enough thread in kits?
Lesley Isaac
I often read about people not having enough thread in their kits.
Am I the only person who has always had way MORE than enough thread in my
kits? I have literally had enough to almost do it again on occasion.
Perhaps I am just a thrifty stitcher :-)
Mind you there is a NZ kitter that tends to miss out a whole colour
completely with alarming regularity. This is most frustrating as her kits
are the small type designed to be done by travellers ... But that is a lack
of quality control rather than misjudging the amount!
Lesley
In NZ
Donna D.
D
"Lesley Isaac" <les...@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:9pt2d4$am9$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Margaret Whittleton
Depends on the kit - Shepherd's Bush kits, for instance, are usually
silk.(And I've got three in my stash right now). I have found, once or
twice, the amount of one colour has been a bit underestimated, but I
usually find their quantities to be quite close to the mark. (And, since
I have the full range of Splendour, and quite a bit of Au ver a soie in
my stash, I can usually find a match).
Some other makers' kits come with DMC.
I think the better the kit, the better the floss. I've also noticed
that the poorer kits give you a very skimpy piece of fabric - often of
poor quality.
Marg
Liz / Cozit
(unseparated) in others when done.
Fortunately, the twice I've run out of something it's been close enough to the
time I started to get an extra length or two from the kit maker.... or at least
the DMC number in the one case.
-Liz
Lesley Isaac
call my Shep Bush Needleroll kits 'garbage' and I have had some beautiful
silks etc in kit form esp band samplers. perhaps we just stitch different
types of projects D?
Lesley
Donna D. <booc...@stargate.net> wrote in message
news:ts43qf3...@corp.supernews.com...
Karen C - California
bit to spare.
However, with Happy Things, I've had to piece out with as much as 3/4 of a
skein (of one color, plus bits of others); I'm one of those people who can get
17.5 inches of stitching from an 18 inch length, so when I have to add my own
floss, I *know* it's the company's fault! Between their (1) poorly photocopied
charts, (2) mismarking centers by significant amounts, (3) fabric cut a scant
inch larger than the design, (4) insufficient floss, (5) sending olive floss
instead of rust to do hair and a football, (6) refusal to respond to
complaints, I've simply stopped buying their kits. If I see something I like,
I either chart it myself from the catalogue photo or wait till I hear someone
else has finished it, and borrow their chart.
--
Finished 9/30/01 - crocheted baby set
WIP: Angel of Autumn, Calif Sampler, Holiday Snowglobe, Guide the Hands,
condolence gift
Paralegal - Editor - Researcher
http://www.craft-searcher.com/kmc/index.html
Donna D.
JoAnnes and other shops of that sort.
Unless it says on the kit DMC or Anchor or a quality floss I pitch it. I
usually dont buy kits.news:9ptadu$gqt$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Lesley Isaac
but I had a giggle when I read your post as their service sounds far from
happy :-)
Nice to know I am not the only one who can make the most of 18 inches <grin>
Lesley
In NZ
WIP Real Roses :-)
Karen C - California <kmc...@aol.com.LuvXS> wrote in message
news:20011008190446...@mb-fr.aol.com...
CarlyBear
norm though...For example, if a pattern calls for multiple skeins of
metallic thread, I usually use only half of what the design calls for. I
guess I am a frugal stitcher as well.
Lori
Liz / Cozit
I have a very pretty "Iris Mosaic" (I think that's the title) that includes some
Caron... Wildflowers?? (don't remember which for certain). I don't remember the
type of floss the majority is stitched in. Yeah, it came with aida... but
without partial stitches (again, I think... haven't had the chance to look
*that* closely yet), but at the price I got it, I went to my LNS and bought a
similar colored fabric of an evenweave I like.... and still spent less than the
full price of the kit (and overall probably cheaper than buying all the parts of
the project, still, though maybe not much).
Now to get to it... it went from the number 1 (when a project is finished) down
to number 2... well, not really, I started another EGA project... but I still
have to finish a project (only 1) before I start the Irises.
-Liz
Debbie Wright
appealed. I have never run out of thread though. Funnily enough I think I
am doing my first kit in absolute ages and I think it may very well be by
the kitter you are talking about. It's actually a gift for a friend and my
only complaint is that she has cut the threads way too short. I usually use
the loop method to start and with her measly lengths, it makes this
impractical on the longer rows.
