Melly Mohow Thank you so much, Jan, for this great series. As a stitched who began in 1981 & now returning after a long absence, I learned so much. Oh my goodness - fractional stitches ... one of the first projects I did was a Precious Moments nativity piece on Aida (go big or stay home!). So many fractional stitches, especially to define the eyes of the figures!
I also usually start in the top, left corner, but it does depend sometimes on the pattern. If there’s no stitches near the corner, or if I need to be sure I have the same amount of extra fabric all around the piece, framing/finishing, I’ll start in the middle.
Another very helpful video. I had not realized that backstitch could be part of a stitch. I thought it always went on top of the stitching, which explained why it was always done last. Now I know :)
Very good video. Fractional stitchers are used quite regularly in the English magazines. Cross Stitcher. Cross Stitch Gold etc. and they have an explanation in the how to pages at the back of the mag regarding 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 stitches which is very helpful I’ve never used the thread counter so that was interesting. I just have a favourite ruler I pull out and count the threads.
Thank you, Jan!! As always, you explained everything with just the right amount of detail, showing things up close and personal! This has been a fantastic Basics series and I've learned so much from watching!
Thanks so much for these tutorials, I learned so much especially the fractional stitches. I have avoided patterns with these. I now feel I can try a pattern with fractional.
Thanks for talking about fractional stitches. Being a fairly new stitcher, when I stitched a Mira, I had no idea how to do those fractional stitches and it turns out I was doing them wrong 😂 oh well
Jan, thank you for these videos. They have been so helpful! By any chance did you ever talk about how to decide what size needle to choose? If I missed that somehow, would you point me back to the right video? I have been choosing 24 or 26 but I have no idea why or if it matters the needle size by what fabric count you are using. Thanks again!!!
Hmm, I don’t think I talked needle size in a separate video, but I know I did talk about needle size somewhere. Lol. The main info that I shared, though, came from information from Mary Corbett’s website. She has several blog posts on needles, and while she mostly does surface embroidery, her tips are relevant no matter why type of needlework you do. Here is a link to one of her articles, with others linked in it - www.needlenthread.com/2019/09/embroidery-needle-facts-three-points-worth-knowing.html
Thank you Jan! I am a new cross stitcher and I have loved this whole series. Its has taught me so much. I have one question. I started trying evenweave and I fell in love with monaco. Now I hear that it's not going to be made anymore. Is that true? If it is then what is a close evenweave? I love how thick and dense it is. Also I love that it takes up color so beautifully. Thanks for your time
I think last year there was talk about it being discontinued, but there was a huge outcry against it. I don’t know whether someone else is making it now, or distributing it, but I am pretty sure that it is going to continue to be available. Both Fat Quarter Shop and 123stitch carry it.
Very good jan so helpful. I love those gadgets. How about a gadget corner? I brought a Qsnap and at first I moved but I got it out the other day and I thought what was I thinking. It was awlful. I just like hoops.
Yep, we all have to find what works best for us. I don’t know that I have enough gadgets to do a consistent gadget corner, but I try to mention cool things when I come across them.Thanks Joanne!
Thank you for your informative videos. I learned a lot and realized some things I have been doing wrong. I would like to know how to figure out the size of a project when you have changed the thread count. Ex. 40 count project is 6×4 how big is same project on 14 count? You teach in a way that I can understand. Not everyone is able to do that. Thank you for taking your time to help others.
Hi Jacky. The easiest way to figure out that change is to use a fabric calculator. One of the popular one’s out there is this one from Yarn Tree - www.yarntree.com/java/xstitchcal.htm
LOL. Yeah, H2 passes right above where our complex is, so when we have the doors/windows open, you can hear all of the traffic noise. It has just become background noise for us now, though.
Do you happen to know if there is a cross stitch stand (not a floor stand) that can be used with either a hoop or a q-snap? I have a larger project that I think would go faster if I could stitch with one hand on top and one underneath. This has been an excellent series even for those of us who have been stitching for some time.
