Why backstitch last?
Susan McIntosh
instruction I've ever seen say to save backstitching for your *last* step?
Will it really mess things up if you backstitch a particular section right
after you stitch it? I've never done it this way, just wondered.
thanks,
susan
Di Michelson
We've got a stitching group that meets Thursday evenings and we've
discussed this more than once...the general consensus seems to be that
backstitching is not as fun as cross stitching and for large projects
it's fine to backstitch as you go along--but after you finish a whole
section. Our main worry was that (especially for those of us who
whipstitch our xs's) we would pull out the backstitches and have to
do them all over again (yuck!).
Which brings up another point, how many of you whipstitch vs going down,
then up? How many use a hoop or frame vs loose in the hand? Do you like
the new Q-frames? (I'm talking about those white plastic squares with
four curves of plastic that fit over the sides--know what I mean? If not-
go down to your local xs source and check it out!) Those are good for
both the whippers and the pokers, as the tension of the fabric can be
easily adjusted. I tried to make one from some 3/4" pvc and 1" pvc, but
the 1" didn't fit around the 3/4" after all that sawing. I figured
< $1 of pvc was a lot better than, what is it, $10 for a Q-frame...
And then there are different sizes......
--Di
(I'd rather be tatting!)
Marina Salume
stitch before you do the backstitch--in that area.
So if all the cross stitching is done in a certain
area, go ahead and do the backstitching there too.
It might be a little more "efficient" to do all the
backstitching last (especially if it's all in one
color thread) but we're supposed to be doing this
for fun, not to see how fast we can finish a piece! :-)
--marina
jli...@nickel.laurentian.ca
There's one very good reason--if you backstitch across an area where
not all the x-stitches are finished, then you come back and fill in
the x-stitches, the backstitches can disappear between new and old
stitches. That loses the distinctive, connected look of the line
of backstitches--you just get hints of it showing through. So if
you want to preserve an outline with backstitch, wait until all the
x-stitches it crosses or borders are finished before backstitching.
(Note: you can backstitch sections, then, before the whole piece
is finished--but it's usually easier with complex patterns to wait
'til the end)
Janice Liedl
Laurentian University, Canada
JLI...@NICKEL.LAURENTIAN.CA
Carol Hall
: >I apologize if this is a dumb question :-), but why does every cross-stitch
: >instruction I've ever seen say to save backstitching for your *last* step?
: >Will it really mess things up if you backstitch a particular section right
: >after you stitch it? I've never done it this way, just wondered.
The above message reminded my of my first really large piece of x-stitch.
It was "the Castle" by Teresa Wentzel. I did all the cross-stitching, and
I looked at the work I'd done and thought, "oh, yeah, well, I guess it's
nice." But I was really disappointed in it. Then I did the
backstitching. It was amazing to see little bits of half-crosses turn
into three-dimensional supports for the castle turrets. I found that the
delight of the "finishing touch" of the backstitching was very satisfying.
BTW, someone asked who uses what techniques to keep tension. I've never
used the "hold in the hand" method, probably because I was taught
embroidery as a child and was told that all embroidery MUST be in a hoop.
I have been using scroll bars since I got into x-stitching, and I added
little things to the frame to make life easier--a magnet to hold the
needle, a clip to hold the skein of thread, a velcro strip to hold the
pencil, another one for the scissors and even a place for the pattern.
But I've seen ads in the mags for the new pvc-type frames. They look
interesting. The only trouble is, I'd have to find a new way to organize
all of my supplies.
Amelia J. Scott-Piner
a design and then backstitching the portions that are completely done.
That means no stitches will be done at a later date that will touch the
backstitching. The reason for backstitching last is to make sure that no
cross-stitch overlaps the backstitching slightly so that the backstitch
would be less clear.
I guess it's so we don't let it all hang out (or over) :). My
own private theory of stitching is do what makes you happy. I've got a
rather large piece that I'm finishing 6 inches at a time. And I do
backstitch those areas except for a few squares close to the edge of the
completed portion. (I pick those up in the next section of backstitch)
ji...@super.org
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Amelia Jill Scott-Piner | Anything that I say has nothing
ji...@super.org | to do with my company.
Bowie, Maryland USA -----------------------------------
RCTF
> Susan McIntosh <SUS...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu> wrote:
>>I apologize if this is a dumb question :-),
>>but why does every cross-stitch
>>instruction I've ever seen say to save backstitching for your *last* step?
>>Will it really mess things up if you backstitch a particular section right
>>after you stitch it?
It's not important that it be the last thing you do on the _entire_ piece;
that's obviously impractical for a larger piece where you're moving the hoop
several times to get different areas. What is important is that the floss of
the backstitch lies on _top_ of all the adjacent cross stitches so that it can
be seen as a continuous line. The instructions are just oversimplifying the
issue a bit to keep it short, I guess.
