Why you shouldn't worry about the back of cross stitch projects

Have you ever heard that the back of cross stitch projects is supposed to be as neat as the front? Have you found this to be very hard to do, and gotten frustrated and discouraged? This video will show you the four main reasons you should be careful with what the back looks like, and when you shouldn't worry at all about having a neat back!
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[@jexikavindictive]

I am doing my first cross stitch right now and I have decided I really couldn't care less what the back looks like. It's hard enough worrying about the front haha!

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahaha I know eh! It's so sad seeing some stitchers discourage other stitchers over something like what the back looks like. That's why I wanted to do this video and encourage people to just stitch, no matter what it looks like. :) Feel free to post pics of your progress on my Peacock & Fig Facebook page, or tag me @peacockandfig on Instagram. I'd love to see what you're doing! :)

[@jexikavindictive]

Peacock & Fig oh I will do that! I'd love to get to know the community. Sometimes I feel like crafting is a bit of a lone sport. I'd love to talk to other people who are into it!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha I know what you mean eh! It's like I don't do craft shows or whatever with my patterns as I sell them digitally, so I don't really get to meet local crafters. There are a ton of cross stitch Facebook groups, and lots of stitchers on IG as well! Some good hashtags on IG are #crossstitch #crossstitchersofinstagram #crossstitching #crossstitchaddict :)

[@peacockandfig]

Haha I know what you mean eh! It's like I don't do craft shows or whatever with my patterns as I sell them digitally, so I don't really get to meet local crafters. There are a ton of cross stitch Facebook groups, and lots of stitchers on IG as well! Some good hashtags on IG are #crossstitch #crossstitchersofinstagram #crossstitching #crossstitchaddict :)

[@Hannah591]

Some designs make it hard to have a tidy back because there's a bunch of colours. If you have rows of the same colour, it will look neater! Also, learning the best possible way to stitch and finish stitches, which you learn from mistakes as you improve, it will start to look neater naturally. :)

[@zoekim1868]

i’ve never really engaged with the Community of cross stitch so this whole debate feels so silly to me. hobbies are for the sake of simple enjoyment. cross stitch is so lovely and this video is great

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you enjoyed it Zoe! And yes, it is totally silly, but some older school stitchers feel the need to tell people the way they learned is the "right" way. As long as you're not poking the needle towards your face, you're all good... 😂😊

[@zocmedia1869]

54-year-old male here. Maybe I'm a unicorn, but I didn't discover cross stitch until I was 40. It's relaxing and therapeutic, and I admit "I cross stitch" has some shock value in conversations. But, at times I've stopped, for a lot of reasons, one of them being how messy my backs are. This video gave me a new lease on the hobby. Not worrying about the back is...liberating. Thank you for posting this.

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome! Like I said in the video there are a few "legit" reasons for trying to keep the back sort of clear of too much knotting and such, but for the most part it's totally fine. Just stitch and enjoy your hobby (and there are more male stitchers out there than you think, like XStitch Magazine is run by one), and don't worry about "shoulds." 😊❤️

[@kleighmarie]

“The diary of what we stitched” - I love that!

[@peacockandfig]

kleighmarie I'm glad, it's like a record of your journey across the piece. 😊❤️

[@sassykosmo1793]

When looking at the back of various people's projects the thing that comes to my mind is impressionist art, which in itself can evoke various emotions, and thus be complimentary to the front of the pattern.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes exactly, that's why I love Cayce Zavaglia's work. She really explores both sides of the piece and what they mean. :)

[@IvyBadFeelingAboutThis]

I have tidy backs to my pieces because I want it that way. i have learnt a couple of things over time. 1. Knots can show through if you have a lot of empty space. I have a piece I gave my Gran that had knots showing through. I never knotted after that. 2. Dont drag more than an inch if you can but make sure the thread is not too loose or too tight so it wont show or twist the fabric. 3. dark colours on white fabric WILL show through when framed. once again I learnt this the hard way. 4. when dragging fabric if you want to kept it tidy or work around an area so the colour wont show through you can stitch it through the back of existing stitches. this keeps it looking tidier. anyway, stitch how you want. focus on the front unless you are like me and actually care about the back. One benefit of the back looking neat is I get to show that off as well as the front. And I do show it off because it does look almost as good as the front. but hey that's me...and my stitching.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha thanks for the tips Bronwyn! I know some people love having a neat back and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that (I'm always amazed, I can never do it). I just made the video because so many stitchers (especially when first starting out) think the back has to be as neat as the front, and then they get frustrated and stop stitching at all. It always makes me sad to hear that, so I thought I'd encourage people to just stitch however makes them happy. :)

[@IvyBadFeelingAboutThis]

Peacock & Fig yes it is not the be all and end all. I still have the first thing I stitched which is barely 20x20 squares. it is a unicorn head and I can see so many mistakes but I love it and all it represents.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha awww, that sounds adorable. I always love seeing first pieces, they're so sweet. :)

[@ravenpascua2481]

I didn't know that, thanks for the tips!

[@sheriwilson701]

I had a scary teacher who taught the whole "NEVER use any knots and the back MUST look as neat as the front and NEVER carry floss along the back" thing. It was intimidating enough getting that drilled into my head and being made to unpick areas that didn't come to her standard that I don't know if I'd be able to change now. I almost cringe if I try to take a shortcut because I can almost hear her in my head scolding me :/

[@peacockandfig]

Ahaahh I totally understand -- when I moved to Japan for 4 years I couldn't for the life of me slurp my ramen noodles like you're supposed to there. I kept hearing my Mum's voice in my head going "Don't slurp your noodles!!" So aggravating, but at least my shirt never got dirty from bits of soup flying everywhere. :) And if you want to break the habit, you could try doing something really "small" and against your teacher's rules. Like every second time you end a thread, make a little knot. I'm sure it will feel weird at first, and then you'll be ok, and then you'll look forward to making that little knot. You might be able to "reprogram" your stitchy habits to what works best for you, and not what worked best for her. :)

[@nancydubin9328]

Sarge what a horrible comment!!!

