Also, I am new to floss tube and have been watching so many that are the same format over and over, of showing all the new stuff they started and all the new stuff they bought, every week or two, more stuff, more projects. I was overwhelmed with this..I am now stitching on a fixed income and I'm amazed at the money they must be spending and stashing..I am so happy to find your flosstube format, one of just three that I now look forward to watching, where you talk about the process, the enjoyment, ways to do better, and teaching new stitchers..its so refreshing and I look forward to them. Thank you for your wise words. Even as an experienced stitcher, I am learning from you..
Dear Ms. Jean, appreciate for the message. My husband and I are frontliners, it’s has been very tough. I started back to cross stitching after 30 years as I needed to have something that is relaxing instead focusing on what is happening at work when I am at home. I am thankful for your wisdom and thoughts on multiple WIPs at a time. Looking forward for more teaching and thoughts. Claire
I am still new to stitching and it was refreshing to hear you say it is normal NOT to have many wips. You share wisdom and experience freely. It is so appreciated.
Thank you Jean for a very informative and inspirational session. Your reminder that it's as important to love one stitch project and see it through as to have numerous projects which might take months or years to complete is so right on. Also, you did not come across as "whining" last week in the comments on left hand stitchers. You are right handed, therefore, you teach what you know. We enjoy your videos, we do not pay for your videos and therefore should not expect you to do what you do not normally do. The "what about us" can be used when they are paying for a service. Just keep doing what you do, teach what and how to do it. We will figure out how to take that knowledge and work it for ourselves.
well said!! I appreciate your years of wisdom and reasonableness..for a while, I too was caught up in "hauls' and thought I need to get this one and that one and .. reasonableness and humility dictates that we can only do so much and perhaps others may need these things and we are hoarding them and will never use them all..what will happen to $1000s of them if we were to die?? thrown away ?? so sad if that would happen....
I'm one of those "newbies" after an absence of about 20+ years. Everything has been different, especially the hauls and number of pieces one is working on. When I first heard about Stitch Maynia, I was mortified!! One lady started project for every day in May. That's 31 pieces!! In the two years since I've picked up a needle, I've NEVER had that many at any given time. Another lady claims to have over 100 wips. It would stress me out so badly this pasttime would cease to be fun. No, I'll keep it to about 5 - 8 wips (usually on the larger side) and intersperse cross stitch with my quilting. For me, it makes for a much more relaxed and fun environment. Thank you, Jean, for all you do and know it's appreciated. Please take care and virtual hugs from Canada!
Thank you, you said it best! It's true, the best thing to do is take advantage of this time and hone our skills. I have a basket full ready to stitch. I call them RTS. It's sort of an 'aspirational basket'.' I'm not going to start them up all at once, but they are there waiting for me. I previously stitched from 1993-2004 and back then I didn't know the concept of WIPS. I did have smaller projects for birthdays, wedding and Christmas but not as hectic as I am seeing now. I'm keeping it down to 3 active WIPs that I can use to 'work up' to the higher count and specialty stitches. I try to pick projects that will make me practice, I have also discovered 'Fragments in Time' and other ;little' projects that are 50x50, so I do get the sense of "Finally Finishing Something" Today I ordered the fabric I'm going to use for "Honor" "Grace" and "Truth". I heard you mention Sea Salt from Studio Line that is 30 count. Right now I have two projects going in 28 and one in Aida 14. When I finish up those, then I'll start the next 3. I think I'll be up for the challenge. Again, thank you so much for your wise advice and helping us to set up realistic expectations of what we are trying to accomplish. We need to use our time wisely and see the silver linings. I have a much better relationship with my mother now. We talk 3 or 4 times a day and we've gotten to know each other in a way that I don't think would have happened otherwise. We're here to lighten the load for our sisters/brothers because so many families have been affected. So, stay safe, take good care of yourself. We need you to do a 'mind melt'!!!
You seem to have unearthed the best part of "this situation" ... it has made us all slow down and value what we have. BTW, I especially love the Sea Salt by Studio Line for pulled thread work but it also gives a really primitive look to a sampler.
Hi Jean, I think you have hit the nail on the head with your words about finding peace in holiday celebrations, I was almost in tears. I was cheering for you when you said that you fixed your car with your daughter - that made me very happy! Thank you so much for all you do for this community, your videos are like a balm. Stay safe and well and thank you so much. xxx
Thanks Jean! Being a newbie in the cross-stitch community has been a bit overwhelming for me. I purchased many patterns, sewn project bags for them, and purchased books on learning cross-stitch over the last year. However, it's a bit intimidating to see many flosstubers with full coverage pieces, and works loaded with specialty stitches. I also observed those are the pieces people like and acknowledge the most! In my cross-stitching journey, I made a personal choice to do my cross-stitching in gradual progression just as I do with my garment sewing and my quilting. It's good to know that I'm not alone in my gradual approach to cross-stitching. I've ultimately realized that everyone is very different with differing backgrounds and reasons for their pursuit of cross-stitching. I didn't grow up sewing garments and surrounded by needlework as many others profess. Being a gay black male from the South in an all male household (with the exception of my mom) didn't lend itself to learning needlecrafts. It took me over 35 years to embrace garment sewing and needlework! Unfortunately, I'm not surrounded in Rochester, NY by other males in these hobbies. So the internet (i.e. Facebook, TH-cam, etc.) has been the only inspiration if not the main comradery for me on my sewing journey! Thank You for guiding and supporting us newbies!
Thank you for reminding us that numerous WIPs is not necessary or sensible. I have a few things on the go but not many. I don’t understand the constant acquisition of charts, floss and linens. When you want to begin a project that is the time to check your stash, and buy what you need, but not buying because you can. Sometimes I feel that I am not part of the cross stitch community because my resources do not permit a huge stash. I am grateful for your good sense. Thank you.
Well said! Thank you for these videos. I love how you inject so much thought and wisdom into these episodes. Thank you for addressing the couple of projects at a time approach. There are a lot of us out there who don’t have lot of WIPS and it helps the newer stitchers to hear that.
I agree! I worry about the guidance that newbies are getting from the mainstream ... they need to hear from the quiet stitchers who choose a project wisely.
First, I have to say that I am a monogamous stitcher always have been always will be. I also do other things, I quilt, I knit, I sew, and I garden. Therefore, I see no need to have multiple projects going at one time. I wonder if those who have 40 and 50 projects going at one time have other interests? Now, of all the Flosstube I watch, and there are not too many, yours is the one I look forward to the most. You are so insightful and helpful to this community of stitchers that I hope you will never stop posting new Flosstubes. I have almost completed the Hearts Come Home for Christmas SAL that I am doing on 16 count Aida. I am enjoing stitching it so much, and I think it is my best piece. Hubby even suggested getting it professionally framed! My next project is a 12 Days of Christmas that I will do on linen-a 32 count because I can see that count, but I know it would be lovely in a 40 count. Thanks for all your help and wonderful Flosstubes. You are so appreciated.
Thanks so much for your comments ... and please tell hubby that I consider it a compliment to both you and me that he treasures "Hearts Come Home at Christmas," too!
I want to expres a lot of greatitude towards you as well. I recently found your chanel and as newbie sticher I definitely learned a lot from you. I was really lucky that I found your linen video since I had my first piece of linen ready to start quite a big sampler but I was scared of counting the over 2 corectly. After wathing you I found my way of reading the fabric and I always poke "left of T" and I done soveral hundered stitches of my piece and I only made mistake about 3 times and was able to spot it really easily. I could talk hours about how many times I used your tips in a past few weeks. Thank you for being such an awesome teacher and sharing your wisdom with us :)
Jean, thank you so much for your common sense answers. I usually have two samplers going at a time, one on each floor of my house. Then I have something small that is portable that I can see without a magnifier. I have quit watching WIP parade FlossTube channels because it makes me so uncomfortable to think of the number of acquisitions some of these folks have every episode and my limited stitch time. I agree that having too many works in progress takes away the joy of finishing projects. When I find myself not enjoying something I am stitching, I can usually get my stitching joy back after I take a break from the project for a while. Thanks again from a self-taught stitcher from the seventies and eighties and after a 30 year break, came back to it again. I stitched my first project on linen, because I didn’t know any better. LOL. Now I do a mix of Aida, even weave and linen.
