Cross Stitching FTW!

This weekend I decided to get back into cross stitching.  I can't quite remember when I first started, but I know it has been a couple of years since I did one.  I had always gotten a kit that included everything and then would go from there.  This time I wanted to do some projects that didn't involve those kits.  So I looked online and found a pattern that I liked and I even made a couple as well using Excel.  This way I knew the project would interest me and I wouldn't start it only to leave it in the back of a closet somewhere, never to be completed.

The weekend started with a trip to Michaels.  Since I wasn't using a kit, I would need to buy everything that would be required.  I grabbed all the colours of floss I needed, Size 22 tapestry needles (round end), a 6" hoop and 14 count aida fabric.  I chose the 14 count, as that is what I am most familiar with and the 22 needles are what is recommended for that count.  With purchases in hand, I was ready to begin.

It actually took me quite awhile to get going.  Not being familiar with cross stitching without a kit, I was a bit nervous that I would screw it up.  I decided to go with an actual pattern that I had found rather than one I had made just to ease the transition.  I nervously cut my fabric to be around 8X10 since that is roughly how large the pattern was.  I left a few inches on all sides just in case.  I wasn't exactly sure how big it was going to be in the end.  I then folded my fabric into quarters and marked the center.  Once that was done, I taped all the edges to prevent fraying.  I used scotch tape on three sides, and then since I ran out, packing tape on the fourth side.  As it turns out the packing tape worked the best.  The scotch tape was recommended online, but I found it wasn't sticky enough and didn't really hold onto the fabric well.  The Internet also recommended that I iron my fabric first, but since I was using a hoop, I decided that ironing really wasn't necessary since it would get hoop lines in it anyway.  After this I found center on my pattern and I was ready to go.

It took me a bit to get back into the actual stitching, but after a couple of rows I started to get the hang of it again.  I started off doing every stitch, just so I could recall what I was doing.  Then I moved into doing half stitch rows; going back over the row to complete the stitches.  This method seems to be faster, but that could very well be an illusion.

I chose a simple pattern, so was done by Sunday evening.  I ironed the fabric flat and framed it just using a dollar store frame, and trimming a bit of the excess fabric on all sides.  All in all, I am very happy with the results, and I am looking forward to more complicated cross stitches in the future.  I am also glad that I picked it back up so easily.  I guess it is just one of those skills you never really forget.