Flosstube #3 - How I stitched my first huge full coverage cross stitch from HAED

It took me nearly 4 years to complete my first full coverage cross stitch from Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) and I am so excited to share it.
I'll chat about why I chose it, how I stitched it and what I loved about it.
Don't miss the time lapse of my progress with a photo at every 1% completed!
I'm also sharing what my next full coverage project will be; I can't wait to start!
00:00 Start
00:32 Stitching reveal
01:16 Why I chose this design
01:57 Project details
03:34 Supplies and type of stitches
07:11 How I stitched it
10:56 Pattern Keeper and Stitch Pal apps
12:50 Stitching stats
13:47 Timelapse of progress
15:41 What I loved most
17:20 What I loved least
19:19 Will I do another one?!
20:53 My next project!
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[@winterfrey_]

my jaw literally dropped when you showed how big and detailed it was 😮i'm really glad i found your channel, i've been cross stitching since i was very little but recently became more serious about it, and have picked up lots of great tips, so thank you :)

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thanks so much ☺️ It makes me so happy to know my tips can help you out, and I hope you have a wonderful time rediscovering your stitchy bug 😄

[@TheStitchyWitch]

This is wonderful. Such a massive achievement, I'm so in awe that you stitched the whole piece in hand !! Teach me! Haha! Great job. x

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 The downside to stitching it in hand was washing 4 years worth of invisible dirt out at the end 😂 It didn't look dirty but the washing water said otherwise! I'm stitching the next huge piece all in hand as well and thinking I might do a 'stitch with me' video as I know a few people are interested to see it in action! If I can figure out the best camera set up then I'll do it 😄

[@lynnhamps7052]

Yes please!!😊👍

[@katiobrien7854]

Oh my goodness. I'm so in awe of you doing this huge project! You picked a doozy for your first. Amazing and beautiful. Oh, that dragon!!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ No matter the size it's just one stitch at a time I guess! I think this one will always be really special for me 😄 But I also can't wait to start the dragon!

[@bethliotta267]

Thank you for the best video I have seen about stitching a HAED chart! I have several I had kitted up, but was so frustrated about what count to use, tent or full cross stitch, etc. I am so ready to start my first one that I actually pulled out the fabric and the cover sheet and DMC list. You have inspired me to go for it! Its not a race, its a journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Can't wait to see the start of your dragon! First time viewer and now a huge fan!

[@catkinandlillie]

Yayyyyy!!! This has made me so happy that you are going to start your first HAED 😆 And thank you for your kind words too 😄 Have fun on your stitchy journey!

[@Anni-Leni]

Wooow, I gasped when you held it up! It's looking fantastic! I have no words 😍

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ It felt sooooo good to finish it 😄

[@themirrorimagestitcher]

What a brilliant finish!! 💃🕺💃🕺 Congratulations 🥳 Be proud 🙋‍♀️🇨🇦

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊

[@annieoldfield1]

You're rightly very proud of your achievement - I think it's amazing and then on top of that, worked in hand!!! This is the first Aimee Stewart I have seen somebody finish too. So well done for your tenacity with the confetti too.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 They certainly aren't quick projects and the confetti is 😬😬😬. I've definitely seen more in progress than finished 😂

[@lindawhitehead3242]

Inspirational! Love the time lapse video. Also the inset photos of small sections that are each amazingly detailed x

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks Mum ☺️ I'm blaming/thanking Tim for getting me to put the pictures in 😂 I think I've watched that time lapse about 20 times now; I find it mesmerising!

[@joydillow2041]

Wow Cat absolutely gorgeous. You have every right to be proud of yourself. As to the Dragon, yeah it will be amazing. The colours are stunning. See you next time and happy stitching ❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ I am impatient for the supplies to arrive so I can start the dragon...and I'll share of course 😄

[@avismullins6790]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊

[@scrapnstitchtawnya5423]

Wow! Just wow! Congratulations to you! Great video and your finish is beautiful 😍

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much ☺️ I'm glad you enjoyed seeing this epic project 😄

[@momv2pa]

Loved the time lapse

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you! I'm so glad I did it because it's really fun to see it grow 😄

[@marionanthony1530]

I truly enjoyed this video. You covered everything. I had noticed the bird and butterflies. Than you mentioned them. They add something to each portrait. I also saw a Kangaroo with a Joey and a ulysses butterfly. Australian fauna. This home for me.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much; I'm delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the video 😊 All the different creatures were so much fun to stitch and that's so lovely they reminded you of home 😄

[@mj.crafty]

How beautiful to see a full stitch finished. 😮 😮❤ thank you for sharing your work ❤❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you and I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing this 😊

[@clarendon771]

❤ absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait for your next piece .

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ I'll be sharing as soon as I start the dragon...and I have another project to start soon that I also can't wait to share 😄

[@helenwright3201]

Wow thats absolutely beautiful!!!! ❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊

[@jsapcakrrow]

Congratulations on completing a beautifully huge pattern !!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I'm busy working on the next one 😄

[@estherovalle7909]

Wow lovely thank you for sharing 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you and it was really a delight to be able to share it with everyone ☺️

[@Xyzee-p2w]

Wonderful!