Your Thanksgiving tradition is so lovely and it’s wonderful to see you honouring the spirit of it. I agree with what you’ve said about multiple projects on the go. I could never be a Serial Starter as I love the pleasure of finishing and showing off my work. I’d call myself a Monogamous Stitcher but I do have 2 projects on the go - one huge and one small, and yes, I get Project Fatigue with the huge one that can be cured by spending an hour on the small one. I don’t have lots of starts, but I do have an enormous queue 😍 I switch around between 36ct linen and 18ct aida using what best suits the project and I agree with you that the holes are the same, it’s one’s eye that needs training to see them in the linen weave. To get ‘my eye in’ for the linen, I have a scrap that I stitch a dozen victorian crosses on before I pick up my project. That few minutes saves me a lot of unpicking time. I love your flosstube episodes and highly recommend them to beginners, or even oldies like myself - I’ve been a needlework addict for about 45 years, and you have reminded me of things I did know but had forgotten I knew. I look forward to your next half hour of wisdom sharing.
Thank you Jean for making those of us who enjoy cross stitching feel grateful for working on one or two projects. I have learned so much since I started watching you. I enjoy watching many floss tubers and am happy for all their accomplishments and the speed in which they get things done. Others, I feel like it’s a race to see who can buy more and more and kit everything up.
Jean, you have such a soothing voice, and I look forward to your videos each week. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for your heartfelt message.
Love to listen and learn from your videos. I’ve stitched continuously since the 1980s and love that flosstube has introduced the craft to a new audience. Stitching should be fun and for me is a great way to relax. I do have a couple of projects I work on but having dozens of WIPs is discouraging. I want to see the finish! Stitch what you love! Thanks for sharing your perspective.
I enjoyed stitching with you tonight! Thank you for freely sharing your stitching and knowledge with us. There are so many beautiful designs out there now, I think, because thanks to computers designers can design so much quicker than we can stitch!
Thank you so much for your comments on multiple projects - really multiple, multiple, multiple projects!! I haven't cross stitched for many years and was really surprised at this practice of having so many projects going at the same time. It does seem as though people are bragging that they have so many projects unfinished and that used to be something to be a bit embarrassed about! Things change all the time, don't they??? :-) I think you do a great job teaching. All good teachers are passionate about their subject area and it is lovely that you feel so passionately about stitching!!
And we are so grateful for you! You are one of the few Flosstubers that I go back and binge-watch the videos that I have missed, because I enjoy you so much. Thank you for joining us on Flosstube Jean! 💕
Thank you so much, Jean! Your videos contain so much valuable information for learning the craft of cross stitch, but your philosophy, in my mind, is what sets your videos so far apart. I have always been a monogamous stitcher, but the influence of watching so many of my favorite floss tube channels has seen me increase my starts. I don't have 30 or 40...more like 12, but I've been feeling a lot of pressure to start ever more and I've decided not to join SAL's that have me starting something when it's the wrong time for me. I was moved by the care you took to get your message across and you have my gratitude and admiration. You are truly a class act! Thank you.
Thank you, Jean, for always being kind as you share your wealth of knowledge. Kindness is contagious and we need much more of it in these challenging days.
Jean, please know that I am grateful for you and what you have shared over the past few months. I attended many Spirit of Cross Stitch Festivals, mostly in Sacramento but also Winston Salem and Austin. I remember the excited feeling in my tummy when entering the merchandise mall and the feeling that I had finally found a place to expand my passion. I also remember my first experience completing a project with specialty stitches and the feeling it brought. I love your encouraging nature for the novice stitcher as I also remember working my first project on linen. I still have it and it has a special place in my heart (and it looks really good after all these years). Having moved to a small town and no cross stitch resources around me, being able to do your SAL with you and watch your Flosstubes have been so welcoming during the time. I sincerely wish you and your family the very best.
Thank you Jean. Love your videos. After quilting for 25 years I am back to cross stitching. I am enjoying all the floss tubes and yes they do enable us but considering all the fabric for quilting I have I have been restrained in my cross stitch purchases. Right now working on one project but enjoying this new community. Thank you again, I am learning new techniques.
Bravo you said everything very well. Could never understand why someone needs 30 WIPS. You explained it well. About linen I was one who said I could not see the holes well I am doing a temperature tree on 32 ct linen. You are so right about the size of the holes. Once my eyes got adjusted it’s just like 14 ct. Aida. Loved your video today. Keep them coming.
This was a very meaningful video. I am back to cross stitch after years away. When talking about starts you are so right about the number of starts. I would feel overwhelmed with to many on the go. Watching the girls with so many made me nervous. You have given me the courage to say no and do what I enjoy. Thanks so much. You are a wise woman and I enjoy watching. Please keep up the great work.
Morning Jean, Thanks for kind words. I definitely find Peace in my needlework. I Hope you and you family and all watching this Floss Tube have a wonderful Holiday!
Glad I found your channel and am a new subscriber! I've been doing counted cross stitch since the '70s, and it is my favorite type of needlework. I generally have just one to two projects going, because I enjoy many other activities. I, too, gain more satisfaction actually completing my projects in a reasonable time frame. I saw a channel where the lady had 90 cross stitch acquisitions started, and they became lost and forgotten as she acquires new projects. Thank you for your channel and tutorials, I've learned many new tips!
I thought I was the odd man out. I have one at a time. I don’t even buy a new pattern before I’m done. If I stop, I lose momentum. Glad I’m in good company 🙂
Every week I learn something from you. I appreciate that you share your knowledge and experience with us. After stitching and teaching for many years I’m sure you have seen it all and so you share your perspective. I admire your style of teaching - you explain, you don’t talk down to us, and yes you give your opinion about what works for you.
That is exactly how true they have huge projects and so many of them on 40 count linen . it is too much . I like to do one maybe two small things to enjoy .and have been able to finish them. I appreciate your input on this
I’m left handed and never give it a thought. I’ve been stitching since 1982 and have learned a lot from your videos. I agree with you about WIPs. I have two now, and that is enough. Thanks for your videos.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts for all of us, no matter where we are or who we are on the celebrations of the heart. The same wishes to you and your family. Stay safe and well and stitch what you love and what brings joy to your heart.
Jean, we are so thankful and grateful for you and all that you truly give to us. Like you said even though it's virtual right now, it does seem like a true relationship. Without discovering Flosstube, I don't think I would have started cross-stitching again. It's been such an inspiration. I switching to quilting. I guess I never thought I could do both, but I do now. I'm like you; only a few projects going at one time. I could never have 30 or 40 going at a time. Blessings for the season!
Thank you Jean! You give us wonderful tutorials (for free) and you cannot have all the teaching methods for all the stitcher's. I hope your holidays are blessed and full of love. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you Jean for reassuring me. When I came back to stitching a few months ago after about 20 years I felt that it was the norm to have several projects going at one time. I did not feel satisfied so I went back to what I was doing 20 years ago. I now do one project at a time. I have ordered several charts and belong to 3 clubs. I have finished 3 so far and counting, and that has been real satisfying to see each one to the end.
I have actually watched this video twice, several days apart. This video really has made an impact on me. Your wisdom is insightful and therapeutic and I appreciate so much the thoughts you've shared. I am extremely grateful to have "met" you & I do feel like it is somewhat of a real friendship developing over this media environment. I enjoy the comments from others & the interaction we all can have through this common cross stitch language. Thank you so much.
Thank you New to stitching and now have hope that I some day I will be able to stich on linen.Thankyou for your wise words and pray for peace and health for you and your Family.Hugs Betsy in Maryland
Thank you for all your wonderful videos. Even after stitching for 40 years, I am still learning so much from you. I learned from kits and magazines, but being able to watch every step as you stitch is amazing! I am a one project at a time stitcher, but I do have several larger projects that I put down when life got busy, and didn’t ever complete them. I think multiple projects would be confusing. I like that once I am working on a project, I get to know which symbols go with the floss, so I don’t have to keep checking as often. I am going to try the sewing method. It would be great to stitch without a frame. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Patti
Thank you for your videos! I especially enjoyed your closing. (When I catch myself starting to complain about what I can't do and remember just how blessed I am. My family,is healthy and safe, jobs still intact, and we live in a nice house on a lake...not a bad place to spend a lot of time. I also have enough stitching to keep me occupied. TH-cam...I have a couple instances where TH-cam enabled me to diagnose car problems. One time when DH and some neighbor guys were staring at the car trying to figure it out, I went in, looked it up on TH-cam, and correctly diagnosed the problem. When I went to the garage the next day to buy the $5 part, they were so impressed that they putt on for free.
