As always, enjoyed this video. Very helpful information for new stitchers and the addition of the segment about stitching for other people I think is especially on point, especially when embarking on a full coverage project. Thank you for taking the time to present these very useful videos.
What a great video!!!!!!!!! I've been cross stitching for two years now, starting with the easy kits of AliExpress....... Now I'm a full coverage stitcher using charts from Artecy or HAED...... I am an Aida stitcher though (14 Ort 16ct). But with my huge HAED, I was not sure if I should try 20ct or 22ct...... I am doing test stitches now on both fabric types and see what suits me best. Thanks soooo much for your help and all the other excellent information 👍👍
A game changer for me doing full coverage was getting drawers and foam inserts for the bobbins. I can stitch so much faster now. Another step I do is keep my cut strand in an envelope in small bin of top of my floss drawers in a small bin in numerical order. The drawer system allows me to keep a bobbin for every floss I own. Such a game changer!!
Stitches Sew Beautiful is a beautiful full coverage designer on Etsy who has licensed artwork. I'm stitching a few of their patterns, and they're gorgeous. Thread Geeks also has some great full coverages. I don't kit up my full coverages all at once either. The only time I will get a bunch of skeins of a color is if there is a background in a solid color. Other than that, I don't think dye lot issues are really noticeable on most full coverages, especially ones with large amounts of confetti. I 100% agree about stitching full coverage for the joy and the process. I have may 45-ish full coverage WIPs. I know I'm not going to finish 95% of them, but I thoroughly enjoy stitching them and seeing them come together.
Thanks for the video! You know I’m an experienced FC stitcher but it was fun to hear your take. As someone who doesn’t use gridded fabric, I think this was the first time I’ve been called a daredevil!
Good point about stitching for others. I've got 2 on the go for my boys that are really not my style, but the boys will love them, especially the youngest because he's been here while I've been working on it. Conversely, my parents have loads of pieces from when I stitched in the before times, that are only on their walls because I made them. And also there is a birth sampler I made, also in the before time, that is currently on a gap year world tour, which at the time I did just because that's what I did when new babies came along, but her mum was so overwhelmed that I'd taken the time, that she impressed on her daughter how special it was.
I made a horse project for my Best Friend and it took me 4 years to do and I even framed it for her and I never saw it again. She put it in her closet & told me that she has to make room for it. That was the last time I stitched for her. I learned my lesson fast. I wish I would of know about full coverage. I bought a small one called Moonlight Owls and the stitch count is 196w x 196h so the stitched piece will be 14w x 14h so I bought a 14-count white aida 18" x 25" and I started it like I do all my projects which is in the middle and I am just pretending it is a regular cross stitch so now I am hoping this full coverage piece will look nice in the end. Your videos are very informative so thank you for showing us on how you do yours. I do not think I will finish this one in my lifetime but I am hoping that my daughter will pick it up to finish it. Happy Stitching.
I bought my first HAEDs with birthday money from my granny that year (end of January 2009). I was so intimidated that I didn't start it until Sept 1st. And then I went, 'wait, why was I scared of this?" I finally got that piece done and on the wall a few years ago. That was the start of my HAED obsession and I haven't looked back since.
Take extra time when starting it, go nice and slow, check often, fix any mistakes until you feel comfortable. Soon you will be stitching at your normal speed and confidence level. If the mistake is just a few stitches that would be almost impossible to take out I just stitch the correct color over it. I can't tell the difference on the finished project. You got this.
I think the only time I'd use a hand dyed or printed fabric for full coverage would be something like where I saw a HAED BB SAL that was a kitten and the stitcher used fabric with paw prints on it. I think I remember they were going to use the fabric as a mat/border.
Haha honestly that’s going to be impossible, with so many threads it’s going to be a carpet no matter what! It’s just all in how you stitch that makes it a short carpet versus a shag carpet 😂
Loved this video. Was super informative. I use reg 14 ct usually. I recently did a 18 ct and it just about dud me in. I have a question. If I do a pattern that calls for 28 ct and I do it on 14 ct. Will it come out the same size as the 28 ct? I only use Aida. I hear you about stitching for others. I did a piece for my girlfriend, probably 30+ yrs ago and she hung it up in her bathroom and believe it or not, it is still there to this day. She just loves it that much!! Happy stitching.
