Stitching Questions
1. How old were you when you started Cross Stitching?
About 25
2.Who taught you to cross stitch?
No-one. I already knew embroidery but learnt how to do counted cross stitch by following the instructions that came with a kit.
3.What inspired you to begin Cross Stitching?
I did some embroidery and wool tapestry when I was in my teens, after that nothing for a few years. A short while after I got married, I felt a strong urge to do tapestry again. My mother-in-law bought me a long stitch kit for my birthday which I completed in about a day. I wasn't satisfied, so I went in a shop and found counted cross stitch kits. From then on I was hooked.
4.What has been your most difficult Cross Stitch Piece?
TW's "Companions". It involves a lot of green, and the backstitch was near-on impossible. If I'd had the printed chart, I would have found it a lot easier but I had the handwritten chart which came with the Janlynn kit. I found it so difficult to decipher the backstitch lines from the gridlines on the chart. For this reason, it was a UFO for about 10 years. I finished it eventually last year, but I improvised on the backstitch.
5.Do you have friends that stitch?
Only online friends. I'm very secretive about it as I feel a lot of people would consider it an old lady hobby. Only four of my work colleagues know I cross stitch. Up until a week ago it was only 2 until at a party last Saturday my husband decided to embarass me and tell 2 more. But they are nice, non-judgemental people so its ok.
6.What is your Favorite stitched Piece?
TW's Companions. Because it was such an accomplishment to finally finish it, and its traditional Christmassy without being tacky but a bit different, because Father Christmas has a horse instead of a reindeer and is wearing blue instead of red. I have it as the wallpaper on my computer. Its one of the lesser-stitched TWs which also makes it special.
7.What is your favorite Fabric?
I'm happy with most evenweave fabrics.
8.What is your favorite Fiber?
DMC. I've occasionally used cheap unbranded threads in kits which knot terribly. I rarely have those sort of problems with DMC.
9.What is your favorite Needle?
Size 26 tapestry needle.
10.Do you prefer Black & White or Colored Charts?
Black & white, but clear, because with complicated patterns I shade them in as I go along.
11.How many Works In Progress do you have at this time?
I am currently working 4 projects in rotation.
12.How many UFO's do you have at this time?
One. Tutenkhamun's Mask - its from my pre-childbirth stitching days. I was very attracted at the time by the vibrant colours and I think it was the only kit I paid full price for. Now, it is languishing at the bottom of the stitch box. The threads are all muddled, the metallics are a mess, and at one time or another its had coffee spilt all over it. I don't like it anymore, its a death mask, I don't want it on my wall. I doubt it will ever get finished, but maybe, one day when I'm an old lady...
13.How many cross Stitch charts/kits/mags do you own?
About 20-30 of each.
14.How much fabric do you have in stock at this time?
Lots of little bits, and about 20-ish big bits.
15.Where is your favorite place to stitch?
In the living room in the chair by the window where there is most light.
16.What is your favorite time of day to stitch?
I will stitch at any time but find it easiest during the day when there is the most light.
17.How many pieces have you stitched in your lifetime?
As a rough guess - maybe 40-ish.
18.Do you give your stitched pieces away?
Rarely. Most people don't appreciate the time and effort that has gone into them. I have given away as gifts three finished and framed projects, and about 6 cards.
19.How many different fibers do you have in stock at this time?
Almost every DMC shade, a few odd Anchor skeins, about 10 kreinik reels, and some petite treasure braid I bought for Celtic Spring.
20.How many pairs of scissors do you own?
One. They are not proper embroidery scissors, they came from body shop. If I can't find them I will use any pair of scissors I can lay my hands on.
21.Do you use stitching enhancers (lights, scroll frames...etc)?
I have a bright halogen lamp which is a godsend. I sometimes use a hoop. I own a set of R&R or 'Q-snaps' but I rarely use them. My favourite enhancer is my Paco needle organiser which currently houses all the blends needed on the Castle Sampler.
22.How many pieces that have been stitched but not yet framed or finished off in some other way do you have at this time?
Only my most recent finish, Michael Powell's Mini Cottages. I only take them to the framer once I've got two or more done.
23.Do you have a craft/stitching room?
No - I mostly do my stitching in the living room. I keep current stitching projects in a couple of drawers and a needlework box in there, everything else is in a cupboard in the bedroom.
24.Why do you stitch?
Because I am otherwise completly non artistic and it gives me a way of creating beautiful things. And I love it.
25.What is your most memorable time related to cross stitching.
Its a little thing, but its the admiration my daughter's 8-year old friend Emily shows towards my Flower Fairies. I don't expect a child of that age to show appreciation of subtle stitchwork. It gives a good feeling.
