗😘

[@Dee-wr1gn]

What is the name of the application (software)?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi there! I am stitching with “Cross stitch Saga” it is great and has lots of features. But works only with xsd and saga format. It does not open pdf ones. And it works on android devices, but on Apple it updates more often. I know about another app which called “cross stitch Paradise”. It works with pdf and can save pdf as Saga readable format, but works only on android. Paradise has its free version to try. All of my patterns are in xsd formats and I know people who can convert for a small money pdf to xsd. But it might be a problem for some. Anyway. Patter keeper definitely not an option for me after “Cross stitch saga” Hope it helps. If you need a link to paradise to try it out let me know, I’ll try to find it Hope it answers your question

[@thesheshedkraftshack9230]

What cross stitch program are you using?

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Hi! I use this app for stitching How I Use Cross Stitch Saga. User Experience kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWWpoIuloZprjtE

[@stitchydutchy2054]

Loved watching. The best tip was to move your hands faster...if only they would😅. I've also got a little trick that helps, that is, to look for the next stitch before you complete the X of the stitch you're doing. That way, you have a reference point.

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Nice tip! Thank you! Sometimes I find that it is difficult to find a last point if I moved my needle to the back. In such cases I feel like a little baby in a dark forest 😂 Sometime hands can move quickly. Especially if we compare myself in a position “I what to finish it by the end of summer” and myself “it is a Friday night… take it easy….”

[@Elena_L04]

И тут органайзеры 😂

[@StitchingMasterpieces]

Куда ж без них 😂