I know there are a variety of lap stands out there, but I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with them to know which ones handle what kind of hoop or Qsnap. Sorry about that.
Thank you so much for this lots of good tips and tricks! I have a question about framing I have heard that your stitching should not touch the glass that you need passepartout or framing spacers but what happens to the fabric if it touches the glass?
Well, with variegated floss, you’ll want to decide what kind of look you want, and base how you stitch on that, whether it’s one stitch at a time or out and back. Check out my Basics video on stitching with variegated floss to get a feel for what the different ways look like.
For something like this, you want to work on either a higher count or over one on something like 25 or 28 ct if you want it to look as realistic as possible. Of course, a lot of the realistic look comes from the detail in the pattern, how many colors, how big the pattern is, etc. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
I might have missed it, but did you cover parking? I heard you had a video on that, but I haven't been able to find it. I've always to learn to park without getting into tangled mess.
No, I don’t have a video on parking. I decided there are so many others out there that cover that, and who are much more “pro” at it than I am, that I would stay away from that subject.
Good stuff Jan! Thanks. I do have a question for you please. I am doing ‘Home’ by Pineberry on 14 ct Aida, and not sure how to add the ‘grass’ under the house. If on linen/evenweave (called for), would be fine to do the satin stitches and they’d be close together. So on Aida, not so much. Do I just do a stitch between, like in the half stitches to fill it in? Appreciate your help.
Hmm, I think I would play around on the margin of your fabric a bit to see what looked best. Maybe try adding another strand of floss and try the satin stitch and see if that fills in the gaps better. If not, try it with the stitch in between. I would have to do that kind of playing to see what would work. Hope this helps!
Only for as long as I’m working on it. Like, in general, I may work on one of those projects for 4 or 5 days. I leave it on the frame for that time, but then remove it and put it back in it’s fabric project bag until the next time it comes out to play.
First, that would be equivalent to a 9 ct fabric, if there is such a thing, so the stitch is going to be pretty big, and you’re going to want to use more than 2 strands. Maybe 4. If it were me, I’d have to test to see how many strands would work. Again, email me and we’ll talk offline.
Actually fraction stitches are very common. I’ve bought 30 patterns from many companies these last couple of months and every single pattern I got has fractional stitches. This includes patterns from hobby lobby Walmart Michael’s joanns and eBay.
Well, because it’s aida, you have the squares, right? So you’re going over each square, just like on any other count of aida. Do you want to email me a photo of what you’re doing, and I can see if I can tell if there’s something wrong? My email is jan@madforyarn.com
Jan Hicks Creates Hello the email goes to your website because it is not a proper email address. you put jan@madforyarn.com. i talked about stitching on 18 ct aida 1 thread or two and one sq or two? I do not know which is right.I do Two floss over one square. is it wrong? i cannot send photo as requested no email for you.
Anne Mousseau That’s the correct email address, so I’m not sure why I’m not getting it, but anyway, on 18 ct, you would usually just stitch over 1 square, just as with any other aida. The how many threads question is a bit trickier. Some people like two strands on 18 ct aida, and some people like 1. I prefer 1. Do you feel like the two strands is too much, too bulky, or do you like the look? That’s basically what it comes down to, which you, personally like better. But yes, over 1 square is the usual way to do it.
I've gleaned a lot of hints/tips from your videos. I've stitched a long time, but I'm definitely not an expert. Thanks for you explanations. You have also been helpful for me to get outside my comfort zones and try different patterns/techniques/fabrics/tools, etc :) I don't think I've seen all of the videos....did you address adding beads?? I ask b/c I ordered a small kit that includes beads and their explanation doesn't help me. Thank you for your time.
