This sure is a fun project to work on, but check back with me when I start that border, OK? :p Actually, I think the border on this will go pretty quickly. I've also learned to use my beloved Thread Heaven , even on DMC. Half of her skirt was without it, and half was with it and I much more enjoyed the half that I used it on! If someone can tell me how to make floss lay perfectly flat, I'd really appreciate it. Because I've tried for 20+ years now, and haven't mastered that one. I do try however!Till next time (which will probably be tomorrow!),
She's wonderful, Tammy! I can't help with laying stitches, I just untwist my thread a lot and how it lays is how it stays.
ReplyDeleteI railroad my stitches to get them to lay straight. It takes time, but I don't mind. It's just part of the process.
ReplyDeleteI need to get some Thread Heaven when I'm at the LNS tomorrow.
Have you ever tried 'splitting' your thread? Works for me to get that sucker to lay flat...I LOVE her little rolly body...I can relate..are you sure that isn't a potrait of me?.................................(headache fairy...I'm running now)
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with your blog! I love all things Halloween & Autumn!
ReplyDeleteGreat progress! She's so neat! :)
ReplyDeleteShe is so very cute with her little green face and bright dress! I saw Thread Heaven hanging at ECS and meant to get it--definitely I will the next time I go back.
ReplyDeleteLOL...funny the way it is if you stitch it actually gets done :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not usually too picky about the threads laying flat, but have taken a few classes where they were persnickety about that. Because of that, I have learned to use a laying tool. It takes a bit to get used to, but does help those threads behave :)
Eek!!! It's a new twist on the wicked witch of the west!! Te Hee Hee! I am green with envy you have been able to stitch on Halloween designs.....I have tooo much going, I dare not start something wicked and fun for fear my current WIP's will become something of the past and become a new home to some cobwebs......! LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat stitching!
ReplyDeleteI love your green witch. She is for sure obese and reminds me of those Rolly Polly Santa's.
I am thinking I may need to get her, too. Like I need one more of anything? NO! You can not buy one more thing.
Oh, don't mind them I never listen!
Where did you get all of your stuff on your blog? It is great, also.
Keep on stitching and showing us your cool, interesting work.
God Bless ~
Lenna
Ahhhh...too cute!! I've never used a laying tool, but may try it. I never really worried about mine laying flat, but I do separate my strands and keep untwisting.
ReplyDeleteI like to railroad my stitches also like Dee.Works most of the time but takes a little more time than not railroading.She's a comin' along!
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting for Her... She is a perfect witch with that green face!
ReplyDeleteThis witch is so cute with her green face and long wide skirt! Great progress, I'm waiting how she will look next time :)
ReplyDeleteCan't help with the stitches laying flat isuue I'm afraid. Mine stay how they lay. She looks fabulous! And now we know who ate all the pumpkin pie! He he he.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing your next update :-)
I think she's adorable! :) So cute!
ReplyDeleteI railroad too (also called splitting) and use thread heaven, but my ultimate tool for stitching is one that I came up with on my own and it works fabulously. I never turn my needle. I go down through the fabric with the point of the needle and I come up through the fabric with my eye of the needle. Since we're shooting for holes already in the fabric anyway...you don't have to "pierce" anything - this method works like a charm. ALSO...you can get down the the end of the thread and not waste hardly any thing except a wee little nubbin. Since you are constantly turning your needle, your thread never twists. It stays the same as when you put it on there. I bet some stitching divas would say "no, no, no" but I say "yes, yes, yes" give it a try...
I'm the same as Terri when it comes to laying stitches. I drop the needle every now and then to untwist it, but apart from that, nothing much else. When you finish your piece, you're not looking at it as close as when you're stitching it, so I don't think it matters so much. Personally, I'm not that fussy. Never tried a laying tool and haven't used Thread Heaven either. How basic am I?
ReplyDeleteYour Witchy is coming along nicely. The finished product is going to look wonderful!
Oh my gosh. She looks great & so witchy!! ~ Dawn ~
ReplyDeleteyes tammy...it is very exciting to see the pattern emerges as we go on stitching.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to use railroad method...I stitch it holding the frame in hand not on the stand,so it was making me slow,
i try to untwist the thread often and i make sure my stitches are not too tight...
That is one fine looking witch! I can't wait to see her all done. As for the flat floss, it's easy. I never let anyone within three feet of my stitching, and it looks perfectly flat!
ReplyDeleteI am a strand separator too. Helps lots. By the way, have you checked out the Cricket Collection's "Sleepy Hollow" design. It's great alone or for a stitching neighborhood...
ReplyDeleteHey--her waistline looks a bit like mine!! To keep threads straight, my first tip is to stitch with only one. LOL But if I must use two, I separate my threads & put the two strands back together, and then railroad the top stitches. I also let the needle dangle every few stitches to let any twist get untwisted. I will have to check out Vonna's method sometime.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she has heads turning in the witchy world...she is a stunner. I love the the row of flowers on the hem of her dress.
ReplyDeleteI cant help to much about twisting thread. I always stitch so fast to finish models, but I think I'll try Vonnas idea. Witchy looks great
ReplyDeleteShe's looking great, you've made a lot of progess on her. As to laying the stitches, I pretty much do what others have mentioned, seperate the stands and put them back together to start, dangle them often to let them untwist, and on the top leg I railroad (split) the stitch.
ReplyDeleteSue
What a cute design! I love Halloween...your blog is total eye candy!
ReplyDeleteShe is really coming along! Love her!!
ReplyDeleteWow Tammy I just love your witch!! She is just beautiful!! Thank you for coming into my blog!! Your stitching here is just awesome as is your blog! I also love the little poem on your sidebar! That is so true of us cross stitchers or at least this one!
ReplyDeleteDebby
Your witch is really coming along! She looks fabulous. You've already gotten a lot of advice on getting your stitching flat. I separate strands before I stitch and then I don't worry about them too much. I used to railroad but honestly I don't see much of a difference. I always stitch with full X's and not /// \\\ but I don't know if that makes a difference or not.
ReplyDelete