[@catkinandlillie]

You're welcome 😊

[@nete1209]

Oh my goodness!!! What a beauty

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😄

[@amandamccoy5814]

That is absolutely beautiful. What a great achievement. 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 It really was such a delight to stitch 😄

[@istitchbirds]

It was so nice to hear your thoughts about stitching it! All the best parts and the not so favourite parts. I really enjoyed seeing it grow in those pictures you took!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you Laura 😊 It was so lovely to be able to share all about it 😄 Can't wait to start the next one!

[@owlbestitching8839]

Thanks for all the details of your experience with stitching that incredibly, beautiful, huge, project. I enjoyed listening. Oh, and that dragon is beautiful. Can’t wait to see you start that one!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I really enjoyed sharing all about it. I started the dragon and shared it in Flosstube #6 😄

[@AnnClarke-ty3rv]

Wow it’s beautiful - well done

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ I can't quite believe I finally finished it!

[@vrector2054]

Wow, what a wonderful treat for us...

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thank you; I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@momv2pa]

That was amazing!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊

[@katiebowers8539]

Brilliant idea to document each 1%. What a lovely achievement!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 It was so fun to see all the progress photos put together 😄 I wasn't sure if I would do it for future huge projects but I think I will because it's so satisfying!

[@rosesantiago9687]

That is amazing 😻 congratulations is in order 🎉

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊

[@MarthanearSeattle]

What an excellent reconstruction of the entire process of this colorful and challenging project. I was absolutely riveted. Congratulations on producing a beautiful piece of needlework and the most fascinating flosstube video I have ever seen.

[@catkinandlillie]

Wow, that's so lovely of you, thank you 😊 I am so happy you enjoyed the video 😄

[@Wildberryquilting]

Wow! Congrats! That is amazing and beautiful. I just came over from your framed video so I could see this piece in more detail. It's so lovely. You should be so proud of yourself.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 I sometimes can't quite believe I did it but there it is on my wall as proof 😂

[@missdebbie6303]

So very beautiful, Stitching is perfect.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you so much 😊

[@debrastory7875]

What an awesome video! Congratulations on your amazing finish and thank you for all the information you gave us. I was shocked when you said you stitched that in hand, now your a legend. What a brilliant idea to take pics at 1%. I’m off to hit the subscribe button and watch your first two video’s. Thanks again

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thanks for your lovely kind words 😊 Stitching in hand comes so much more easily to me but I was surprised how well it still worked for such a large project! I hope you enjoy the other videos...new one out today 😜

[@crazyboutknitting]

I am new to your channel & I found this subject fascinating. Thank you for all your insight.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much; I'm delighted you are enjoying my videos 😄

[@babsbee4081]

Wow, that’s an absolutely stunning cross st. A family heirloom for sure.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much ☺️ I'm really looking forward to being able to display it 😄

[@elizabethmurray4821]

Congratulations on finishing a HAED, that is amazing and so much work. Beautiful and well done.💗

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you so much 😊 It does feel like a great achievement, and such fun to stitch too 😄

[@BethJedrzejewski-ue9gs]

MAGNIFICENT!! I really enjoyed the inset pictures and the time lapse was a great idea. Consider that for your next project. 🐉

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I have to credit my lovely husband for suggesting the inset pics, and also for taking the photos for the time lapse! It was slightly irritating unrolling the fabric every 1% for a photo but I do love the finished effect with the time lapse so I think I will do it for the next project too 😄

[@Linda_James]

WOW 🎉 congratulations 🎊 I loved the time-lapse video ❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I love how the time lapse turned out...I'm doing the same for my current huge full coverage too 😄

[@mariaewin1870]

How absolutely gorgeous! and stitched on such a small Aida count!!! Bravo👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎉❤️❤️🙋🏻🥂🥂🥂

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😄 It was very tiny stitches but ok with just using 1 strand; you get used to it really quickly!

[@zzfreddy]

That is an insane amount of work. It’s really beautiful.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 Definitely a lot of work but so worth it 😄

[@Tricia123B]

How beautiful, great job on sticking with such large project. Congrats on lovely finish

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much ☺️ It really was a proud moment to finish it 😄

[@theswinneyswitcheffect]

How amazing! I'm new to HAED and started a couple of months ago... But nowhere near your dedication to the project! Thank you so much for the information about the journey! So interesting... And motivational! Congratulations on the awesome finish!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 How exciting that you are starting your first HAED 😆 Just enjoy the journey 😄

[@magnolianana1552]

New subscriber and fellow flosstuber- your finish is amazing! Congratulations!! I have never done a HAED, but you have inspired me to work on a full coverage.🩵🧵🪡

[@catkinandlillie]

Hi there and thank you ☺️ I'm so glad my stitching was inspiring for you. I'll be popping over to visit your Flosstube when I can 😄

[@UliSeng]

Congratulations!!! I really love the idea of putting the picture of the pattern away after you started stitching. That was a brilliant idea :) Can't wait to see the dragon :)

[@catkinandlillie]

I did love the mystery element to what I was stitching! It doesn't really work for the dragon, especially when I put the picture into every flosstube 😂 Have you seen the dragon progress in my more recent flosstubes? It's doing well 😄

[@sjrnfel]

I am very impressed you stitched such a large project purely in hand! Wonderful work and congrats on the finish

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I think the stitching in hand surprises most people but I genuinely find it so much easier. I might do a 'stitch with me' video one day to share how it works for me.