As always, thank you Jean for popping into my life each week to chat about my passionate hobby! I take away something from each episode. Have a great week and I certainly will be stitching happily once Christmas is all up!!
You are kind and thoughtful in all you say to us. I like to finish what I start. So I like small projects that can go to my sisters house. I have a larger one that can’t travel well so it gets love at home. Like you said we all need to love what we do
Jean. Thank you for the design. I have followed you for a while and have enjoyed your videos. I always learn something from you. I did cross stitch in the early 80s and then quit for a while. I actually quilt full time as a business but have found cross stitch again for something to keep my hands busy at night. I tend to do small things right now but may find the larger samplers coming into my future. Thank you again.
Jean I am so glad to have found your videos, I am watching through them, and as I said on your #14, I am one of those returning stitchers, I stopped in 1999, was big into hardanger and reproduction samplers, and I have to say as I started watching videos, I was left scratching my head over the very things you discussed. I don't get the people with dozens of ongoing projects that from episode to episode they show over and over with only the tiniest bit of progress. Wouldn't it be better to work on a few things with lots of progress? There's a narcissism to it that's just icky. And don't get me started on all the lingo that has sprung up (WIPs, FOs, etc...) which we never used back then. I just want to have quality over quantity, and your videos are really helping me get some forgotten skills back so I can enjoy this craft again. I also appreciate your opinions, so don't you fret about that! Thank you so much! Oh, and I am left-handed, and I've never felt handicapped by it, I am used to adapting in a right-handed world. Thanks again and I'll keep watching!
Great video, Jean! My personal opinion is that what you do, you do VERY WELL. You can't be everything to everyone. As a left handed person, I wouldn't expect you to teach me how to navigate a stitch left handedly. I'd expect to learn the path the thread should take to execute the stitch. Your videos are so generous as they are. You are sharing knowledge that is valuable and worthy of compensation, yet you are giving so generously. Lately it seems that the more that is offered freely, the more it's expected and the more it devalues the art in which the artist/designer has trained and labored and likely at great cost to do so. If that trajectory continues; I fear our world will have fewer and fewer artisans. (/off my soapbox now).
Thank you for your knowledge. You are so right about a lot stitcher's today that have tons of WIPS. I enjoy having just one or two projects going. Thank you for your great you tube videos.
Thank you so much for addressing the wip......I am just back to stitching after many years not stitching, and watching all wips out there....felt overwhelmed.....I like one large project and 3 small ones..this seems to work for me.....thank you, just love your sessions
I know I'm a bit behind, but what a lovely video. I totally agree with you about the TH-camrs that have 20 projects started at a time. The most I've always had was two or three projects. Usually two cross stitch and one knitting. If that works for them to have that many projects started, that's wonderful, but I know, as a teacher that works 50-60 hours a week, I would never get anything done.
I totally agree with you. FT feels like meeting with people who participate in things we love. This year has been so hard with not being able to visit friends. Thanks for your opinion on WIPS. When I came back to it 5 years ago I started around 15. My taste has changed and with that I’m now only working on 2 or 3 at a time. What has helped me with linen when someone said don’t count the threads, count the holes.
Jean, I had a stitch shop in the 80s and still have a bit of inventory that I never got rid of. I was looking through them to destash and was surprised to find one of yours..how great that you are converting your talents and business to these new format after all this time. Great job and congratulations to you.
Hi Jean! Thank you for your wisdom and kind way. I so needed to hear you say it’s ok to not have a million projects started. Being new to floss tube, I was getting discouraged about picking cross stitching back up after 25 years. I thought maybe I wasn’t going to be in the cool crowd here on TH-cam. Thank you for your perspective. I’m a new fan!!! I will also be excited to start Roxie with you in March.
The first Flosstubers I started watching after returning to needlework after 5 years were Brenda and the Serial Starter- I thought having 3 projects going at a time was going overboard, my kids would tease me. Brenda and Laura were amazing to watch, imagine having a whole sampler wall!! I was enabled! I have worked up to about a dozen WIPS but I think this is a good number. I can see progress on things week to week. Part of why I may have stopped stitching for periods of my life may have been project burnout. Now my general habit is stitch on something for a couple of days or until I make a substantial mistake. Then it may go into timeout and I can relieve the frustration by just putting it down and doing another. I think the folks who have dozens and dozens of WIPS are doing far more smalls than I would be. Thanks for the Thanksgiving sentiments! very sweet, Flosstube is something to be thankful for. I'm always thinking about starting one. That's so cool that you guys were able to fix the car seat yourself , that definitely saved a few hundred bucks if you had brought it to a shop. I am buying the patterns with the ornament angels, the minute I saw her she reminded me of my Morgan who passed away in June (she was medically fragile and it wasn't corona). She always had a head of short brunette curls and we always called her our angel. I am going to make one for her caregiver of 14 years who was a second mother to her. (Can see by googling Morgan O'Boyle Oneida NY)
I did get caught up with my stitching last year and just started to much stuff...we all did...I did finish 70 small ideas in 2019 ....and I'm in What WIP on Facebook....it has helped alot, so I have finish 17 med-large project this year and it has been so hard not to not start more stuff.....I hope to have 2 more by the end of the year...I learned my stitching lesson....I will not have more than 5 projects on the go at one time....thanks for sharing...take care and be safe
@@JeanFarishNeedleworks ......I will try not to go down that rabbit hole again...it was alot...don't get me wrong, I love everything I started, but it was alot..
Thank you Jean! I enjoy your wonderful talent & passion you have to share the knowledge of stitching & all the words of wisdom. I also find it interesting the side effects having 30-40 WIP’s must bring. Happy Holidays! Peace, Harmony, Laughter, and Love
Thank you for this week’s video. I wanted to let you know that I ventured from Aida to an evenweave due to your encouragement. I plan on trying a small piece on linen. Thank you!
Thank you Jean. I enjoy working on one project at a time. I may have several projects kitted but I like to see something projects finished. It may take me months but I don’t usually get bored. Also thank you for your ending comments. We need to think of the common good. Our family usually celebrates New Years in the mountains with several other families but this year I cancelled our cabin because its just not wise and we will continue our tradition next year. Your floss tube videos are a breath of fresh air.
My hope for you is that you find a different way to celebrate this year that has meaning for you. You'll enjoy the next New Years that much more! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you very much! I certainly appreciate your words of wisdom. I look forward to your videos. 😊 Just an FYI, this past project I thought I would give a try to stitching in hand. I am almost done and it was actually even more fun than with a hoop. So when I start Hearts Come Home in next day or so I am going to try it in hand as well. Thank you, Jean. You are a tremendous asset to the stitching community.
I do enjoy your stitch videos. I use to cross stitch when my children were younger. Now they are in their 30’s. I did not finish their Christmas Stockings. That’s ok. I found them after many years. I did not remember stitching them on the blue Aida cloth. I love the way you teach on your videos. I bought your ABC stitch. It’s so beautiful. Blessings to you. 💕🥰👍. You are so wonderful. 😊
I love so much about all of this. Had to laugh at falling out of love with a project. I started a beautiful rose stitch in 1998...it’s still in my stash. I love it still but lord I can’t get into it 🤪
Hello Jean. Thank you so much for these videos. I have been stitching for 30 years and have still learned many tips, tricks and best practices from you. You combine 2 of my favourite things: stitching and cruising! I agree with your comments about multiple WIPs. Floss tube has been a bad influence on me! I was always a one-at-a-time stitcher; now I have 19 projects, not so much because I want to emulate the others, but because I like their projects and want to do them too. I would be comfortable with about 10 or 12 because I have found I like to use different scheduling, i.e. 100 stitches per day, 1 hour per day, a week at a time, etc. I currently work on 4 different projects each day, 5 on Sundays. (yes I am retired!) I think many of those with multiple projects are "journey" stitchers who want to work on all the pretty things, while I am a "destination" stitcher who wants to have all the pretty things.
