My first Santa is loved for his simplicity! He was released in 1984 by Prairie Schooler and I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. I feel I am making good progress and I am enjoying listening to some You tube videos on cross stitching while I stitch. It's always wonderful to learn tips and the different techniques crafters use. One surprise for me is that some stitchers use a hoop and some do not, a bit like hand quilting. I am basically using the stab stitch rather than the sewing stitch on this Santa but who knows what the future will hold. Although I am still putting in some hand quilting stitches on my trailing vines it's nice to pick up this project too! I am stitching him on 18ct aida. Here's my progress so far!
I think my daughter does both ways a hoop and without - and sometimes she does one way where you have the top and bottom like a scroll and it rolls and tightens - maybe she has some kind of frame for that I don't remember she usually brings a smaller piece over to work on when she comes over here to visit and stitch. I must get my santa's back out to work on too - hard to believe I have three Xmas things I am working on this year when usually it is none!
ReplyDelete2020 must be the year of the Santa! I used to have a scroll frame too, but I think it was gifted to a friend before one of our moves. I can see where you wouldn't need a hoop with some experience.
DeleteSanta is looking good! I'm a stab stitcher, too. I tried the sewing method a few times, but found my stitches were pretty messy. I have a few different types of hoops. Sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. 😉
ReplyDeleteYeah, I use the hoop to help with the tension on my stitches. Wonder if it's because I am a hoop quilter! Years ago I remember using the sewing method on some linen which makes sense since you cross two threads. I am really working on making my stithes the same direction, something I have learned helps with the stitches looking better. But sometimes it just doesn't work out HaHa
DeleteI love that Santa! Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karrin
DeleteYour Santa is looking lovely. I am a bit of a stab stitcher, too.
ReplyDeleteI say whatever works for us to get the job done is just fine!
DeleteSanta is looking wonderful. I am a stab stitcher also and I like my fabric nice and taut on a hoop or frame.
ReplyDeleteStab stitching seems to work great, so why not! I do like mine taut in a hoop too. I wonder if it's because I have used a hoop for embroidery and quilting. They say it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks!
DeleteLOVE your Santa! I like to stitch with a hoop. I think it helps me keep my stitches consistent when everything is flat and taut. Happy stitching.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree it helps me with tension. I wish I had a smaller hoop so I will have to pick one up.
DeleteYour Santa is looking awesome... hope to see his twinkling eyes next week! lol
ReplyDeleteI used to be an avid cross stitcher and yours looks divine on close up :) My eyes aren't good enough for 18 or even 14 cloth.. I loved linen the most though! Have a great time working on your santa as you have time... I will look forward to 11 more too <3 Kathi
He has grown some week but I do need to do some hand quilting as I will start my last strip! I haven't had a finish in a long time, so it's pretty exiting to get to this point!
DeleteWow, your Santa is coming along handsomely!! Nice work! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise! I am looking forward to doing his face so that he comes alive!
DeleteSanta is growing quite nicely. Hmmm I never used a hoop when cross stitching... but then again I seem to be self taught in a lot of the things I do ..... =)
ReplyDeleteI am pretty much self taught me, first learning embroidery so since I had the hoop I carried it thru to when I did cross stitch
DeleteSanta is going to be one good looking guy! Loving your progress!
ReplyDelete