Can you Cross Stitch Faster with the Sewing Method?

[@starsrgood]

I have always stitched like this. I am pleased I now know it is okay as friends have commented how strange it is. My Mom taught me this about 45 years ago.

[@catkinandlillie]

Definitely not strange! If it works for you then it's all good 😄

[@tamaralankford2951]

I've been stitching since I was about 8 years old (almost 40 years) and I'd never heard of railroading or sewing method until I saw your videos! Thank you for teaching me something new!

[@catkinandlillie]

I only learned these things in the last few years and I'm still learning new things all the time...which I love to share 😃 I'm just so happy when others find them helpful 😄

[@ummsalamah7711]

I love in hand method

[@deborahchurch783]

I always used to stitch in hand using the stab and stitch method. Then somebody talked me in to using a hoop. Now I can't stitch without it. I'd love to try it this way but I can't live without my hoop! Thank you for all your videos. You've helped me a lot.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you; it's lovely to know that my videos are helpful to you 😄 I keep trying a hoop again just in case I suddenly find I like it but nope...it's not happened yet 😂

[@minajones1635]

Lol! I agree with you. I’ve used a hoop for over 40 yrs and, for me, it’s the only way to go. 😊

[@alace531]

I'm so glad you've showed the " railing" method! It is very helpful with stitching. I use this for years and my crosses looks really neat and tidy😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Railroading is sooooo good for neat stitching and it was great to find that it can still be done with the sewing method 😄

[@barbarahaynes-bi4hk]

I stitch in hand using the Victorian method. Work right to left, then turn your fabric upside down to work back across - you will see that the top stitch lies the same way. I also work sideways for long runs, but this requires a slight variation in placing the stitches, 2nd nature once you have practiced - as long as the top stitch is correct it doesn't matter which angle you stitch from

[@sunnykat2762]

Barbara I agree, that’s what I use for large blocks of color

[@catkinandlillie]

That makes a lot of sense; what a neat way to be able to work both directions with the Victorian method 😄

[@katiobrien7854]

I've always used the stab and stitch method, but your video on the railroad style fascinated me and when I do pick it back up, I am going to try that. Once again, thank you for the tutorial information.

[@catkinandlillie]

It's fun to try different methods as you never know what might work for you. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video 😄

[@solveigfrank]

Can we talk bout the way she presents her informations tips n tricks in her videos

[@catkinandlillie]

Wow, that's so lovely of you, thank you 😊

[@helenaMe325]

@@catkinandlillie Just started watching you yesterday and am a complete beginner to CS. Just have done four stitches on my first project so total novice! Thank goodness I have found you as you are so clear and answer questions before I even think of them! It all makes sense 👍👍😀😀🥰🥰

[@minajones1635]

I learned to do stab and stitch 40+ yrs ago and will continue as I learned. To be honest, I wasn’t even aware there was any other way to do cross stitch. Haha. I’m glad I found your channel and look forward to watching your other videos. Blessings! 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

I've been cross stitching for a good 30 years or so, and I only found out about the sewing method in the past year or so...and like you, I'm not going to change what I do! I've given it a go and it's not for me. I'm glad you're enjoying my videos 😊

[@sunnykat2762]

I use the sewing method and stabbing methods. My secret for holding the canvas is to roll the Fabric in towards the right (I’m right handed) then hold one finger on the bottom as the guide and my thumb on the top. My thumb also works as a laying tool. Yes my stitching is faster. Ok now blocks of color with the Victorian method. I flip my work upside down and fly to the end of the row. Then flip it back up right side up. Excellent video! You explained them well especially since they are not your preferred methods😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks for your kind words on my video; it's really important to me to make sure I know what I'm talking about and I love learning and testing! I'm a big fan of rolling my fabric up from the side too 😃 It's great to hear the sewing method really is faster for some stitchers and you have a great way to deal with blocks of colour whilst using the Victorian method 😄

[@sunnykat2762]

@@catkinandlillie I love your videos

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😄

[@thieleaf_the_shelf_dragon]

i use a hoop for sewing method! you just dont pull the fabric tight. it makes it a lot easier to manage tension because the fabric isnt trying to flop out of my hands, and i can park threads without the tails going all over the place ^^ ill also add that when i do victorian style (i didnt realise it had a specific name!!) and i just turn the piece upside down to travel backwards

[@catkinandlillie]

I had heard you could potentially do the sewing method in a hoop but didn't know for sure, so it's good to know it really is possible. A few people have mentioned turning the stitching upside down to go back the other way...it seems obvious to me now, but of course, it's always obvious when you know 😂

[@marionanthony1530]

PS. I have your pattern 'Rainbow Christmas' I enjoyed stitching them. The pattern is easy to follow. The design and colour change in each row, adds dimension.

[@catkinandlillie]

Yay! I think I might be stitching that one again myself this year! I'm so happy you've enjoyed the pattern 😄

[@daisysew1417]

Thank you such an interesting video. Always wanted to know about sewing method. Think will stick to stabbing! Many thanks too for your other videos.😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you, and I'm glad you're enjoying my videos 😊 I enjoyed trying out the sewing method but it wasn't for me either...I guess I enjoy the stabbing too much 😂

[@barbarawest1205]

I'm left--handed and have experimented with the sewing method but t doesn't come as easily for me as the stab and stitch method. But it was fascinating to watch you combine sewing and railroading. I'm definitely going to try your technique on that. I had just about resigned myself to sewing the bottom leg and stabbing-with-railroading the top leg.

