Adventures in Cross Stitch

photo credit : SatsumaStreet

 

I wouldn't say that I'm a particularly impulsive person, and I'm not somebody who feels the need to have lots of different projects all going on at once. So for me to see something and be so smitten that I dive head first into a completely new creative adventure is unusual. But that's exactly what happened when I came across some cross stitch designs on Instagram (on Valentines Day no less), it really was love at first sight. I did question it for an extremely small number of minutes......will this stitching thing make me happy (very likely), can I justify spending money on new materials (absolutely, I'm worth it), have I really got the time to give over to a new hobby (probably not, but I'm way too excited to care).

 

As you can see from the above photo, the thing that caught my undivided attention last month was a cross stitch project created by Californian designer Jody Rice. Jody's company is called Satsuma Street and when I read that her tag line was "Cross Stitch for a Happy World", well I figured that I would probably be really happy taking a stroll down Satsuma Street.

 

You can follow Jody on Instagram (her name there is @craftnik), and you can read more about how she came to be a cross stitchin' lady on her website (https://satsumastreet.com/) 

 

 

Much like yours truly, Jody's signature is her joyful use of bright colour and as you can probably imagine, I instantly fell head over heels in love with her style. I think she has become most well known for her "Pretty Little Cities" designs, but it was her Zodiac designs that captured my heart.

Satsuma Street cross stitch designs are beautifully photographed for Jody's Etsy shop, which is an absolute delight to browse through. With each listing, Jody explains the type of fabric you will need, and the finished size of the piece. Etsy makes this kind of online purchase an absolute doddle - you click on the Buy-it-now button, pay your money, and as if by magic a PDF file appears for you to download to your computer.

The only information I found that was missing was the total number of different colours needed for each project - I kind of wanted to know this in advance so that I could calculate the cost of the project. So I simply messaged Jody via Etsy to ask her and she told me that the number of colours varied with each design but that on average she used 20 - 30 in each one. Now that's quite a lot of thread to purchase if you are starting from scratch, but well......who can resist the lure of a fistful of thready colour???

The downloading of the cross stitch chart is pretty much instantaeous, but there is an inevitable delay when ordering up supplies. Oh, it was AgOnY waiting for them to arrive!!!! I kept looking at my printed out chart and itching to stitch, and I am not known for my pateince when it comes to the Creative Urge.

I bought my basic supplies on Amazon, as follows :: 

Fabric - black 14 count aida

Scissors - duck egg blue polka dot

Needles - size 24 tapestry 

I was a little scared of the black aida when it arrived - the holes looked awfully close together and very hard to see, but actually it wasn't nearly as tricky as I feared.

The threads are DMC brand "stranded embroidery threads", and I went to an independent online retailer for these. I was recommended The Patchwork Rabbit on Instagram so thought I would check it out (always nifty to get good advance info on these things) and I found their threads to be extremely well priced, all in stock, and super-speedy with the delivery too. The website makes it easy to order - you simply type the colour number code into the "find it easily" search box, and the listing pops straight up with no messing. So I guess there are hundreds of places you could find DMC threads online, but I can certainly recommend the Patchwork Rabbit. 

Now I am not new to stitching or embroidery by any means, having been an avid stitcher for most of my life. But following a counted cross stitch chart was something I'd never done before. Jody's charts are in full colour, but also have these little symbols to make it a bit clearer. In a nutshell - one little symbol in a square = one cross stitch. It's all pretty self explanatory really, although when you download one of Jody's charts you also get an additional PDF file which contains some basic cross stitch know-how.  

The first thing I did was to grab some white sewing thread to mark out the central lines (vertical and horizontal) so that I would know where to begin stitching. Jody advises finding the centre point on your fabric (also marked on her charts) and begin stitching from there, working your way out towards the edges. 

The Zodiac design I'd chosen was made to fit inside a 6" hoop, so it all felt very achievable for this newbie x-stitcher. None of the areas were too big or too complex to count, and Jody's designs use frequent colour changes worked over small, detailed areas so I  never felt bored of the stitching, not once.

