6 Tips for Beginning Cross Stitchers
If you’re new to cross stitch, here are a few tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of your new crafting hobby!
Tip #1 - Don’t worry about what the back looks like
When you are first beginning in cross stitch, don’t worry about what the back of your embroidery looks like. It takes a bit of practice to learn how to “travel” your floss to the next area of stitches or how to work across a row and then back, and in the process of learning those new skills, the back of your embroidery might not look that great. It might have tangles or knots or long “floats” (floats are when your floss travels from one area of your stitching to another and the floss “floats” across the back of your embroidery) and that is just fine! I have often heard from stitchers who think they aren’t stitching “right” because the back of their stitching looks a bit messy, but it really doesn’t matter what the back looks like, especially if you’re a beginner. Later on, you can decide if that’s an area of your stitching you’d like to learn more techniques for, or you can just decide not to worry about it at all. I know wonderful stitchers in both camps so feel free to choose whichever fits your crafting style best and don't let a messy back keep you from your creative cross stitch journey!
Tip #2 – Have good lighting
Cross stitch embroidery is close-up work—you’ll be stitching stitches that are between 12-15 sts per inch and you need to take care of your eyes. You can find inexpensive clip on LED desk/task lights on Amazon like this one. You can read more about Folk Embroidery and Eye Health here .
Tip #3 – Use magnifiers if necessary
I hear from so many cross stitchers who think they can’t cross stitch anymore because they can’t see the pattern or the threads. Enter drugstore readers! If you wear contacts, try some like these and if you wear glasses, you can try clip-on ones like these . Eventually, you might want to get prescription magnifiers and you can read more about that on my post on Folk Embroidery and Eye Health. Pretty much every embroidery you see on the Avlea Folk Embroidery website was made using magnifiers!
Tip #4 – Try different fabrics
Just like you have a favorite flavor of ice cream, you’ll probably find a favorite “flavor” of cross stitch counted thread fabric (also known as evenweave). You might like Mikini 26ct for how easy it is to see the threads, or you might prefer Traditional Groundcloth for its lovely, folk texture. Or, 30ct European linen might be your jam. Try smaller kits at first to explore various fabrics because there is a whole wide world of evenweave cross stitch fabrics awaiting you!
Tip #5 – Set up your Stitching “Mise en Place”
Have you heard how chefs have their mise en place—that “just so” way they lay out their tools and supplies so they can prepare their culinary masterpieces quickly and efficiently? Well, your cross stitch crafting can benefit from the same idea. Find a small tray or basket and place the following in it: small pair of snips, needle minder, magnifiers, lip balm, pen for making notes on your pattern, and any other little tool or comfort item you need while you’re stitching. You can also add a vintage teacup or little bowl for your thread scraps to keep everything neat and tidy.
Tip #6 – Stitch Every Day
When you’re first learning a new craft like cross stitch, it takes a bit for your brain to create new neurons and for you to develop motor memory (yay! stitching makes our brains healthy!). So, for the first month or so, try and devote 15-30 minutes a day to your cross stitch project. Before you know it, you’ll be entering that lovely meditative state with the needle and floss swishing in and out of the fabric, creating gorgeous designs on your fabric. You're stitches will become more even and you'll feel confident tackling larger projects.
With these helpful tips, in no time you'll be creating beautiful textiles for your home! You can also find lots of helpful videos on the How To page. Happy stitching!