> Which brings up another point, how many of you whipstitch vs going down,
> then up? How many use a hoop or frame vs loose in the hand? Do you like
> the new Q-frames?
Definitely stab stitch. I've done a couple of projects on linen, and I've read
all the stuff about how linen must _always_ be done in the hand and _has_ to be
sewing stitch, and I don't buy it. I did a project in the hand once because it
was too small for any hoop, and my hand cramps in three seconds flat. I think
stab stitch gives a crisper look, less passing floss in between strands of an
earlier stitch, etc. I'm converting to stretcher bars to relieve the damage
round hoops do to linen. Will definitely have to check out Q-frames; thanks!!
-Rachel
Cathy
Well, personally, I think for me it is like eating the best bit off the
plate last. It is sort of the wonderful motivation that makes you keep
going so that in the end you can see the completed item un-backstitched,
and then fairly quickly after the completed item backstitched.
Not very technical - but it works for me!
Cathy Morison
Michelago
Australia
clara=fitzgera...@leo.cecer.army.mil
I seem to be sold on scroll frames. of course, as soon as you start a project
large enough to need them, you need the floor stand to support it. I got a
bottom-of-the-line frame & stand from Herrschners(sp?) for less than $20 (plus
shipping). Much easier on the wrist. Now I need the floor lamp so I can use
both hands without shadowing myself...(!)
I got a Q-frame which I used to embellish a shirt. It provides adjustable 4-way
tension (which is good; scroll frames give 2, unless you lace the sides ;-( ),
but has to fit the project size (lots of extra expense of shirt to deal with) and you
have to hold it somehow. Better than a hoop, but I'm relieved to go back to the
floor stand.
-Clara Nelson Fitzgerald cne...@faroe.vp.uiuc.edu
Carol Hall
: Which brings up another point, how many of you whipstitch vs going down,
: then up? How many use a hoop or frame vs loose in the hand? Do you like
: the new Q-frames? (I'm talking about those white plastic squares with
: four curves of plastic that fit over the sides--know what I mean? If not-
: go down to your local xs source and check it out!) Those are good for
: both the whippers and the pokers, as the tension of the fabric can be
: easily adjusted.
I just came back from my favorite local needlwork store and I was looking
at the Q-frames. I asked the owner about them and she said they were very
good for aida, but not for linen. It seems that the linen doesn't like to
be stretch more than once, so if you move the Q-frame around, it puckers.
Also, there seems to be more problem with the oils from your hands getting
on thee fabric where it comes out the back of the clamp. (I don't know if
anyone can understand that last sentence, but I'm not sure how to write
it.) With a scroll bar set-up, only the top and bottom hold the fabric,
so that if you hold it by the sides, you don't have to worry about
touching the fabric and getting it icky with your hands.
I'm definitely a "poker." I've been looking at the lap stands, though,
because it seems to be easier if you don't have to hold the fram at all.
I'm not sure I can justify $50 for one at this point. Hubby already
thinks the cost of all this stuff is a bit high.
Carol Thatcher Hall
Nancy C Reynolds
>In article <16C98E3A6S...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>,
>Susan McIntosh <SUS...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu> wrote:
>>I apologize if this is a dumb question :-), but why does every cross-stitch
>>instruction I've ever seen say to save backstitching for your *last* step?
>>Will it really mess things up if you backstitch a particular section right
>>after you stitch it? I've never done it this way, just wondered.
>>
>>thanks,
>>susan
>We've got a stitching group that meets Thursday evenings and we've
>discussed this more than once...the general consensus seems to be that
>backstitching is not as fun as cross stitching and for large projects
>it's fine to backstitch as you go along--but after you finish a whole
>section. Our main worry was that (especially for those of us who
>whipstitch our xs's) we would pull out the backstitches and have to
>do them all over again (yuck!).
>Which brings up another point, how many of you whipstitch vs going down,
>then up? How many use a hoop or frame vs loose in the hand? Do you like
>the new Q-frames? (I'm talking about those white plastic squares with
>four curves of plastic that fit over the sides--know what I mean? If not-
If my project is very big (bigger than about 5" x 7"), I do not save my
backstitching until last. As soon as an area is finished and I can be
backstitching between finished x's, I may do that area so that I won't be
stuck with all backstitching at the end. I think a steady diet of
backstitching is quite boring, so I like to break up the task.
I do not whipstitch an cross stitch. I use the stab method for every
kind of fabric (Belfast linen to Aida) and usually use a hoop if the
project is large enough to take one. I do have "Rainbow Row" on a scroll
frame, but will have to try another method as this does not provide
adequate tension. Some of my older (and still waiting) projects are on
stretcher bars, almost done. The nice thing about stretcher bars is that
you get no hoop marks and can look at the picture in a semi-framed way
while you're working on it. I know that one is "supposed" to use the
sewing method for linen, but I don't like the look I get.
--Nancy Reynolds