Debbie
(in NZ too)
"Lesley Isaac" <les...@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:9pt2d4$am9$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
daryl lake
I too have read about people not having enough thread in kits. Like you so
far I have always had way more than enough! In fact I definately could have
stitched one whole kit again with the amount of thread supplied (it was a
designworks ABC Bears Kit). I am still using the threads from that original
kit!
Amanda, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Lesley Isaac <les...@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:9pt2d4$am9$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
I often read about people not having enough thread in their kits.
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply
>Yeah, it came with aida... but
>without partial stitches (again, I think... haven't had the chance to look
>*that* closely yet), but at the price I got it, I went to my LNS and bought a
>similar colored fabric of an evenweave I like
I just wanted to post for any newbies we have. It's OK to stitch on aida.
If you are new here, you will notice that most of us talk about dumping the
aida and fibers (if it's not DMC or Anchor) that come in kits and replacing it
with evenweave and brand name fibers. This is a matter of choice and is not
necessary.
Like most others here, I learned to do counted xs with a kit using aida and
some unknown brand of floss. I did only kits (ones I got a Michael's & JoAnns)
for years and was quite happy. Then I found out there were stores that
*specialized* in needlework and went ballistic -- LOL! Within a year of that,
I found RCTN and it's been a roller coaster ride ever since.
Many of us change the contents of a kit because kit supplies are often of
lesser quality. The good stuff is just nicer and *much easier* to stitch with
-- even better quality aida is softer and easier to stitch with than the stuff
in most kits. Many people hate aida and refuse to work on it so they always
toss any than comes in a kit. If you work on something with a lot of
fractional stitches, evenweave is much easier to work with than aida.
Now, I hope the purists in the group don't get all het up cuz I am advising
newcomers to needlework sto tart with cheap stuff. What I am saying is, if you
want stitch a kit and you LIKE the results, then find an LNS and get a really
*good quality* kit and you will LOVE the results. There are a lot of people
who just plain don't want to collect all of the stuff just yet and prefer to
stitch from kits and that's OK. For those of you, kits are FINE and if you
don't mind using the mediocre supplies included, that's *your* business. But
once you are into needlework and move on to better (this usually means more
expensive) supplies, you will be surprised at the difference really good
quality stuff makes in your finished product.
Some stitchers might not ever make that move and that's OK too :-))). As
long as you are happy with and proud of your results, who are we to tell you
you should change? So, NO you don't have to toss the aida and/or the floss in
a kit. Just know that the better quality stuff is easier to stitch with AND
looks nicer too! CiaoMeow >^;;^<
.
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^<
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!
Visit my albums @ http://www.picturetrail.com Username is tiamary (no caps,
no spaces)
PaulaB
Hi, Lesley - I just finished a reproduction sampler by Joanne Harvey
of The Exemplarery and have enough thread left over to stitch it
again. Part of that is due to the fact that she advocates crossing
each stitch as you go and I stitch Danish (all the way down the row
with half crosses and crossing them on the journey back.) It was a
nice kit, with good charts and instructions, beautiful, generous cut
of linen, and a knockout gorgeous sampler! I am waiting right now for
the framer to call! (Happy dance!!)
However, several years ago I did run out of thread (silk) on another
reproduction...the chart also had *numerous* errors (like the pages
not lining up!), the photo was about the size of a postage stamp, and
I had to wait about two weeks for more thread to arrive. It was NOT a
kit from The Scarlet Letter, Joanne Harvey, Nancy Sturgeon (Threads
Through Time - her kits are also very good!), The Essamplaire, or
Macintosh Samplers...I don't want to name names, but I wouldn't want
anyone to think I was unhappy with these other great designers! <G>
That was the only kit I have ever run out of thread on. I think what
others said is right - you get what you pay for most of the time!
Paula B.
Di Messina
again. My mother is the same way. As a matter of fact, she recently did
just that. Did another with the left over thread. IIRC, she needed only a
little bit of a few colors. Both of us must be frugal stitchers. I have
started combining the threads from all my mill hill kits as I open them.
There's always plenty in those so I should be able to do the pieces more
than once. My bead stash is pretty good (not to mention they usually put in
plenty of extra beads too!) and I have perf paper around. I look at it as a
bonus!
