Cross Stitch Laying Tool vs Railroading for Neater Stitches 

I tend to only railroad the top of my cross stitches, the bottom stitches can do what they like it's none of my business.

Didn't know what a laying tool was until you explained it. I finally learned what railroading was a few months ago. I usually don't bother with it unless my stitches are really not looking right, and then I do the top leg. I've found that if I let the floss spin once in awhile it lays nicer and my worst stitches seem to be at the end of my thread.

I won't live without a laying tool. I love it. Though, I will say I ALWAYS use it in needlepoint, and only sometimes for cross stitch. It makes a HUGE difference in the thicker threads and yarn used in needlepoint. Here are my tips: 1. Try keeping the laying tool as flat as possible against the fabric. This will help keep those threads in position as you do the following. 2. Instead of inserting it into the loop after placing your needle, pull the needle/thread in the opposite direction of the hole and use the laying tool to stroke the threads into position, holding them in place against the fabric as you insert the needle and pull the thread through. Makes for a much smoother motion. (LMK if you'd like me to point you to a quick demo I have.) Also, I prefer the handled version, but can only use it when using a stand. So I use the trolley needle when I'm holding my frame. I go between wearing it on my index finger or thumb, depending on where I'm holding the frame or what area I'm stitching. I do sometimes need to hold my work upside down to reach a given area. While tricky to hold on to, you can also try out the technique with a tapestry needle. Some trolley needles are literally just tapestry needles attached to thimbles. My results with railroading are always unsatisfactory. Sometimes it works, but my threads often still twist regardless, so I rarely bother.

Thank you for showing these techniques. I use both (although sometimes my laying tool is just another needle) and also the frog stitch. Sometimes I have to 'rip out' stitches and try again. Usually just one or two. Drop the thread. Railroad for a bit. And there should be an improvement. This happens mostly when I'm trying to use that last bit of floss. It's too short and getting twisted. I know that I shouldn't force 'just one more stitch.' It helps to end that thread and start with a new piece of floss.

Well as a Happy 73 Year Old Ager You Both have taught me some great Visual images with sound reasoning,,,,Who says You can’t teach this old Mare some new tricks?…..loved “Crack On”…..do I understand it to me “carry on”?

Fantastic video - very informative. I've always wanted more details about this very topic. Thank you!

My main problem with these methods is their fiddlyness - I do the "hold the project in your left hand kinda draped between you fingers and stitch like you're sewing" method of cross stitching (although to me this is simply known as cross stitch - the internet's fascination with hoops and frames is baffling to me). What I love about cross stitch is the flow of it, how casual and easy it is. Adding this level of carefulness to each and every stitch sounds like a nightmare - granted, I haven't tried them, but they just look like they'd suck the joy out of the craft for me. As for coverage I tend to favour working with three strands on most fabric - not only is there less need for any careful stitches, but you can also get more subtle colour changes (especially useful since I'm using second hand floss instead of buying the "proper" colours). I've also found that just adding a single strand to the top stitch is a great way to shift a colour after the fact without adding any noticeable bulk.

Have you done a video on tension? I just discovered if I stitch with a hoop and railroad, my stitches are almost perfect. No hoop and stitching in hand, the first stitch is looser, then the top stitch is tighter and it all tends to look messier, even with railroading the top stitch. Thanks for this video.

I learned a lot in this video! I even think I'll try railroading to see if my stitches can look better this way or if I am doomed 🤭 Thank you Michelle! 🥰

This was a great refresher on railroading, which I definitely needed as I'm about to start a project for my soon-to-be nibbling and I have not stitched in months. Thanks. :D

Great video! I recently started using a laying tool and a trolley needle. Haven’t decided which one I like best, but I do like using them. I only use these tools one the top leg of the stitches. Where these tools seem to help, is when your thread is getting shorter and twisting more. I also found if I rub the thread too much, it starts to get curly.

Thank you for the very clear demo and explanation! I prefer stitching in hand and have been blaming that for less than ideal stitches when railroading. But I think it may be because I'm placing the needle too far from the fabric! Going to try getting closer over the next few days to see if I notice improvement.

Hi from the US. I have been wanting to comment on a knitting video but they aren’t very recent. The next time you get the urge to knit, try the Entrelac style. It’s not for the faint of heart. But once you get you get it.

Interesting, I will have to check that out!

Thank you so much for the video! I’m possibly the world’s slowest stitcher due to some hand shenanigans, but this makes me think maybe using either of these techniques might make my floss chicken a little neater, instead of the stringy mess it usually becomes 😂

I use a seam ripper if I have some stitches or hat don't want to lay right.

Thank you so very much. New subscriber & love your channel!

Thank you for sharing this. 😊

I've started railroading since you're "how to stitch faster video" (ironic I know 😂) and it does seem more consistent but on lazier days I still manage to have wonkey stitches here and there. The laying tool is intriguing though, it does seem to look much neater strangely enough. I do wonder how much is down to which is your favorite side of the fabric (left-handed/right-handed) and frames sometimes work against me. I did enjoy the demonstration of all three methods and will be checking if I have any crochet hooks or something that can lend itself as a laying tool!

I'm too slow to add these although the laying tool does a nice job. But if I was wearing it I'd poke my eye out for sure.

I only rail-road my half stitches per personal preference & full black stich on white fabric for the coverage

Try putting the trolley needle the on the other side of your little finger. I find this much easier. 😊

I use a different method.i pull my needle close to the canvas till there is only a smal part of thread left between the hole and the needle. After i rotate my needle 90 degress, i hold my finger on the top of the needle (not the tip, but the part next to the hole thats facing the roof now) i hold the thread in my other hand and pull my needle till nearly the end of the thread. Since the needle is not sharp inside the hole it wont fray. But all the threads laying now next to each other. So i dont need anything else. It wont take long and last for many stitches. Its hard to explain but i tried my best 😂 hope you could understand😅

I find that a laying tool is particularly helpful in needlepoint.

What is that holding your qsnap? Can't find anything that fits thicker than a hoop.

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I'm new to your channel. Do you have any advice for people who stitch with 3 strands?

Only railroad white stiches

The laying method is very interesting, but to me the puffiness of the stitches gives the piece more texture and more life in my eyes. I feel having the laying tool would make the piece look too flat. It was interesting to learn, but I will stitck to not using the laying method.

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