About 25
2.Who taught you to cross stitch?
No-one. I already knew embroidery but learnt how to do counted cross stitch by following the instructions that came with a kit.
3.What inspired you to begin Cross Stitching?
I did some embroidery and wool tapestry when I was in my teens, after that nothing for a few years. A short while after I got married, I felt a strong urge to do tapestry again. My mother-in-law bought me a long stitch kit for my birthday which I completed in about a day. I wasn't satisfied, so I went in a shop and found counted cross stitch kits. From then on I was hooked.
4.What has been your most difficult Cross Stitch Piece?
TW's "Companions". It involves a lot of green, and the backstitch was near-on impossible. If I'd had the printed chart, I would have found it a lot easier but I had the handwritten chart which came with the Janlynn kit. I found it so difficult to decipher the backstitch lines from the gridlines on the chart. For this reason, it was a UFO for about 10 years. I finished it eventually last year, but I improvised on the backstitch.
5.Do you have friends that stitch?
Only online friends. I'm very secretive about it as I feel a lot of people would consider it an old lady hobby. Only four of my work colleagues know I cross stitch. Up until a week ago it was only 2 until at a party last Saturday my husband decided to embarass me and tell 2 more. But they are nice, non-judgemental people so its ok.
6.What is your Favorite stitched Piece?
TW's Companions. Because it was such an accomplishment to finally finish it, and its traditional Christmassy without being tacky but a bit different, because Father Christmas has a horse instead of a reindeer and is wearing blue instead of red. I have it as the wallpaper on my computer. Its one of the lesser-stitched TWs which also makes it special.
7.What is your favorite Fabric?
I'm happy with most evenweave fabrics.
8.What is your favorite Fiber?
DMC. I've occasionally used cheap unbranded threads in kits which knot terribly. I rarely have those sort of problems with DMC.
9.What is your favorite Needle?
Size 26 tapestry needle.
10.Do you prefer Black & White or Colored Charts?
Black & white, but clear, because with complicated patterns I shade them in as I go along.
11.How many Works In Progress do you have at this time?
I am currently working 4 projects in rotation.
12.How many UFO's do you have at this time?
One. Tutenkhamun's Mask - its from my pre-childbirth stitching days. I was very attracted at the time by the vibrant colours and I think it was the only kit I paid full price for. Now, it is languishing at the bottom of the stitch box. The threads are all muddled, the metallics are a mess, and at one time or another its had coffee spilt all over it. I don't like it anymore, its a death mask, I don't want it on my wall. I doubt it will ever get finished, but maybe, one day when I'm an old lady...
13.How many cross Stitch charts/kits/mags do you own?
About 20-30 of each.
14.How much fabric do you have in stock at this time?
Lots of little bits, and about 20-ish big bits.
15.Where is your favorite place to stitch?
In the living room in the chair by the window where there is most light.
16.What is your favorite time of day to stitch?
I will stitch at any time but find it easiest during the day when there is the most light.
17.How many pieces have you stitched in your lifetime?
As a rough guess - maybe 40-ish.
18.Do you give your stitched pieces away?
Rarely. Most people don't appreciate the time and effort that has gone into them. I have given away as gifts three finished and framed projects, and about 6 cards.
19.How many different fibers do you have in stock at this time?
Almost every DMC shade, a few odd Anchor skeins, about 10 kreinik reels, and some petite treasure braid I bought for Celtic Spring.
20.How many pairs of scissors do you own?
One. They are not proper embroidery scissors, they came from body shop. If I can't find them I will use any pair of scissors I can lay my hands on.
21.Do you use stitching enhancers (lights, scroll frames...etc)?
I have a bright halogen lamp which is a godsend. I sometimes use a hoop. I own a set of R&R or 'Q-snaps' but I rarely use them. My favourite enhancer is my Paco needle organiser which currently houses all the blends needed on the Castle Sampler.
22.How many pieces that have been stitched but not yet framed or finished off in some other way do you have at this time?
Only my most recent finish, Michael Powell's Mini Cottages. I only take them to the framer once I've got two or more done.
23.Do you have a craft/stitching room?
No - I mostly do my stitching in the living room. I keep current stitching projects in a couple of drawers and a needlework box in there, everything else is in a cupboard in the bedroom.
24.Why do you stitch?
Because I am otherwise completly non artistic and it gives me a way of creating beautiful things. And I love it.
25.What is your most memorable time related to cross stitching.
Its a little thing, but its the admiration my daughter's 8-year old friend Emily shows towards my Flower Fairies. I don't expect a child of that age to show appreciation of subtle stitchwork. It gives a good feeling.
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