[@catkinandlillie]

I was honestly amazed when the railroading was so easy to do with the sewing method! I had thought it wasn't possible. I hope it will give you another option to try 😃

[@marionanthony1530]

I have returned to cross stitch (25 years away). I have not had success with my stitches. Thanks for the tip of the tightness of stitching. It has worked.

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooh, I hope you are enjoying coming back to this lovely hobby and I'm glad I was able to help you out 😊

[@kevinbetts2720]

You can kind of sort of do this in a hoop. I start on the top, put the needle through and immediately flip it underneath then and come up the next hole. Then I pull the thread only from the top. I have practiced this and it seems to tangle the thread a ton less than down / pull / up / pull etc. Also if you are going to get a tangle or knot in the thread it is obvious on the front of the work instead of you not noticing it on the back until you have done more stitches.

[@catkinandlillie]

I had heard that it might be possible to do it with a hoop but didn't know enough about it to really speak to it in the video. It's great that you've been able to make it work for you - yay!!

[@tarafurnas861]

I’ve never tried the sewing method. I think I might give a try with a softer fabric.

[@catkinandlillie]

It's definitely going to be easier with softer fabric...I'll be interested to hear how you get on!

[@jaxthegamer6402]

Thank you for this video. I prefer using a hoop my tension when I stitch in hand is too tight and the fabric pulls skew

[@catkinandlillie]

It's always good to find the way that works best for you and I know a lot of people find tensioning difficult without a hoop. Despite my love of stitching in hand and being very used to getting correct tension, I still sometimes think a hoop would help but every time I try one I get frustrated with it 😂

[@achimwasp]

I mostly use the Danish sewing method as well, but going a step further. Not only making the first half first, but even doing it over multiple rows or if I have to go diagonally (it's an Austrian method called "Ebenseer Kreuzstich" - there's some videos here if you search for it). You have to know how many stitches you can make with the length of thread you have, so you have enough thread to go back to the start making the second halves. It's quite involved, but the backside will only have vertical lines, so it's especially useful for stitching on e.g. towels which have a strip of Aida. The backside will be visible on those, so should be as neatly as possible. The downside being that at times it's necessary to first make the second half and on the way back go under it to make the first half. Even the loop start method has to be tweaked a little so that it doesn't create a diagonal line on the backside.

[@catkinandlillie]

I'm pretty good at guessing how many stitches I can make with a thread but the rest of that sounds like it might fry my brain 😂 That is some serious dedication although I can see how useful it would be for when the back would be visible.

[@TrishhMakes]

Ohhh, i had been doing a mix of all these 😂

[@catkinandlillie]

That's totally ok...whatever works and yup, sometimes you gotta mix it up a bit!

[@samanthapiekuta6419]

Hi Kat, how do you manage the in hand method (no hoop) for larger cross stitch patterns in Aida?

[@catkinandlillie]

I roll up any excess fabric and clip it at both ends using a sewing clip (also called a Wonder clip)...yup, even for huge projects! Depending on the area I'm working on I might roll one or both sides, or for some pieces I work from the bottom and roll the bottom up as I go. It is a little harder to roll Aida if it's a bit stiff but still works 😄 I showed this a little bit in another video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIaqq2eYmNCanKssi=TpjvsTSKGvyUKWPR

[@samanthapiekuta6419]

Thank you!

[@MsSplashIt]

How to do this with 14ct cause the squares are very small

[@catkinandlillie]

You can do this with any count of fabric, but it does take a bit of practice. And 14 count is pretty much the biggest squares of any cross stitch fabric. As I said in the video, I just don't particularly enjoy stitching this way so I don't use it. It's great to try different things but if it doesn't work for you, don't do it and carry on stitching the way you most enjoy.

[@susandowns9383]

I wish you had the sewing method up closer. It looked like you were going up & down in the holes on the same side

[@catkinandlillie]

It's a surprisingly difficult and delicate balance because if I zoom in super close the image can wobble around more and the focus can be quite flaky so that's even worse!

[@lisawhittaker5680]

Sounds as if you came into this video with a lot of preconceived biases. Interestingly Carol (Saltbox Stitcher) uses the sewing method almost exclusively and I can't see anything wrong with the quality of her stitching. As with anything it's practice. When using the sewing method you do use different techniques for different directions without tension issues or awful looking stitches. Again practice. I use the sewing method for everything except 53/63, 56ct and beading, I dont think my stitching has tension or stitch quality issue any worse than when I use a hoop and stab stitch.

[@catkinandlillie]

I'm sorry if I came across as having pre-conceived biases; I felt that I gave the sewing method a very fair go and did say that I suspected I could get a little better with practice. I absolutely wasn't saying that the sewing method results in poor quality stitching. Just poor quality for MY stitching compared to stab and stitch. Everyone has to find their own way to stitch and for many this method will be fab which is why I made the video. It's the same kind of thing as stitching with or without a hoop/frame; some find their tension or stitch quality better with a hoop/frame and some without but there's no right or wrong, it's just whatever works best for the individual.