Thank you Jan I would love to sit and stitch with you and pick your brain you have help me a lot since I’m still on Aida, my eyes are bad I can’t seem to find the patterns on even weave now I’ll keep trying with the help of your videos . I would love to see more on finding the lines on even weave and counting over two, I’m not sure why but it’s super hard for me to see, I know if I can see it it will click, also the sewing method I haven’t figured that out either, yes I’m very beginner. 🤓
I would say hold off on the sewing method until you have a better feel for stitching on evenweave. And just practice on a small piece. Don’t even worry about a pattern. Just practice make a stitch and a line of stitches, and a block of stitches until you get comfortable with seeing those “squares” on the evenweave. Also, make sure you have really good lighting and a magnifier. And the bottom line is, evenweave may not be the best fit for you. So if it is still not working, don’t worry about it and continue on with aida.
Jan Hicks Creates thank you for the advice Jan very helpful, I know I might have to stick with Aida but I sure love all those hand died fabrics so beautiful, I’ll take your advice and keep practicing. Have a great day
Melly Mohow
Thank you so much, Jan, for this great series. As a stitched who began in 1981 & now returning after a long absence, I learned so much. Oh my goodness - fractional stitches ... one of the first projects I did was a Precious Moments nativity piece on Aida (go big or stay home!). So many fractional stitches, especially to define the eyes of the figures!
Thanks so much for these tutorials, l learned so much from watching you 🌷
Glad you found them helpful!
Great teaching! Thank you!
I started going from left instead of middle and it’s easier for me
I also usually start in the top, left corner, but it does depend sometimes on the pattern. If there’s no stitches near the corner, or if I need to be sure I have the same amount of extra fabric all around the piece, framing/finishing, I’ll start in the middle.
Another very helpful video. I had not realized that backstitch could be part of a stitch. I thought it always went on top of the stitching, which explained why it was always done last. Now I know :)
Well, it would still be done last, but it does complete the stitch when you are talking about fractional stitches.
Thank you Jan for this cross stitch series basics I am new to stitch ing an this has been a blessing to me thank you for doing this!
Another great video Jan to keep us updated on what we should remember...thanks❤️
Very good video. Fractional stitchers are used quite regularly in the English magazines. Cross Stitcher. Cross Stitch Gold etc. and they have an explanation in the how to pages at the back of the mag regarding 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 stitches which is very helpful
I’ve never used the thread counter so that was interesting. I just have a favourite ruler I pull out and count the threads.
Thankyou so much fo all you do !
Thank you, Jan!! As always, you explained everything with just the right amount of detail, showing things up close and personal! This has been a fantastic Basics series and I've learned so much from watching!
Thanks so much, Amy! So glad you found it useful! It was fun to do!
Thanks so much for these tutorials, I learned so much especially the fractional stitches. I have avoided patterns with these. I now feel I can try a pattern with fractional.
Thank you Jan this series taught me a lot. I've never stitched on linen, now I'll give it a try.
Thankyou so much for this series, it has been so helpful for me. I really appreciate all the time and thought you have put into the videos 😃
Thanks so much, Julie! Glad you found them useful!
Thank you so much for doing this. Have really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to educate us.
I learned a lot. Thank you.
Thank you for the video. You do beautiful work.
Thank you, Linda!
Thanks for talking about fractional stitches. Being a fairly new stitcher, when I stitched a Mira, I had no idea how to do those fractional stitches and it turns out I was doing them wrong 😂 oh well
Jan, thank you for these videos. They have been so helpful! By any chance did you ever talk about how to decide what size needle to choose? If I missed that somehow, would you point me back to the right video? I have been choosing 24 or 26 but I have no idea why or if it matters the needle size by what fabric count you are using. Thanks again!!!
Hmm, I don’t think I talked needle size in a separate video, but I know I did talk about needle size somewhere. Lol. The main info that I shared, though, came from information from Mary Corbett’s website. She has several blog posts on needles, and while she mostly does surface embroidery, her tips are relevant no matter why type of needlework you do. Here is a link to one of her articles, with others linked in it - www.needlenthread.com/2019/09/embroidery-needle-facts-three-points-worth-knowing.html
Thank you!