[@3a.m.knitter]

Your Timelapse is incredible!❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊

[@solarwinds-]

Yeah I liked that bit too.

[@minajones1635]

It is stunning!! Very beautiful!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊

[@minajones1635]

@@catkinandlillie I’m so thrilled your channel popped up! New subbie!

[@kathleenawilson7085]

OMGOODNESS! I've never seen someone actually done something that big! Kudos to you! Amazing! You rock. Stunning. ❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thanks so much 😊 It did feel so good to finish it and it's now at the framers 😄

[@Grace1980.]

Absolutely fantastic what kept you motivated and to not get bored

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you! The lovely colours and intricacy of the design was a big factor in staying motivated as I could see progress even if I stitched just a few hundred stitches. It also helped because I was stitching it almost every day, so I guess it also became a bit of a habit. I can't wait to start my next huge project...I know I've revealed what it is but I'll have more about it in my next video too 😄

[@Grace1980.]

@@catkinandlillie yes please do looking forward to seeing your progress 💕

[@vixis]

Love this. I have several HAED patterns. I cant stitch in hand for toffee but im a middle pattern starter so when i decide on my pattern, I'll let you know. You are great and inspirational. Your mum sounds lovely!❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much for your kind words ☺️ That's awesome that you are going to start a HAED and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 😄

[@lonna9789]

BEAUTIFUL stitching! This is one I really want to do for my 3 youngest grandsons. I HAVE started in the middle on a HAED. I'm doing Garden Gate, starting in middle. I have 2 other HAEDs in the works that I started in upper left corner. I'm doing Garden Gate in max colors. SO much confetti. I'm wishing I had started in upper left corner. I'm far enough into it that I really don't want to restart, but I've given that idea a thought or two.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 Ah, interesting that you went for a middle start even if it didn't work out so well. I hope you can stick with it and I'm sure it will look amazing when it's finished 😄 I hope you get to the Amazing Animal Kingdom one day; it's a really fun stitch and I bet your grandsons would love it!

[@Linda-Lovestostitch]

It is so beautiful. I would like to stitch this one day.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I can definitely recommend stitching it! Sure it takes a while but it's so worth it 😄 Go for it!!

[@kathy1896]

Absolutely amazing accomplishment! i enjoyed the video and all the tips you shared! I have been thinking about a full coverage piece, but haven't found anything that sticks with me yet.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you and I'm delighted you found it helpful 😊 I think it's definitely a good idea to wait until you find a design that you really love for a full coverage because you will be spending a lot of time with it! I hope you find the one for you 😄

[@cynthia8022]

I love this share and listening to all of your joyful love of our craft. I always look forward to seeing your posts and art You are an amazing teacher and share more useful information on your videos, every time, than anyone else I have found. Thanks for all the tips and conversation that you have given to our XS community. Can you do a video justalking about your cross stitch love and filming just your hands and your stitching method? Thank you!!! 😇🥰🌺 !!!

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, thank you, that's lovely of you 😊 As luck would have it...I filmed my very first 'stitch with me' which I think is just what you were asking for; kzbin.info/aero/PLyoIK9ZZ8iiIaBhQbtWbyai8sNNVdwobh I'm planning on doing more of these in future 😄

[@dawnbouquot8569]

Totally inspiring! Such a beautiful piece of stitching! I went back to Aimee Stewarts’s patterns and would love to get one done for each of my kids.... BUT I am 70 and not sure if there is enough time.... thanks for this video!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 You can get mini patterns for some Aimee Stewart designs which I think are parts of full designs so maybe that could work? I'm so happy you're enjoying my videos 😄

[@jamiemcdaniel8155]

❤ great job 👏 amazing

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊

[@sunnykat2762]

That’s gorgeous ❤your animal world and I love the dragon head too

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ Its truly been a delight to stitch all the lovely animals and I'm soooo ready to start the dragon; just waiting on my supplies 😄

[@sunnykat2762]

@@catkinandlillie omg that’s the hardest part is waiting on supplies. I have a fancy mermaid 🧜‍♀️ I am waiting on 2 bead packs so I can start her. I won’t until I have all the embellishments because I have learned you may not be able to get them. My Dmc I wait until I am actually ready to start due to how easy it is for me to get if I don’t already have in my stash… keep producing your videos!

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooooh...is that a Bella Filipina mermaid? I have my first one of those to start as soon as I get the fabric and threads. I've got the beads though! I totally agree that waiting for supplies is so hard 😂

[@sunnykat2762]

@@catkinandlillie yessss to both! One good thing about Bella Filipina is at least the designer is easier to reach via IG. Unlike some of the other fancy lady/mermaid, that you can’t reach to ask if they have a recommendation for substitutes.