As a veteran stitcher, you know what works for you. My concern is for the novice who comes into this hobby and watches FlossTube episodes and joins Facebook groups and sees that "everyone" has dozens and dozens of projects on the go and thinks that they have to do the same to be an accepted part of the stitching community. With 30 years of experience, you have found your rhythm and though you say FlossTube has influenced you, you are probably not giving yourself enough credit for knowing what makes sense to you.
Funny, when I was thinking about what I was thankful for “floss tube” came to mind. Had it not been for this community and my new found aquaintness 2020 would have been much tougher. I thank you, jean.
Hi Jean, thank you for your time in making these videos for us. For me, we are face to face each week. I would feel like I could stop you on the street to say Hello, forgetting that you can’t see me. Ha Just want to say, as a returning stitcher this year, I am enjoying cross stitching again. I know myself and my limitations. I stitch on 14 ct Aida period. I stitch one project at a time until it’s finished. I, personally, wouldn’t feel any accomplishment to have 40 WIPs and nothing completed. I found Flosstube when I went to You Tube to make sure I understood what a 1/4 stitch was on Aida. Fell in love with the stitching community. Than you again for your tutorials and advises. It helps me to know “I’m doing OK with what I’m doing”. I am beginning to want to try 28 ct even weave. One day I’ll get there.
A huge thumbs up to you on your pre-written portion and comments! Thank you for that as it is important to celebrate and find joy and peace. We need it now - and always despite whatever circumstance we're in. I also liked the way you explained stitching on linen. I have for quite a few years, but what you said was such a good description.
I just finished stitching your humbug and am heading out for some interfacing and beads. (I’ll use my power drill with a hook to make the cord). It’s a great project for learning on linen and using variegated floss. I absolutely love Cosmo floss! It seems less fuzzy than dmc and is very forgiving of my frogging stitches and restitching them and the colors are great. The thing that struck me about linen is how quiet it is. I’ve mostly done full coverage which is my go to ‘comfort stitching’ since I have it down to a system that really works for me. I use 18 count Aida which you can hear as the needle pops through the fabric hole and the thread as it drags through. I also enjoy the tactile feel of stitching in hand; the linen I’m using is wonderfully soft. Being a fellow master teacher, I really appreciate your excellent, easy to follow lessons. I’ve learned a lot from others too, but I often have to pick through a bit (or a lot) of rambling, which is fun to listen to but not always the best for learning some skill. One last trick, I came up with last night. I stitched the humbug over 2 on 36 count, which is about as small as I would go. I always use a really nice magnifier and for this, I added some reading glasses and could see my work as well as 30 count without the glasses. I’d love some more info on different brands of linen and how they compare since so many of us buy it online. I’ve definitely noticed that there are definitely differences between brands and the 36 count I just used is significantly easier to stitch on than another piece I’m working on. Thanks!
I am a monogamous stitcher. It’s the first time in my life that I have two projects at the time. One is Longdog Pandemic on 25 count even weave. And a full coverage one on Aida. Both are big projects, I’m paying more attention to the Pandemic. I am conscious that it will take me several months to finish them and that is ok. I stitch the full coverage one once a week 100 stitches at least. Great lesson and great idea about TH-cam to fixing something 💡. I appreciate all you taught 😊
The Longdog Pandemic chart is fascinating! I think that stitching those really involved designs is like reading a saga ... a well written book can capture my attention even when it's 1,000 pages long ... and well designed charts like Pandemic are just the same!
I have stitched on and off since the 60's. I am pretty much a monogamous stitcher. I usually only have 1 project going at a time. Currently I have 2 because I am waiting for more of the pattern to come. I have several patterns and some fabric waiting but I don't add the floss until I am ready to stitch it.
Unfortunately I have about 50 wips. I have been stitching since 1975. I was 1 project at a time. About 11 years ago I started stitching alot. Now my goal is at least 50 finishes a year. I also have a rule. 150 by 150. Interesting video. And new stitchers should try doing 1 at a time.
There is a significant difference between an experienced stitcher such as yourself and someone who is just entering this fabulous world of ours. Tell me more about the 150 by 150 rule.
@@JeanFarishNeedleworks I just stitched alot and the bigger ones just dont are too much So 150 by150. Now its can be 120 by 170. I will do a bit bigger but not much. I am much happier stitching. 😉
You have an amazing attitude, I'm learning a lot from your videos. I think you sent me link for the Pandemic group on FB. It is an a nice group and very helpful, I am thankful that you recommended them. This has been an agonizing year for many, I made the decision to Look Upward and not downward to the "Sinking Sand". This country/world is sinking fast, not much we can do about it at this point. But I choose to ne happy.
Was it just me or did your video seem to fly by! I honestly look forward to your videos every week. I even watch you SAL although I’m not stitching it - I’m still learning so much. You’ve given me the confidence to try a small project on evenweave - something I never would have considered before. I just have one project on the go and several embroidery projects which I make up as I go - it’s been what has kept me sane through lockdown. TH-cam has been essential in teaching me all the different stitches, hints and tips! Take care and see you next week!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective. A couple of recent “take-a-ways”... first, to use basting stitches for placement. That extra step saves my projects. Second, that I don’t need to emulate the multitude of floss tubers that have huge amounts of projects all going at once time and another huge group of projects kitted up. I must admit that I have been intimidated and felt like I wasn’t a true love of the art. Most of us could never afford that even if we wanted.
I resisted basting for the longest time, considering it a waste of time ... and then I realized it saved time. I am happy to have had a small part in helping you realize that you DO have a true love of the art of needlework. Thanks for watching!
Beautiful video. Thank you! Reference WIPs, I can only handle to the most 3 and normally. At the moment I onoy have two. More than that it frustrates me.
Also, I am new to floss tube and have been watching so many that are the same format over and over, of showing all the new stuff they started and all the new stuff they bought, every week or two, more stuff, more projects. I was overwhelmed with this..I am now stitching on a fixed income and I'm amazed at the money they must be spending and stashing..I am so happy to find your flosstube format, one of just three that I now look forward to watching, where you talk about the process, the enjoyment, ways to do better, and teaching new stitchers..its so refreshing and I look forward to them. Thank you for your wise words. Even as an experienced stitcher, I am learning from you..
I agree! Jean shares knowledge and tips and encouragement. 😊
Why, thank you for your kind words!
Dear Ms. Jean, appreciate for the message. My husband and I are frontliners, it’s has been very tough. I started back to cross stitching after 30 years as I needed to have something that is relaxing instead focusing on what is happening at work when I am at home. I am thankful for your wisdom and thoughts on multiple WIPs at a time. Looking forward for more teaching and thoughts. Claire
Thanks for sharing!! And thanks for being on the front line!
I am still new to stitching and it was refreshing to hear you say it is normal NOT to have many wips. You share wisdom and experience freely. It is so appreciated.
You are so welcome!
Thank you Jean for a very informative and inspirational session. Your reminder that it's as important to love one stitch project and see it through as to have numerous projects which might take months or years to complete is so right on. Also, you did not come across as "whining" last week in the comments on left hand stitchers. You are right handed, therefore, you teach what you know. We enjoy your videos, we do not pay for your videos and therefore should not expect you to do what you do not normally do. The "what about us" can be used when they are paying for a service. Just keep doing what you do, teach what and how to do it. We will figure out how to take that knowledge and work it for ourselves.
I always appreciate your comments and insight. Thank you!
well said!! I appreciate your years of wisdom and reasonableness..for a while, I too was caught up in "hauls' and thought I need to get this one and that one and .. reasonableness and humility dictates that we can only do so much and perhaps others may need these things and we are hoarding them and will never use them all..what will happen to $1000s of them if we were to die?? thrown away ?? so sad if that would happen....
It seems that careful selection and restraint are out of fashion ... and when I find myself saying that, I feel old!
I'm one of those "newbies" after an absence of about 20+ years. Everything has been different, especially the hauls and number of pieces one is working on. When I first heard about Stitch Maynia, I was mortified!! One lady started project for every day in May. That's 31 pieces!! In the two years since I've picked up a needle, I've NEVER had that many at any given time. Another lady claims to have over 100 wips. It would stress me out so badly this pasttime would cease to be fun. No, I'll keep it to about 5 - 8 wips (usually on the larger side) and intersperse cross stitch with my quilting. For me, it makes for a much more relaxed and fun environment. Thank you, Jean, for all you do and know it's appreciated. Please take care and virtual hugs from Canada!
Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!
Thank you, you said it best! It's true, the best thing to do is take advantage of this time and hone our skills. I have a basket full ready to stitch. I call them RTS. It's sort of an 'aspirational basket'.' I'm not going to start them up all at once, but they are there waiting for me. I previously stitched from 1993-2004 and back then I didn't know the concept of WIPS. I did have smaller projects for birthdays, wedding and Christmas but not as hectic as I am seeing now. I'm keeping it down to 3 active WIPs that I can use to 'work up' to the higher count and specialty stitches. I try to pick projects that will make me practice, I have also discovered 'Fragments in Time' and other ;little' projects that are 50x50, so I do get the sense of "Finally Finishing Something" Today I ordered the fabric I'm going to use for "Honor" "Grace" and "Truth". I heard you mention Sea Salt from Studio Line that is 30 count. Right now I have two projects going in 28 and one in Aida 14. When I finish up those, then I'll start the next 3. I think I'll be up for the challenge. Again, thank you so much for your wise advice and helping us to set up realistic expectations of what we are trying to accomplish. We need to use our time wisely and see the silver linings. I have a much better relationship with my mother now. We talk 3 or 4 times a day and we've gotten to know each other in a way that I don't think would have happened otherwise. We're here to lighten the load for our sisters/brothers because so many families have been affected. So, stay safe, take good care of yourself. We need you to do a 'mind melt'!!!
You seem to have unearthed the best part of "this situation" ... it has made us all slow down and value what we have. BTW, I especially love the Sea Salt by Studio Line for pulled thread work but it also gives a really primitive look to a sampler.
Hi Jean, I think you have hit the nail on the head with your words about finding peace in holiday celebrations, I was almost in tears. I was cheering for you when you said that you fixed your car with your daughter - that made me very happy! Thank you so much for all you do for this community, your videos are like a balm. Stay safe and well and thank you so much. xxx
Why thank you for your kind words!
Thanks Jean! Being a newbie in the cross-stitch community has been a bit overwhelming for me. I purchased many patterns, sewn project bags for them, and purchased books on learning cross-stitch over the last year. However, it's a bit intimidating to see many flosstubers with full coverage pieces, and works loaded with specialty stitches. I also observed those are the pieces people like and acknowledge the most! In my cross-stitching journey, I made a personal choice to do my cross-stitching in gradual progression just as I do with my garment sewing and my quilting. It's good to know that I'm not alone in my gradual approach to cross-stitching. I've ultimately realized that everyone is very different with differing backgrounds and reasons for their pursuit of cross-stitching. I didn't grow up sewing garments and surrounded by needlework as many others profess. Being a gay black male from the South in an all male household (with the exception of my mom) didn't lend itself to learning needlecrafts. It took me over 35 years to embrace garment sewing and needlework! Unfortunately, I'm not surrounded in Rochester, NY by other males in these hobbies. So the internet (i.e. Facebook, TH-cam, etc.) has been the only inspiration if not the main comradery for me on my sewing journey! Thank You for guiding and supporting us newbies!
I'm happy to help in whatever way that I can!
I have great respect for you. I agree with everything you've talked about.
Thank you!
You are a breath of fresh air, Jean! I love your honesty & sensible advice.
Oh thank you!
Thank you for reminding us that numerous WIPs is not necessary or sensible. I have a few things on the go but not many. I don’t understand the constant acquisition of charts, floss and linens. When you want to begin a project that is the time to check your stash, and buy what you need, but not buying because you can. Sometimes I feel that I am not part of the cross stitch community because my resources do not permit a huge stash. I am grateful for your good sense. Thank you.
Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!
Well said! Thank you for these videos. I love how you inject so much thought and wisdom into these episodes. Thank you for addressing the couple of projects at a time approach. There are a lot of us out there who don’t have lot of WIPS and it helps the newer stitchers to hear that.
I agree! I worry about the guidance that newbies are getting from the mainstream ... they need to hear from the quiet stitchers who choose a project wisely.
First, I have to say that I am a monogamous stitcher always have been always will be. I also do other things, I quilt, I knit, I sew, and I garden. Therefore, I see no need to have multiple projects going at one time. I wonder if those who have 40 and 50 projects going at one time have other interests? Now, of all the Flosstube I watch, and there are not too many, yours is the one I look forward to the most. You are so insightful and helpful to this community of stitchers that I hope you will never stop posting new Flosstubes. I have almost completed the Hearts Come Home for Christmas SAL that I am doing on 16 count Aida. I am enjoing stitching it so much, and I think it is my best piece. Hubby even suggested getting it professionally framed! My next project is a 12 Days of Christmas that I will do on linen-a 32 count because I can see that count, but I know it would be lovely in a 40 count. Thanks for all your help and wonderful Flosstubes. You are so appreciated.
Thanks so much for your comments ... and please tell hubby that I consider it a compliment to both you and me that he treasures "Hearts Come Home at Christmas," too!
I want to expres a lot of greatitude towards you as well. I recently found your chanel and as newbie sticher I definitely learned a lot from you.
I was really lucky that I found your linen video since I had my first piece of linen ready to start quite a big sampler but I was scared of counting the over 2 corectly. After wathing you I found my way of reading the fabric and I always poke "left of T" and I done soveral hundered stitches of my piece and I only made mistake about 3 times and was able to spot it really easily.
I could talk hours about how many times I used your tips in a past few weeks. Thank you for being such an awesome teacher and sharing your wisdom with us :)
It warms my heart to know I have helped you. Enjoy!
Jean, thank you so much for your common sense answers. I usually have two samplers going at a time, one on each floor of my house. Then I have something small that is portable that I can see without a magnifier. I have quit watching WIP parade FlossTube channels because it makes me so uncomfortable to think of the number of acquisitions some of these folks have every episode and my limited stitch time. I agree that having too many works in progress takes away the joy of finishing projects. When I find myself not enjoying something I am stitching, I can usually get my stitching joy back after I take a break from the project for a while. Thanks again from a self-taught stitcher from the seventies and eighties and after a 30 year break, came back to it again. I stitched my first project on linen, because I didn’t know any better. LOL. Now I do a mix of Aida, even weave and linen.
I love your approach! Thanks for sharing and thank for watching, too!
Thank you so much for the Christmas ornament patterns. My wish for you is to have a peaceful holiday. You have taught me so much. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Your Thanksgiving tradition is so lovely and it’s wonderful to see you honouring the spirit of it. I agree with what you’ve said about multiple projects on the go. I could never be a Serial Starter as I love the pleasure of finishing and showing off my work. I’d call myself a Monogamous Stitcher but I do have 2 projects on the go - one huge and one small, and yes, I get Project Fatigue with the huge one that can be cured by spending an hour on the small one. I don’t have lots of starts, but I do have an enormous queue 😍 I switch around between 36ct linen and 18ct aida using what best suits the project and I agree with you that the holes are the same, it’s one’s eye that needs training to see them in the linen weave. To get ‘my eye in’ for the linen, I have a scrap that I stitch a dozen victorian crosses on before I pick up my project. That few minutes saves me a lot of unpicking time. I love your flosstube episodes and highly recommend them to beginners, or even oldies like myself - I’ve been a needlework addict for about 45 years, and you have reminded me of things I did know but had forgotten I knew. I look forward to your next half hour of wisdom sharing.
I love your way of transitioning from one fabric type to the next. Very smart!
Thank you Jean for making those of us who enjoy cross stitching feel grateful for working on one or two projects. I have learned so much since I started watching you. I enjoy watching many floss tubers and am happy for all their accomplishments and the speed in which they get things done. Others, I feel like it’s a race to see who can buy more and more and kit everything up.
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching!
Jean, you have such a soothing voice, and I look forward to your videos each week. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for your heartfelt message.
Thank you so much!
Love to listen and learn from your videos. I’ve stitched continuously since the 1980s and love that flosstube has introduced the craft to a new audience. Stitching should be fun and for me is a great way to relax. I do have a couple of projects I work on but having dozens of WIPs is discouraging. I want to see the finish! Stitch what you love! Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!
I enjoyed stitching with you tonight! Thank you for freely sharing your stitching and knowledge with us. There are so many beautiful designs out there now, I think, because thanks to computers designers can design so much quicker than we can stitch!
