How to Join Double Strands of YarnIf you are wanting a separate length of each yarn, you can fold over each one, and attach at the end of each one, the middle point of the other. This means you have just two tails, the "end" and a loop in the "middle" instead of four tails.
Coloring Pages as Cheap Embroidery PatternsWhile looking for some nice embroidery patterns on the net I realized, that some very beautiful ones I had found and copied in my files, were coloring pages. You can set them and print them any size and directly put them under the foot of a sewing machine to embroider a tablecloth or anything else.
Use Dowel Rods for Needlework FramesEver wish you had a different size scroll bar set? I use half inch diameter dowel rods from the home improvement store and cut to whatever width I need at the time. I have widths ranging from 8 inches to 36 inches.
Keeping Hands Clean When Doing NeedleworkWhen doing a lot of cross stitching, and other needlework, you know you should really keep your hands clean. The easiest and inexpensive solution for me is to use the store brand baby wipes.
Keeping Cross Stitch Clean in Floor FrameI do a lot of cross stitching and always use a floor stand. However, when kept in the stand frame, it is open to household odors, my hubby's cigarette smoke, etc. I now use a plastic garbage bag to slide over the scroll rods and upper frame, therefore helping to keep it a little cleaner.
Keep Cross Stitch Material Clean With...I do a lot of cross stitching and have often found the material at the bottom to be more soiled than I thought it should be. I figured that this was because of my arm rubbing against the material on the scroll bar. I took one of hubby's socks, cut the ribbing off and slipped it on my arm; no more soil!
Plastic Canvas Spring AngelThis is one of 4 seasonal angels. I made this for my mom for a late Mother's Day gift.
Where to Go for Needlepoint DesignsYou can go to Needlecrafter.com for designs. The list is on the right.
Keeping Cross-Stitching Hoop TightI have always had a hard time when I am cross-stitching when my hoop won't keep the material tight. I put a heavy rubber band around the bottom hoop and now I have nice and tight fabric.
Tissue Box With CoastersThis is a tissue box cover and coaster holder with 6 matching coasters.
Bathroom BoxThis is a plastic canvas project. It is derived from a pattern for a tissue box cover, and can be adjusted to go with any tissue box cover pattern you want to use. These are the changes I am making to the pattern.
Plastic Canvas BoxI haven't made my project yet so can't send a picture. I just got done cutting the pieces out and will start stitching it tomorrow.
Landscaping Fabric as an Embroidery StabilizerIt's hard to find a stabilizer for machine embroidery on black and navy fabrics. I've found that weed barrier cloth (landscaping fabric) which is black in color works great and is both cheap and sturdy.
Plastic Canvas Flower PatternAfter seeing some pictures of Japanese plastic canvas, I got out my worsted weight yarn, my plastic canvas, a needle and whipped up a pattern for the flower. I hope those of you who do plastic canvas or design your own, will be able to make use of it.
Use Dryer Sheets for EmbroideryI recently bought a sewing/embroidery machine and love to embroider on things that I make. The stabilizer is pretty expensive so I didn't buy any, instead I use dryer sheets.
Recycling Plastic CanvasI purchased a spice rack with a pineapple motif done in needlepoint on the front. I didn't particularly like the pineapple motif so I removed the plastic canvas piece. I was looking all over for something to put in its place.
Keep Small Scissors Available When Doing Cross StitchI love to do cross stitch, but I am always misplacing my small scissors. I found a nifty and quick solution. I had an extra clip from a name badge; the ones that have a plastic loop with a snap on one end and a clip on the other.
Scanning Craft Patterns and InstructionsThis pertains to instructions for just about any craft item. I scan the instructions or pattern into my computer to enlarge and then print it out. This works especially well for cross stitch or counted cross stitch because this way you can actually see the graph better and easier to count.
Use a Black Light to Find Missed StitchesJust when you think your stitched picture is perfect, take a black light and you will find the missing stitch(es). The white background will glow through where there was supposed to be a thread. This couldn't be any easier!
Cross Stitch Jar LidChoose cross stitch pattern smaller than the top of a canning ring. Stitch pattern onto Aida cloth. When finished, cut away extra cloth. Center design on orange juice lid.
Film Containers for NeedlesI use the containers from 35mm film to store my yarn needles in. That way they are handy and I don't lose them anymore.
Cross Stitch SayingsHere are cross stitch sayings that have been submitted from the creative ThriftyFun community.
Putting Samplers to UseI often teach my children basic embroidery stitches using simple designs. If you are helping a little one to do stitching, this is a nice way to put the sample pieces to use.
Plastic Canvas Tissue Box CoversWant a simple craft to do for the novice crafter? Try plastic canvas. The canvas is inexpensive and you can get really nice yarn cheap or free from freecycle sometimes.
Coffee Filters as a Tearaway StabilizerCoffee filters can make a wonderful substitution for tearaway stabilizer when doing a small hand or machine embroidery project.
Protecting Heirloom NeedleworkMy late mother-in-law made me a lovely piece of needlework, but it had to be laundered quite often. I was worried about the wear and tear on the piece, so I found an old metal frame with glass that fit the frame and hung the piece.
Keeping Cross-Stitch Needles HandyTo keep from losing my cross-stitch needles all the time, I glued a magnetic strip to the inside lid of the box I keep my embroidery floss in. I no longer lose them, and I can easily find the needle I need.
Storing Embroidery FlossHere is a use for an old Velveeta box and lid. Cut thin pieces of cardboard slightly smaller then the width of the Velveeta box. Wrap embroidery floss around the cardboard and store in the box. Makes it easy to organize colors.