[@sunnykat2762]

@@catkinandlillie are you going to do the fiberlicious & BF first SAL? I am waiting on supplies to come in for it. It’s a seasons mermaids. It will be my second ever SAL

[@RosalieChambers-xi4hx]

That’s amazing

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😄

[@liliawebb9377]

OH! Major congratulations on your BIG finish!!!! I'm only getting across row one and half of the shelf under that. I'm doing A Stitch in Time, the Max version. I only do 100 stitches 6 days a week so I'm on year 3 of the approximated 8 remaining but it's automatic now. I stitch right after my walk in the morning and am only getting enabled to have a 2nd project going on right after that. These are so much smaller but hey, a full cross is a full cross no matter the size. I love seeing things appear along the way and since I purchased a print of the HAED, I can take a comparison look to see just what I'm trying to work through on those little pop up creatures. I'm really looking forward to watching your dragon emerge so I hope you'll be sharing along the way. Best wishes for another great success~

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you so much ☺️ I can't imagine doing the max version but your stitch in time pattern will look amazing, and all you can do is take it one stitch at a time. Progress is progress even if it's slow 😄 It's just giving you more time to enjoy stitching it! I will definitely be sharing progress on the dragon; I can't wait to start it 😄

[@liliawebb9377]

I'm clapping for you@@catkinandlillie

[@neilstephen6761]

Congratulations beautiful stitching. Try Stitching Shelves another large stitch. Happy stitching

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 Oh yes, that's another lovely design...but there are so many lovely ones that it's really hard to pick!

[@JadeOtter-wp6fi]

Congrats on your finish. I am also working on this pattern but I made the iffy decision to do the super-sized max color version 764,235 stitches

[@catkinandlillie]

Oof, that is huuuuge! I bet it will look incredible though and you will be so proud 😀 Good luck!

[@KelleysQuiltsandCruises]

Hello everyone. I am late to this video. I’m not normally a fan of full coverage patterns. But this pattern is about the only one I would pick if I decided to give it a go.

[@catkinandlillie]

So glad you found this and enjoyed it! I have to say that there are only a small number of full coverage patterns that I would actually stitch. It needs to be something with interest and colour otherwise I think I'd get bored and give up 😂

[@conniemilowski2599]

This video caught my eye as this is one of the projects I’m working on, but I lost my mind and went with the max color version @ 238 colors. 🤯 Fortunately (?) I’m doing it with 2 strands & tent stitch so it’s 1/2 the work. 🙂 Congrats on the finish, it looks beautiful!

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooh, that is a LOT of colours!! Tent stitch sounds like a great option though. Good luck and I'm sure you'll be delighted with it 😄

[@Cali_Jeni]

Omg!! I LOVE IT!! It’s so beautiful!! I may have to do that one day. I’ve just started cross stitching and I’m using stamped projects at the moment. I’ve finished 1 and now currently working on 3 others. All stamped still. Not ready to tackle counted yet..lol

[@catkinandlillie]

Stamped cross stitch seems like a great place to start to get the hang of the technique although I've never actually tried one myself! I promise the counting is not too hard though...but I would look for a pattern without lots of separated motifs that you would need to count between as that can be more tricky.

[@Cali_Jeni]

@@catkinandlillie I’m considering starting a small counted cross stitch to try it out. I want to try different fabrics too. I absolutely love your videos. They are so helpful and inspiring! Thank you so much!

[@catkinandlillie]

Aw, that's brilliant to hear that my videos are inspiring you 😊 It's so much fun trying different patterns and fabrics. Happy stitching 😄

[@traceysirett5840]

Yes I've got my eye on that Dragon too.

[@catkinandlillie]

Sorry, not sorry if I'm going to be enabling you as I share my progress 😂

[@aliciaswafford338]

GREAT JOB! I love this! I love HAED and I have alot of thier designs but have a very hard time working on them. I love how you keep yourself motivated and I am going to try those. Thank you again! BTW, what is the picture behind you in your time-lapse. Looks like the archway next to my job at Indiana University

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you and I'm happy if I've helped you in any way 😊 It is certainly harder to keep motivated on larger projects, and my new one is tricky because there is soooo much black/very dark blue at the start 😬 I do a bit then 'treat' myself to a more interestingly coloured section 😂 The picture on the wall in the time lapse is one I did probably over 20 years ago so I don't know what it is although I think maybe a magazine pattern. If you want to see it more closely then it's in my flosstube #5 with all my FFOs and house tour 😃

[@billembody4829]

Wow! Absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing the details of this stitch. I ordered this chart! Would you share how you organized your floss for this fantastic piece? Thanks so much!!!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😄 I hope you have as much fun stitching it as I did. I put all 90 colours on floss drops and split them over 3 large bunder rings, so 30 colours on each ring, in shade number order. If you're watching my Flosstubes I'll try to remember to show this for my Chromatic Dragon in an episode because it's basically the same.

[@billembody4829]

I just finished watching some of your how to videos. Thanks. Just waiting for my fabric to arrive on the 8th. I saw this and suggested to my wife that she should stitch it and she replied that I should stitch it! So I am! 🤞🏼 Thanks for all the tips you’ve shared. Bill

[@usgribbles]

Beautiful job! Great video. I'm curious what the tea bag pattern is (sitting behind you).

