FlossTube #4: How to start and end threads from the front of your work

[@janiceallen5598]

Laura, I am incredibly impressed with your video tutorials. #1, they are filmed close and clear and with your camera on a tripod that is holding still. #2. They are well planned out and in orderly sequential format. 3. You make an effort to make sure the learner is seeing the illustration as you work by having a good camera angle and keeping the work within the frame of the camera. 4. You explain things step by step and give a reason or the benefits of doing things the way you are teaching. 5. You explain things so clearly and show it so clearly, there is no way to miss it! Yeah! I have taken notes and done screen shots to illustrate my notes. So I have watched your videos multiple times in the process. I am a beginner actually having only done two 5" hooped simple projects. Now I want to do something much more difficult so am compiling tools that will help me from your recommendations and have learned so much from you. I really appreciate every effort you make for all of us newbies as well as the rest that have done this for years. Cross your fingers and stitches for me that I can actually patiently do a "park your needles" project.

[@audreydraher4786]

I'm speechless at this video. You have helped me far more than anyone in my 40 years of cross stitch. Thank you for sharing.

[@judymalys7997]

Thank you! I like the demonstrations of the various pin stitches. I look forward to watching your flosstubes in the future.

[@annnavybrat3971]

Thank you for your excellent demonstration of the various starts and stops. Your idea of using a large count Aida to show the stitching was brilliant!! So easy to see and follow along. I watch floss tube on my iphone when viewing demos and it has been difficult to follow. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Happy Stitching from South Carolina. Ann

[@fionapodmore7085]

Wow your version of a pin stitch is a game changer for me, thanks for your videos

[@piros44]

Glad it helped! I learned it from another Flosstuber and was super excited at how easy it is.

[@Attia1701]

I can't tell you how efficient you are making my stitching! I've been implementing all the techniques and wow what a difference. Thank you so very much🌼

[@piros44]

Your welcome! A few years ago, we did one of those team building exercises at my work and I came up as someone who likes to be efficient in how I do things. It’s very much reflected in how I approach my stitching. :)

[@mlsmith621]

Loving your videos.

[@christinewilcox5469]

Wow! This is a pin stitch I mastered on the first try thanks to your clear instructions. Thank you! My stitchy mind is blown.

[@piros44]

I was so excited when I saw a video on it. Glad I could share it.

[@jenellewest7285]

Great teacher!

[@simplyrla]

Thank you so much. I am so pleased to learn these methods. My projects will definitely improve from this. You explained it very well.

[@carolevans3021]

Thank you for the most helpful video I have seen.

[@wendykolodzinski9086]

Oh. My. Gosh! I need to start the damp sponge too. I have Thread magic, but have not been completely satisfied. Regarding the waste knot - yours is the best explanation I've found. Adding that tip to my projects going forward. Thx!!

[@piros44]

The damp sponge is a game changer for my stitching. I get very few slip knots and can use longer lengths of floss because it doesn’t get tangled. I learned it from Jean Farish. If you haven’t watched her videos, I highly recommend them all. I’m pretty experienced but have learned a ton from her.

[@jeanniemorrison5898]

I love the way you explain everything you are fantastic and excellent

[@divinecriationranch840]

Thank you, your explanation is so clear.

[@PalmDreams]

Thanks Laura! Loving these!❤

[@kimberlybowman4188]

This was so so helpful! Thank you!

[@piros44]

Glad you liked it!

[@marywiggins7411]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@cinnalouwinna]

What secured the second leg of your pin stitch??

[@danni8176]

This is so amazing. You're a great teacher with great tips! Thank you

[@hobbyhopper3143]

Terrific instructions!

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Great tutorial, thank you.

[@kcfield601]

Awesome tutorial

[@kjasper931]

Your tutorials are excellent. Thank you!

[@debanderson1075]

thank you so much for this explanation.

[@Kitkat-mn5ud]

Well done tutorial 👏

[@mm-qm9zh]

Great tips! Thanks!

[@rosemarieweber862]

I came across a youtube video showing how to use the loop method to end a thread. Working the last half of the stitch come up in the lower right hole, then go back into the same hole leaving a loop. Then continue from the underside and come up through the upper left hole, through the loop made in the lower right hole then down into the lower right hole to complete and secure the last stitch.

[@piros44]

Awesome idea. I’ll definitely give it a try, thanks!

[@chiarra644]

That pinstitch is genius! I got to thinking though about ending in that method. What if you did the top leg first then went to do the bottom leg in pin stitch, you would just go underneath the top leg so your stitches are still going in the same direction. then you would only be going under one leg for a pinstitch instead of just 2

[@Stitchamajig]

I run my thread through hair straighteners which works really well

[@piros44]

That is a unique solution that I haven’t heard of before. Cool!

[@martacook1349]

👍🏻

[@RiversLove]

I've watched the part where you end with the waste knot a hundred times, I still can't see how you're getting the knot so close to the fabric, I think your hand's in the way. Can you please tell me what you're doing? Fantastic video though, by the way!

[@liliansibrian3364]

I like the way you explain tank you I also want to ask you for what is the name of the project with flowers yellow and blue I love it 😍

[@piros44]

Thank you! The flower full coverage piece is called Meadow and is an Anchor Maia Collection kit. Unfortunately, it’s not being produced anymore though I have seen it pop up on eBay.

[@funnykine808]

😂 I thought you said “Dam Sponge”

[@leannemcintyre7908]

Love your tutorials. I am learning so much. I was wondering if you use a laying tool for your stitching?

[@piros44]

I do. I actually use a trolley needle. It makes the strands of my floss lay parallel and results in fuller stitches.

[@SmilingDaisy_]

Question about your damp sponge method. Does this do the same thing as a thread conditioner like Thread Magic?

[@piros44]

Yes, except it’s way, way better. I think I make my sponge soggier now than what I described in the video so the floss really gets pretty wet. I plan ahead when starting a new color to give the floss a chance to dry before I use it. I used Thread Magic for years then when they stopped making it, I used Thread Heaven. Then I started watching Jean Farish’s FlossTube channel where she talked about the damp sponge method and I’ve been using it ever since since it works so well. I very rarely get slip knots and my stitches are definitely prettier. Jean said that with putting a product on the floss, who knows how it will age over decades while coating the floss with water dries and that’s it. As a biochemist, that makes sense to me because I know that the oxygen in the air does all sorts of weird things to chemicals over time and who knows how these conditioners, what I presume are some type of silicon compound, will oxidize. If you haven’t watched Jean’s channel, I highly recommend it, and it’s worth starting at the beginning because she shares so many great techniques. My stitching has improved tremendously from what she’s taught me.

[@jellybabies47]

Hi Laura. Can you use a damp sponge on hand dyed threads and reds? I expect the colours would bleed. Please advise.

[@piros44]

My experience with hand dyed floss is not all that extensive but here’s what I’ve found. You want your floss dry before you stitch with it since damp floss really snags on the fabric as you pull it through, which feels kind of unpleasant. I dampen my floss enough to straighten it but if it’s still damp by the time I’ve threaded it and am ready to stitch with it, then I wring out my sponge a bit so it doesn’t get the floss as wet. I haven’t seen any hint of bleeding with floss that is dry. The only place I’ve ever had trouble with bleeding is washing my project at the end. I learned all of this from Jean Farish’s videos. I know she’s talked about bleeding issues (makes us sound like trauma surgeons!) but couldn’t find it. Her discussion about dampening floss is in her video #6 and I know the bleeding question was addressed in a later video. So bottom line: if your floss is dry when you use it, it won’t bleed. This makes sense since all these fibers are washed and dried during manufacturing.