Flosstube: How to Prep Cross Stitch Projects! (Plan with me!)

[@juststartingover2735]

Love the the little board you made to hold scrap floss pieces! I never know what to do with them . Thank you for good ideas!

[@ginasexton9200]

I’m a new stitcher - this video was very helpful!

[@carriemcgarry2401]

I love the Craft-to-go case. I’ve made 3 of them. I gave one to my mom for her embroidery and one for her sewing. It’s what I use for my cross stitch. Thank you for your designs. So cute!! Happy stitching!

[@colleenyork8588]

One thing I do different is to never have anything with print next to my cloth. Ink can rub onto your cloth and ruin your project. I use a sheet protector for my patterns. For a project with less than 10 colors, I load my needles up before I start the project and keep them on the floss board.

[@erica_arndt]

That's a great idea!

[@georgemoore6662]

HHi Marlene 🌹 How are you doing?

[@marinaabad4995]

I photocopy my chart and usually enlarge it from 25% to 100% depending on the size of the original. These I can mark up for areas done with a highlighter and s can see the stitch code symbols easier. The original chart stays intact and I can keep it or pass it on. I also do this with quilt patterns, so I can mark them up and make notes. This method helps with older eyes. The rest I have been doing as Erica's video for over 20 years.

[@loreenranney7505]

When you cut a piece of aida cloth for cross-stitch, run a bead of fray check around the outside. It dries very quickly.

[@erica_arndt]

Oh great idea, I have some of that too!! :) Thanks!

[@cacb24]

Hi, great video…..do you use needle minders, and I recently started using a thread conditioner wax, I also keep a small pack of hand wipes. I did a LOT of xstitch in the 80s and 90s…but put it away and started quilting, but I saw a couple of videos, yours included, and I got the bug again…so when I don’t feel like going to the sewing room, I can sit with my feet us and stitch away !!!! Have a great day !

[@DH-qz2so]

I picked up zippered Mesh Bags from the Dollar Store for my different projects...they are slightly see-through as the mesh is not super tightly woven...so I can usually see the project that is in there if I keep the pattern facing out...they are a decent size too, and come in different colors...is a great alternative until one finds time to diy them on our own...

[@ShereeSchattenmann]

Hi Erica! Thank you for this video. I’m new to cross stitch and hand embroidery as I want to incorporate it in to my sewing. Of course I bought a bunch of supplies and now need to organize it all and get started. I love your organization and found some new supplies to order. 😂

[@DeeAZstitcher]

Thanks, cute bag. I add a Needle threader & Needle-minder.

[@edithboucher5687]

Hallo, Im new to cross stitch so dont have a lot of floss yet but have wondered about the haywire numbers of DMC floss. My organizational brain will go crazy with so many floss colours mixed if I have to store them by numbers. So thanks so so much for sharing this I am definitely going to go the Tidy Stitch way of sorting floss!

[@annf3949]

I use pinking shears for the edge of the fabric and I go by colors with my cross stitch I don’t do numbers cross stitching

[@petrak9898]

What a great video...and your voice is full of energie and love for your work! You inspire me every time.

[@KimN1256]

Love your case idea! I've been using the same floss bins and bobbins for 20 years! Works great.😃

[@eileenmeyers6080]

Me too. 😊

[@conniepgh]

I love my craft to-go case! I changed the inside pockets a bit to work for my needs. I really need to make another one - or two!

[@susanspratling]

Thank you!!

[@lizziedae91]

I organize dmc by number since i can use the swatch card for choosing colors, then its easy to find what i need

[@karenschwieger5340]

Serger is a good idea. Erica - I'm searching for a KZbinr that I saw last year - thought you might know them. I believe it was a mother and daughter and they also had a shop of pedestals, etc that you could frame your cross stitch, thank you

[@ilovegameslibb2917]

My mom made a chart for me with numbers and taped it in lid . So all I had to do is look at the lid to find the floss I need . But now everyone or most have printers you can make one with a printer. Then tape it to the lid.

[@SammiJarrad]

For the floss board I use decorative deck tape around the edges. I have a lot from the early 2000’s and I love seeing it get used.

[@erica_arndt]

Great idea!

[@trudybaker861]

Made two of the Craft to go and although a bit challenging. They turned out soooo cute!

[@tearose3763]

I love your take on things 🎉

[@wendywells520]

I’ve made your craft to go case, I love it! Now I need to make one for my cross stitching projects 😅

[@georgannestephens6516]

Thank you! Love the tips. I usually roll excess fabric in on its self so it won't get oils from your hands on the front of your project.

[@erica_arndt]

That's a great idea!

[@StitchingisElementary]

Love that floss organization system! Very cool! To prep the edges of my aida or linen I have a big pair of scalloped scissors I got off of Amazon and I just cut the edges with those and that really keeps it from fraying pretty well. Thanks for all the great content!

[@erica_arndt]

Great tip!