[@Blessed-2-b-a-Hembree]

I wish I’d had a teacher like yours. LOL I want to know how to make a neat back. I’ve always had messy backs. My husband was in the Navy so we had families moving in and out of our lives constantly. My friend gifted me a piece right before her husband transferred. Her back was so beautiful but I didn’t have time for her to teach me before they left. I’ve been so envious of it.UPDATED to add, I don’t think Peacock & Figs backs are messy. Mine are worse.

[@daveanddeb5629]

Makes perfect sense to me. I've been cross stitching for a very long time and never knew how neat the back could look until I saw my Aunt's cross stitch. I was amazed at how neat her work was! But as for me I'm am just a messy back cross stitcher. I just love cross stitch and for years I did not cross stitch because I couldn't see the stitches well. Then I found a light to use that made a huge difference. Now I'm obsessed with cross stitching and crocheting in between times. I've been searching for a you tube channel that would make sense to me about cross stitching and I'm happy to say, I think I've found the channel to watch and get some insights on ways to improve my stitching! Thank you

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome! I'm glad my channel works for you! 🙂

[@katrinamcrainey2703]

So interesting to hear the interpretation of the back; I love the parallel between our public and private selves. I've been stitching for almost 15 years on and off, and I've heard people claim you know the "true" ability of a stitcher based on what the back looks like; I even had one woman actually turn my finished piece over to look at the back before looking at the front! very rude! My most recent challenge is taking on HAED patterns and using the best methodology to stay organized in such a huge, complicated project. I have found that some parking methods can get so messy on the back it actually makes it difficult to pull the needle through - it gets too crowded and tight. Seems to be a unique problem to over-one projects, though. Thanks for the video, so interesting!

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah anyone who tries to tell me off for how my back looks gets a smack upside the head, it's so rude....😂Just stitch however works for you, personally I freaking hate parking, it makes me insane, so do what works for you. 🙂

[@cardiffstitcherdanielle]

@@peacockandfig 🤣

[@pookariah18]

Thanks! I really don't care about the back. So glad to know that others don't. I thought I was just an inferior stitcher for not knowing how to make it perfect, or to even care enough to try.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha I know eh! It's so sad to me when I see stitchers make other stitchers feel bad over something as silly as what the back of their piece looks like. I'm highly impressed by people who take the time who make their back look amazing, I know I could never do that (and don't want to do that). I just think as long as you're stitching, you deserve a pat on the back and encouragement to keep going. :)

[@StarGazer3382]

Peacock & Fig The only times that I make sure the back is 100% neat is when my pieces are not going to be framed, mounted or anything where the back will be hidden. I've made table runners and high end dining room linens where that back is always seen so then I make sure they are in perfect rows on the back

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes, of course if the back is going to be seen (like if it was going to be judged in a fair), then you have to take more care with it looking neat. :)

[@virluna12]

Thanks for this video. Stitching was taking forever for me because I was too worried about how the back looks like, I have heard some videos saying that everything on the back should look neat and as straight lines. So is a pleasure for me to see that I don't really have to worry about it.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes, you don't have to worry about it Virginia. If you want a neat back, go for it. If you want to just stitch and not worry about the back, do that. No stitching police are going to come after you. 🙂

[@rebeccamiller7608]

Thank you for this video! As a newbie, the back wasn’t something I really worried about but a few of the other videos I’ve seen on YT made me feel like I should. Which is kind of stressful when you’re a novice. Thanks for taking that stress away and making it fun again!

[@peacockandfig]

Hahah you're very welcome Rebecca! I sometimes get people tell me I'm teaching "wrong" as I tell people not to worry about silly things, and I just reply that it's meant to be an enjoyable hobby. 🙂

[@shirleypugh587]

“The back of your project”. I learned cross stitch 40 years ago from a beginners kit! Now, retired, I’m learning all kinds of things like parking vs cross country and gridding that I never heard of before even though I have done several full coverage pieces. I’ve been paranoid about the back. I think you are a born instructor. I’m traveling with my husband and poodle in our RV this summer and plan to keep up with you and learn more.

[@peacockandfig]

Glad you enjoyed the class Shirley! Enjoy your travels! 😊

[@bsquared9647]

"The diary of what I stitched" I love that! It's so true.

[@peacockandfig]

Ahaha right? In blackwork the path you follow to get out and back is called a journey, I think the back of any project should be called that. :)

[@annemousseau8757]

You made me think about what is important when I stitch. Thank you. You stitch real nice.

[@peacockandfig]

I'm glad the video helped Anne, and thanks! 🙂

[@kathytincler2446]

Thank you....a voice of reason in the crafting world! :D

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahaha you're welcome Kathy! 😀

[@TheChubbyDoe]

My mom always tells me my backs look awful, and I always reply that it's not important. It's nice to know a master stitcher agrees, I'm more confident now that it's confirmed I'm not a bad stitcher and my works come out just fine!

[@peacockandfig]

Hahah you're definitely not a bad stitcher. :) There are times to strive for a neat back (like an unlined bookmark or something done on really sheer fabric), but yeah, most of the time don't even worry about it. Life's too short, just stitch and enjoy it. :)

[@tls2832]

Thank you so much for offering your views on the back because I have had people tell me it should be as good as the front. I mess up the back and keep going, but it does ruin some of the pleasure out of whisking the thread in and out. I like your web site as well and am following you through the social media. I think you are a great person and thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us is super special.

[@peacockandfig]

Awww you're very welcome Terry! I just read something yesterday that the whole "neat back" thing started in the Victorian era, when they were trying to suck the fun out of everything. As long as you're happy stitching, that's the most important thing, life is too short to be worried about what the back looks like. :)

[@fridgewhisperer]

Thank God I found your video! I've just started (2 projects done) and I've worried so much about the back. This has freed me from the mess on the back. Invaluable!

