How to Change Colors while Stitching 🖍 Cross Stitch for Beginners 🎒 CROSS STITCH UNIVERSITY

[@a.sobriquet6220]

I have been cross-stitching for 40 years and it never occurred to me not to knot my thread in the back, which always leaves a messy bump. AND, I thought seeing “traveling” threads through the linen was just how it was...I’ve never bothered to hide them. How I wish I’d been taught these great techniques ages ago...but you’ve re-inspired me!!

[@maureentaphouse5206]

Thank you . This old girl is learning new skills so Kimberley your clear teaching is very much appreciated.

[@craftingaplannedlifejoanna9291]

I learned about hiding my stiches from you and it has really helped make the back of my work much neater and less likely to see thread from the front. Thanks also for using the line keepers. I have several sets and use them on most all of my patterns. It helps me make sure I don't miss something or get off track. I learned how to stitch from you and this would have been a great resource when I started. I'm sure any newbie is finding this very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make all of these videos...I know it's time consuming! You're a great person and such a great teacher!!! Thank you for all you and the #FQSteam do!!!

[@cynthiamosley2264]

I didn’t know anything about cross stitch until I saw Kimberly on FQS. 😊 this project has been FUN.

[@juanitadrexel339]

Kimberly, I’m working on a piece that has 54 different colors in it. Wow. To run every color in like that, I’d never never never get done!!

[@wendybonvie6807]

I love Mondays ! Thank you Kimberly!

[@tinatippin5705]

The loop start method is a real game changer for me. So much cleaner. And I really need a line keeper! Thank you, Kimberly. I am really enjoying cross stitching again.

[@susanhartley8207]

I’ve been doing cross stitch for more years than I can remember. It is great seeing your videos - always something new to learn and something to be reminded of. Thank you for CSU!

[@priyankajoshi8963]

Now I know the secret of how your back looks soo good. Lovely travelling thread tip. Thank you 😊

[@angelastoutenger7944]

I have a tip when using a Q-snap. When close to the edge of the frame when pulling the thread under the stitches you can loosen the frame rather than removing it. Hope that helps someone.

[@pamelakanode1577]

I don’t understand what you mean by loosen the frame. I have a heck of a time getting it off so I can pull my thread under the stitches.

[@angelastoutenger7944]

@@pamelakanode1577 You can loosen the clamps on top of your cloth by twisting them in towards your work. For example for the clamp on the right you would twist it to the left towards your work. Left side clamp twist to the right towards your work. Top clamp twist down towards your work. Bottom clamp twist up towards your work. Hope this helps.

[@pamelakanode1577]

I must be doing something wrong - I can’t get mine off without sticking my fingernail underneath and I broke my fingernail! Got to be a better way! I tried twisting but didn’t see to help. Must not be twisting correctly. 🤔

[@angelastoutenger7944]

@@pamelakanode1577 I’m so sorry. If it’s a new Q-snap it is very tight at first. The first time I used one my son had to get it off for me. The frame will loosen up over time but that doesn’t help you right now. I know with mine I have to tug on the fabric to get it off. Wish I could help you. 😢

[@daniellemcmickle2315]

Pamela you can also "stitch in the ditch", meaning instead of wrapping your fabric around the top of qsnap, you can set the qsnap on top of your fabric and wrap the margin up and around it so that the threads are easier to finish near the edge.

[@cynthiamosley2264]

Love the video class room! I miss taking classes at my local quilt shop. Covid has hurt people in ways that no one thinks of, so thank you!

[@susanbooth551]

Very well done! It reminded me how beautiful the back can be if you take the time to hide your stitches!

[@lives4stitching-jenniferl540]

Thanks Kimberly! Even though I’ve been stitching a long time I take something away from these beginner videos. Traveling under stitches is a great tip; never thought to do that.

[@marcies423]

Thank you. I have only been stitching 1 year. These videos are so great. I am always learning something every video.

[@thisiskatiebrown]

I think the line keeper is a must have! Another great tutorial Kimberly! 💗

[@WaterfallFW]

That traveling behind brings back memories of when I first started stitching in the 80’s. I’d hate to see my first back. I’m sure it was a mess. My friend didn’t tell me not to travel and it was on white of course. 😫. Love the line keeper!

[@jamiewillhite6355]

I haven't stitched in 30 years. I really appreciate your instruction to help me learn some great habits for a beautiful stitch. Have a blessed day.

[@karenpeterfi2223]

I just discovered your classes this week, and they are so helpful and clear. I am new to counted cross stitch, so I am looking forward to your classes. Many thanks to you!