Look at the pattern by the recommended fabric and see if it says something along the lines of “over 2” or “over 2 fabric threads”. If it does, then yes it will be the same size as a 14 count. If it says over 1 then your 14 count piece will turn out twice the size so be sure to get a large enough piece of fabric
Great video Jenn, I have always stitched on 18 count aida(un grided ) but have been thinking about trying grided fabric. My thought is do you start on the grid line or not. My next full coverage piece will be on 25 count grided fabric...I'm taking the leap!😀
Part of your 100 stitch block is going to be on the grid line, it’s up to you which part! I make my bottom row and left side be the ones with the grid mark. I have two pieces I adopted from a friend that hers are on the top and right sides and it’s throwing me off when I pull them out 😂
One, maybe two blocks, so about 20-ish stitches in any direction. Any more than that and I may as well start a new thread! Exception to that would be if there’s one lone stitch and I can weave the carrying thread under existing thread in the back so it’s secured and doesn’t get caught on stuff
Hi Jenn, I really enjoyed this video. One question - after you pull some strands from your full set of floss how do you store them with your project? Thanks!
What's your view on where to start a full coverage piece? I'm planning on starting my first full coverage piece. It's about 50k and is a perfect circle. I'm nervous about starting it at the top and maybe getting something wrong placement wise! I've only ever started projects in the middle, but I've heard since full coverage people saying you can't start a full coverage in the middle.
As always, enjoyed this video. Very helpful information for new stitchers and the addition of the segment about stitching for other people I think is especially on point, especially when embarking on a full coverage project. Thank you for taking the time to present these very useful videos.
Thank you! Very informative.
Another excellent video! You gave a whole lot of valuable information without any judgement. Very enjoyable and encouraging. Thanks for the video.
What a great video!!!!!!!!! I've been cross stitching for two years now, starting with the easy kits of AliExpress....... Now I'm a full coverage stitcher using charts from Artecy or HAED...... I am an Aida stitcher though (14 Ort 16ct). But with my huge HAED, I was not sure if I should try 20ct or 22ct...... I am doing test stitches now on both fabric types and see what suits me best. Thanks soooo much for your help and all the other excellent information 👍👍
Thoroughly enjoyed this video ❤
A game changer for me doing full coverage was getting drawers and foam inserts for the bobbins. I can stitch so much faster now. Another step I do is keep my cut strand in an envelope in small bin of top of my floss drawers in a small bin in numerical order.
The drawer system allows me to keep a bobbin for every floss I own. Such a game changer!!
Stitches Sew Beautiful is a beautiful full coverage designer on Etsy who has licensed artwork. I'm stitching a few of their patterns, and they're gorgeous. Thread Geeks also has some great full coverages. I don't kit up my full coverages all at once either. The only time I will get a bunch of skeins of a color is if there is a background in a solid color. Other than that, I don't think dye lot issues are really noticeable on most full coverages, especially ones with large amounts of confetti.
I 100% agree about stitching full coverage for the joy and the process. I have may 45-ish full coverage WIPs. I know I'm not going to finish 95% of them, but I thoroughly enjoy stitching them and seeing them come together.
Thanks for the video! You know I’m an experienced FC stitcher but it was fun to hear your take. As someone who doesn’t use gridded fabric, I think this was the first time I’ve been called a daredevil!
😂😂😂
Good point about stitching for others. I've got 2 on the go for my boys that are really not my style, but the boys will love them, especially the youngest because he's been here while I've been working on it. Conversely, my parents have loads of pieces from when I stitched in the before times, that are only on their walls because I made them. And also there is a birth sampler I made, also in the before time, that is currently on a gap year world tour, which at the time I did just because that's what I did when new babies came along, but her mum was so overwhelmed that I'd taken the time, that she impressed on her daughter how special it was.
The before time 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I love that she still loves the birth sampler!!
