The World of Cross Stitching - UK (2020-04)

36 The World of Cross Stitching

Your Questions Answered

http://www.gathered.how/woxs

I

s there software

available where you

can use multiple strand

backstitch that will also

show on the key when it

exports, like your projects?

Bianca Britton,

via email

Hannah E: We use

Cross Stitch Professional

Platinum, by DP Software*

which gives you the

option of creating multiple

stranded backstitch. We

create our keys from

scratch on additional

software, but this

programme does have an

automated feature if this

is what you’re looking for.

QU ICK

Q&A

I

recently bought a

Lilipoints flower chart

from SewandSo and

decided I would like to do

another one for each of

my daughters of their birth

flower. Do you know of

another supplier now that

SewandSo have closed?

Christine Laws,

via email

Hannah F: This was

a tricky one, but we’ve

had a bit of a search and

managed to find the

Lilipoints charts in English

at 123stitch* – they’re an

American-based company,

but they ship worldwide. I

hope you find the flowers

you’re looking for there.

Sally McGaffin: Always

leave beading until last. The

beads can ruin your stitching

if they get stuck in your

frame, such as a Q snap or

scroll frame.

Grace Collier: I use a

thread colour that matches

the pattern or fabric rather

than the charm itself. For

example, I placed a star

charm on a Nativity scene

using blue thread to match

the fabric background.

Dorothy Hartel: I have

found that a size 28 tapestry

needle works for most beads.

I always double the thread

and run the thread through

beeswax. Beads can have a

sharp edge, so the beeswax

helps to protect the thread.

Heather Marciszewski:

I store mine in those weekly

pill sorters. They’re small

enough and quite handy.

Shari Sinclair-Forbis:

I use seed beads a lot because

I hate French knots. I’ll use a

small, shallow dish lined with

tissue to put the beads in –

this keeps them from rolling

around too much.

Jennifer DeMan-

Browder: I use the clear

nylon thread that quilters use

(Coats Nymo) to attach the

beads, charms and sequins.

It really helps the beads and

sequins sparkle and is a very

strong thread, so I know that

they are secure.

Janine Holman:

I personally prefer not to

stitch with beads. I will usually

change it to a full cross stitch

or use a single backstitch

depending on where it’s

situated on the project.

Find us on Facebook

and join in with the

chat on Facebook. If

you’re lucky, your tip

might appear here!

Just log on to http://www.

facebook.com/The

WorldofCrossStitching

and hit ‘like’ at the top

of the page!

Friendly advice

We asked our Facebook fans for their top tips on stitching

with beads, sequins and charms – here’s what they said:

Petit point practice

Q

What’s the name of the technique with

really tiny fractional stitches? I really

want to try it but can’t find any charts that

use it! I’ve searched your magazines but

without knowing the name of the stitch I

don’t really know what I’m looking for.

Miriam T, via Facebook

A

Fiona: That’s great you’re looking to

expand your stitchy skills! The

technique you describe sounds like petit

point, where four tiny stitches make up a

regular sized stitch. This is depicted on

patterns by dividing each square into four –

there could be a different colour and symbol

in each, or just some of the little squares may

be filled with the rest remaining empty.

Work the petit point stitches in exactly the

same way as full sized cross stitches, except

on a much smaller scale. It’s easier to work

them on evenweave or linen fabrics, as you’ll

find it difficult to pierce aida blocks

accurately, even with a sharp (crewel) needle.

It’s a good idea to have a magnifying lamp

too, to help prevent eye strain.

TECHNIQUE FOCUS

Petit point practice

A great technique for those

looking to expand their skills

KNOW

• HOW

A great first step into petit

point would be to find a chart with just a

small section of it included, like this elegant

geisha from issue 280 (May 2019) – this

enlargement of the chart shows the tiny

petit point stitches in and around her eyes.

The enhanced detail creates a more pleasing

final effect, and also means there's added

interest for advanced stitchers. Good luck!

The key information

Creative Bianca is searching

for cross stitching software