[@peacockandfig]

Glad I could help! There's the odd occasion where you do need to be more careful (as laid out in the video), but for the most part all the wailing and gnashing of teeth is over absolutely nothing at all. Stitch how you want to stitch, it's your project. 💕

[@jackiebuckler4464]

Thanks for telling me that the back doesn’t really matter, I have struggled with this issue for years, even with doing tapestry, but now I am not going to stress on this issue,

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Jackie, glad it helped! 😊

[@campbeta]

Thank you for this! I'm a self-taught novice who felt self-conscious about my technique because of "messy back" policing. I give zero ticks about it now that I'm older, but I could have used reassurances like this earlier on. Your video is so helpful for people getting started today!

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Tara! Happy stitching! 🙂

[@traciadkins6301]

I love that you shared this video with us! My mom tried to teach me how to cross stitch as a child, but it didn't take with me. I do remember her preaching about how the back looked and can hear her in my head talk about how messy my project was. My 8 year old daughter recently decided that she wanted to learn, so we're learning together. I try not to say anything about the back of her work, as I believe that I may have lost interest because of the importance that it was placed on me as a child. I want her to enjoy cross stitching! I love that you brought up Cayce Zavaglia. What a great point to make with this subject! Very well done!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Traci, I'm so glad the video helped! There are a few times you do need to be a little more concerned about the back (as I go over in the video), but most of the time who cares. I'm glad your daughter is learning from you, that's a memory she'll have forever. 🙂

[@estherveronin4768]

Thanks for this haha I just started stitching recently and was having a meltdown today because I hadn't realized knots would be problematic eventually (after like 100 hours of work) so even though I still have knots I feel better somehow!

[@peacockandfig]

Esther Veronin Haha I'm glad you feel better! Knots are only really problematic if they're creating lumps that can be seen later when framed, or if your needle is getting caught up in knots as you're stitching. I still use knots occasionally, so as long as you just try to keep them small it's all good. 😊

[@ctina3031]

This was wonderful. I started cross stitching before the internet a thing, but I'm really enjoying all the information I can find now!! As someone who likes to be in control, having a tidy back on my cross stitch has always been a goal. My daughter recently started cross stitching and her first piece was chaos that appalled me. Your vid made me stop and realize that she can stitch however she's is comfortable.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha awesome, I'm glad the video helped! If you want a neat back, go for it, I just find with many stitchers (particularly novices), worrying about the back takes all the fun out of it and they stop stitching entirely. I hope you have a great day! 🙂

[@barbaralajoie1825]

Thank you for doing this video - I’m new to cross stitching and wasn’t sure if I was doing it correctly when I saw my back. Now I’m just going to relax and enjoy the process!!

[@peacockandfig]

Exactly Barbara, just enjoy the process. 😊❤️

[@deniseyoung3738]

I'm one to make the back as close to perfect as I can. That's what gives me enjoyment. But I do agree...you do you!

[@peacockandfig]

Yep exactly, do whatever makes you happy. :)

[@button4631]

for competitions it will depend on each event, some like unframed work so they can judge the back and others never see the back and dont judge it. Its always a good idea to find out the judging criteria for each competition you want to enter.

[@peacockandfig]

That's a good point! I've never entered a competition like that, everything I'd heard from other stitchers was that the judges always want to see the back. At least that was one of their reasons for harping on about having a neat back. It's good that some competitions don't do that -- the viewer only ever sees the front so that's what should be judged in my opinion. :)

[@button4631]

I agree, as long as it looks good from the front, that is all that counts

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahah yep. Other than no giant lumps and such like I said in the video, I figure do whatever you like at the back. Heck, if you want to stitch in secret messages on the back of your pieces in rebellion against a neat back, go for it. :D

[@peggy1046]

You are a fabulous teacher

[@peacockandfig]

Thanks so much Peggy, appreciate it! ❤️ 😊

[@lauraviniconis3006]

THANK YOU for showing the back, it's actually really helpful for beginners to see the 'dirty backside' It also helps seeing others's work to see how yours can improve! I try to show backsides to my crochet projects

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're very welcome Laura! I just think that it can be really discouraging being told the back has to look as neat as the front -- for many people that's just not achievable. I figure as long as you're stitching and enjoying it, then what the back of your piece looks like isn't that relevant. If you're happy and it's not going to create issues later to the finished product, it's all good. If you want to keep learning and trying to make your back a little neater with each project, go for it. :)

[@trinah1148]

Thank you for this You Tube channel. You are about helping others enjoy this hobby. You are a no drama grown chic 🌻🌼🌻

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Trina, happy holidays! 🙂

[@markwroe7]

If your backs are not neat either by design or not here is a simple trick. Use iron- on interfacing it covers a multitude of sins and gives a slight firmness to the work. Try it and you'll see. Vera. (using my son's Pc.)

[@peacockandfig]

Yep, I usually frame them in a hoop and cover the back with felt to protect them, so that's my go-to solution. 🙂

[@jexikavindictive]

I actually love the way your flowers look in reverse by the way!

[@peacockandfig]

Hahaha thanks Jessica! I do too, they're like a soft chalk pastel drawing. I think the back side often has a lot more personality than the front. :)

[@linda_sue]

Thank you. Thank you so much. What a lovely discovery on this day to be reassured about rude impingers and to consider the presented and the private selves.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Linda, glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@nataliesmith1164]

Thank you so much I appreciate it I have not cross stitched in years and I Am doing a very large piece right now it’s so nice to know that I don’t have to worry the back it will take a lot of pressure off me now when I am working on it.

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it helped Natalie! Happy stitching! 😊

[@nataliesmith1164]

Thank you so much I appreciate it

[@peacockandfig]

Welcome! 😀

[@CharliesWill]

Thank you for doing this video. As a beginner who has taken on an incredibly difficult first project (silly me), your videos have been fabulous!

