I enjoyed your tutorial, even though I have my own ( lazy, lol ) way of stitching full coverage projects. We both agree on one thing, though: only full crosses, nothing else will do. For me, it just isn't CROSS stitching without completed Xs. That's what I enjoy doing, even though it takes twice as long. I'm a bit of a beginner in full coverage as I started my first one two years ago and my second one last fall. The first one is a kit and came with gridded aida, and it actually threw me for a loop as I tried to pay attention to the ten by ten squares. It didn't come naturally for me at all, lol. Fortunately the grid lines are really pale and they have actually faded quite a bit since I stitch in hand and I guess the friction has resulted in the lines fading so I don't even see them anymore, lol, I just don't pay attention to them and that works much better for me. I just focus on the symbols and count the stitches between the different symbols to know that I am on the right track, that's how I progress. My second WIP is on a clean piece of 18ct aida and it's going fine! But the thing is, I don't stitch extreme cross country and don't venture too far away from the main stitched area, yet I also don't park or complete ten-by-ten areas with even rows of stitches, so it's easy to refer to the other stitches while following the pattern, it's like a game of tetris, I can make out the stitched area of the pattern and know where I am when looking at the chart, even without grid lines... don't know if that made sense but hey!
I loved seeing how you do things. You are so right about picking a piece that calls to you and that you absolutely love because you will be stitching on it for a long time. I always stitch pieces that I want to hang on my wall and admire. I am working on scenic farm by dimensions and it’s not full coverage and it’s driving me nuts with the empty spaces but it is a gift and I will finish it soon. Thank you for your tutorial. I will refer back to it for the fabric counts as I have only stitched on 18 count Adia. I just love aida! I think when I start my HAED I will be brave and try 25 count!
You are a good teacher! I understood everything you were describing and feel ready to make a decision and take the plunge! Now to find a project that speaks to me!
This was an Awesome tutorial Vani,you make a great teacher. I also agree with you that tent stitch would distort the picture a little....thats why Dimension patterns use tent stitch in the patterns with full crosses etc. Your the first person I've heard that thought the same thing. Ive always stitched on Aida so your tips on the other fabric made perfect sense plus now I could see how the stitch could slip underneath the weave of fabric. You thought of everything ....thank you. Looking forward to your next video and hopefully with your tutorial alot more people will try cross stitch and full coverage
Thank you for this tutorial. It has answered my question of 1 over 1 on 25 count. I always thought griding would take to much time but after seeing your way I just may try it in the future. You explained everything perfect.
I think the last point of making sure you really love the design is so important. I will be starting my first HAED in April, a SSMC and I know that it will take at least 5 years because I will have other wips. I enjoy your enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing.
your video just popped up on my screen and I so glad I did. As a new stitcher i have learned a couple of things I had questions about. Thank you so much for your sharing. 🎈🎈
thank you for this tutorial i have been stitching for years and i still learned something from you on how to start with one strand i would have been trying to stitch over the end thread at the back but i am going to give your method a go, thanks again, happy St Patricks Day from Ireland,
Hi Vani! Thanks so much for doing this video for those of us new to full coverage. As always, so clear and helpful and easy to follow. I love your stitching and your enthusiasm. Thanks for your generosity in sharing all of your expertise. Love from England. xxx
Thank you thank you!!! Such a wonderful chick full of answered questions I had. Your such a life saver!! New subscriber here!! Your the best! Hugs - christine
Great info full coverage is getting less scary however I am excited to start my first one. Been stitching for years but never stitched a dull coverage so here I go..lol
Wonderful tutorial! Very clearly explained. It is always fun to see how other people prefer to stitch, there is so many options out there. I did want to ask if you've heard of or tried The Needlebugg's tutorial on a single stranded loop start? It is definitely my go to method for starting. You don't have to flip your work at all and you have no annoying tails on the back to catch your thread on as your stitching.
Weds; 3*13*2022 Hi, Yani: Your videos are nice, clear, and understandable. So glad you made this video. I was getting confused with all the different fabric sizes. This helped a lot! However, would you be willing to show which size needles would be best? I heard regular hand sewing needles aren't recommended. I am a bit confused in that area too. Thank you! (from: Trish Maynard (pronounced "may- nerd") North Adams, Mass. USA)
Hmm, not so far. I usually for the excess fabric from the edges to lay in between the q snap and the stitches. Or I put a layer of tissue. And if they get a bit squashed, it will come out when I wash the project in the end.
Question: How do you manage your threads when stitching large pieces? Do you wind your threads onto bobbins, or do you keep the threads in skeins? I will be starting my first HAED, and I am going to try the diagonal method of stitching. Many thanks for your tutorials!
When you did the 1 thread start and stop and made loop at back after you knot it do you just cut the thread near knot or save a bit to stitch over or weave through ?
What a wonderful teaching video. I love how you did the single stitch, very useful. Do you cross each stitch as the symbol appears or do half stitches for all symbols then make the cross over?
I really wish I had started my first HAED on Aida instead of the gridded luguana that was suggested. I’m too far along now to change it so I’m just going to keep going, but after seeing multiple people use Aida I wish I had.
Thank you for your detailed tutorial . Its very helpful. I saw your Haed Dreamer tree max design and you are doing on 18 count. I bought that design too and am about to start on 25 ct aida but now im wondering if i should do it on 18 ct instead. Will the width of the pattern becomes too small if it is stitched on 25 ct as the pattern original width itself is not big. What do you suggest ? I do like tight and close coverage and i also like the details to be seen clearly and it pops out beautifully . I am always finding myself debating on what fabrics count to use . I spend hours deciding it at times. Do you have any tips for that , keeping the details on the patterns in mind ? Thank you.
I often spend allot of time deciding as well. You are going the regular size? 25 count would be fine. Depends on what you want your finished size to be.
How do you wash your cross stitch? My first ever project has a bit of the white showing and I want to try and fluff up the thread to hide a bit more of it lol
I gently wash in soapy water, rinse really well. Then wrap in large Terry cloth towel until most of the moisture is soaked by towel, then iron on the wrong side!
Could you do a companion video kind of like a stitch with me where you start stitching a brand new piece? I’d like to see how you actually start a piece, pick colors, start your diagonals, all that stuff. I love the stitch with me videos I see, but they are often when the people are already in the middle of a piece.
My biggest question is about all of the different types of evenweave. I know why linen is different, but how do you decide what type of evenweave to use for a full coverage piece?
Hmmm, that is a good question. I don't use linen because I don't like the irregularities. I use lugana. It's my favorite. I use hardanger fabric as well.
