first of all I love to watch people stitch and secondly I use a laying tool myself so I loved the video. I made myself a trolley needle because my hands are so small. it made such a difference in my stitching because I use higher count aida and therfore 3 strands. I love that no matter the number of strands it makes your stitches so neat
I use a trolley needle in very much the same way. I love the difference it makes in my stitches. Tried railroading and came to the same conclusion as you. I love your laying tool though because it was handcrafted by your hubs! It is really beautiful! Such a thoughtful gift, an heirloom really, and a great way for him to be involved with every stitch you make 💜
I started using a laying tool and love it. I love how my stitches lay now. I will admit it did take time to get use to it but the end results was the big payoff.
What a gorgeous laying tool and a true labor of love ❤️ I’ve not tried using one but I’m up for giving it a go after watching this splendid video..thank you! 😊
your stitches are soooo beautiful!! and that tool is amazing!! I've been thinking about using a laying tool lately and I think this has tipped to scales. I just have to find the right thing to use. I'm sure I have something suitable lying around :)
Good tutorial. I just wish you would of added using it at your normal, no one watching pace. So that we could see how much more time using this tool would take vs not using one.
Thank you. I've been using it so long it doesn't really slow me down at all. Anyone starting out is going to find it slower at first. Just the same as people who railroad their stitches. Starting out with any new technique is slower at first.
If you use the "railroad" method on the top stitch it accomplishes the same thing without a laying tool. Once you come up in hole 3 of a 4 part cross stitch, put your needle between the two threads before you go down in hole number 4. Your threads automatically lay parallel. (works for 2 ply projects only).
Hi. You seems like an experienced cross stitcher. I have a follower that asked me about cross stitching from the back "backwards way." She said that technique gives the front a more clean look due to the tension of the threads. I have never heard of it. Do you know? If so, please share. Thanks.
I am teaching myself how to Crosstitch normally I'd like to embroidery but I thought I would learn how to Crosstitch but I guess I was kind of wondering do you move from color to color are do you do all of one color and then move onto the next color
+Trina Portnerh Trina either way is fine. It's totally a personal choice. If there are defined blocks of colour I'll stitch a full section of colour before moving to the next colour. If there a lot of confetti stitches I'll work in small sections on the chart changing colours as I go and parking my thread in the next space it's needed.
Thanks for the tip. I’m still learning all the different techniques to cross stitching. Does this tool help prevent tangling your floss at the back? I often get a knot if the floss is to long and then it tangles. Also where can I buy one of these types of tools from?
It may help prevent tangling. I rarely have tangled knots on the back of my work. If you do a search on etsy for laying tools there are a number of people that sell them or you can also find them at any needlework supply shop like 123stitch online.
If your stitches are too tight, usually you'll end up pulling the fabric holes open more and you'll find it too hard to push your needle through the back of your work.
I have been cross stitching for at least 27 years sorry in my opinion I don't see the point to it it seams cumbersome and slows ya down a x is a x i don't see how much you can do to improve it its just A simple x thats why I like cross stitch its simple not like embroidery where you have to know all different kind of stitches .just my 2 cents
You've been stitching just about as long as I have and are entitled to your opinion. I don't always use my laying tool. Just on large full coverage pieces with lots of background that's solid colour. I find the threads lay more evenly and because I've been using it so long it doesn't really slow me down. Some newer stitchers have issues with their threads twisting and with their tension and a laying tool can actually help those issues. Thanks for watching. ☺