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahah it happens! I'm glad the tutorials are helping you Charleen! 🙂

[@rociotejeda910]

You make my day! I was so worry about the back especially I just start with cross stitching, Thanks.

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Rocio! 🙂

[@SB-ry2ps]

Thank you so much for this video. I was once tought that the stitches on the back should all be either vertically or horizontally aligned, which is in my opinion complete nonsense. But having been marked down for it by my teacher, her disapproving sour face still appears in front of me after 45 years. What a way to ruin the fun.

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah seriously, that's not even possible with multiple colour patterns as you're always switching colour, changing direction, etc. Maybe your teacher was just jealous you got access to a lot cooler patterns than she ever did... 🙂

[@Nat.ali.a]

Hi! I'm brazilian and I've learn to cross stitch at the age of 5 with my grandmother. One thing she always told me was that the quality of the work can be seen by the back, so I have always worried more with the back than the front and after 20 years stitching I've mastered a flawless back. Nowadays I've heard of the parking method and I'm trying to open my mind about how the back looks like and your video helps a lot with this, it's interesting how the same concept was passed through generations, thanks!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're welcome Natalia! I just find particularly with so many younger stitchers starting up in the past few years, if there are too many rules they won't stick with it. Many stitchers do eventually try to get a nice neat back, but it's not the be all end all that many think it is. Happy stitching! 🙂

[@joelleleonard]

this video is extremely helpful indeed for any stitcher I'd say, thank you so much for sharing this and also showing the awesome works of Cayce Zavaglia, which I particularly enjoy as a recent arts student myself for 2 years ... I remember vaguely doing cross stitch as a child and learning basic sewing and embroidery stitches, as well as knitting and crocheting in primary school, taking more to knitting later, now I only recently took up learning to crochet garments, which I love, I am interested basically in all kinds of arts and crafts, and then with so much time on hand barely leaving the house right now with the corona-virus sweeping the world, I discovered and enjoy watching Flosstube since a couple of weeks and am amazed by all the lovely works I am seeing, so I am considering giving cross stitch another try, waiting for my Mom to send me a couple of small unfinished pieces from years ago as she can't do them anymore, but didn't give them away up to now that I was asking ;D thanks again, will have a look into your many cross stitch tutorials here on youtube, I think they might just become part of my new cross stitch learning journey, thank you so much, take care :D

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Jo, glad you enjoyed the tutorial! 🙂

[@anwaa2258]

Huff... my grandmother is telling to redo my cross-stitch cuz the back is messy... I felt so depressed after hearing that because I worked very hard for it😭 and it’s a club project in school...

[@peacockandfig]

Your grandmother grew up in an era that told her that stitching had to be perfect or she wasn't a "good" woman, the Victorian era started sucking the joy out of everything and it's carried on in a lot of traditional handiwork like needlecrafts. Don't listen to her, no one is perfect, so your stitching shouldn't be either. I'm sure it's just fantastic. 🙂💖

[@owly33]

This is a very Victorian concept. If you check out older embroideries they are really messy.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes, unfortunately it got passed down to a lot of current stitchers via their grandmothers, which is so sad. Just stitch and be happy I reckon, what the back looks like is usually totally irrelevant. 🙂

[@deesouthall7219]

I've always been fascinated by the way these stitchers have awesomely neat backs until I tried it. My current WIP is my 1st neat back piece. Yes I will continue with it but it slows you down and takes the fun out of it. I now know if I need to use them techniques then I can now I have learnt that skill set. Thank you for this.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah, it definitely does take a lot of effort and time to get the perfectly neat back, I know I've never had the patience. :)

[@lesacarter3028]

Thank you for this! Been a long time stitcher and was kinda stressing about my back work. I was like I'm probably not as "neat" as I shld be. But then I thought.... who is going to see it! Of course one has to be careful as you mentioned on knots and possibly using too much thread. Great video! Thank you.😊

[@peacockandfig]

You are so welcome Lesa, happy stitching! 🙂

[@markwroe7]

Very good instructions all very useful. I didn't used to care about it till I saw a friend who's work was very neat so I started to try. Since then I have found that the care I take has improved the quality of my stitching overall. Love xstitching. A small tip I found useful is to mark the centre as usual then looking at the chart find a straight line in the picture as close to the middle as possible and sew this line first. It's easier to count from a line . Give it a try.

[@peacockandfig]

That's a good tip about stitching in the centre, and I'm glad you figured out what works best for you! As my cousin says, whatever floats your boat. 😂

[@sabree73]

Thanks for informative video! When I started cross stitching I didn't really care about the back, but then I learned how to hide my start and ending threads and so now I always do it! 😊

[@peacockandfig]

Haha perfect, that's what it's all about -- figuring out what works best for you. 🙂

[@moi5219]

Loooved this video. That artist is so cool. And you are great! Thanks!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha I know right Lillie! She's fantastic. And thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@amuakunaza]

My mom taught me how to cross stitch and she was pretty strict about this! She even taught me for projects that call for 2 strands to pull a singular thread and fold it in half (so make sure the original 6 strand is longer than normal.) Then when you use it you can close it super nicely with no knots.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yes, the loop method is genius, the tutorial where I teach that is one of the most popular videos on my channel. I use that all the time. 🙂

[@MoonStruckBunnyIRL]

I had an aunt criticize the back of a small beginner piece I did when I was 12, never being able to take criticism well I huffed about it and said it didn't matter and it didn't, until I tried to frame it and all the bumps and carryovers showed through, it took me a while to learn the no knot method but I've been grateful for it ever since and I'll never stretch floss over a large empty space again, but if it gets a little lumpy in spots that's fine by me, adds character.