Di
Lesley Isaac <les...@ihug.co.nz> wrote in message
news:9pt2d4$am9$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
>
Dawne Peterson
and still buy kits fairly regularly, since I like the convenience of having
everything all there, ready for impulse stitching. (yeah, I know. And yeah,
sometime I do kit things up myself ahead of time. But sometimes I don't
wanna, just wanna rip open the bag and go). Sometimes kits can be a great
bargain--I got some kits of the MarBek angels at my LNS on sale for less
than the price of the (full spools!!) of Kreinik filament included. I agree
that sometimes the materials can be less than the best--my particular gripe
being the "self-knotting thread" that seems to turn up in some kits. But
there is nothing "lesser" or "wrong" about stitching from kits. Some people
like to know that what they stitch will look exactly like the picture on the
front. There is nothing "wrong" or "snobby" about changing either--some
people like to get exactly what they want. Its only wrong to make rude
comments about people who do whatever the other way (unless of course it is
the annual floss licking war, when anything goes)
Dawne
Lauren Kuik
Sometimes we more experienced stitchers forget what it was like when we
first started ourselves. I know my first 'counted' cross stitch was from a
kit - mainly because the one I tried on waste canvas on a t-shirt came out
awful due to missed counts ; ( - but the project from the kit was gorgeous.
I currently have one piece in my rotation that is from a kit and worked on
18 ct aida. Just because it was aida I even started it on a piece of linen I
had in my stash but the count was too big (28 over 2) so I gritted my teeth
and tried the aida. It it working up very nicely. One benefit is that it is
a Dimensions Gold kit and I have found the quality of those kits to be very
good.
So newies . . . just enjoy whatever it is that is tempting you into this
wonderful craft. You may never work on anything other than aida or with
anything but kits. As long as the results are pleasing to you, go for it.
But heed the words of caution - once you're hooked, you're really, really
hooked (vbeg).
Lauren
St. Pete, FL
"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " <catwo...@aol.comnekoluvr> wrote in
message news:20011009074103...@mb-mo.aol.com...
Meredith Dill
than the Charles Craft stuff, but you can only get it at the LNS, not
the big chains like Michaels.
Meredith
--
You don't win friends with salad.
Cynthia
instead of aida so for folks that "hate" aida they are out there.
I like aida (and linen, and evenweave, and silk, etc). There are some very good
reasons (in my opinion) to use it:
I can get aida (really called hardanger for this count) in 22 ct. I have never
personally seen 44 count evenweave so if I want that count, aida is it. I know
I can stitch over one on evenweave (just finished a project 1 over on 28 count)
but stitches tend to "disappear" frequently.
If you are doing a pattern with many lines (vertical or horizontal) like a house
for instance, I find that aida tends to keep the lines straighter. Linen or
evenweave tends to "pull" off line more.
Aida is not "slubby". If you use a small count the holes are "less" noticeable
than linen or evenweave, and it is far, far less expensive. And it is far
easier to get off track with linen/evenweave. If you are stitching over 2
threads, it is VERY easy to miscount, not as easy to do so on Aida.
I believe that fabric should be chosen to match the project, there are some
projects where linen works better and some projects where aida works better.
The only project where I would "never" use aida is a project with fractional
stitches, unless they are all half stitches. Not that it wouldn't work, it is
just a pain to get the needle through for the fractionals.
Personally, I have been doing kits for years and have not seen the "extreme"
quality difference talked about here. Quality of materials can sometimes be a
very "subjective" perspective. "Mediocre" can be very much in the eye of the
beholder as with most other things in life <GRIN>.
So for newbies, I agree with Tia Mary, don't go for the $1.99 specials but don't
go for the $40 kits either. Higher priced kits may also include threads like
blending filaments, metallics, etc and that is probably not something you want
to get into with your first kit. Higher priced kits "usually" tend to have more
complicated patterns (lots of blended threads, 1/4 stitches, backstitching etc)
which again, might be a bit much for someone just starting out. Find a pattern
you like, one that is small enough to let you finish it within a reasonable time
span (whatever that is to you) but complicated enough to keep your interest.
Most people stitch because it gives them pleasure, whether it is the feel of the
materials, the finished project, the oohhs and aaahs of friends, whatever.
Stitching is a very personal thing and anything that is personal is bound to
generate some very strong opinions. But it is *YOUR* opinion that matters, not
that of the "experts". If you don't like working with a material, don't use it.
If you like the materials, use them. Experiment! Try different fabrics and
different threads as you can afford them. Challenge yourself once in a while,
IF you want to, it is not a "requirement". Always keep in mind that stitching
should be a "pleasure" not a chore, what gives you pleasure may bore someone
else to tears and frustrate another. Do what is right for you, no one else.
Cynthia (off the soapbox now)
"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " <catwo...@aol.comnekoluvr> wrote in
message news:20011009074103...@mb-mo.aol.com...