Thank you Jan! I am a new cross stitcher and I have loved this whole series. Its has taught me so much. I have one question. I started trying evenweave and I fell in love with monaco. Now I hear that it's not going to be made anymore. Is that true? If it is then what is a close evenweave? I love how thick and dense it is. Also I love that it takes up color so beautifully. Thanks for your time
I think last year there was talk about it being discontinued, but there was a huge outcry against it. I don’t know whether someone else is making it now, or distributing it, but I am pretty sure that it is going to continue to be available. Both Fat Quarter Shop and 123stitch carry it.
Very good jan so helpful. I love those gadgets. How about a gadget corner? I brought a Qsnap and at first I moved but I got it out the other day and I thought what was I thinking. It was awlful. I just like hoops.
Yep, we all have to find what works best for us. I don’t know that I have enough gadgets to do a consistent gadget corner, but I try to mention cool things when I come across them.Thanks Joanne!
Jan Hicks Creates cool I just realised I type moved instead of loved it. Oh auto correct 😜
These are very helpful Jan ,but l am still nervous of evenweave ,and counting .
Can you tell me the name of the kit you showed at 20:36? I love the colors and the "bargello"!
It is called A Flamestitch Sampler by The Scarlett Letter.
Thank you for your informative videos. I learned a lot and realized some things I have been doing wrong. I would like to know how to figure out the size of a project when you have changed the thread count. Ex. 40 count project is 6×4 how big is same project on 14 count? You teach in a way that I can understand. Not everyone is able to do that. Thank you for taking your time to help others.
Hi Jacky. The easiest way to figure out that change is to use a fabric calculator. One of the popular one’s out there is this one from Yarn Tree - www.yarntree.com/java/xstitchcal.htm
😂 siren 🚨 they knows ur ripping up ur seams 😂 the first time we moved to Mililani I freaked out
LOL. Yeah, H2 passes right above where our complex is, so when we have the doors/windows open, you can hear all of the traffic noise. It has just become background noise for us now, though.
Do you happen to know if there is a cross stitch stand (not a floor stand) that can be used with either a hoop or a q-snap? I have a larger project that I think would go faster if I could stitch with one hand on top and one underneath. This has been an excellent series even for those of us who have been stitching for some time.
I know there are a variety of lap stands out there, but I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with them to know which ones handle what kind of hoop or Qsnap. Sorry about that.
Thank you so much for this lots of good tips and tricks! I have a question about framing I have heard that your stitching should not touch the glass that you need passepartout or framing spacers but what happens to the fabric if it touches the glass?
I think it’s just that you don’t want anything pressing down on the stitches, essentially smooshing them down.
Jan Hicks Creates Thank you
Stitching with variagated floss 2 over 1 on aida 18ct, Do you stitch it like regular dmc floss?
Well, with variegated floss, you’ll want to decide what kind of look you want, and base how you stitch on that, whether it’s one stitch at a time or out and back. Check out my Basics video on stitching with variegated floss to get a feel for what the different ways look like.
What would be the best count for custom portrait of people?
For something like this, you want to work on either a higher count or over one on something like 25 or 28 ct if you want it to look as realistic as possible. Of course, a lot of the realistic look comes from the detail in the pattern, how many colors, how big the pattern is, etc. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
@@JanHicksCreates so that would be 25-28 stitches per inch right?
I might have missed it, but did you cover parking? I heard you had a video on that, but I haven't been able to find it. I've always to learn to park without getting into tangled mess.
No, I don’t have a video on parking. I decided there are so many others out there that cover that, and who are much more “pro” at it than I am, that I would stay away from that subject.
Jan Hicks Creates for some reason, I think Kimberly Jolly thinks you do because I had not heard of you until she mentioned you on her channel.
Good stuff Jan! Thanks. I do have a question for you please. I am doing ‘Home’ by Pineberry on 14 ct Aida, and not sure how to add the ‘grass’ under the house. If on linen/evenweave (called for), would be fine to do the satin stitches and they’d be close together. So on Aida, not so much. Do I just do a stitch between, like in the half stitches to fill it in? Appreciate your help.