[@nancyevans7609]

I am learning so much in each video you share. I also like a neat back and am hiding my stitches as I travel short distances. Great info on doing white stitches before darker colors surrounding the white!!!😊

[@sandrafulton4351]

Have I thanked you yet today for doing this series of videos? Bet not out loud - so Thank You Thank You Thank You

[@Kitkat-mn5ud]

Lol Kim, you said class dismissed so cute. Thank you for your great description and I will use it to teach my daughter.

[@joannedonovan9489]

I've been cross stitching a long time, but have never heard of railroading. I'm watching this on my cell phone, so I can't see how much difference it makes. I'll have to try it next time I start a project!

[@janadachingwa9234]

Good class for beginners. You can always learn something new. Walk in Peace.

[@C12133]

Thank you, Kimberly and the FQS team!! You’re a great teacher!!!😍

[@lorrainecrance5056]

Loved that lil blue bird of happiness not sure anyone remembers that from the 70’s, but went to fat quarter shop and got all kinds of cool stuff, found my favorite cross stitch needles, and another brand, sometimes it feels good to change it up. Ordered one of those nice lamps some people claim they can see so good they don’t need glasses😝. Ooookay.

[@dramallama6811]

Your videos are so helpful and informative. They are really making learning cross stitching a really enjoyable process for me. Thank you so much.

[@juliebeard6424]

Another fantastic video & lesson thank you Kimberly. It is so refreshing to have found the fat quarter shops Cross Stitch University. Your stitches are so beautiful Kimberly. I am loving this cross stitch! I may have to come and buy your PDF pattern. 💛💛💛💛💛

[@darlenes7067]

I really like the line keeper. I wish I had that with Sail Away. I will definitely order a set. Great lesson

[@tracychinavare5487]

Awesome video! I am picking up so many neat tricks and things that are very helpful from you. Thank you so much 😊

[@janeserpa1006]

Another great class today. Your lessons have given me such confidence with learning how to do something new.

[@collbuddy]

Kimberley, thank you for the videos. You explain wonderfully. I used to cross stitch 30 years ago. I forgot how to start. I was given for my birthday a Counted Cross Stitch Kit…😬. I’m confused so I need to watch more videos. Joanne

[@ritasokol646]

Kimberly, every video is educational. I always learn something from watching you. I’m working on Priscilla and Chelsea’s Trick or Treat. The witch’s dress has many changes of color, do I follow the same technique? Light color floss to darkest? I’m addicted to Fat Quarter Shop for all my quilting and Needleworks needs (😉 it’s really wants!!) my husband has been informed that you offer gift cards!!!! 😃 thank you for all you do to encourage and motivate us regarding stitching and quilting!

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Rita! Yes, we recommend using the same technique.

[@ritasokol646]

@@FatQuarterShopFlossTube thank you 🥰

[@nathalieberube7783]

😊Good day, I really like the way thread is sorted. I would like to know how to make the board the threads are on. Thank you very much.

[@angelastoutenger7944]

Well I know what I will be stitching this week! Thanks for another great tutorial Kimberly. I like to hide my stitches when traveling too. Great to know that I’ve been stitching correctly all these years. Depending on the project I find myself using the line keepers quite often. Thank you for including them in the Stitch Quarterly subscription. See you next time.

[@tranhtheuhangkhoa]

Fantastic tutorial! 🌈 Thanks for sharing!

[@rhondalafleur6357]

Thank you Kimberly! I have learned so much from you.

[@marieelenavillanueva3886]

Thank you! Even though I have been stitching for a while, there is always something new to learn. Looking forward to next weeks lesson.

[@bonniegoodsell1948]

Thank you. I learned something new. Hiding the string under stitches to hid the thread so you do see it in front design

[@sarahmcdonough7713]

i just started cross stitching after watching some tutorials and having an understanding of the basics, but id love to hear from more experienced stitchers what they think about some questions. ive made two very small pieces where travelling and efficiency and whatnot werent much of a consideration, and like when i took up embroidery a couple years ago, beyond the basics like how to thread the needle and begin stitching etc, i just kind of winged it and did what made the most sense to me. the things that still elude me are the more vague or complicated concepts like where its best to begin on a patch of one colour (like the turquoise star in the video for example), when or why to stitch rows top to bottom or bottom to top, if its best to complete the project one colour at a time, or in sections, or some other approach that i havent even thought of. i know technically you can do whatever you want, but is there some kind of cross stitch conventional wisdom about the /ideal/ way to do these things if you dont particularly have a preference? or are starting point, which direction you stitch, which order you work on sections, things like that always developed by every individual cross stitcher as they go?

[@patriciacaughey5122]

Very informative and helpful. I learned one new thing. I took a break from cross stitch but have been back for awhile. Thank you.

[@judithmurphy1718]

Looks much nicer than mine 🧵🙄🧵. Thanks !