In fact, I very quickly became mesmerised by the whole process of slow stitching and absolutely loved being able to see the overall design gently emerge as if by magic. I particularly appreciated all the little design details - being able to stitch highly decorative flowers and leaves as well as the larger areas kept me completely addicted for hours and hours on end.

I couldn't decided at first whether to stitch with my fabric stretched in a hoop, or to keep the fabric floppy and free - there seems to be some debate about this when I looked it up online. In the end I kept my fabric stretched in the flexi-hoop which would eventually become the frame and I enjoyed stitching in and out of the taut fabric. Flexi-hoops have a little metal hanger screwed into the top of them, so before I began stitching I unscrewed it and put it somewhere safe. That meant that my hoop was completely smooth all the way around and there was nothing for the threads to get caught up in. I much preferred it to a traditional embroidery hoop which has the tightening screw at the top.

Flexi-hoops come in all different sizes and finishes - the one I'm using is Woodgrain (although it's plastic of course), and 6" which is the finished size of all Jody's zodiac cross stitch pieces.

{6" flexi-hoop on Amazon} - also easy to find in abundance on eBay.

I popped all my cross stitching paraphernalia inside my best-favourite project bag, a treasured gift hand made for me by my lovely friend Sandra-Cherryheart.

I must confess to you that I really did become obsessed with the business of making weeny crosses onto this black fabric. The above photo was taken just 3 days after I began my adventure - I know!!! Yikes!!! I started out on a Saturday morning, and by Tuesday I only had the birds left to stitch. 

I deliberately saved stitching the birds until last, oh I did SO enjoy creating them! It amazed me how much character and charm could be created using a load of simple little crosses - Jody's designs really are an absolute joy.

The other pleasing thing about the finished piece is the overall supreme neatness of it all. There is a precision in counted cross stitch which I thought might possibly get on my nerves, but actually it was the opposite. I found I loved the necessary concentration, the methodical counting and changing colours in exactly the right place. It gave me a sense of calm to follow each tiny little symbol on the chart, producing so many hundreds of regimented rows of crosses. It was just delightful to know that someone else had carried out a huge amount of design work so that I knew for certain that my picture would work out and become a wonderful finished object.

My cross stitch isn't without it's mistakes mind you. There are a few places where I completely miscounted but had gone too far ahead to be able to unpick my stitches. So I had to tell myself it was ok to leave the mistakes and nobody would really know except me.

I finished my first ever cross stitch within a week, and I am completely in love with it. In case you aren't familiar with the zodiac signs, I'm a Libra which is the sign of balance and harmony, represented by weighing scales. When I think about a set of weighing scales, absolutely nothing inspirational springs to mind at all, so full credit to Jody for designing something so pleasing and beautiful. She is a true artist, and if you delve into her Instagram feed you'll catch glimpses of her design process in action. It's genuine (paper and pencil!), and every finished design of hers is stitched and photographed so that you get a real good sense of the completed piece. Almost every other cross stitch design I have come across online is simply a computer generated representation - it's absolutely not the same as seeing a photo of the real thing.

I thought you might appreciate getting a look at the dirty back side of my cross stitch - ha!!! I didn't use any knots when I started a new colour - I either stitched over the end or carried it under existing stitches....I'm rather proud of it!

I can't remember where I read about finishing off a piece of stitching in a hoop, but I found some general instructions online somewhere. I made sure the design was exactly in the centre, pulled the fabric nice and taut, then trimmed it around with about a cm overhanging. I then used a strong black thread and made a running stitch all around the circle, pulling it tight as I went so that the fabric was gathered in neatly. I finished it off by painting over the raw fabric edge with a little white craft glue to stop it fraying. 

I absolutely love what I made, I love every single little thing about it. I even love the black background, and the way it makes the colours sing. I love knowing that the hours I spent quietly stitching during a cold, snowy week in February turned into something so lovely.