[@peacockandfig]

Aww I'm sorry your aunt did that. Yes if there are lumps and such that can affect the front, but those are issues that can be dealt with (like by learning how to do the loop method to start so there's no knot). I'm glad you carried on stitching, lots of people would have just given up. 🙂

[@MoonStruckBunnyIRL]

@@peacockandfig naw, it's something that i've enjoyed since learning, having an image on the front has always made up for a sloppy back, and looking back I think she (and my other family crafters) was from the old school neat front/neat back method, luckily my mom cared more about me enjoying it than trying to drill "proper technique" into me.

[@kellyhipkins5616]

Wow so informative 👏👌 thank you so much. Very helpful ive picked this back up since childhood

[@peacockandfig]

Glad it was helpful Kelly! 😊

[@grumposaurrex3629]

My mom told me the back should look like the front. She wasn’t strict about it in any way, that’s just what she was told. She’s been stitching for 40+ years, but has had to slow down because her eyes got worse over the years. And I stitched as a little girl, then just grew out of it and just recently last November picked it up again and I’m so glad I did. I inherited all of her cross stitch items, which is super cool. One thing I’ve always always wanted to do is stitch on a hand towel. Thing about that is, kinda hard to cover up the back of the towel. On my other projects, big or small, I’m not super specific about the back. I still am mindful so it doesn’t get crazy back there but I don’t think I’d be ready to stitch on a towel. How on earth do I stitch a beautiful pattern onto a hand towel without the back looking like total anarchy? I mean the color changes, the knots, I don’t know how my grandma and mom did it so flawlessly. I’d appreciate anyone’s advice or if someone can point me towards a video on this channel, that would be awesome. There’s a couple cross stitch groups in my area but they’re literally old, judgmental, bitter old ladies. No joke. I went into a stitching store once, and although their selection was heaven, the old ladies that worked there stared at me, FOLLOWED me like I was up to no good (like a 27 year old can’t be genuinely interested in cross stitch? We’re not all hooligans) and when I asked for advice, they simply said “just look online, isn’t that what your generation does anyways?” And just stared at me. I felt so so terribly uncomfortable and from then on my nana offered to go if I needed something specific. I never went in there again and I’m sad about that, since I really enjoyed browsing the selection they had. Surprisingly they were very chatty, friendly and helpful to my nana... So not many places I can get advice from besides my mom, and she doesn’t have the “newer” tips, tricks and advice I find on this channel. Sorry for the long story! Thank you to anyone that took the time to read this, and to anyone willing to give advice😊

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah, the whole "neat back" thing is definitely a generational thing, it came about in the Victorian era when a sampler was literally the measure of a woman's worth as a future wife... :S For a towel, you can use iron on interfacing once it's done, that'll protect the back really well and you don't have to worry about it. Especially something that's going to be used a lot and chucked in the wash a lot, covering the back in interfacing or a layer of felt will really help protect the stitching. :)

[@evelynfrench804]

Helpful comments, thank you.

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome Evelyn! 😊

[@nancyspicer6046]

Thank you and I was going to try to change my ways after 29 years of stitching!! I think I am going to try to stitch the way you were teaching online. To see if that is easier. My backs to over 45 + designs are atrocious but they have never shown through the portrait picture. Bad habits that need to be corrected. At least to get it to a professional state. Thanks for your time. I really have been loving what you do.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha awwww thanks very much Nancy! That's great you've been stitching for so long, it's such a lovely hobby isn't it! :)

[@nancyspicer6046]

Yes!! And I looked at the backs of my designs and they aren't as aetrocious as I thought. Keeping the way I do things. I love Cross Stitch. I like how realistic you can make things look. :) Thanks

[@peacockandfig]

Ahhaha you're very welcome! I think stitchers can be quite hard on themselves, I like helping people remember it's supposed to be fun and relaxing. :)

[@tinabean0205]

I have been cross stitching over 30 years. I never worried about the back. I don't use knots because of the lumps and I don't drag my tread between big spaces in case it shows but other than that I just make sure the front is perfect. I've made beautiful pieces over the years.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yep, that's the great thing about stitching, after you do it for a while you learn what works best for you. Happy stitching Christina! :)

[@k.ruthwilliams2750]

Mind totally BLOWN!!! 🤯

[@peacockandfig]

Ahaha glad it helped! 😊

[@krisneff8506]

Good because I’m just starting and was concerned about the back.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah, it's so not worth worrying about. When you get more advanced and say use really delicate or more translucent linen, then you have to be a bit more careful. But yeah, at the beginning just stitch, even now I barely care at all about the back, as long as there are no giant lumps of thread I could care less. 🙂

[@ecologist_to_be]

Watching this as I've been thinking how I can't be bothered to make back of my project neat and I need validation! Yours is super neat compared to mine. I tidy up at the end where possible. Now I need to know how to iron creases out as I struggled with that with the two bigger finished projects I've done. I call the creases character on those two. 😂

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahah character, good one. :) You can get them out usually by getting the project wet (assuming you're not using hand-dyed floss or fabric), and then ironing it on the cotton setting. You might need to do it more than once, but that usually works for me. :)

[@Shetasen]

Knots can build up, but I find if you like knots-like me, just start with a knot, and just do the tail tuck method, don't pull it too tight, and occasionally visit the back and trim the knots off.

[@peacockandfig]

Good idea 🙂

[@deejay6606]

I only care about my backs when I do handkerchiefs. But mostly that they won't come undone with use and washing. But they are also smaller designs so a lot easier to be neat.

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah exactly, occasionally you do need to be neater for a specific reason, but most of the time I see people angsting about the back it's a piece that's going to be framed. Zero point worrying about that. 🙂

[@suzannewhitehead6087]

I am self taught in cross stitching and been doing it for many years. Good thing that I have no desire to enter into competitions lol. What I say is: it is only a cruel or perfectionist that is going to look at the back of someone's master piece. For general cross stitching, the pictures are framed, so it is really useless time to be worrying what the back looks like; Not sure if you have covered this, but the project I am doing at the moment, did not come with the sizing and so, basing it on the actual picture, I ascertained the size and got it rather dreadfully wrong and so, what to do? I tried to sew the next part on to the original, in the hope that it would anchor the two together, but of course, fraying occurs, so that went out the window! Then it was by chance my hubby saying it did not like how square the picture looked ( well, it is for him anyway) and so, suddenly a thought came up and seems to be working. I am doing seperate pieces and leaving about a 4 inch gap, so that can be folding over and thus, the two pieces meet and the frame will hold together.

