Where is the best place to begin a cross stitch pattern?

Question

I am a novice Cross Stitcher and have purchased a Thomas Kinkade printed kit. I've already put samples of the corresponding floss by the stitch symbol chart and taped the edges of my canvas to prevent fraying. I'm ready to start the project, but I'm noticing that the chart and the actual print on the canvas are not matching up in the count. For instance, there are more squares on the chart from a point to the edge than there are from the corresponding point on the print to the edge of the printed canvas. I"m also noticing that the chart and printed canvas aren't really matching up from point to point either. I seem to remember my mom saying something about finding the center of the canvas and starting from there. So can someone who is practiced and knowledgable about this craft please tell me how one follows an embellished cross stitich pattern correctly?

Answer 1

I too purchased a Thomas Kinkade printed kit and it really isn't a cross stitch pattern...it is a piece of work that you need to use your creative side, the pattern (paper part) really is just the guide the real work is the adia cloth, use it exclusively and use the paper part as a guide for color and you should be fine. If you have a scroll hoop I would use it as a circle hoop would make things harder to frame later. Slow and steady is my recommendation. It is the type that isn't ment to follow the pattern exactly but to have an artistic flavor to it.... good luck

Answer 2

Whenever you start a new project, fold the material into fours; ie: first lengthwise and then widthwise. When you open the material back up, the center of the fabric, where the folds have met in the center, will be your starting point.
On the pattern itself, look on the top and the sides of the pattern. You should see small arrows, pointing down and into the pattern. Follow the lines that they are on down and into the the grid and where they intersect is the starting point of the pattern; you start there and work your way out.
Other little helpers: Don't leave your work in a hoop, unless it is a scroll frame. The hoop stresses the material and can leave a permanent mark. Don't leave a needle within the pattern area itself, it can also leave unwanted marks like rust. Make sure your hands are free of lotions because this can dirty and stain your threads and your material.
I have been cross stitching for 22 years and I have not done any embellished projects like you are working with, but I hope this helps you get started.

Answer 3

I make sure I know where my middle is but actually I start stitching in the upper lefthand corner. I fold my cloth both ways and count up and to the left how many ever stitches the pattern goes in those directions. I started doing this because I noticed that the middle had a more "worn" look than the outter edges because of my hand brushing up against the first stitches throughout the stitching of the entire pattern. Yes, I'm a little backwards, but it works for me. I use a highlighting marker also. It's so much easier to have where I've already worked marked off.

Answer 4

In the middle. I fold the fabric in half making a small crease, then open and fole in half sideways with smal crease. Take a thread and go into the fabric marking the crease and you will find your middle . after you have started the piece you can just pull these threads out.

I also take a yellow high lighter and mark my middle on the pattern and after doing a section I highlight that so you know where you have been. Yellow is best because if you want to copy the pattern to do again, yellow does not photocopy and you will have a fresh pattern again.

I work from the middle and decide which way to go on the pattern. I also keep the same color going in that direction and when it is time to change color you will have all that color for that section done.

Good luck! Try About.com for craft answers they are pretty good.

Happy New Year!

Answer 5

I have been cross stitching for almost 30 years. I always start at the bottom, I don't know why. I have to say though that you bit off a lot for a beginning scoss stitcher by doing a Thomas Kincade piece. They are usually complicated and color intensive...Best of luck to you, w/ that one. I would reccomend a book called The Cross Stitchers Bible, available at Amazon.com. It has ALL the stitches and fundamentals in it.

Answer 6

I start right in the middle so its simple to have that ring on- and with a part that is clearly defined.remember that cross stitch is made on tons of little X's and mistakes will only be picked up on by you