I always intended for my Libra hoop to hang on the wall in my bedroom - it somehow seemed the perfect place for it, and I look at it every single day when I first get up in the morning, and just before I snuggle into bed at night.

The wall looks a bit bare at the moment but I'm hoping to build up a little collection of pictures and pretty things to add over time. Little B made me the hama bead heart, and the pictures are just greetings cards stuck on the wall with washi tape.

So what's the next chapter going to be in my cross stitch adventure??

Well...................................................................................................

photo credit : SatsumaStreet

 ............I'm already started on a second zodiac design, this time it's Pisces which is J's sign. Aren't the fishes amazing?

I found that I only needed to buy 6 additional colours to add to the ones I already had for the Libra design and I was good to go full steam ahead with the fish. I'm still loving the whole cross-stitch process, although I sometimes find the lack of good direct light a bit of a problem. I've found that if I keep the white paper chart on my lap whilst I'm stitching, I can more easily see the holes in the black aida fabric, but good lighting is essential for this kind of close work.

I would love to hear if any of you are on your own cross stitch adventure, and if you have any good recommendations for modern designers. I haven't dared look too far into the world-wide-web just yet, but boy, I'm tempted. There are probably some amazing stitchy bloggers out there, just waiting for the likes of me to tumble fully down their stitchy rabbit holes. But first - the fishes are calling..................................

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Comments

[Sara Blasingame]

I love to crosstitch I have been doing it since I have been about about 10yrs. old my grandmother started me to crosstitch, quilting and other things I am now 62 yrs.

[Risper A Odondo]

I love cross stitch. I live in Africa Kenya. How can I earn income out of cross stitch.?

[nancy markuson]

I just love the daisy pattern. Thank you for posting. I copied/pasted it, and plan to use it in my next cross stitch. Also, I love the pictures of the countryside you post. I am from New England, and it makes me long to head up to our cabin in New Hampshire.

[Geri]

Very brave of you stitching on dark fabric. Nice job!

[Suse19]

Have you checked out Mr X Stitch? He’s fab:))

[LINDA NICHOLS]

check out Frosted Pumpkin stitchery.

[Lindalva maria]

Eu amo ponto cruz como se chama aqui em meu país. Gostaria de ser umas 10 mulheres em uma só , para poder fazer todos estes trabalhos lindos vocês postam kkkkkk

[Melissa]

Oh Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery has sweet cross stitch designs. Stitched models for everything. Thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.com

[Melissa]

If you put a white napkin or blanket or pillowcase on your lap the holes in the black fabric are easier to see or a tap light from the Dollar Store or the £ store in your corner of the world! The lights are great for making the holes easier to see on dark fabric. Stitchrovia has wonderful designs also and Tiny Modernist.

[Sandy B (Australia)]

Dear Lucy, that was the most satisying blog post read I have ever encoutered. I love your wit, your sheer joy at the simple pleasures in life and your neverending beautiful creativeness. I love knowing you are in the world, and making it a nicer place to be. A big warm hug and cheerful smile to you and yours Lucy. XoX 🌸

[Alice Gatto]

Oh my goodness, I love that your foray into cross stitching is as colorful as your crochet work has always been. I don't usually do that kind of work, I'm more a crocheter and quilter, but those two examples are amazing and now I'll have to try cross stitching too.

I love your posts.

Sincerely,
alice g

[Hazel Henry]

Now you’re talking!! You know I’m a big stitcher so I can def reccommend best places for threads etc.. Lakeside Needlecraft is best place to buy threads. Etsy also have a ton of designers that you will love. You may like Stitchrovia as she works with lots of bright colours. Bothy threads do some wonderful animal designs that would be right up your street by designer Hannah Dale. I’ve just completed Fox in Foxgloves. Glad you’re enjoying your stitching journey xxx

[Lynn]

I love the black Aida cloth with the bright colors stitched on it. I’m glad you found another craft that makes you happy. I love the birds and the fish.
Your mantel is lovely. I have a Manzanita branch that I decorate for the holidays. Decorated blown out eggs, sweet little Easter ornaments and other bits and ends find their way onto the branch. Even my holiday pins and earrings! I agree with you about the decorating - it’s mostly just for me and the delight I have seeing my favorite decorations emerging from the storage boxes. Never lose that fun side to you!