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😄 The teabag pattern is one of my own so here's the link catkinandlillie.etsy.com/listing/991435808

[@peggy1046]

I stitch full coverage, samplers, quaker, everything in hand. Ot is so fast! I use the sewing method.

[@catkinandlillie]

Yup, I love how fast I can go in hand...but despite practice I'm slower with the sewing method so it's stab and stitch for me 😂

[@susanjohnson-nr3br]

I am new to your channel and enjoy watching your help and tips. Congratulations on finishing your HAED it is absolutely beautiful.You mentioned that you used the Pattern Keeper app could you please let me know which app you used as there are quite a few as I am starting my first large project. Many thanks Susan

[@catkinandlillie]

Hi Susan and welcome to my channel; so lovely to have you here 😄 The app is actually called Pattern Keeper so if you search for that on the Play store you should find it. It is only available for Android devices though. It also doesn't work with every pattern but most of the really big patterns like those from HAED are compatible. Happy stitching 🪡😄

[@cindygaudet1390]

Wow first time watching and am amazed you did it in hand and didn’t park even when you do it in sections. Kudos and it looks beautiful! How did you do confetti in hand, finishing each one or 2 stitches on back. Reason I ask is i use my floor frame but i get a sore back. But no tension problems? Well it looks fantastic! Did you stitch on other projects during this time? Guess need to fo back and watch your previous videos 😅 thanks off to subscribe!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you for your kind words and for subscribing 😊 I don't know if my tension could have been better if I used a frame but it seems ok to me, although of course, it will look better when washed and pressed. If I had confetti of a few different colours over a fairly large area then I did each colour one at a time, but if it was just 1 or 2 stitches then I did just start and stop the thread for this by running it under a few stitches on the back. Stitching in hand makes it really easy to flip the fabric to do this, so that was an advantage. I did stitch lots of other projects alongside this huge one; I like to have a variety to choose from and yes, you'll see those in my other videos 😄

[@wolflady58]

Oh you did the smaller one mine will be the biggest max color

[@catkinandlillie]

Wow! I admire your dedication 😄 I am not sure I'd ever have finished it if I'd gone for that version 😂

[@candacebex4370]

Absolutely stunning!!! If you didn't do parking, were you constantly starting and ending threads?

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 Yup, there was a lot of starting and stopping of threads...even for 1 or 2 stitches! I just got used to it, and stitching in hand makes it really easy to flip the fabric to run in the thread to start and finish. I'm aiming to do more videos of how I do things when I start the dragon as lots of people seem interested.

[@solstitches]

Wow! I only just came across this video and it was epic! Congratulations on your finish of this amazing piece of stitching. I wonder if you have it framed yet? Having only subscribed recently I need to go look at some of your other videos. I do have a question and that is how do you start your stitching using one thread? Do you use a pin stitch or something else? Same goes for ending a thread I guess. Thank you for everything you shared here. I doubt I’ll ever do a HAED but it was fascinating to learn your process on tackling the project. Happy stitching, Margaret

[@solstitches]

Just found a video showing the framed piece so I answered my own question 😍

[@catkinandlillie]

It was an epic stitch for sure! I'm glad you find the video with it framed...I love it so much 😍 For stitching with 1 strand I run under 3-4 stitches on the back both to start and end. Nothing fancy but it works for me 😄

[@thewellnessclinic2902]

Just found your channel and wow, this project was fantastic!! I’d love to know did you work on anything else in that time, or just this project?Also you look like a young Isabelle Rossellini ❤

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I worked on multiple other projects at the same time but smaller ones. i have the same going on now with one huge project (Chromatic Dragon) and lots of smaller ones as I do like the variety 😄

[@usgribbles]

I just started chromatic dragon! But the small one 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Yay!! It's such a gorgeous pattern; hope you have fun stitching it...and you'll probably be quicker than me 😂

[@usgribbles]

@@catkinandlillie 😊❤️

[@lynnhamps7052]

This was sooo helpful! I am just about to embark on my first haed to celebrate the one year 'anniversary ' of my cancer operation..I spent five months in intensive care, some of it on a ventilator, and after had to have rehab to relearn to walk..I truly thought I would never stitch again..but, amazingly, although my treatment continues, my stitch but never left me and my projects are real therapy. So for Christmas I treated myself to Once Upon A Fairy Tale by Aimee Stewart and am just about to source my fabric..I'm unsure whether my 63 year old eyes can cope with 25ct . I'm in the uk, would you mind letting me know where you buy your large size of fabric from please? Thank you and thank you for the tips, I also stitch in hand and start left top corner, I also always use a size 28 needle on all.projects so it was encouraging to hear I can probably do this ok lol . Your finished work is stunning, I hope mine turns out as well..I have chosen regular size but with expanded colours, so 150, and will be working from the paper pattern 😊😳✌🇬🇧💕

[@catkinandlillie]

Oh goodness, what a journey you have been on and I'm so glad you were able to get back to stitching 😄 That HAED you have chosen is so beautiful. It's the one I would do if I do another Aimee Stewart. I actually bought the jigsaw puzzle of it because I love it so much! I bought my 25 count evenweave from Lakeside Needlecraft; they stock lovely big pieces. I hope you have the most magical time stitching this gorgeous design 🩷

[@TheStitchingOwl]

Beautiful! I actually start in the upper right hand corner so my left hand is holding empty fabric rather than stitched. I am just being cautious about the left hand natural oils on the stitches but I know I am odd about this start.

