Woe, Woe and Thrice Woe!

Hiya All

I am hoping someone can help as I have made the biggest boo boo on the planet. I started the fourth row of Ehret die Frauen and was making reasonable progress, finishing the border in a couple of weeks and moving on to the faster blue background.

I was trying to fit the pattern with where I thought I was working as I thought some of the colour symbols (once I was over the blue background) didn't look like where I should be on the main picture.

Anyway, I glanced at the position in the chart box at the bottom left hand side of the page and - quelle horreur - I was actually working the page above . My DH even came into the room to enquire as to my health as he heard my howl of frustration.

So, now I have to unpick 21 squares of painstaking stitching (yup, that's 2,100 stitches). I started this with my sewing scissors but don't want to compound my error by cutting the material.

My question is, apart from better checking of my chart pages, is there some whizzy gadget that will help me get rid of 2,100 stitches quickly without damaging the material?

Awaiting your good advices with my head hung in shame

Christine x

YIIIKES!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Divecat
...
So, now I have to unpick 21 squares of painstaking stitching (yup, that's 2,100 stitches). I started this with my sewing scissors but don't want to compound my error by cutting the material.

My question is, apart from better checking of my chart pages, is there some whizzy gadget that will help me get rid of 2,100 stitches quickly without damaging the material?

---

Have you tried using a stitch-ripper? I suggest snipping from the back and pulling the threads from the front.

Good luck and patience. You'll need both.

First off - OH NO!!!!!!

I found these on Nordic Needle's website:

http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/E17-00-00/7251.html

http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/E17-00-00/7209.html

and this on 123 Stitch's website:

http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-perl/itemdetail.pl?item=MI-1002-01BOO

I am not sure how the 123 Stich item works, though. I didn't see anything on Sew and So's site, but perhaps there is something to be found closer to home for you. Nordic Needle can take a few days to ship even if it is in stock, but 123 Stitch will ship the same day (although I notice that item is not in stock with 123 Stitch).

I usually loosen the stitch with the flat side of my needle and then snip the loose portion with my scissors and use my needle to remove the stitch.

Good luck!

Lani

Oh NO!!! I am crying for you. As I am working on Ehret myself (once I get south again) so I know how tough going it can be to begin with. Looks like you got the suggestions I would give. I, however would probably just put it away for a short period of time until I collected my senses again, and recouped my energy for the snipping and snaring. .

quote:

---

Originally posted by Divecat
Hiya All

I am hoping someone can help as I have made the biggest boo boo on the planet. I started the fourth row of Ehret die Frauen and was making reasonable progress, finishing the border in a couple of weeks and moving on to the faster blue background.

I was trying to fit the pattern with where I thought I was working as I thought some of the colour symbols (once I was over the blue background) didn't look like where I should be on the main picture.

Anyway, I glanced at the position in the chart box at the bottom left hand side of the page and - quelle horreur - I was actually working the page above . My DH even came into the room to enquire as to my health as he heard my howl of frustration.

So, now I have to unpick 21 squares of painstaking stitching (yup, that's 2,100 stitches). I started this with my sewing scissors but don't want to compound my error by cutting the material.

My question is, apart from better checking of my chart pages, is there some whizzy gadget that will help me get rid of 2,100 stitches quickly without damaging the material?

Awaiting your good advices with my head hung in shame

Christine x

---

Christine - if it would help you to feel better, I am willing to make a stitching confession. On BOTH of my SQs, I have wound the wrong floss colors onto one of my blends. Of course, I did not notice it either time until I used the floss and went to blend more floss. I frogged as best I could, but I don't think anyone can tell! Don't worry, you're not alone, and the best part about this wonderful hobby is that mistakes are easily remedied!

Lani

Ladies,

You are all fabulous and generous in your suggestions. My stitch rippers have arrived and, after a couple of days of not looking at it, I feel I can set to (very carefully).

Thank you again for your kind suggestions and support.

Love - Christine x

When I was teaching a friend of mine to cross stitch she noted that I used the term "when" you make a mistake you can pull/cut it out and restitch. I don't think you're officially a stitcher until you've experienced this been there/done that.

And i have a really strong tendency to put floss back on the wrong bobbin. I know what symbol it is, then I just pick up a random bobbin and put the floss there instead of the correct bobbin. Sometimes I catch the mistake before I stitch with it but not always.

Please let us know how your stitch rippers work.

Hi ladies

Yes, the stitch rippers are excellent. The only problem is, if you do too much at one time, you get eye strain (even with glasses and a magnifying glass) because you're not looking up to change a thread etc and therefore change your position and your shoulders ache like mad for the same reason.

I bought both a large and a small stitch ripper, but the small one is just fine for what I need to do. I have tried various methods of ripping: (1) going across a row, (2) removing one stitch at a time, but I have found that (3) going vertical works best for me. With such a large area to un-stitch the loose threads tend to get in the way and it is hard to see what you're doing.

Here is the update so far:

http://divecat.multiply.com/photos/album/16/2010_-_Ehret_die_Frauen#photo=15

I have removed all the blue background and a couple of rows of the border.

Let that be a lesson to me.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Divecat
Hi ladies

Yes, the stitch rippers are excellent. The only problem is, if you do too much at one time, you get eye strain (even with glasses and a magnifying glass) because you're not looking up to change a thread etc and therefore change your position and your shoulders ache like mad for the same reason.

I bought both a large and a small stitch ripper, but the small one is just fine for what I need to do. I have tried various methods of ripping: (1) going across a row, (2) removing one stitch at a time, but I have found that (3) going vertical works best for me. With such a large area to un-stitch the loose threads tend to get in the way and it is hard to see what you're doing.

Here is the update so far:

http://divecat.multiply.com/photos/album/16/2010_-_Ehret_die_Frauen#photo=15

I have removed all the blue background and a couple of rows of the border.

Let that be a lesson to me.

---

I think you have taught us all a lesson. We will certainly be more careful in the future. 1. Have you ever...put your work down at the end of an evening only to find you have stitiched it to your sweater??? 2. Have you ever.. worked along just "tickity-boo", only to find a big loop of thread at the back with a knot in it that goes back many stitches?
3. Have you ever... cut a thread or a knot off at the back only to realize you have cut the thread you are working with?
..but onward we go..ever onward..