Does the direction you stitch have an effect on the work?

Hi, guys

I've recently taken up cross stitch again (with a vengeance!) and I'm just wondering if I'm alone in stitching vertically rather than horizontally. I like to work from the bottom up and would typically start in the lower left-hand corner working across and upwards. Should I change to horizontal for my new work (which will be the 'Gift of Sight'). Does it make a difference in such an intense piece?

I'd be pleased to hear your thoughts before the mailman comes...

Cheers
Angela

Hi, Angela!

I don't think it matters how you stitch, as long as the result is a smooth finish. My concern would be that vertical stitching might pull the material, but that is because I use a scroll frame which doesn't support the sides of the material, only the top and bottom.

I'm getting set up to start my first Scarlet Quince, 'The Young Gardener', and I like to start patterns at the bottom right hand corner. I am left-handed, if that has anything to do with it , and like to park my colours. I find it easier to park the threads above my work, so like to start at the bottom. We all develop our own way of stitching-whatever works for each one of us, but it's good to hear what others do, and often get ideas we can use.

Happy Stitching!!!
Nancy.

Hi, Nancy!

Thanks for that advice. On reflection, maybe horizontal is better for such a large piece. Also for letting me know that it's possible to park a thread above a stitch instead of below it. (What do you do with the dangles? Do you have any problems there?)

I guess I'm just a bit nervous about this first fine art project as I know that whatever way I sitch it, I'll probably stitch that way for life.

Cheers

Angela

quote:

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Originally posted by stitcherfe
Hi, Angela!

I don't think it matters how you stitch, as long as the result is a smooth finish. My concern would be that vertical stitching might pull the material, but that is because I use a scroll frame which doesn't support the sides of the material, only the top and bottom.

I'm getting set up to start my first Scarlet Quince, 'The Young Gardener', and I like to start patterns at the bottom right hand corner. I am left-handed, if that has anything to do with it , and like to park my colours. I find it easier to park the threads above my work, so like to start at the bottom. We all develop our own way of stitching-whatever works for each one of us, but it's good to hear what others do, and often get ideas we can use.

Happy Stitching!!!
Nancy.

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Hi, again. I leave my 'dangles' above or to the side of my work. I have some pictures on a web-site, although I've never worked on a fine art project. The second picture shows a couple of threads which I parked. The website is www.communitywebshots.com/user/stitcherfe

As I said, I'm getting organized to start 'The Young Gardener', which will be my first venture into doing a full picture cross stitch. I have 18 count aida, and some of the floss. It will be a challenge, I know. Love to hear how your project is going.

Happy Stitching

Nancy

"The Young Gardener" is a beauty. I wish you luck with it! I'm using 18 ct too, for my piece, and can't wait to get started.

Ange

quote:

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Originally posted by stitcherfe
Hi, again. I leave my 'dangles' above or to the side of my work. I have some pictures on a web-site, although I've never worked on a fine art project. The second picture shows a couple of threads which I parked. The website is www.communitywebshots.com/user/stitcherfe
Nancy

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When I click on the llink, I get a listing of porno sites...

Yikes That definately is not the site I meant. I think I forgot the period between community and webshots. try www.community.webshots.com/user/stitcherfe

Lets see if that works better!

Nancy

I just tried it, and it doesn't work either. I have posted the same pictures in an intricatexs album, under stitcherfe. Sorry for the trouble!

Nancy

Don't worry Nancy, links go bung all the time and I will look at your intriacte xs album next time I'm there!

As for stitching vertically, Angela, I don't see any problem with that at all so long as you keep it uniform- a neat front makes for a neat back! I always like to follow the colour, if it goes across I go across, and if it goes up, so do I!

Good luck, keep us posted, and enjoy!

Hey, Angela! I don't think it really matters which direction you go, so long as it's comfortable for you. Since I do different designs in different ways, I haven't noticed the results as being different.

Most TW's I've done, I start in the middle, and work whichever way feels right; Fantasy Triptych, I worked from the center over to the right and down, and now am working leftwards.

On The Castle, I'm just following parts of the design - I'm working the castle itself in whatever direction it goes, though did begin near the middle. When the castle is as far as I can go, I'll either go down to the rocks, or left or right to do the dragon, as the mood strikes me.

Now, my Lady & Unicorn, on the other hand, I gridded the fabric and started top left and am working down and over. I'm not strict enough to do just by 10x10 blocks, nor by page - I have 1/2 of page 1 done, about 1/3 of page 2. I assume I will continue doing the pages across, as opposed to going down to the second row of pages - I'll let you know when I get there

Probably the only thing to keep in mind is wear and tear; if the direction you go is going to constantly have you touching the finished ares (or leaning stuff there - my highlighter and magnet board rest inside my frame a good bit of the time), then I would go a different way; just depends on your comfort and stitching style, I would guess.

Good luck!

Thanks again for the advice, guys. I think I will start it from the lower left hand corner now and have no qualms or worries that the finished work will not look its best.

Thanks for your help!

Rifestitch, I've ordered 'The Sense of Sight', I think it's called, (it does have an alternative name and that makes for confusion for me!) and Inchbold's 'Study in March'. They should be here very shortly. I've got the Aida ready to go! Just need to get the flosses, and work out how to get organised - thinking of using those winding bobbins in an organiser. These patterns are a whole new territory.

Nancy, thanks for attempting to mend the link!

happy

Angela