[@catkinandlillie]

I prefer to stitch up and to the left or down and to the right, so that would mean a top left or bottom right corner start. And for the same reason as you (I agree about the hand oils!), I now favour a bottom right corner start because I'm always working away from my completed stitches. I hadn't got this figured out when I started my HAED 4 years ago though 😂

[@TheStitchingOwl]

@@catkinandlillie I just purchased my first HAED…I was showing my daughter a pretty design and they were on sale. How could I resist?

[@catkinandlillie]

Wooohooo!! I'm so excited for you 😆 Do you share cross stitch on Instagram because if so let me know the link so I can check out your progress!

[@TheStitchingOwl]

@@catkinandlillie I do Instagram with The Stitching Owl name like my flosstube. I am having fun with the different aspects of stitching.

[@user-lq4kw5hy4h]

I’m doing a wip which has 692307 stitches and 220 colours. I’m about a quarter of the way thought it 3 years later lol

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooooh, that really is a LOT of stitches but what an achievement it will be when you finish 😄

[@tamaralankford2951]

That is magnificent! I love all of the colors! I might get one of those for myself. The biggest project I've ever done was only 27,000-ish stitches. But I've been working on a couple other big ones lately - about 25,000 stitches each. One question - is there any backstitch in that? It doesn't look like it, but I'm not sure. Congratulations on your finish!!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you ☺️ 27,000 stitches is still pretty big! And you have more than one of those on the go; that's impressive! There's no backstitch on this; I don't think any HAEDs have backstitch. I don't mind backstitch but it might have been a bit much on a design this size 😂

[@tamaralankford2951]

Yeah, it would be a LOT of backstitching!

[@junejones1834]

Well done. That is beautiful. You mentioned you stitch in hand. Do you do the sewing method?

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 It's funny you should mention the sewing method because I only just made a video about this a week or so ago! But I actually didn't love it (reasons in the video!) and I didn't use it at all for my HAED. Do you use the sewing method?

[@junejones1834]

@@catkinandlillie I have just started to stitch in hand but I must admit my stitches do not look as nice as when using a hoop.

[@catkinandlillie]

It does take some getting used to but it will come with practice 😀

[@starlily6397]

What a lovely design and a huge accomplishment on your part! I'd love to know a little more about how you stitched it! You mentioned that you didn't park, nor did you cross country, so I wonder, did you focus in on 10x10 blocks? Rows? Did you stitch one leg and work your way back or did you simply stitch one square at a time? I'm completely floored that you managed 200+ stitches per hour and would love to learn the secret to that! I do around 120 or so when its just one color, but with confetti, my goodness, I can't imagine doing better than 70. Congratulations on the beautiful job well done!

[@catkinandlillie]

Thanks so much 😊 I have to say that I wouldn't get 200 stitches per hour in a very confetti heavy area...more like 70-100 similar to you. But I can do 200 or more for some areas, so 200 per hour was more of an average. In terms of stitching I think I'm a bit odd in how I do it, because I don't do rows or blocks. I just work outwards from the top left corner and pick a colour adjacent to what I've already done, work that in a section but if I would have to take that thread a really long way to get to more stitches of that colour then I just finish the thread and move into the next closest colour. I do work mostly in the Danish method of doing a row of half stitches then going back across to complete them, but I'll do single stitches where there are more isolated/spread out stitches. I'm thinking of doing a stitch with me while I work on my Chromatic Dragon to show how I work on a full coverage...it's probably a lot easier to show than to explain! Thanks for your interest in my stitching 😄

[@starlily6397]

Thank you so much for replying to my question! I think it would be absolutely brilliant to see a stitch-a-long of your new project! I’ll keep my eyes open for that!! :) Happy stitching!

[@lonna9789]

I've also been wanting to do Chromatic Dragon. Who did you say charted it? I tried listening several times & couldn't make out who you said. I'd like to order the pattern.

[@catkinandlillie]

Go for it! It's charted by Paine Free Crafts; sorry if I wasn't clear enough although it was also on the pattern picture on screen 😜 😂 Let me know if you go for it!

[@CatsAreTheBestPeople-mm1fo]

*CONGRATULATIONS!!* 🎉☺️👍 What an achievement. It's going to look amazing framed and taking pride of place in your home. Secondly, thank you for mentioning the pattern/stitching apps. For some reason, I'm still living in the 1990s, and it never occurred to me there might be a more technologically advanced method beyond paper photocopies. 🙄🤦‍♀️ I do have one niggling, cheeky question about your HAED piece: Did you have to unpick any at all, ie did you make any errors along the way that you just couldn't ignore? 🙊 I don't think I've ever got through a pattern without making some silly counting mistake, and having to re-do it (or sometimes I can get away with it, depending on the design). Well done, again. Definitely show us when it's framed. 😊

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you so much ☺️ That's a really good question about the mistakes and yes, I definitely made mistakes! I actually just left in a few where I had 1 stitch in the wrong place because in most cases it wouldn't have made any visible difference. If it was a bigger mistake then I unpicked it and re-did it, but fortunately I only had a few of these and only small amounts to unpick. In a few cases if I noticed one stitch in the wrong colour and the correct colour was a darker one, then I stitched over the top with the correct colour! I wouldn't do this on any other pieces but on a HAED you can't tell so it's a good fix! I am thinking a video on apps would be quite good because I've seen an alternative to Pattern Keeper recently so I'm keen to try that. I shall report back!

