A Few Words from a Newbie Stitcher

A Few Words from a Newbie Stitcher . . .

I offer a few thoughts to those who may be unsure if Fine Art Cross Stitch charts are for them.

My first stitching project was a Lavender & Lace Angel. It had been re-gifted to my sister just before Christmas 2006 and, having watched her stitching, I decided to have a go myself – a major decision for someone who, many years ago, was informed by her needlework teacher that her work was appallingly bad. Maybe such a chart was a little ambitious for a first attempt, but I found it easy and it was soon finished then framed and hung with great pride in my apartment in June 2007. I promptly stitched three Marjolein Bastin projects (one rather cheekily being a present to my sister but I’m happy to say it’s framed and hung in her office!) and two small Bothy Threads projects featuring cats and flowers. All of these were completed during 2007. Let me hasten to assure you, dear readers, that I DO have a fulltime job as well as other commitments!

With the advent of my sister’s website I discovered a whole new world of wonderful stitch projects and was thrilled when she asked me to model stitch one of her charts. I wanted something different to what I had seen on offer from other websites and for me, Fine Art Cross Stitch offers that difference I was looking for. I love Alphonse Mucha’s work and White Star in particular caught my attention. After much reassurance – after all, I was still a novice at stitching and with hardly any experience to speak of – I started White Star in October 2007.

What came across immediately from the chart pack was how abundantly clear the instructions are and, indeed, the chart pages themselves which are easy to follow. The charting process itself is of a consistently high quality; the colors are fresh and true with none of the fuzziness that sometimes happens with charts from other retailers. There is a very useful Usage Summary which can be tailored according to the type and size of fabric being stitched. Being still very new to cross stitch, I have stuck to good old Aida fabric for this project, although evenweave or linen is beckoning for future ones! Charts readily lend themselves to different fabrics, offering different sizes and effects for the finished project, depending on the type of fabric stitched.

Taking advantage of the advice on hand from my sister – much of which is repeated in her website’s stitching tips – I have fairly zipped along with my project! For me, a needle docker is essential and the handy little symbols chart that my sister can produce for each chart fits nicely, giving the docker a professional look. I “bobbinate” my floss and, again, this is my personal choice – my bobbins sit happily in a handy dandy plastic craft box and my crafting lamp (a Christmas gift – thanks sis!) is indespensible. I use Q-Snaps to keep the working area of the fabric tight and I know these are either loved or loathed by stitchers, but for me they’re perfect.

Stitchers are individuals; what works for one person may not for another and that’s the way of most things, I find. As a newbie stitcher, I have found these charts to be extremely easy to follow with the instructions reassuringly clear.

Are the projects large? That depends on the size and type of fabric stitched and yes, you do need to actually put your tush in the chair and stitch else the project won’t get finished! Are they difficult? Not at all; if I can stitch one then so can anyone else out there. Are they fun to stitch? Most definitely! I’m thrilled the way White Star is coming along AND I already have three more charts lined up as projects.

If you think these charts aren’t for you then I urge you to think again. Take another look at the charts on offer and get stitching!