I made a horse project for my Best Friend and it took me 4 years to do and I even framed it for her and I never saw it again. She put it in her closet & told me that she has to make room for it. That was the last time I stitched for her. I learned my lesson fast. I wish I would of know about full coverage. I bought a small one called Moonlight Owls and the stitch count is 196w x 196h so the stitched piece will be 14w x 14h so I bought a 14-count white aida 18" x 25" and I started it like I do all my projects which is in the middle and I am just pretending it is a regular cross stitch so now I am hoping this full coverage piece will look nice in the end. Your videos are very informative so thank you for showing us on how you do yours. I do not think I will finish this one in my lifetime but I am hoping that my daughter will pick it up to finish it. Happy Stitching.
That’s a shame about the piece you did for your friend, I’m sorry
Fat Quarter Shop is also a great resource for cross stitchers
I just got my first full coverage piece from HAED and I am so scared to start it lol I might for your starting video
I bought my first HAEDs with birthday money from my granny that year (end of January 2009). I was so intimidated that I didn't start it until Sept 1st. And then I went, 'wait, why was I scared of this?" I finally got that piece done and on the wall a few years ago. That was the start of my HAED obsession and I haven't looked back since.
Take extra time when starting it, go nice and slow, check often, fix any mistakes until you feel comfortable. Soon you will be stitching at your normal speed and confidence level. If the mistake is just a few stitches that would be almost impossible to take out I just stitch the correct color over it. I can't tell the difference on the finished project. You got this.
I think the only time I'd use a hand dyed or printed fabric for full coverage would be something like where I saw a HAED BB SAL that was a kitten and the stitcher used fabric with paw prints on it. I think I remember they were going to use the fabric as a mat/border.
Brilliant video would like to no how you deal with confetti sitches and starting and ending threads so its not like a carpet ?
Haha honestly that’s going to be impossible, with so many threads it’s going to be a carpet no matter what! It’s just all in how you stitch that makes it a short carpet versus a shag carpet 😂
Loved this video. Was super informative. I use reg 14 ct usually. I recently did a 18 ct and it just about dud me in.
I have a question. If I do a pattern that calls for 28 ct and I do it on 14 ct. Will it come out the same size as the 28 ct? I only use Aida.
I hear you about stitching for others. I did a piece for my girlfriend, probably 30+ yrs ago and she hung it up in her bathroom and believe it or not, it is still there to this day. She just loves it that much!! Happy stitching.
Look at the pattern by the recommended fabric and see if it says something along the lines of “over 2” or “over 2 fabric threads”. If it does, then yes it will be the same size as a 14 count. If it says over 1 then your 14 count piece will turn out twice the size so be sure to get a large enough piece of fabric
Great video Jenn, I have always stitched on 18 count aida(un grided ) but have been thinking about trying grided fabric. My thought is do you start on the grid line or not. My next full coverage piece will be on 25 count grided fabric...I'm taking the leap!😀
Part of your 100 stitch block is going to be on the grid line, it’s up to you which part! I make my bottom row and left side be the ones with the grid mark. I have two pieces I adopted from a friend that hers are on the top and right sides and it’s throwing me off when I pull them out 😂
I too loved this video, I do have a question, how far would you travel your thread between stitches?
One, maybe two blocks, so about 20-ish stitches in any direction. Any more than that and I may as well start a new thread! Exception to that would be if there’s one lone stitch and I can weave the carrying thread under existing thread in the back so it’s secured and doesn’t get caught on stuff
Hi Jenn, I really enjoyed this video. One question - after you pull some strands from your full set of floss how do you store them with your project? Thanks!
I wrap them back up on the bobbin and put it back in my master kit, I don’t keep floss in the project bags unless it’s a fancy floss
What's your view on where to start a full coverage piece? I'm planning on starting my first full coverage piece. It's about 50k and is a perfect circle. I'm nervous about starting it at the top and maybe getting something wrong placement wise! I've only ever started projects in the middle, but I've heard since full coverage people saying you can't start a full coverage in the middle.
You absolutely can start in the middle! You can start wherever you want to, and if I was doing a circular piece I would likely do that as well!