That's an interesting observation ... thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for your comments on multiple projects - really multiple, multiple, multiple projects!! I haven't cross stitched for many years and was really surprised at this practice of having so many projects going at the same time. It does seem as though people are bragging that they have so many projects unfinished and that used to be something to be a bit embarrassed about! Things change all the time, don't they??? :-) I think you do a great job teaching. All good teachers are passionate about their subject area and it is lovely that you feel so passionately about stitching!!
Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!
And we are so grateful for you! You are one of the few Flosstubers that I go back and binge-watch the videos that I have missed, because I enjoy you so much. Thank you for joining us on Flosstube Jean! 💕
Wow, thank you!
Thank you so much, Jean! Your videos contain so much valuable information for learning the craft of cross stitch, but your philosophy, in my mind, is what sets your videos so far apart. I have always been a monogamous stitcher, but the influence of watching so many of my favorite floss tube channels has seen me increase my starts. I don't have 30 or 40...more like 12, but I've been feeling a lot of pressure to start ever more and I've decided not to join SAL's that have me starting something when it's the wrong time for me. I was moved by the care you took to get your message across and you have my gratitude and admiration. You are truly a class act! Thank you.
Thanks so much for your kind words!
I am a one project at a time fairly new stitcher. So refreshing to hear a different point of view on WIP’s. Such a relief.
I'm happy to help a newbie!
Thank you, Jean, for always being kind as you share your wealth of knowledge. Kindness is contagious and we need much more of it in these challenging days.
Wow, thank you!
Jean, please know that I am grateful for you and what you have shared over the past few months. I attended many Spirit of Cross Stitch Festivals, mostly in Sacramento but also Winston Salem and Austin. I remember the excited feeling in my tummy when entering the merchandise mall and the feeling that I had finally found a place to expand my passion. I also remember my first experience completing a project with specialty stitches and the feeling it brought. I love your encouraging nature for the novice stitcher as I also remember working my first project on linen. I still have it and it has a special place in my heart (and it looks really good after all these years). Having moved to a small town and no cross stitch resources around me, being able to do your SAL with you and watch your Flosstubes have been so welcoming during the time. I sincerely wish you and your family the very best.
Those festivals were such amazing times! I'm happy to know that you have fond memories of them.
Thank you Jean. Love your videos. After quilting for 25 years I am back to cross stitching. I am enjoying all the floss tubes and yes they do enable us but considering all the fabric for quilting I have I have been restrained in my cross stitch purchases. Right now working on one project but enjoying this new community. Thank you again, I am learning new techniques.
I understand the "need" for fabric ... I have been making clothes and all sorts of things for many, many years!
Bravo you said everything very well. Could never understand why someone needs 30 WIPS. You explained it well. About linen I was one who said I could not see the holes well I am doing a temperature tree on 32 ct linen. You are so right about the size of the holes. Once my eyes got adjusted it’s just like 14 ct. Aida. Loved your video today. Keep them coming.
Thanks ... I was hoping that I wasn't overstepping the facts!
This was a very meaningful video. I am back to cross stitch after years away. When talking about starts you are so right about the number of starts. I would feel overwhelmed with to many on the go. Watching the girls with so many made me nervous. You have given me the courage to say no and do what I enjoy. Thanks so much. You are a wise woman and I enjoy watching. Please keep up the great work.
Thank you!
Morning Jean, Thanks for kind words. I definitely find Peace in my needlework. I Hope you and you family and all watching this Floss Tube have a wonderful Holiday!
Thank you!
Glad I found your channel and am a new subscriber! I've been doing counted cross stitch since the '70s, and it is my favorite type of needlework. I generally have just one to two projects going, because I enjoy many other activities. I, too, gain more satisfaction actually completing my projects in a reasonable time frame. I saw a channel where the lady had 90 cross stitch acquisitions started, and they became lost and forgotten as she acquires new projects. Thank you for your channel and tutorials, I've learned many new tips!
I thought I was the odd man out. I have one at a time. I don’t even buy a new pattern before I’m done. If I stop, I lose momentum. Glad I’m in good company 🙂
I know that my perspective goes against the popular trend and it's nice to read your comments. Thanks!
Thank you. I needed that. I think we all need a reminder from time to time. You are very wise!
You are so welcome
Every week I learn something from you. I appreciate that you share your knowledge and experience with us. After stitching and teaching for many years I’m sure you have seen it all and so you share your perspective. I admire your style of teaching - you explain, you don’t talk down to us, and yes you give your opinion about what works for you.
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching!
That is exactly how true they have huge projects and so many of them on 40 count linen . it is too much . I like to do one maybe two small things to enjoy .and have been able to finish them. I appreciate your input on this
There's a style for everyone ... it's good that you have found yours.
I’m left handed and never give it a thought. I’ve been stitching since 1982 and have learned a lot from your videos.
I agree with you about WIPs. I have two now, and that is enough.
Thanks for your videos.
Thanks for sharing!! And thanks for watching!
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts for all of us, no matter where we are or who we are on the celebrations of the heart. The same wishes to you and your family. Stay safe and well and stitch what you love and what brings joy to your heart.
Thank you!
Jean, we are so thankful and grateful for you and all that you truly give to us. Like you said even though it's virtual right now, it does seem like a true relationship. Without discovering Flosstube, I don't think I would have started cross-stitching again. It's been such an inspiration. I switching to quilting. I guess I never thought I could do both, but I do now. I'm like you; only a few projects going at one time. I could never have 30 or 40 going at a time. Blessings for the season!
Thanks for sharing your insight and thanks for watching, too!
Thank you Jean! You give us wonderful tutorials (for free) and you cannot have all the teaching methods for all the stitcher's. I hope your holidays are blessed and full of love. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you so much!
Thank you Jean for reassuring me. When I came back to stitching a few months ago after about 20 years I felt that it was the norm to have several projects going at one time. I did not feel satisfied so I went back to what I was doing 20 years ago. I now do one project at a time. I have ordered several charts and belong to 3 clubs. I have finished 3 so far and counting, and that has been real satisfying to see each one to the end.
The important thing is to find the process that gives your the most pleasure ... and it sounds like you have found it!
I have actually watched this video twice, several days apart. This video really has made an impact on me. Your wisdom is insightful and therapeutic and I appreciate so much the thoughts you've shared. I am extremely grateful to have "met" you & I do feel like it is somewhat of a real friendship developing over this media environment. I enjoy the comments from others & the interaction we all can have through this common cross stitch language. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm happy to know that the feeling is shared!
Jean...beautifully said...went straight to my heart❣️
Awww, that's nice to know.
Thank you New to stitching and now have hope that I some day I will be able to stich on linen.Thankyou for your wise words and pray for peace and health for you and your Family.Hugs Betsy in Maryland
And to you, too!
Thank you for all your wonderful videos. Even after stitching for 40 years, I am still learning so much from you. I learned from kits and magazines, but being able to watch every step as you stitch is amazing!
I am a one project at a time stitcher, but I do have several larger projects that I put down when life got busy, and didn’t ever complete them. I think multiple projects would be confusing. I like that once I am working on a project, I get to know which symbols go with the floss, so I don’t have to keep checking as often.
I am going to try the sewing method. It would be great to stitch without a frame.
Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
Patti
Thanks for your comments and thanks, always, for watching!
Thank you for your videos! I especially enjoyed your closing. (When I catch myself starting to complain about what I can't do and remember just how blessed I am. My family,is healthy and safe, jobs still intact, and we live in a nice house on a lake...not a bad place to spend a lot of time. I also have enough stitching to keep me occupied. TH-cam...I have a couple instances where TH-cam enabled me to diagnose car problems. One time when DH and some neighbor guys were staring at the car trying to figure it out, I went in, looked it up on TH-cam, and correctly diagnosed the problem. When I went to the garage the next day to buy the $5 part, they were so impressed that they putt on for free.
Not Rosie the Riveter but Rita the Mechanic! Good for you!
Always look forward to your stitch chats! You always have something useful for me. Thank you!!
I'm so glad!
Thank you for this video! I look forward to watching and learning. I think I can honestly say that many of us appreciate the lessons you share. 😇
You are so welcome!
As always, thank you Jean for popping into my life each week to chat about my passionate hobby! I take away something from each episode. Have a great week and I certainly will be stitching happily once Christmas is all up!!
You are so welcome!