[Gillian Roe]

Love love LOVE this Lucy. I am a huge cross stitch fan, for much the same reasons you are. Sometimes it really feels good to just follow a pattern that someone else has written, rather than making it up. I adore Alicia Paulson's patterns and am half way through her "My Sweetpie ABCs" pattern which is a delight. xx

[Sarah G]

I started cross stitching about 5 years ago - also after seeing a Satsuma Street design!! :) I love them! It is so addictive too, and I love my stitching as much as my crochet! My favourite designers (besides Satsuma Street) are The Frsoted Pumpkin Stitchery, Cloudsfactory, Brookes Books Publishing, and Shannon Christine Designs :) Its such a fab hobby! Oh, and wait until you discover hand dyed fabrics - now there is another addiction within itself! Chromatic Alchemy and Crafty Kitten Fabrics are 2 of my faves :) x

[Mich Brown]

Thanks to you I’ve now “favourited” Satsuma Street on Etsy. I’m going to need a bigger house to display all those cities lol! Cross stitch was the first textile craft I tried back in the 80s when I was small, and then I adored Jo Verso’s designs (and stole my mum’s copies of her books!). I’ve just discovered Emma Congdon and started her “Eat Sleep Craft Repeat” design while waiting for more Stylecraft DK silver to come back in stock so I can finish my first ripple blanket! Trouble is, like you, I’m finding the cross stitch too addictive and I can’t put it down now. I’ve already sorted the fabric for my next one - another Emma Congdon, this time her “G&T” design for the kitchen. And maybe a pretty city or two...

[Caroline]

Needlepoint is similar and very rewarding.

[Leslie]

I love counted cross stitch for all those reasons.
At one time I had every DMC color, just because

[Margie]

So very pretty! Thanks for the recommendation, I love her colors and designs :). Many years ago I was obsessed with cross stitch so I have a ton of DMC thread and fabric. I've never stitched on black fabric though, not sure about trying it either. As pretty as it is I don't think these old eyes could take it. Enjoy, it's a wonderful craft. It's perfect for summer time when it gets too humid and hot here to deal with yarn projects.

[Denise]

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you for all the work you put into the blanket tutorials. I can tell the great amount of time and effort it must take to write out and photograph each step for your readers. I just finished the beautiful woodland ripple and enjoyed the project immensely. Getting ready to start the harmony using woodland colors as a gift and then the summer harmony. Should keep me busy for a while! Many many thanks!

[Patricia Farghaly]

Yesi have been doing it since
The 1960s..The fish is my birthday too. Right now I'm doing two pillow cases. You can get the thread at the craft store. I use to go to the one in Manchester city store. The thread was Persian . It was beautiful. Have fun. Your work is lovely.

[AnnieO]

Gorgeous design and execution! I discovered counted cross stitch several decades ago and have been happy to see its resurgence lately as a home based business for many women (and a few men!). It is just as you say, a little scary to start with blank cloth but mesmerizing to see the design appear as you make the simple stitch. You were brave to start with a design requiring so many colors :) I'll have to remember your idea to remove the screw before stitching with a flexible hoop. Clever!

[Zoe]

I love Satsuma Street! Glad you found her. I also really love The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. :)

https://www.thefrostedpumpkinstitchery.com/

[Tinke]

Love it but cross stitching, no way. Did this massive alphabet with dogs for my oldest son. It was monks work. Not enjoying it like I do crochet, knitting or painting. Looks lovely though. You do keep making colourful crochet designs? Or can we expect needlework designs in the future ;>p

[Rita]

Welcome in a new world!