Hmm, I think I would play around on the margin of your fabric a bit to see what looked best. Maybe try adding another strand of floss and try the satin stitch and see if that fills in the gaps better. If not, try it with the stitch in between. I would have to do that kind of playing to see what would work. Hope this helps!
Jan Hicks Creates Thanks Jan. I will give those ideas a try. Have been stumped. Thank you again. 💕
Hi Jan,
Question, do you leave your project in the hoop, qsnap or frames?
Only for as long as I’m working on it. Like, in general, I may work on one of those projects for 4 or 5 days. I leave it on the frame for that time, but then remove it and put it back in it’s fabric project bag until the next time it comes out to play.
If you want to 2 floss over 2 squares how do you do that please on 18 ct aida?
First, that would be equivalent to a 9 ct fabric, if there is such a thing, so the stitch is going to be pretty big, and you’re going to want to use more than 2 strands. Maybe 4. If it were me, I’d have to test to see how many strands would work. Again, email me and we’ll talk offline.
Jan silks, what size needle do you use?
Whatever size is needed for the fabric I’m using. I don’t use a special needle for silks.
what would the equivalent be for 18 ct in evenweave? is it 36ct?
Yes, multiply by 2, so 36 ct.
Hi! Where do I find the first video of this series? Mahalo , Bev
Hi Bev! You can find it here: th-cam.com/video/Tuq40ZE_3So/w-d-xo.html
Let me know if you have any questions!
Actually fraction stitches are very common. I’ve bought 30 patterns from many companies these last couple of months and every single pattern I got has fractional stitches. This includes patterns from hobby lobby Walmart Michael’s joanns and eBay.
what does stitching 1 over 1 look like on 18 ct aida? I think I may be doing it wrong.
Well, because it’s aida, you have the squares, right? So you’re going over each square, just like on any other count of aida. Do you want to email me a photo of what you’re doing, and I can see if I can tell if there’s something wrong? My email is jan@madforyarn.com
Jan Hicks Creates Hello the email goes to your website because it is not a proper email address. you put jan@madforyarn.com. i talked about stitching on 18 ct aida 1 thread or two and one sq or two? I do not know which is right.I do Two floss over one square. is it wrong? i cannot send photo as requested no email for you.
Anne Mousseau That’s the correct email address, so I’m not sure why I’m not getting it, but anyway, on 18 ct, you would usually just stitch over 1 square, just as with any other aida. The how many threads question is a bit trickier. Some people like two strands on 18 ct aida, and some people like 1. I prefer 1. Do you feel like the two strands is too much, too bulky, or do you like the look? That’s basically what it comes down to, which you, personally like better. But yes, over 1 square is the usual way to do it.
I've gleaned a lot of hints/tips from your videos. I've stitched a long time, but I'm definitely not an expert. Thanks for you explanations. You have also been helpful for me to get outside my comfort zones and try different patterns/techniques/fabrics/tools, etc :) I don't think I've seen all of the videos....did you address adding beads?? I ask b/c I ordered a small kit that includes beads and their explanation doesn't help me. Thank you for your time.
Thank you Jan I would love to sit and stitch with you and pick your brain you have help me a lot since I’m still on Aida, my eyes are bad I can’t seem to find the patterns on even weave now I’ll keep trying with the help of your videos . I would love to see more on finding the lines on even weave and counting over two, I’m not sure why but it’s super hard for me to see, I know if I can see it it will click, also the sewing method I haven’t figured that out either, yes I’m very beginner. 🤓
I would say hold off on the sewing method until you have a better feel for stitching on evenweave. And just practice on a small piece. Don’t even worry about a pattern. Just practice make a stitch and a line of stitches, and a block of stitches until you get comfortable with seeing those “squares” on the evenweave. Also, make sure you have really good lighting and a magnifier. And the bottom line is, evenweave may not be the best fit for you. So if it is still not working, don’t worry about it and continue on with aida.
Jan Hicks Creates thank you for the advice Jan very helpful, I know I might have to stick with Aida but I sure love all those hand died fabrics so beautiful, I’ll take your advice and keep practicing. Have a great day