[@CatsAreTheBestPeople-mm1fo]

@catkinandlillie Sounds good. 👍 I'm glad you're human like the rest of us - I had you up on a pedestal and imagined you stitched for four years without one mistake... 🤣

[@catkinandlillie]

No mistakes...I wish 😂 I'm very definitely human on that front!

[@aliciaswafford338]

Josephine Wall's pieces are my other favorite pieces at HAEDs

[@catkinandlillie]

Oooh, they have a really pretty and whimsical style, and lovely colours too; I can see why you like them 😃

[@kathycrawford8777]

I'm at 77 percent on this project. I stitched it on 20 count lugana 2 over 1 full cross. Max color.. This is also my first HAED. It's been a great project .

[@catkinandlillie]

Ooh, you are doing so well with that 😄 I'd be so intrigued to see it with the extra colours; are you sharing it anywhere like Instagram so I can check it out?

[@kathycrawford8777]

I put it on FFC's wip wednesday page a couple of months ago. Im not tech savvy so my grand daughter does that for me. I will ask her to get an update on there this afternoon when she comes to see me. Tons of confetti. Yours is really beautiful. I love Aimee Stewart designs. I'm trying to decide on what I want to stitch next. How long did it take you to finish ?

[@catkinandlillie]

So sorry...what is FFC please? The design is quite confetti heavy but it does give a lovely effect. This one took me just under 4 years but the next project (the dragon) is smaller so I might get it done in 2 years 🤞

[@kathycrawford8777]

@@catkinandlillie Sorry about that .I spelled it wrong it's actually FCF which stands for full coverage fanatics. I still didn't get an updated picture on there but you can probably find my old picture. I started my piece in Sept. 2020 on 28 count fabric and quickly realized I can't see to work that small so I restarted it on Feb 7 2021 on a 20 count.

[@catkinandlillie]

I found the pictures on FCF!! It's looking amazing 😍 I'm glad you found the count to suit you; it's definitely important on such a big project 😃

[@juliaperth]

I just came across your video and have to say your HAED project is absolutely stunning. Since you don't park threads, I have a question regarding how you tackled the high confetti areas. Did you end off your thread each time you did a single stitch or travel around and see where else the symbol appeared close by? I am getting my supplies ready to start a Josephine Wall design and just wondered how you approached this. Thank you 🙂

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 I suspect the high confetti areas are tricky however you approach them. I will keep the same colour of thread over an area until I would have to travel too far to the next stitches of that colour. 'Too far' varies somewhat; if I can run the thread under some existing stitches to get to the next bit I will travel maybe up to 3cm or so (maybe 4 if I'm being super lazy!) but if I would have to go across currently blank fabric then I'll travel only around 1.5cm max. That approach did mean I had quite a lot of occasions where I would start a thread colour, do a single stitch, or maybe just 2 or 3 and then end it. Let me know if you need any more info and I hope you have fun stitching your design 😄

[@juliaperth]

@@catkinandlillie thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question. I like what you have mentioned you do and will save this info. I am really glad that I came across your video and saw how lovely your finish looked using 25 count and using just the 90 or so colours, instead of maxing out the colours. It makes the project completely do-able for me now. Also, where did you buy the lovely wooden drawers from? Do they sit in one of those Ikea cabinets? Thank you 🙂

[@catkinandlillie]

Great, I'm glad that was helpful and it really is amazing how good the effect is just with 90 colours! The wooden drawer units with the skinny drawers are thread skein storage from creations-by-rod.co.uk/ and the ones with 4 drawers I have had for so long I don't know where they came from. The ones with shelves are Creations by Rod too. And yes, the unit is IKEA...Kallax I think.

[@juliaperth]

@@catkinandlillie thank you for the info. I will go and check Creations by Rod out. It will probably be a dream as I live in Australia, but maybe I can convince my DH 🙂

[@catkinandlillie]

Good luck with that 🤞

[@flutterbyfairy1720]

Cat, your project is just stunning! What an amazing achievement! I do have a few questions for you. I have several HAED charts and I've been stalling on starting them but you may just have inspired me to take the plunge! So I was wondering how you tacked the confetti. Did you just stitch it as you went along or stitch to a certain point and then go back to fill in the rest? How did you organise your threads? Any tips for this would be very helpful! Did you work out how many skeins you would need before you started and then purchase them? I know that colours can vary according to dye lots but I was just curious to know if it really is something that I would be well advised to do. I have purchased most of the threads I would need for the first HAED I plan to start but I've been really wavering over the fabric I want to use, thus I may need to purchase more thread if I stitch on 18ct Aida as opposed to 25ct evenweave 1 over 1 for example. And finally! I'd love to know how you secured your threads when starting to stitch using just the one strand. Thank you for wading through my post. I find your videos really helpful and I've really been enjoying your flosstubes too! The dragon you plan to stitch next is stunning and I shall look forward to seeing your progress over time 🙂 Have a happy stitchy week! Nessa

