Stitching Forums

Dionne    Cross Stitch, Embroidery and Crewel, Knitting and Crochet, Tapestry and Needlepoint     crochet, Cross Stitch, embroidery, hand embroidery, knitter, needlepoint, stitching, tapestry

Stitching has an unfortunate reputation for being a little solitary, this is probably the reason for the global success of the “Stitch and Bitch” gatherings.  If you are looking for online Forums to showcase and share your work while checking out others, and finding new inspiration, here are a few I have found and like.

Cross Stitch This site is MAD! incredibly busy, and has lots of  helpful advice, don’t let the heading fool you.  Members don’t, and there are postings and advice on other stitching habits arts as well as cross stitch.  No advertising or sponsored links.

The Hand Embroidery Network is a relatively new forum, it has a comprehensive directory of stitches and a rapidly growing membership.  Some limited advertising on the site.

Needlepoint.about.com This is not as busy a site as others, but it is very specific to needlepoint and tapestry and focuses on a very good techniques and terminology resource, free patterns and support.  There are quite a number of sponsored links and advertising for needlecraft and other products.

Ravelry is a monster!  This is a one stop shop resource for the knitter and crocheter which would explain the over two hundred thousand members.  There is advertising but you have to go hunting for it!  How novel!

Stitchin Fingers is a textile and fibres forum rather than a particular stitching discipline.  The Take a Stitch Tuesday discussion opens up a world of possibilities for you to try out new stitches then you can check out the photos of other people’s take on it, very cool.  There are a couple of Google ads but they are limited to the side bar.

When bad things happen to your nice stitching

Dionne    Feel good stuff, What's New     celtic autumn, lavendar and lace, materials, stitching, teresa wentzler

Heartbreak!   You have invested money on materials, and countless hours of your precious time and your beautiful piece is ruined! 

I once dropped a cup of coffee on Teresa Wentzler’s Noah’s Ark, after swearing, I threw it in cold water immediately.  It was milk coffee and protein in milk will set if heat is applied first.  It worked a treat, but not in the same league as permanent damage ie super glue.  Suggestion here is wait until dry, and prick all the holes with a sharp.  Then roll the fabric diagonally, sideways and up and down between your fingers to make it flexible again.  There is very little you can do with the stain if there is one, and if it is very obvious, stitching over it with an added design may be your only option. 

If however it isn’t your fault and somehow a product changes colour as you put it on, as in the case of one of our customers.  Her cross stitch Lavendar and Lace, Celtic Autumn was nearly finished, imagine her disappointment as she realised the feature beads in the dress and around the border were slowly changing from the pumpkin orange in the packet to a big bird yellow the longer they were attached to the piece.  We have exchanged the beads but the magic of the piece is gone and she just cannot bring herself to take the beads off and replace or even look at it. 

Based on past experience I know if it was me, I would stuff it in the cupboard and not look at it again … ever!  What would you do?