both baby size, both for sale in the shop.
i am trying to start adding a few things everyday that have been sitting around waiting for a home. check back often, i have lots.
copyright
© 2012 kelly mccaleb
back in the shop
more wallpaper quilt kits now in the shop!
available in baby or twin/throw sizes.
queen/king available upon request, just email me.
how to cross stitch
you need woven fabric that has even squares to stitch your x's into. i prefer to just use cross stitch cloth packaged for that purpose, because you can buy it based on how many stitches per inch you want. a pattern you follow will tell you which one to purchase (or you can draw your own designs on grid paper, too). i like 16 count the best- but it's totally your own preference. it's inexpensive and at every craft store. you also need a hoop.
there's only a couple rules to cross stitching correctly. one, you don't want to make knots on the back, it will make the finished product bumpy. instead leave a tail in the back when you first pull up the string and catch the tail with the first few stitches. and two, always do your stitches the same way. like, first, i always stitch from bottom left to top right and then i cross it the other way. it goes faster if you do all the bottom stitches then come back and cross them all.
always start in the center of your design and work out from there. literally count the squares and match them up to the pattern. where the pattern grid has a green x, you make a green x. it's that simple. work each color in its entirety, then the next and the next colors. be careful not to knot up your thread. you can usually pull little loopy knots out easily, but if you can't it is worth the time to get a new length of thread going. uniformity in x's is the key to a good looking design at the end.
when you are almost out of thread, or when you are done with a color, remember don't make knots, just slide the needle through some stitches in the back of the work and then cut off the extra. oh i almost forgot, embroidery thread comes in 6 string thickness. every pattern/ person has different preferences for the thickness they like to stitch the design with. i like a single strand. the correct way to separate the threads is to hold solid how many you want and slide all the rest down and off.
sometimes you use a backstitch to make skinny details or words. but really that's it. when you're done you can frame it, but i like to just glue the excess fabric back and keep it in the hoop. i love cross stitching, it is something you can do in bed with way less concentrating than knitting and is so portable. love it.
if you want to make this one, here's the pattern. as long as you start in the center of your canvas you can stitch this on any size canvas with any hoop and any colors. mine is in a 4" hoop with 16 count fabric.
and remember the home series is for sale here.
new in the shop
i'm obsessed with cross stitch lately. i designed this home series for a blank wall above my night stand, and loved it so much i decided to write the patterns and add them to the shop as a pdf download. all five patterns are included in the download. no instruction on how to cross stitch is included, however, it's the easiest needle work in exsistence and there is a wealth of info on the how to of it on the interweb- anyone can do it for real. i do think i will make a post soon that shows my process and tips though! ps- i get all my hoops and thread for quarters thrifting. cross stitch cloth is at every craft store at minimal cost. try it! it's so fun and relaxing.
purchase the pattern set here.
are you kidding me?
just a week ago, miss freshly picked, took knitting 102 at my house. and she already finished the project perfectly. good grief, the student is quickly going to surpass the teacher, i think. it makes sense though since she's amazing with all things handmade. like these moccasins, which are my number one reason to continue to persevere through fertility junk. i MUST have a baby to wear these. or i will die. too dramatic? well, i mean...look at them:
seriously. i die.
more wallpaper quilt kits now available
after this last week's thrifting adventures, i finally have re-stocked my vintage floral fabrics enough to offer more wallpaper quilt kits in the shop. and good news! they now come in baby size, too! the baby size comes with a back fabric, even. to purchase the twin/throw size kit, go here. for the baby size kit, here. thanks and thanks!