Laurie Riley
Amen! Whatever floats your boat is what I say. Let's not scare the newbies
off!
Just like you, I started with kits from Michaels, moved onto specialty
fabrics and charts from a LNS. And now, after finding this newsgroup, I've
tried stitching over one on linen, using silk and other specialty flosses,
using beads and other adornments like charms, trying other things like
surface embroidery and needlepoint.
However, just a month ago, I found a cute kit (that uses mediocre Aida and
probably not the highest quality floss) of bird houses in a row. A friend of
mine collects birdhouses. How appropriate for her 40th birthday in January.
And it was on the clearance rack at Michaels for about $10.00. I'm working
on it now. Is it the highest quality? No. Are the flosses anything like the
silk or the GTFT that I recently found and just LOVE? No. But, when I finish
it (and I will, I swear! You all can hold me to it!) it'll be framed, look
great and be meaningful for her.
I don't think it's always necessary to spend $50 or more for supplies to
make something that is memorable. Remember that it's the thought that
counts.
So, I say, keep doing the kits till you feel ready to plunk down a whole lot
more money on higher quality materials. (And, I should add, till you're
ready to start squirreling away the stash like the rest of us!)
And ENJOY YOURSELF. It's a hobby, not a life or death situation!
Best,
Laurie
N. Suburban Chicago, IL
"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " <catwo...@aol.comnekoluvr> wrote in
message news:20011009074103...@mb-mo.aol.com...
> >From: Liz / Cozit co...@home.com
Lesley Isaac
Must be us frugal antipodeans :-) so what do you do with all the leftovers?
I seem to have several plastic project bags containing left overs that I
haven't been able to throw away (thrifty or cheap <grin>). I guess I form an
emotional attachment to them during each project so can't face dumping them
at the end as 'unwanted'. I have no idea what their DMC or other numbers are
anymore but the are so pretty <grin>. I guess I am just a hopeless case :-)
Hope you are having a better spring in Wollongong than we are across the
ditch!
Lesley
In NZ
JuliaBaldwin
you like but don't like the fabric, if you speak to the owner, she/he will
usually swap the fabric for you, either aida to linen or linen to aida at no
extra cost.
I have found this useful on a couple of occasions in the past.
Julia ;-)
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=juliabaldwin
Liz / Cozit
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply wrote:
> >From: Liz / Cozit co...@home.com
>
> >Yeah, it came with aida... but
> >without partial stitches (again, I think... haven't had the chance to look
> >*that* closely yet), but at the price I got it, I went to my LNS and bought a
> >similar colored fabric of an evenweave I like
>
> I just wanted to post for any newbies we have. It's OK to stitch on aida.
> If you are new here, you will notice that most of us talk about dumping the
> aida and fibers (if it's not DMC or Anchor) that come in kits and replacing it
> with evenweave and brand name fibers. This is a matter of choice and is not
> necessary.
Oops... yup... should have/could have mentioned that. For this particular project,
IMHO it will look better done on an evenweave. OTOH, I've a Disney kit that I'm
doing on Aida *even* with the *awful* number of partial stitches it has... because
I think it'll look fine that way. I've even done one baby sampler that I strongly
feel looks better in the Aida I did it in than it would have if I had changed the
fabric.... same with my neverending project of placemats that I ought to get out
again, since I haven't touched it in about 3-4 months because of a needed
commitment to a temporary take with project.
Unless the fabric itself, no matter what type it is, is bad, there's almost never a
real reason to *have* to change fabric... all a matter of personal taste and what
you feel works best for that project... though I'll admit to having gotten at least
one piece that was way too small for the project if I wanted it framed.... and the
aida (in that case) seemed not quite square as well.
-Liz
Liz / Cozit
Cynthia wrote:
>
> I can get aida (really called hardanger for this count) in 22 ct. I have never
> personally seen 44 count evenweave so if I want that count, aida is it.
LOL... but there *is* stitchable fabric that isn't evenweave around that count....
and higher. I'm working on a handkerchief... blackwork... over 3 in one direction,
alternating 3 and 4 the other to square it... more or less. Going over 3, rather
than 2, because over 2 the stitches were just too much on top of each other... and
I'm using thread.
-Liz
Cynthia
thought my 28 over 1 linen was bad. I would have to use a microscope to do that
count.
Cynthia
"Liz / Cozit" <co...@home.com> wrote in message
news:3BC36831...@home.com...