[@eileenmeyers6080]

I use blue painter's tape on the edges.

[@annaknitter]

That was a lovely video! Thank you!

[@janicebest-nesbitt6455]

It would be nice to see how you put the floss on the bobbin.

[@annaturner2828]

Thank you

[@msababiopa]

Do you have a tutorial for the tote that you packed your Liberty project in?

[@erica_arndt]

Yes, it's Called "Craft To Go" kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKC9aoatf7GniaM

[@agweatherwax1]

Erica great organization system

[@Tidystitch]

Thanks so much for the shout out! ❤❤

[@erica_arndt]

You're welcome, I love your color system so much!!

[@AllisonNorris13]

So fun! 💜☮️

[@cynthia8022]

How do you get rid of that center crease line in the Aida? I never have been able to with the stiff Aida.

[@erica_arndt]

Mine tend to work itself out as I stitch, but if it doesn't come out you can always steam it if you have a steam iron, or you can put your stitching face down, then layer a towel on top and then press it with an iron.

[@jamiemcdaniel8155]

Great job 👏 ❤

[@angelkr762]

Lovely video again! We have missed ur hair videos at home. Can u record again a video dying and cutting ur daughters hair love? Or a friends. Like and respond

[@lauriedoyle5491]

Thank you Erica! You’re Amazing! You always have such great ideas! I LOVE that little light blue chair in the background! So cute! Where did you get it? ♥️♥️♥️

[@karensorenson4925]

Erica - this might be a stupid question, but what is the largest aide cloth? also is DMC or easiest to use? i wondered if there existed a brand that i wouldn't have to separate? thank you, Karen Sorenson

[@DH-qz2so]

Typical sizes of Aida are 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 count, ranked from the coarsest to the finest count. Floss: you could try: DMC Pearl Cotton is a highly mercerized, non-divisible, lustrous 100% cotton thread. The twist of the thread is how it received its “Pearl” description and DMC’s Pearl Cotton is best known as the most beautiful thread in the world. During the manufacturing process, the thread is combed, singed by flame and then double mercerized. It is this double mercerizing which gives it its beautiful pearlized sheen. The thread is soft, silky, does not fluff or kink, and 100% colourfast. Pearl Cotton is a supple thread that provides wonderful volume and dimension to your embroidery.

[@karensorenson4925]

@@DH-qz2so Thank you - I used to cross stitch dish towels ( a little old fashioned), and so I'm trying to visualize a comparison, to aide cloth, I suppose I could make my stitches larger than normal, using 3 squares instead of 1 tiny square.

[@agweatherwax1]

Be careful with vinyl in the heat of summer car print will stick and attach to the vinyl. Just be aware

[@DP-lx8of]

Turn the bobbins up easier to find.

[@jennybaker5713]

Aahhh...though you were going to show how you make the little carrier.

[@erica_arndt]

You can find that tutorial here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKC9aoatf7GniaM

[@rosinyberg8747]

How about serge the edges?

[@erica_arndt]

Yes! You could do that as well!

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

I do serge my ground fabric, after I cut it with 2" or 3" border, on each of the 4 sides; I use my rotary cutter & ruler on my cutting mat to cut the size desired. The serger removes a thin strip if fabric, if I need it to. I do serge the remaing pieces' edges, & add a written measurement & place it back with the package of fabric label. I also try to use the selvedge side as the top of my fabric & even write 'top' on the selvedge of the ground fabric. I use the Wonder clips on the rolled ends, but I roll it so the back is on the top of the roll...keeps fabric much cleaner. I do pre-thread my needles, sometimes 2 or 3 needles with the same color floss, if I will be stitching on a large area of the same color. I use the needle minder on the arm of my floor lamp, for my pre-threaded needles. I use another needle minder for the empty needles; placing it on the stand for the pattern. I just changed from the bobbins to floss bags. I place the numbered bags by the 100, 200, 300, etc on separate rings. I am storing them in boxes designed for these floss bags. Found much smaller zip-type bags @ CVS recently, [designed for medicine] & that's where I place my coiled threads, & insert them (numbered) into the matching Floss bag. I usually cut off a usual length, remove 1 strand, fold it in half to use as 2 strands with the loop method, to start. I tried to use the design boards, but was losing floss putting it into & taking it out of the zippered pouches. I will remove 2 variegated threads, pull apart (to de-tangle) & put them together again, & coil these strands & put into the mini bags. I then, coil the remainder of the 6 strands, over 2 fingers, & put into the mini bag. My fatest floss bag is DMC 310; so I now have 2 full floss bags of 310 DMC. I like that the floss strands are already separated, when I select the colors to kit for another project. Also, if there is a usable length remaining, I just place the needle into & across the top of the mini plastic bag. Makes it much faster to use when I know I lost, "playing chicken" with the end of a current strand, & I need enough for 5-10 more stitches.

[@cindy_lou_loves_to_stitch]

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