[@melmermerrihew9268]

Thank you, this has been so informative! I haven't done cross stitch in years, was self taught so am learning lots! You are a great teacher! I find this so relaxing and fun. Melmer

[@margaretbaker623]

A great refresher class, thank you! ⚘

[@bgturman]

Your class is wonderful- thanks for sharing!

[@GIL3969]

Really love these videos!! Learning so much!!

[@sherlygiglio8503]

Loving all the videos and learning so much. Thank you.

[@annsmith5625]

⚾️ thank you so much for the traveling info !! Been sticking for years and was never shown that

[@susanspratling]

Wow I always learn so much thank you Kimberly

[@monicadetrick9415]

Great lesson today. Love the hiding the stitch tip 🥳

[@annemousseau8757]

You are a great teacher. ty

[@myrnajones4512]

Another great video. Thanks for using the line keepers. I have a metal board and a strip of magnet I use as a line keeper. But I like the ones you are using better bc I wouldn't have to have that heavy metal board. I can't wait to order them from y'all. Thanks again.

[@suzyroy3360]

Thanks Kimberly!!!!!

[@sharonrobinson9958]

Thank you again for another great video! I learn something ever video! 🥰

[@jannyandel2885]

I love all of your videos. Great job💖

[@suzeezee8196]

Great lesson today!

[@halleluyah757]

Thank you; I'll try!

[@andreamacdonald5916]

Ty I did not know how to hide my travel thread. I am sure my backs will look a lot neater now.

[@karentzn]

This is wonderful information

[@mitzibud6908]

Another awesome video!! Thank you!!

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Thanks Kimberly🧵🪡✂️🔆❤️

[@theresalloyd7981]

I love hiding the stitches, I never thought of that! I usually do half stitches and do the ones that are separated by slave them go back up so I can go across the longer stitch line.

[@dianned-sewpreciousemb]

Wow. Thank you. I just learned how travel. I’m working on My House Hometown Holiday I purchased from your shop and I’m using 25 count Lugana. Should I use 2 or 3 strands. I saw an older video today of yours showing how to go over 2. My first time. You are amazing. Thanks so much.

[@amypetiprin8435]

Great video. Thank you

[@myraludik4232]

Thanks!

[@wurlitzer1955]

I have been cross-stitching for 57 years. It is so so so much easier to grid your work by copying the grid lines to your fabric using water soluble ink pens. Make sure you count each big block to the pattern before marking it with the pen which will wash out in the end. Counting by hand is time consuming, you have the tendency to miscount, where if you draw your grid lines on the fabric identical to the chart, you will save time, be exact and your project will be done in no time. Also, make sure the tiny blocks within your big blocks are exact to the pattern, good luck !

[@MRSDEMKE]

Thank you !!!

[@huisuk]

Thank you

[@rosemarymcguire7648]

Thank you for doing this. I’ve never seen any formal instructions for cross stitching, although I’ve been doing it. Looking forward to your lesson on the confetti stitches. I’m working on Bats and Boos, and getting close to doing them on that piece.

[@robertatorselli8007]

Oh my! This is a tedious hobby. Not sure if I can do it. Even though I would love to try. I already bought some patterns not realizing I had to count all the squares. I thought I was the old fashioned X’s printed on fabric😮

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

You can do it!

[@reneeriley6629]

❤️

[@marciawhieldon8285]

Loving these classes as I'm just getting back into stitching after many years so, this is a good project to start off with again. Question about when filling in the stars with the white and grey thread. I find when filling in a space like that the stitches seem to look smaller and smooshed together and not as even as other stitches that have more room around them and I did do the railroad stitching with those ones. I don't know if I should take it out as it looks okay from a distance and maybe that is just what happens when filling in smaller spaces. Kimberly also when you show doing the outside frames and when you went down the left side you stitched from the right top corner to the left bottom corner with the bottom thread. Is that because it looks better on the back and the thread shows as going across instead of on an angle. Just curious as the bottom thread would be going in the right direction whether you start at the bottom left or top right? Oh boy, I hope this makes sense. Any input is appreciated. Thanks kindly, Marcia.

[@DeeAZstitcher]

I also put needleminder in Top Right ;) I tend to do white first within a motif so it doesn’t pick up the other darker color’s fibers and add tint /fiber fuzz to my white. Do you roll a lint brush or vacuum your finished stitched items?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Darlene! Kimberly typically does not have that issue but you can use whatever method you would like.

[@cathieh.7225]

Great tips. What's the little map that you have your threads on.

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Cathie! Those are our Bitty Boards: www.fatquartershop.com/nsearch/?q=bitty+boards

[@ruthlanum2286]

Love this! I picked up the lessons late how do I find the very 1st video so I can start at the beginning.

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Ruth! You can start from the beginning here: kzbin.info/aero/PLPwfsUojVe-fw2nPaBoTp-8XsycRykh7A

[@Diamond_Bear_Steve]

At 15:36 in the video - what is the square holding you needles? I love this idea......