You are kind and thoughtful in all you say to us. I like to finish what I start. So I like small projects that can go to my sisters house. I have a larger one that can’t travel well so it gets love at home. Like you said we all need to love what we do
So true ... do what we love and love what we do!
Jean. Thank you for the design. I have followed you for a while and have enjoyed your videos. I always learn something from you. I did cross stitch in the early 80s and then quit for a while. I actually quilt full time as a business but have found cross stitch again for something to keep my hands busy at night. I tend to do small things right now but may find the larger samplers coming into my future. Thank you again.
You are so welcome!
Hi - I am now all caught up on the floss tubes!! I have found them so informative- looking forward to following the next ones
Glad you like them!
Your ending message was beautifully and eloquently delivered. What a wonderful message for all. Thank you.💕
Thanks ... this whole Covid mess is a challenge but we can stitch our way through it!
Jean I am so glad to have found your videos, I am watching through them, and as I said on your #14, I am one of those returning stitchers, I stopped in 1999, was big into hardanger and reproduction samplers, and I have to say as I started watching videos, I was left scratching my head over the very things you discussed. I don't get the people with dozens of ongoing projects that from episode to episode they show over and over with only the tiniest bit of progress. Wouldn't it be better to work on a few things with lots of progress? There's a narcissism to it that's just icky. And don't get me started on all the lingo that has sprung up (WIPs, FOs, etc...) which we never used back then. I just want to have quality over quantity, and your videos are really helping me get some forgotten skills back so I can enjoy this craft again. I also appreciate your opinions, so don't you fret about that! Thank you so much! Oh, and I am left-handed, and I've never felt handicapped by it, I am used to adapting in a right-handed world. Thanks again and I'll keep watching!
Thanks for watching and thanks for cheering me on!
Thank you Jean for your very wise and heartfelt closing message🥰
You are so welcome
Great video, Jean! My personal opinion is that what you do, you do VERY WELL. You can't be everything to everyone. As a left handed person, I wouldn't expect you to teach me how to navigate a stitch left handedly. I'd expect to learn the path the thread should take to execute the stitch. Your videos are so generous as they are. You are sharing knowledge that is valuable and worthy of compensation, yet you are giving so generously. Lately it seems that the more that is offered freely, the more it's expected and the more it devalues the art in which the artist/designer has trained and labored and likely at great cost to do so. If that trajectory continues; I fear our world will have fewer and fewer artisans. (/off my soapbox now).
I appreciate your "soap box" comments! And I am so glad that you are part of this community.
Thank you for your knowledge. You are so right about a lot stitcher's today that have tons of WIPS. I enjoy having just one or two projects going. Thank you for your great you tube videos.
You are so welcome!
Thank you so much for addressing the wip......I am just back to stitching after many years not stitching, and watching all wips out there....felt overwhelmed.....I like one large project and 3 small ones..this seems to work for me.....thank you, just love your sessions
You have found what works for you and that makes it "just right" in my book!
Yes, that’s my way of stitching. One large on-going, a mystery SAL and a small piece.
Thank you Jean for your closing message. 😷❤️
Thanks for listening.
I know I'm a bit behind, but what a lovely video. I totally agree with you about the TH-camrs that have 20 projects started at a time. The most I've always had was two or three projects. Usually two cross stitch and one knitting. If that works for them to have that many projects started, that's wonderful, but I know, as a teacher that works 50-60 hours a week, I would never get anything done.
Thank you so much!
Thank you, dear Jeane! I wish you the same.
Thanks for watching!
Thankyou for another great video. Your meaningful words mean so much to me in these times. Thankyou again . Keep safe and healthy.
And you, too!
Thanks for a video full of such wonderful advice and information! It is much appreciated especially in these times ! God Bless
You are so welcome!
I totally agree with you. FT feels like meeting with people who participate in things we love. This year has been so hard with not being able to visit friends. Thanks for your opinion on WIPS. When I came back to it 5 years ago I started around 15. My taste has changed and with that I’m now only working on 2 or 3 at a time. What has helped me with linen when someone said don’t count the threads, count the holes.
I'm happy to know you found what works for you!
Jean, I had a stitch shop in the 80s and still have a bit of inventory that I never got rid of. I was looking through them to destash and was surprised to find one of yours..how great that you are converting your talents and business to these new format after all this time. Great job and congratulations to you.
Thanks for sharing your comments. The 80's seem like yesterday until I count the years!
@@JeanFarishNeedleworks same
Love your end message! You have such a good heart! Thank you!
Thank you so much!
Thank you as always. I value your insights so much.
You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!
Hi Jean! Thank you for your wisdom and kind way. I so needed to hear you say it’s ok to not have a million projects started. Being new to floss tube, I was getting discouraged about picking cross stitching back up after 25 years. I thought maybe I wasn’t going to be in the cool crowd here on TH-cam. Thank you for your perspective. I’m a new fan!!! I will also be excited to start Roxie with you in March.
You are so welcome! In my world, we're all "cool" :)
As always Jean wonderful words. Take care🤗
Thank you! You too!
Beautiful message Jean❗️Happy Stitching. Xoxo. Miriam.
Thank you! You too!
The first Flosstubers I started watching after returning to needlework after 5 years were Brenda and the Serial Starter- I thought having 3 projects going at a time was going overboard, my kids would tease me. Brenda and Laura were amazing to watch, imagine having a whole sampler wall!! I was enabled! I have worked up to about a dozen WIPS but I think this is a good number. I can see progress on things week to week. Part of why I may have stopped stitching for periods of my life may have been project burnout. Now my general habit is stitch on something for a couple of days or until I make a substantial mistake. Then it may go into timeout and I can relieve the frustration by just putting it down and doing another. I think the folks who have dozens and dozens of WIPS are doing far more smalls than I would be.
Thanks for the Thanksgiving sentiments! very sweet, Flosstube is something to be thankful for. I'm always thinking about starting one.
That's so cool that you guys were able to fix the car seat yourself , that definitely saved a few hundred bucks if you had brought it to a shop.
I am buying the patterns with the ornament angels, the minute I saw her she reminded me of my Morgan who passed away in June (she was medically fragile and it wasn't corona). She always had a head of short brunette curls and we always called her our angel. I am going to make one for her caregiver of 14 years who was a second mother to her. (Can see by googling Morgan O'Boyle Oneida NY)
It touches my heart to know that one of my designs touches yours!
Thank you so much for your closing remarks.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Thanks for watching!
I did get caught up with my stitching last year and just started to much stuff...we all did...I did finish 70 small ideas in 2019 ....and I'm in What WIP on Facebook....it has helped alot, so I have finish 17 med-large project this year and it has been so hard not to not start more stuff.....I hope to have 2 more by the end of the year...I learned my stitching lesson....I will not have more than 5 projects on the go at one time....thanks for sharing...take care and be safe
It sounds like you found what works for you and that's the important thing!
@@JeanFarishNeedleworks ......I will try not to go down that rabbit hole again...it was alot...don't get me wrong, I love everything I started, but it was alot..
Thank you Jean! I enjoy your wonderful talent & passion you have to share the knowledge of stitching & all the words of wisdom.
I also find it interesting the side effects having 30-40 WIP’s must bring.
Happy Holidays! Peace, Harmony, Laughter, and Love
And the same to you, too!
Thank you for this week’s video. I wanted to let you know that I ventured from Aida to an evenweave due to your encouragement. I plan on trying a small piece on linen. Thank you!
Wonderful! Let me know how you like it.
Thank you Jean. I enjoy working on one project at a time. I may have several projects kitted but I like to see something projects finished. It may take me months but I don’t usually get bored. Also thank you for your ending comments. We need to think of the common good. Our family usually celebrates New Years in the mountains with several other families but this year I cancelled our cabin because its just not wise and we will continue our tradition next year. Your floss tube videos are a breath of fresh air.
My hope for you is that you find a different way to celebrate this year that has meaning for you. You'll enjoy the next New Years that much more! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you very much! I certainly appreciate your words of wisdom. I look forward to your videos. 😊
Just an FYI, this past project I thought I would give a try to stitching in hand. I am almost done and it was actually even more fun than with a hoop. So when I start Hearts Come Home in next day or so I am going to try it in hand as well.
Thank you, Jean. You are a tremendous asset to the stitching community.
