Cross Stitch 101: Railroading and Laying Tools | Embroidery Tutorial

Railroading and laying tools are two different ways to get your stitches laying straight and even every time. These methods increase coverage with fewer strands, by letting each stitch cover more area than it might want to naturally.
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[@MadXStitcher]

Hey there! This video presents ideas and methods intended to help new and experienced stitchers find new methods of doing their craft. There is no right or wrong way to be creative or make art. If this works for you, I'm glad it helped! If you have questions, please ask! If you don't like this method, please move on. These comments are not a place to tell others what the "correct" way may or may not be.

[@defiantkatt]

genius! finally i understand! how big is the huge needle?

[@samsungj663]

@@defiantkatt គ្

[@patriciatreslove4449]

This method has greatly improved my stitching, thank you for sharing.

[@Jasmine-ur1sl]

Thank you for this video. Here it is well over three years since you posted it - and it is still proving very helpful and informative to me and I have been stitching off and on for almost 30 years. :) I trust this note finds you healthy, safe and well in thse challenging times. Take care!

[@jsapcakrrow]

Thank you! I always wondered how a laying tool worked. I love the idea of using an upholstery needle.

[@KyIieMinogue]

I’ve just started trying out cross stitch to see if I like it or not and ended up bumping into your videos. Just wanted to say how nice your voice is to listen to in these guides for baby stitchers like me

[@tamaras.1438]

Whenever I hear a new cross stitch term, I always try to seek out your videos. You such a good job at explaining!

[@MadXStitcher]

I'm glad it helps!

[@karenblankenship9405]

I had never seen the laying tool idea. I will try that because railroading is going slow for me. I am glad I found this, thank you!

[@lorihopkins6328]

Wow! This is brilliant! I was kinda doing this occasionally but it’s so gratifying to see it done properly and show smooth results! Thank you!

[@candacebex4370]

Life changing

[@shadowbroker4619]

Thanks!

[@JOLENE2008]

I tried it on my practice canvas and I really saw a difference? wow? Thanks Milesy "hugs"

[@DentD]

This was so straight forward and easy to understand, thank you!! I was wondering how I could get better coverage with my stitches. Much appreciated!!

[@dakshapatel7037]

Awesome! Very useful information! Thanks for sharing your tips

[@helenbeebe6561]

Love your videos. I've been stitching for 50 some years and never heard of railroading before. I tried it and love it! Thank you. I do have a problem I need help with. White floss. I tried every brand I know of and every color I can find, but my white stitches look awful. I'd love to stitch more snow and sheep etc. but ugh! It doesn't nice. Can you help? Thanks.

[@curtisosment9956]

Thanks great video

[@Tori_Jane]

Oooh this is SUPER helpful! Thank you, Milesy!!

[@pinkypolish267]

Great, clear, helpful video. And also your hair looks amazing!

[@lyndasmith593]

THANK U!!!! Is the first time I've understood railroading the stitch and using the laying tool

[@MadXStitcher]

I'm glad it helped!

[@linakoh4206]

Great tutorial thank you.. learnt something new!

[@heatherschye2469]

Fantastic explanation! So very clear

[@alisonjordan1152]

Thank you for this I start off ok with 2 strands but then you see the twisting in the fabric. It’s hard for me to see the holes so I’m going to try the grid method with pen, I was going to use threads but got confused when they say don’t go over or through the threads. This method is brilliant thanks for sharing

[@naturegirl7420]

Thanks for your videos, I’m a beginner I just found this site I’ve asked other experienced stitchers but they either don’t get back to me or they tell me they don’t know...even though I’ve seen the things I’ve asked about on their work. The group seems pretty exclusive

[@nicolemaronge3323]

Love your needleminder

[@the.pokey.little.pineapple4546]

Awesome video; clear, concise, & informative.

[@MadXStitcher]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Sunny25611]

I’ve been railroading for a few years now and it’s been a game changer. Love your needle minder- I checked for it in your shop but no joy.. can you please send the website? 🙏🏼

[@victoriacoleman7721]

Thanks for the tip it was very helpful.

[@ryanrailey]

Your video has helped me a lot. I use the sewing method and i do a lot of railroading in 14 ct aida. However, when i tried it on 18 ct, my stitches were not looking neat. Your technique solved my problem. Thank you very much!