[@peacockandfig]

That's a good idea, doing the pattern in two sections. 🙂 In the Victorian era it became a "thing" to be concerned about the back, but the Victorians were also pros at sucking the fun out of everything. I agree, worrying about the back is pointless, the point is to have fun while creating a little piece of stitched art. 🙂

[@stefaniek5991]

ugh, my father gave me my first cross stitch kit when I was a little girl and the first thing he said was how my back should be as neat as the front. with each new piece I try harder to make it neater because that was the first thing ever put in my head. it's aggravating! and the first fellow cross stitcher I met was a friend's mother; her backs were unnaturally flawless just to make matters worse for me haha.

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahah I'm so sorry Stefanie! I'd just keep practicing having your backs however you want them, and if that fails, try having a glass or two of wine while you're stitching. I can guarantee your backs (and likely your front) will be looking very "liberated" in the morning. :D

[@lynnferguson394]

I hink sampler sums it up. Enjoy and learn something as you go.

[@peacockandfig]

Exactly 🙂

[@beckwhitty]

I did a 4 seasons type piece for my mother at least 20 years ago now I guess, but I had it professionally framed and it was on a thick 14 ct. Aida and I had a few strings on the back that were a little longer. I paid A LOT to have it framed and was very disappointed that I could see every quarter inch long thread on the back through the fabric and it left a bump. I think I would agree that the back needing to be immaculate is silly but very neat I think is important.

[@peacockandfig]

Hmmm, I've framed a ton of my pieces and never had that issue. It could be the framer didn't do a great job (just because they're expensive doesn't mean they're experienced at needlework), or there might have been issues with the floss. Particularly for thick Aida, there's no reason that should have happened. I'm sorry though, that sucks. 😦

[@thestitchinhutch1646]

Amen!!! The people who obsess about what the back of their work looks like probably iron their sheets too. I do this for fun. Stress shouldn’t even enter into it

[@peacockandfig]

I know right, it's easy to forget it's supposed to be fun. :)

[@dorysmessina9629]

Beautiful Kross stich.My like .Very good tutorial kross stich!

[@peacockandfig]

DORYS MESSINA Haha thanks very much Dorys, glad you enjoyed the video! Happy stitching! 😊

[@genli5603]

I don’t carry across anything that’s white, and I slip the would-be loose threads under the railroad style back by stitching over it. Keeps it very flat. My backs look neat but nothing like my fronts! The back thread is just there to hold it together and keep an even pressure. By stitching over travel lines, I keep the tension steady.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah that's the great thing about cross stitch, you can play and find out what works best for you. :)

[@chichizekitty5694]

I care a lot about the back of my pieces.. but thats the thing.. I care about MY piece. I have a standard that I like and I want to keep to it.. if you don't value that background high, then do as you wish.. its your piece and your hobby :P

[@peacockandfig]

Exactly. 🙂

[@danidickman2138]

wow! I loved this video. Thanks so much for doing it! It is a huge encouragement

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you're so welcome Dani! I like to remind people it's all about enjoying yourself stitching, and if the back ends up a nightmare, it's not a big deal. :)

[@ruthneview2071]

Love your patterns.

[@peacockandfig]

Thanks very much Ruth! 🙂

[@christinapaniagua]

Thank you for that. I'm a beginner and my back looks horrible.

[@peacockandfig]

You're so welcome Christina! It's not even worth worrying about unless it makes stitching difficult. Just keep on going. 🙂

[@Blessed-2-b-a-Hembree]

Your backs don’t look messy to me. Mine are much worse. I was gifted a piece over 30 years ago that was beautifully neat on the back. I’m envious of it and wish I knew how to do it.

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah a lot depends how you work a piece, and the actual project and where colours are, etc. But no one looks at the back anyway, for me I spend my energy on the front, for me worrying about the back is kind of like a builder making the inside of your walls look pretty when they're just going to be covered in drywall. 🙂

[@Dr.Pepper001]

People are like the front and back of embroidery. We try to present our selves to others as best we can look, while what's behind are mistakes and things that are not all that pretty.

[@peacockandfig]

That's why I like Cayce's work, it's so interesting how she chooses to exhibit it. 🙂

[@amya7066]

I don’t care about a neat back but I don’t like carrying the thread more than 2 stitches. 3 is really the max if I’m feeling lazy

[@peacockandfig]

Yep, whatever works for you :)

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Thank you 😊

[@illmakeuhowell]

there are competitions in cross stitching?? wowwww

[@peacockandfig]

Haha there are competitions at local fairs, I personally would never enter one. My stitching isn't neat enough, and I stitch for pleasure and to create designs other people will like, not for a ribbon. 🙂

[@leviekelly9601]

I'm trying to keep the back as neat as possible. It's just part of the fun for me like solving a puzzle (The other part of the puzzle is trying to use the leftover threads and produce less waste). I genially don't care what other's backs looks like. Why to ruin someone's hobby. If it's pretty on the front and the person likes it and had fun working on it, then the back doesn't matter at all.