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Steve! That is a bitty board. We have some available here: www.fatquartershop.com/nsearch/?q=bitty+board

[@linaadams138]

What is the loop method? How do you do that? Is there a video? Never mind, found it.😊

[@catroy210]

What do you recommend for holding a large(r) piece of fabric (I'm working on a Christmas stocking - using a kit)? I see you have some kind of frame and those white 'frame' edges on the piece you're working with, would that work or do you recommend a hoop? I just don't like how the edges get so wrinkled when I use a hoop.

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello catroy! W recommend stitching in way that makes you happy. If you choose to use a hoop we recommend taking it out of the hopp when we are not actively stitching. You can also roll up your fabric and use wonder clips to hold excess fabric.

[@jocelynfiederer7613]

I started the star and was off. I will have to take out the stitches. What is a good way to count the squares, I get lost in the squares. I need help with a consistant way to count squares. HEPLP

[@priegelaarsteruitleuven2870]

Thank you so much for this course!!!! I have a question though. For the star we started working downwards and that went well, I could always start the new stich in the left bottom hole. Working upwards that wasn't always the case. Is there a rule for knowing how to work through such a part?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Priegelaarster uit Leuven! When working upwards or when moving around the piece - when you start a new stitch, make sure you aren’t coming up in the hole you finished your last stitch in. If you go up in the same hole you went finish your last stitch in you’re undoing your stitch.

[@priegelaarsteruitleuven2870]

@@FatQuarterShopFlossTube yes, I do understand that. But I've read somewhere that you have to avoid to 'elongate' your stitch, which can happen when you use the wrong hole to start a new stitch. With that in mind I was wondering if there is a guidance of what to do when you can't use the prefered hole. When I was stitching the letters, I came across this problem. I simple couldn't avoid to use holes that would possibly elongate the stitches. Though I must say they look quite alright. Maybe too much thinking?

[@justicec.6413]

Would traveling thread be as much of an issue with black aida?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Justice! Travelling would likely be an issue with black Aida.

[@gingerlawson9612]

Yes I have a question on the star when you finish the bottom part of the star on the left, why can you not start to work up on the right hand side and go up to finish it?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Carol! You can if you'd like. Kimberly prefers to stitch the way she did in the video.

[@sarahocampo1471]

What do you call that tools keep the Aida cloth clip?😊

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Sarah! The product that is holding the fabric is called a Q Snap 8" x 8" Needlework Frame: bit.ly/3iDqHtZ

[@dianneporter5675]

When using two or more strands at once how do make your stitches lay flat?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Diane! We use an odd number of strands and railroad to help our stitches lay flat. Here's a video that shows how to do them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ibcoJrrZx6iLs

[@karenlane2369]

Does the dot on the pattern refer to the top left part of the cross stitch on the fabric?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Karen! I'm not sure that I'm understanding your question correctly. Are you asking about the circles on the pattern?

[@christopherseba5937]

Can you make your own floss color by using 2 different floss strands

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Christopher! Yes, you can but we recommend stitching some practice stitches in a top corner before committing to using them.

[@christopherseba5937]

@@FatQuarterShopFlossTube is there a way to show you what I'm working on , I'm really unsure if I can do this the way that I am or should I grid my design out, I don't want to redraw the same image and I'm literally creating this piece from scratch just using reference imagery

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

You can share it to our Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/kimberlystitchsquad/?ref=share

[@michaelcaldwell457]

Kimberly are the kits still available??

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Michael! Yes, they are available here: bit.ly/3xGrFtI

[@nanettechopin4827]

Where did you get the plastic frame and what size is it?

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Nanette Chopin! Kimberly bought her Q Snap 8" x 8" Needlework Frame here: bit.ly/3iDqHtZ

[@ettakaynickel6148]

I notice you do not railroad all stitches completely the cross stitch. When is it good to railroad and when is it not necessary. Thank you.

[@lorettasmith7594]

Hi, I’m very new to cross stitch, so I’m probably doing something wrong, because my floss seems to be shredding. Is it something I am doing? Is there a way to stop this from happening? Is it happening to anyone else? Thank you!

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Loretta! You can use thread contioner to help with shredding. Here is a conditioner that we recommend: www.fatquartershop.com/lori-holts-vintage-cloth

[@lisahazen4273]

Has anyone had any luck ordering the finishing supplies from Hobby Lobby? I couldn’t find the peacock fabric.

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

Hello Lisa! The fabric is available here: www.fatquartershop.com/swiss-dots-peacock-white-swiss-dot-yardage

[@lisahazen4273]

Thank you

[@abishlyn]

Can you do a tutorial for dummies?? 😕😕😩😢

[@FatQuarterShopFlossTube]

You're not a dummy!