[@MadXStitcher]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lynndavis6068]

Thank you for the informative video. My cross stitches were loose and lumpy.

[@flowerlass]

I came upon your channel because I was looking for information about railroading and laying tools. Thanks for the explanation! Does it matter which way you put your needle through the thread when you railroad? Or should the thread go through from a certain side? Thanks! I subscribed but noticed you aren't doing videos anymore. Hope all is well.

[@kellyhipkins5616]

Thank you for sharing

[@theresapassarelli1599]

Can you use a laying tool with the sewing method? Nice video!

[@lisaknapp336]

very helpful, thank you so much

[@Simunaya]

I use them on and of. Thanks for showing.

[@KitKat-wc1kn]

What a good teacher!

[@ashleynicol3]

Game changer! Thank you!

[@MadXStitcher]

Happy to help!

[@thesheshedkraftshack9230]

Sometimes I use a pin and it works great fir a laying tool!!!!!!

[@SK23980]

I like your hair 😂🎉

[@Sheywh12]

Hi 👋 Can you link me to a video not answer how we as new to cross stitching can know if it’s too tight and how to loosen it up? Thanks for any and all advice Have a Great Day! Sheila

[@MizzRowe]

Thank you for this video.

[@gydagee4452]

Hi do you have a video doing railroad or laying tools for a 2-hand stitcher (i mean 1 hand on top and one hand on the under the cloth doing stitch and the hand on top assisting the needle from the other hand) i would like to know if there is a way to do railroad or laying tools for 2 hand stitcher like me

[@pennylane1084]

I bet you can also use a double pointed knitting needle as a laying tool. I'm cheap like you and already have those!

[@MadXStitcher]

+pennylane1084 totally! A size 1 or 2 would probably work best.

[@nancydubin9328]

Too much pressure an your double ended needle will snap in half. Still cheaper to go to Walmart and buy something. Try lookin in the kitchen house wares. Or Chinese restaurant has chop sticks.

[@aliciabell4850]

I haven’t seen this before. TY

[@MadXStitcher]

Hope it helps!

[@ginaashby6782]

Hi there ... how wud you railroad 3 threads at a time ? I do alot of preprinted 11 count cross stitchg 😀

[@crispeta3577]

Gracias por la idea..PERO..... es muy importante que en la labor la última puntada la que cruza por encima esté en la misma dirección ....y veo que tú no lo hace .....Por que en una sola dirección ....ya sea de izquierda a derecha o el contrario tu elección a un que es mejor.... \ .......esto para que la Luz sobre el hilo funcione bien 👍

[@shakeelagha5926]

Wow nice

[@MadXStitcher]

Thanks!

[@ashleysloan4450]

How are you starting your stitch?? How do you loop it so it catches?

[@MadXStitcher]

Like this: Loop Start - Starting Your Cross Stitch | Embroidery Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYeUnn6Mjb6qoKs

[@anniethesureshot]

Need Help. When I stitch with 3 strands on 14 count Aida one of the three strands gets progressively shorter. I separate my three strands so they are all parallel when starting a new strand. Does anyone else have this problem or have you puzzled this out and found a solution?

[@annsmith5625]

⚾️

[@JinksB]

Is it possible to use a laying tool if you're stitching in a hoop? I don't stitch two-handed with a frame setup (no room!).

[@MadXStitcher]

Yeah, but you might have to practise a bit to find a way that works.

[@juliannehart4828]

Sure can tell you are left handed. So with the tool you do not need to split the thread

[@briannarongitsch3334]

What is your favorite fabric to stitch on?

[@kel06901]

I’m new to cross stitching. When you railroad does the floss get tangled?

[@MadXStitcher]

Sorry i missed this comment. Things can get buried by KZbin and shoved in weird places sometimes. No. Railroading actually prevents your floss from getting tangled and twisted. It's a good method to use, but it does make the project take longer because there's more faffing about with each stitch. Same with laying tools.

[@gloriathomas9873]

That's interesting never heard of railroading sorry to ask my hearing is not that good for the video, what if any are the bang it's if this stitch please. Looks a good one to try

[@MadXStitcher]

It keeps your stitches even and untwisted, which gives you more consistent coverage

[@embroideryideas701]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@voiceofdistortedreason5998]

If you're super cheap like me...... Ok, are we besties!?

[@monicaamerssonis5388]

Pretty but that's a lot of work