I'm glad to know you have enjoyed the process ... it can be so liberating!
I do enjoy your stitch videos. I use to cross stitch when my children were younger. Now they are in their 30’s. I did not finish their Christmas Stockings. That’s ok. I found them after many years. I did not remember stitching them on the blue Aida cloth.
I love the way you teach on your videos. I bought your ABC stitch. It’s so beautiful.
Blessings to you. 💕🥰👍.
You are so wonderful. 😊
Life has cycles ... now you have time to stitch and can enjoy it!
I love so much about all of this. Had to laugh at falling out of love with a project. I started a beautiful rose stitch in 1998...it’s still in my stash. I love it still but lord I can’t get into it 🤪
Someday you'll finish it!
Hello Jean. Thank you so much for these videos. I have been stitching for 30 years and have still learned many tips, tricks and best practices from you. You combine 2 of my favourite things: stitching and cruising!
I agree with your comments about multiple WIPs. Floss tube has been a bad influence on me! I was always a one-at-a-time stitcher; now I have 19 projects, not so much because I want to emulate the others, but because I like their projects and want to do them too. I would be comfortable with about 10 or 12 because I have found I like to use different scheduling, i.e. 100 stitches per day, 1 hour per day, a week at a time, etc. I currently work on 4 different projects each day, 5 on Sundays. (yes I am retired!) I think many of those with multiple projects are "journey" stitchers who want to work on all the pretty things, while I am a "destination" stitcher who wants to have all the pretty things.
As a veteran stitcher, you know what works for you. My concern is for the novice who comes into this hobby and watches FlossTube episodes and joins Facebook groups and sees that "everyone" has dozens and dozens of projects on the go and thinks that they have to do the same to be an accepted part of the stitching community. With 30 years of experience, you have found your rhythm and though you say FlossTube has influenced you, you are probably not giving yourself enough credit for knowing what makes sense to you.
I just started watching your flosstube. I felt that you gave very sound advice. And a lot of wisdom. Thank you .
You are so welcome!
Funny, when I was thinking about what I was thankful for “floss tube” came to mind. Had it not been for this community and my new found aquaintness 2020 would have been much tougher. I thank you, jean.
So true!
Hi Jean, thank you for your time in making these videos for us. For me, we are face to face each week. I would feel like I could stop you on the street to say Hello, forgetting that you can’t see me. Ha
Just want to say, as a returning stitcher this year, I am enjoying cross stitching again. I know myself and my limitations. I stitch on 14 ct Aida period. I stitch one project at a time until it’s finished. I, personally, wouldn’t feel any accomplishment to have 40 WIPs and nothing completed. I found Flosstube when I went to You Tube to make sure I understood what a 1/4 stitch was on Aida. Fell in love with the stitching community.
Than you again for your tutorials and advises. It helps me to know “I’m doing OK with what I’m doing”.
I am beginning to want to try 28 ct even weave. One day I’ll get there.
I hope we do get to meet someday and you'll mention your comment and I'll know exactly who you are!
Thank you Jean 💝
You are so welcome!
A huge thumbs up to you on your pre-written portion and comments! Thank you for that as it is important to celebrate and find joy and peace. We need it now - and always despite whatever circumstance we're in. I also liked the way you explained stitching on linen. I have for quite a few years, but what you said was such a good description.
Thanks so much!
I just finished stitching your humbug and am heading out for some interfacing and beads. (I’ll use my power drill with a hook to make the cord). It’s a great project for learning on linen and using variegated floss. I absolutely love Cosmo floss! It seems less fuzzy than dmc and is very forgiving of my frogging stitches and restitching them and the colors are great.
The thing that struck me about linen is how quiet it is. I’ve mostly done full coverage which is my go to ‘comfort stitching’ since I have it down to a system that really works for me. I use 18 count Aida which you can hear as the needle pops through the fabric hole and the thread as it drags through. I also enjoy the tactile feel of stitching in hand; the linen I’m using is wonderfully soft.
Being a fellow master teacher, I really appreciate your excellent, easy to follow lessons. I’ve learned a lot from others too, but I often have to pick through a bit (or a lot) of rambling, which is fun to listen to but not always the best for learning some skill.
One last trick, I came up with last night. I stitched the humbug over 2 on 36 count, which is about as small as I would go. I always use a really nice magnifier and for this, I added some reading glasses and could see my work as well as 30 count without the glasses.
I’d love some more info on different brands of linen and how they compare since so many of us buy it online. I’ve definitely noticed that there are definitely differences between brands and the 36 count I just used is significantly easier to stitch on than another piece I’m working on. Thanks!
I'd like to do a linen comparison ... I need to build up my stash to be able to do it.
I am a monogamous stitcher. It’s the first time in my life that I have two projects at the time. One is Longdog Pandemic on 25 count even weave. And a full coverage one on Aida. Both are big projects, I’m paying more attention to the Pandemic. I am conscious that it will take me several months to finish them and that is ok. I stitch the full coverage one once a week 100 stitches at least.
Great lesson and great idea about TH-cam to fixing something 💡. I appreciate all you taught 😊
The Longdog Pandemic chart is fascinating! I think that stitching those really involved designs is like reading a saga ... a well written book can capture my attention even when it's 1,000 pages long ... and well designed charts like Pandemic are just the same!
I have stitched on and off since the 60's. I am pretty much a monogamous stitcher. I usually only have 1 project going at a time. Currently I have 2 because I am waiting for more of the pattern to come. I have several patterns and some fabric waiting but I don't add the floss until I am ready to stitch it.
Thanks for sharing and, as always, thanks for watching, too!
Jean another great video-I really enjoy your thoughts on stitching as well as life. there is always something to learn from you
Thank you so much!
Unfortunately I have about 50 wips. I have been stitching since 1975. I was 1 project at a time. About 11 years ago I started stitching alot. Now my goal is at least 50 finishes a year. I also have a rule. 150 by 150. Interesting video. And new stitchers should try doing 1 at a time.
There is a significant difference between an experienced stitcher such as yourself and someone who is just entering this fabulous world of ours. Tell me more about the 150 by 150 rule.
@@JeanFarishNeedleworks I just stitched alot and the bigger ones just dont are too much
So 150 by150. Now its can be 120 by 170. I will do a bit bigger but not much. I am much happier stitching. 😉
You have an amazing attitude, I'm learning a lot from your videos. I think you sent me link for the Pandemic group on FB. It is an a nice group and very helpful, I am thankful that you recommended them.
This has been an agonizing year for many, I made the decision to Look Upward and not downward to the "Sinking Sand". This country/world is sinking fast, not much we can do about it at this point. But I choose to ne happy.
We each need to consciously choose to be positive ... I'm happy that you have found your way!
I have your Angelic Friends Ornaments cross stitch kit!!! Love those angels !!
Pulled it out for a summer project.
Keep on stitching!
Thank you! You too!
Was it just me or did your video seem to fly by! I honestly look forward to your videos every week. I even watch you SAL although I’m not stitching it - I’m still learning so much. You’ve given me the confidence to try a small project on evenweave - something I never would have considered before.
I just have one project on the go and several embroidery projects which I make up as I go - it’s been what has kept me sane through lockdown. TH-cam has been essential in teaching me all the different stitches, hints and tips!
Take care and see you next week!
Let me know about your first evenweave project!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective. A couple of recent “take-a-ways”... first, to use basting stitches for placement. That extra step saves my projects. Second, that I don’t need to emulate the multitude of floss tubers that have huge amounts of projects all going at once time and another huge group of projects kitted up. I must admit that I have been intimidated and felt like I wasn’t a true love of the art. Most of us could never afford that even if we wanted.
I resisted basting for the longest time, considering it a waste of time ... and then I realized it saved time. I am happy to have had a small part in helping you realize that you DO have a true love of the art of needlework. Thanks for watching!
🤗 Thank you Jean. Take care. 🎄🎅🏼
Thank you! You too!
Thank you so much for your Christmas design. I'm going to try to get it completed for Christmas.
Hope you enjoy it!
I carry mine to drs office appointments. I have my one carry project and one in my bedroom thats on scroll.
Beautiful video. Thank you! Reference WIPs, I can only handle to the most 3 and normally. At the moment I onoy have two. More than that it frustrates me.
You have found the pace that works for you and that's what is important! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for your videos and inspiring message.
Glad you like them!