[@peacockandfig]

Yep absolutely Levie, if having a neat back is fun for you, go for it! 😀 Unfortunately a lot of people (especially new stitchers) get "shoulded" all over which ruins the fun for them... 💕

[@kathrynmastrogiacomo5541]

I have been doing full coverage pieces lately......with so much confetti there is no way I could ever make the back as neat as the front.....ugh.....forget about parking......it doesn't bother me what the back looks like.....as long as the front looks good... :)

[@peacockandfig]

kathryn mastrogiacomo Ahahaha I know right, and I feel the same about parking - ugh. I know lots of stitchers love that technique, it's just not for me. :)

[@christianmariediaz1986]

Ive been having issues and anxiety about the back part coz i think its not that neat.. thanka for this video

[@peacockandfig]

Aww I'm sorry to hear that, never feel anxious about your hobby -- it's meant to be relaxing Christian. If someone else is critical, tell them to go take a long walk off a short pier (as my Dad would say)... 😂

[@KeyVlogs088]

I agree.. I shouldnt really care about the back. But this little voice at the back of my head keeps nagging me for a neater back! 😀

[@peacockandfig]

Kristine Yango Ahaha I make that voice quiet with more wine... 😂

[@yenisoediro]

hello i have a question. im a beginner and i would like to know if it's necessary to tie a knot for starting and ending the stitches. im going to use the design for a tablecloth so i would wash it multiple times in the future. please answer, thank you in advance!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Yeni! Yes absolutely you need to anchor your floss somehow, whether it's with a knot, a pin stitch, running your ends back and forth under other stitches.. there are lots of options. 😊

[@joyace9674]

I do crochet cross stitch making a pillow cover this way the back doesn’t show 😬 and if I don’t want the back to show I crochet with out the cross stitch to cover the back 😬is my first and is coming out beautiful 😬😬😬😬😬

[@peacockandfig]

Awesome, glad it's working out for you! 🙂

[@joyace9674]

Peacock & Fig it does... I use the graph cross stitch I couldn’t believe this is a easy way for me to crochet and use any design 😬 I Love ❤️ it 😊👌

[@gamengoth937]

The only time i really see the back mattering is when it comes to things like shuxiu (spelled wrong) /Chinese silk embroidery, thread painting, or double sided silk embroidery. But that's just me.

[@peacockandfig]

Yeah exactly, there are definitely times you do need to be more careful, but most of the "Oh you're doing it WRONG" type garbage I've seen in stitching groups is just average patterns that are going to be framed in the end anyway... It sucks seeing people get "shoulded" all over...

[@lolyfrenzy12]

My gramma always tell me to do a nice back because a professional work looks clean. I got used to do that way, but if you are going to frame it on any kind of frame or stitch it to some furniture, you should not carry about it! It is the same idea as animation. You don’t need to waste time on the part of the character that is not going to be in the scene. If you want to take you piece and frame it, just don’t bother with the back. It takes twice the time to finish a work if you bother with the back!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha you should ask her what kind of professional she's talking about -- I'm a professional cross stitch designer, and if I'm stitching up a collection of 10 patterns at a time, I'm certainly not spending any time stressing about the back and how it looks -- as long as it looks good from the front when framed in a hoop so I can take photos of it and send it to my distributor to display at trade shows, that's all that matters. Like you said, no one will ever see the back. The "perfect back" thing is a hangover from the Victorian era, where stitching literally was seen as the measure of a woman's worth, of course that's not the case at all these days. 🙂

[@adriannateal2753]

I love your nails!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha thanks very much Adrianna! 🙂

[@simrahshaikh9833]

It really does

[@allisonjae3152]

I try to get the back to look as neat as possible,, but when you switch colors every few boxes it's difficult.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah, if you're happy trying to get the back look neat go for it, but it's not mandatory by any stretch of the imagination. :)

[@themeeplife8799]

How do you securely hold down the end of the thread when your finished? I use knots each time bc I'm afraid they'll come loose otherwise.

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Ashleigh! Knots are fine, just be careful as they can leave lumps from the front. I usually just run my floss under some nearby stitches a few times (at the back), I'll go under 3-4 stitches in one direction, then under a few more in the opposite direction. That locks the end of the thread into place. :)

[@themeeplife8799]

Peacock & Fig thank you very much for your reply. :) I tried doing that, but I was afraid that some of my stitches were going to come loose. My knots are extremely small, but I'll try your way once again just in case.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha yeah, as long as you're not going to be chucking it into the washing machine a gagillion times, then the stitches won't come loose by running them under other stitches. I do that for all my projects and they get sent all over the US to needlework shops and trade shows, they still are as good as when I finished them. 🙂

[@dmgumaer]

So at the risk of asking a dumb question - what's the difference between an "acceptable" amount of floss at the back vs. a knot/lump? I'm working on a full coverage piece with a ton of confetti, and when I look at the back it feels messy but there are no knots. I'm worried bc I plan on framing the piece and I see articles everywhere saying it has to be neat if it will be framed.

[@peacockandfig]

It's big lumps that stand out that will be visible from the front when framed, as they'll act like a "high point" and push harder against the piece. Full coverage often feels almost felted on the back with layers of floss crossing over, so I'm sure it's just fine. 😊

[@dmgumaer]

Omg. Thank you! I had completed about 200 stitches when I saw an article about the importance of the back, I was so worried I frogged all my stitches. I’m starting over but now I know that a “felt” like feel (which is what I had before) is okay. Thank you again!!!

[@peacockandfig]

You're very welcome, and thanks for reaching out about my IG account... ❤️❤️

[@janmeccav5158]

Huge thanks to you

[@peacockandfig]

Thanks Jan! 🙂

[@MultiJean19]

Only thing to worry about is getting knots which can be cut out and redo as needed

[@peacockandfig]

Yep, exactly. :)

[@michaelenesawyer]

I purchased a completed piece and the back stitches look like the front stitching. Curiosity has gotten me as I can not figure how this was done. As I said I'm curious, what the stitching method is called. The piece was done by an Asian Woman meaning maybe they stitch differently. M Sawyer

[@peacockandfig]

Not a clue sorry, there are some techniques like the Holbein stitch for blackwork that results in both sides being the same. For cross stitch that's near impossible (and takes away from the enjoyment of the process of stitching if you tried to do that, as it's not part of way cross stitch works in general). 😊

[@wizrad1277]

I don't care how the back looks, but mine tend to end up looking neat just because I'm afraid something messy will show up when they're framed.