[@catkinandlillie]

Hi Nessa, Thanks so much for your lovely comments, and I'm so happy you are enjoying my Flosstubes 😄 Your questions are all such good ones and I have made a note to talk about them when I start the dragon pattern as I'm sure more people would also love to know these things! Ok, so the confetti...I stitched one colour at a time over the area of confetti and then the next and the next until it's filled in. I try to make all my stitches in the same way, so I'll work the first colour in rows from left to right, leaving the gaps for other colours. Then the next colour again in rows from left to right, and do on until it's done. I usually do the colour with the most stitches in that confetti section first and then work my way through to the colour with the least stitches. For thread organisation, I had each colour on a floss drop and 30 floss drops on each of 3 large binder rings, all in shade number order with the shade number on the front and the symbol on the back of the floss drop. I kept these all in a large box along with my scissors, tablet stylus and fabric. The pattern stated the thread usage so I did buy all of the skeins at the start, and then decided to use 1 strand instead of 2 so actually had more than I needed! I got it all up front as I was worried about dye lot changes but in fact I don't think you would really notice these anyway in this kind of design. Going for 1 strand meant no loop start (boo 😩) so I started each thread by running it under 3 or 4 stitches on the back. Since I stitch in hand it wasn't too hard to keep flipping my fabric to do this. I tried a supposed 1 strand loop start but it was not sufficiently secure. I keep meaning to try a pin stitch to start. Ok, I hope that answers your questions and thanks again for your interest in the project...let me know if you have any more questions 😄

[@flutterbyfairy1720]

Thanks so much Kat for answering my questions Your advice is super helpful and useful to me as I contemplate further on my HAED start 😀 I've also seen various videos on the one strand loop start although I've yet to put it to the test. Knowing that the thread is secured sufficiently is so important and definitely something that we have to feel 100% confident about as we embark on such mammoth projects! Check, check and check again is my cross stitch motto! 🤣 I have trialled one of the pin stitch methods on Aida, I know there are several different methods depending on which fabric and thread combination you're using etc, which worked well for me but I need to investigate further in regards to evenweave, stitching 1 over 1. Ohh, maybe it could be a future topic for one of your videos if it's not already on your list?! 😉 Have a happy and hopefully stitchy weekend Kat, Nessa

[@catkinandlillie]

Hi Nessa, You've probably figured by now how much I love to test everything and especially if I can then share what I learn 😄 I'm definitely thinking about investigating different 1 strand starts and making a video on that! I have a LOT of video ideas though 😂 I'm getting super close to starting the dragon and I'll hopefully have a WIP update video in the next week so I'll share it all kitted up 😄

[@flutterbyfairy1720]

Brilliant!! 😀 Looking forward to it!

[@venisegionet3068]

Wow, you stitch really fast. Wish you would do a stitch with me video that we could se you stitch. It must be impressive to watch.

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you! My stitch speed varies so much depending on what I'm stitching and I could actually go a little faster on my HAED because I wasn't railroading my stitches as I was only using 1 thread...but then there was confetti 🙄😂 I'll definitely look at doing a stitch with me video at some point 😄

[@itoyanbonbon]

凄い大作ですね。 素敵です。どの位の年月を使いましたか？

[@catkinandlillie]

Thank you 😊 It took me just under 4 years to complete!

[@sabinepeuckert1101]

I will also start this picture with 88 colors. My question is what does the color white mean, DMC 1, which white is meant here?

[@catkinandlillie]

DMC 1 is actually a very very pale grey...look for 1 or 01. It's not B5200 or Blanc. At least that's what I used anyway!

[@solarwinds-]

I was feeling pretty good about my progress when you said you averaged about 260 odd stitches a day as I do about 350....until you said you average that per hour. I looked at the clock, it's 20 after 4pm. I've been working on my HAED since this morning. I've done 173. Hmmm.

[@catkinandlillie]

You should still feel good about your progress, it's not a race! Progress is progress and as long as you are enjoying stitching it absolutely doesn't matter how long it takes. I also don't go that fast if it's a confetti heavy, lots of colour changing section!

[@solarwinds-]

I absolutely enjoy the process. I can't get enough stitchy time.@@catkinandlillie

[@stickliesel3991]

I have a small KZbin channel and would also like to embroider this HAED The Amazing Animal Kingdom. I also often embroider without a frame. Have you parked threads or embroidered cross country? Kind regards, Corinna

[@catkinandlillie]

Hey, that's fab that you are thinking of stitching this too 😄 I didn't do any parking other than the odd thread very very occasionally and I don't tend to stitch cross country. I think I might be a bit unusual! I just stitch across and down from the top left corner, with whatever colour comes next in the pattern and end my thread when I've finished that bit of it. I'll go a small way out from my main stitched area but not far. I hope you'll have fun stitching this! 😄