Cynthia
(can also be calculated at 3 inches to each side) to give me enough slack to
frame with. More if I am using mats. I tried adding just 4 inches but I
squirmed most of the way cause it felt too small. There are some ways to
"cheat" like the methods for silk gauze where you use another fabric as the
border (the part that goes behind the mat). One of those days I will get used
to thinking about the cost as part of the project and not "wasted linen" <GRIN>
especially difficult to do when buying the expensive stuff by the inch. But
believe me, there is almost *nothing* worse than spending months on a project
and finding out that it won't fit on the fabric or doesn't look right. One
trick I have tried is to photocopy the pattern so that the pattern stitches are
approximately the same count as the fabric. Cut out the pattern around the
design edges and place the copy on the fabric to see how it will look. Some
designs just "need" more room around the edges. It is easier to find that out
*before* you stitch it <GRIN>.
Cynthia
"Liz / Cozit" <co...@home.com> wrote in message
news:3BC3676E...@home.com...
Fratfrat
Dipika Jain
it probably just depends on where you are. in other fun news, i bought lots
of threads of dmc to TRY to get the complete set needed to start TW's
Fantasy Triptytch. for some reason, i can't bring myself to start it until
i have ALL of the necessary supplies. i also bought a beautiful Dimensions
kit called Oriental butterfly. the colors of the butterfly really struck
me, the center is a bluish purple and its wings are fiery orange and red,
and the other set is a deep green. very eyepleasing. my final purchase was
mirabilia's Fairy Flora. so far all i can do is stare at her cause she's so
pretty. :)
dipika
"Meredith Dill" <Meri...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3BC319EE...@yahoo.com...
Liz Hampton
> From: "Lesley Isaac" <les...@ihug.co.nz>
> Must be us frugal antipodeans :-) so what do you do with all the leftovers?
>
> I seem to have several plastic project bags containing left overs that I
> haven't been able to throw away (thrifty or cheap <grin>). snip
> Lesley
> In NZ
I've donated them to Girl Scout troops for projects where they don't need a
certain number, just a "color" for the girls to use. For a while, I saved
them in bags by color to use myself for small ornaments or doo dads.
Liz from Humbug
Liz / Cozit
better with the glasses off than on. (I've about a 12-13 inch focal point range...
and tend to have to hold it nearly that close anyway to see the weave well... so if
I take my thick glasses off, I get a bit more light, and not *much* of a change in
where I hold it, soo.....
-Liz
Lesley Isaac
eager recipient. Thanks for the suggestion.
Rgds
Lesley
Kathy Koestner
> I can get aida (really called hardanger for this count) in 22 ct. I have
never
> personally seen 44 count evenweave so if I want that count, aida is it.
I took a look at the fabric list at Needle in a Haystack and found that
Zweigart and Firenze Collection have 45 count linens. There are a bunch of 40
count linens from Wichelt, Zweigart, The Scarlet Letter, R&R, and Firenze
Collection, and Zweigart and Firenze also have 50 count linens.
I've only used Zweigart's 50 ct Kingston. It was very nice to work with. I
cross-stitched a teeny round-the-world quilt pattern on it to fit into an
itty-bitty hoop pin that was on my nametag.
Kathy K
--
X/USA/S/-/-/-/27B/Monolog in Blue/X,Bw,D,P/E,L/D,S,Od/:-P~
/S/M+/B/b/R-/S/K-/E+/L/G-/Wo/Sam Elliott/David Weber/pizza
Dawne Peterson
"Fratfrat" wrote ..
> The quality in many lines of kits is first rate -particularly >the Danish
kits.
of materials.
Dawne
EGNeedler
May I add that I find the Heritage Stitchcraft kits excellent as well. You can
get most of them in 27 count Linda or 14 count Aida and they come with ample
DMC floss separated and numbered on cards. They also print backstitching on
separate sheets which makes for easy reading.
Eleanor the Elder
Cynthia
pictures so she doesn't carry much of the smaller count stuff.
Cynthia
"Kathy Koestner" <kto...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20011010053053...@mb-mb.aol.com...
Cynthia
sheet. What an idea! And why doesn't everyone do it? The WIP now is driving
me crazy trying to figure out the backstitch lines from the grid lines and the
color symbol that is underneath the backstitch. I can't wait to start on the
other one with the separate chart (the WIP is *almost* finished so I am forcing
myself to be good and concentrate on it).
Cynthia
"EGNeedler" <egne...@aol.com> wrote in message
JuliaBaldwin
suppose I have been pretty lucky.
Julia
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=juliabaldwin