[@peacockandfig]

And that's awesome, it's figuring out what works for you and not stressing about what things "should" look like. 🙂

[@prossi1971]

Love all of your videos and I have a request;). Can anyone tell me when you use the pearl cotton vs. DMC 6 strand floss. Is there a way to interchange them? I have been cross stitching for years but I am still learning. I am totally confused on the thread. Just fyi, I mostly use kits but I want to get away from kits. I did sign up but I never received my free pattern, maybe it was just an oversight;). Thank you for your hard work!!!

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Penny, thanks for your message! I'll add your email address (what I think it is) in a separate comment in a few minutes, as soon as you see it let me know if that's your email address and I'll delete the comment. If it is, you are on my list, and have opened a few of my emails, so you were sent the free patterns link (and it's at the bottom of all my recent emails). 🙂 As far as the pearl cotton, it depends on what thickness you're using. #3 is very thick and is equivalent to about 4 strands of DMC 6 strand floss, #5 is the same general thickness as 2 strands of DMC, and #8 is similar to one strand of DMC. So if you're stitching on 14 count, using the #5 pearl cotton gives similar (or slightly denser) coverage than using 2 strands of DMC floss. I just did a commission using the pearl cotton actually, I used #5 for 14 count and #8 for backstitch details. The coverage was a little more than normal DMC stranded floss, but the texture is really lovely. 🙂 Does that help? I'll put your email address below in a new comment, I'll delete it as soon as you reply that you've seen it, please let me know if it's yours.

[@peacockandfig]

[e-mail] -- is this your email Penny?

[@edwinevans1481]

It seems to me that all the example of messy backs have a minimum of back stitching. Outlining forms might not be too bad, but laying in lines in the middle of filled-in areas . . . Nightmare. I'm thinking of all the veins in a butterfly. Trying to work in those curving, diagonal lines through a forest of hanging loops won't work.

[@peacockandfig]

Haha a lot of my more recent patterns have a lot of backstitch, I don't ever really have any issues despite some sections of the back of the piece almost becoming felted with so many crossed colours and threads run under others to anchor them. One of my Spirited Animals collection patterns is a butterfly (a very cheeky butterfly), and I don't remember having any issues with all the linework in the wings. I don't remember what the back looked like (I frame them in hoops then stitch felt onto the back), I'm sure it's a complete nightmare. 😂

[@cknek8917]

Couldnt agree more!

[@peacockandfig]

FishyPotato Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@my7babies]

Can you pin stitch on linen?

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Dahlene, sort of, it depends on if you're stitching over one or over two. i do have a tutorial for how to do a mini pin stitch on linen and evenweave in my channel. 🙂

[@bethanyb4478]

I'm one of those obsessive people who wants the back to be as neat as possible. Part of it is tidiness, and part is miserliness. I want the thread to be on the FRONT of the piece, not hanging all over the back!

[@peacockandfig]

Haha well that's the good thing about stitching, you can stitch however works best for you. 🙂

[@vickipickstock69]

hi love ur videos .I am lookin for the video u did on father sun and other out of bewhitchin crossstitch book

[@peacockandfig]

Hi Vicki, thanks for your comment! I'm not sure which video you're referring to, I don't know the book you mean. The only video I've done featuring men is my video about manbroiderers, here's the link for that one. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fquXoGZ4d7ODm7c

[@vickipickstock69]

Peacock & Fig ok maybe it was not u sorry to have brothered u

[@peacockandfig]

Ahahha you didn't bother me at all Vicki, no problems! I just hope you can find the video you're looking for! KZbin can kind of be a bit of a needle in a haystack sometimes. :)

[@vickipickstock69]

I found it ur were right it was not u ty again

[@peacockandfig]

Hahah you're very welcome, have a great day! :)

[@dorinamessina5293]

Very Good, beautiful video.My like!!!!

[@peacockandfig]

Dorina Messina Thanks very much, happy stitching! 😄

[@gabrisstitches8038]

I find thread quite expensive, so I try to keep crossings at no more than 5 to 7mm and use as much of the thread as possible. That’s why I prefer cross country stitching, not parking.

[@peacockandfig]

That's the beauty of stitching, you can do it however you want. :)

[@mirjamgrimm3503]

Great inspiring video :) !

[@peacockandfig]

Hahaha thanks very much Mirjam 😀🙂

[@eddied.3426]

There is one more reason to keep a tidy back: if you want to do a piece that can be seen on both sides. I'm starting a wallet now and I need it to look good inside the pockets too

[@peacockandfig]

Haha true, but personally I'd line the wallet. Otherwise constantly pulling things in and out would start to loosen up threads and will wear the stitching out a lot faster. :)

[@eddied.3426]

As I am making this wallet now (gave the example from my own project), what do you mean by "lining" the wallet?

[@peacockandfig]

Haha it means you'd use another piece of fabric to protect your stitching -- like any purse or wallet has a lining, it's not just the leather shell. You can see what I mean with this business card wallet pattern of mine -- you can see the gold fabric that's lining the inside so your cards never even touch the stitching. :) peacockandfig.com/business-card-holder-cross-stitch-pattern/

[@eddied.3426]

so if i don't put lining you say my wallet's threads will be pulled loose? that's no good... i need now to check out how to do linings :sigh:

[@peacockandfig]

It depends on your stitching, but not lining it will definitely make your wallet not last nearly as long as if it was lined. It should be really easy to line it -- just get a piece of fabric the same size as your stitching plus margins, put the right side of your stitching facing the right side of your fabric (so the wrong sides are out), and sew a seam around 3.5 edges (usually following the outer edge of the actual stitched area). Then you'd turn it all right side out, press it, and sew the "gap" up where you turned it. Lining it will really help protect your stitching. :)