Barb's 2022 Cross Stitch Kick Start

Hi I am Barb and I love fiber and color! I fell onto this group last week and I am so glad I did. I have been looking for a way to restart my creative mojo and I expect following this group will inspire me to do just that. So I've decided to start my own thread. I hope to spotlight my current projects throughout the year...no promises! As a way of introduction I have created a few posts featuring past creative endeavors.

My Needlearts History:
Over the years I have dabbled in knitting, crochet, quilting, and crafting of all sorts, but none of them stuck. My family heritage was steeped in garment sewing so I came to it naturally. I was a sewer (sewist) all my life. I made many garments, learned tailoring, etc. I was reasonably good, but not exceptional in my craft. What I loved was the fabric.

In 1991 I purchased a going concern which was at that time a mail order fabric retailer. For the next 24 years, I captained the ship taking the business online in 1996 and moving through the various incarnations of internet selling and marketing. I lived my dream working with fine fabrics every day. Our customer base was made up of fabulously talented home sewists and custom dressmakers and tailors. I had many talented staff members that became life-long friends. I sold the business in 2015 and retired to attend to family.

At the urging of my very talented SIL, I learned to cross stitch in the 80's when my kids were young. I let that hobby slip for a bit when I first owned the business--a 24-7 commitment as any small business owner will tell you. But the longer I was in the fabric business, the less I personally sewed. So cross stitch became my needle relaxation. In the past few years I have let that slip again as I ramped up my reading hobby during retirement. I always have a project in process (or several), but honestly when I sit to relax in the evening, the book wins out most of the time.

So I invite you to follow me here and on my reading thread BeebeeReads Steps Up in 2022. I'll do my best to keep up with both.

Behind the Scenes


Several asked me to share stories from my time in the fabric retail business. If sewing members here are looking for high quality dressmaking fabrics you can private message me for the name and contact info. I don't want to violate advertising restrictions by posting here.

We had so much fun working with fine fabrics from around the world. We purchased selectively from designer job lots and occasionally direct from the importer. The buying trips were to NYC, mostly in the garment district, but some in SoHo and a couple uptown. I went to fabric shows around the country. In later years those shows diminished. The huge ones in NYC became focused on production runs. By then we had a large group of jobbers that offered us custom service in the way of swatching our requests and visiting our facility.

Once the fabric was shipped, it began its way through out receiving and sampling process. We mailed swatches to our members, each fabric being numbered, named, photographed and tested. We made it a habit of testing each fabric to determine the fiber content rather than depending on what our suppliers told us. They knew we would come back with proof if their information was incorrect. We built up a reputation for holding our suppliers to count.

I'll post some more later on in this thread if there is continued interest in this section.

Past Projects
I'll post a few highlights here to give you of view of my preferences.




I stitched this earlier, but finally sprang for professional framing. It was a fun addition to our Christmas decor. I loved this scarecrow series from Waxing Moon.

I stitched something for each of my five grandchildren when they were born...not traditional baby samplers, but something that caught my eye with them in mind. Here is the one (prior to framing) for the youngest who is now four! Yikes.



The largest and most dense chart i ever stitched was this one for my son when he received his PhD. Proud to say it still hangs in his office. I stiched the name of his dissertation on one of the book spines.



Much of the time I choose small whimsical seasonal charts. Finally framed these two this year.

So one of my weakpoints is completion of a project. I love the cross stitch, but do not enjoy framing or finishing. The ones I gift are professionally framed and a few of my favorites get that elevated treatment as well ($$$ cha-ching!) But I have a number that are just finished and waiting for me to frame them. Here are some in that waiting room.

I love this series and I want to do two more, The Tea Shop and The Needlework Store. When they are done I will frame them all the same or at least in coordinating frames. I changed the colors in this chart, a favorite activity of mine!

More...






I could go on and on, but you get the idea? Does anyone else do this? Most of my friends who stitch finish their project and gift or display them quickly. I seem to be satisfied with the process and not overly committed to the completion.

As mentioned above, I do keep large projects on a long leash. Some for years. I currently have two in progress.

I bought this chart in my first round of cross stitchng back in the 80's or early 90's.



I changed the size using 32 count linen rather than the 28 count aida suggested. I also started in the middle as is my habit. I would love to get this done before I am done. Our family heritage is based in New England.





My second long term project is stalled. I pulled it out again this week to see if I can kick it in gear.
Here is the Just Nan chart that I still love.



Here is my progress.



I will post more on this below as I have questions for experienced stitchers. I hope this group is a place for advice?

Reserved for Current Projects

Nice. I really like the Santa.

Those are nice. I used to cross-stitch quite a bit, but once my eyesight got even worse, I switched to quilting. Still there are times when I need glasses on top of glasses.

>8 dudes22: Oh I hear you on that one! I switch between Mag Eyes (which slip down too much with my current longer hair) and clip on magnifiers. Bright light too!!

Those are very nice cross stitches, Barb. I especially like the sleeping cat in the bookcase- but how could I not? It’s a cat and books…

Oh, I love the kitty! And I really like the style of the one for your grandchild, too.

Beautiful stitching, Barb. That cat is amazing and what a special way to recognize your son's accomplishment. I love the small pieces, too.

If you're working on something complicated do you usually also have small pieces on the go? I do that with my knitting because sometimes I'm just not up for working on the big, complex thing.

>9 beebeereads: Liz on Country Stitchers uses the clips ones over the glasses. She was talking about it the other day.

>10 PawsforThought: >11 melannen: Yes I knew the kitty would speak to people on LT. So many are cat lovers. My son and family have both cats and dogs. Over the years we've said good bye to the original cats and now have welcomed two kitties--well maybe they are cats now to the family. My hub and I have always had dogs but are without a furry friend right now due to lifestyle.
>12 lauralkeet: Yes I always have multiple charts going at once. My post later today will show you more under WIP.
>13 mnleona: Thank you! Due to this group I have just started exploring Floss Tube. How will I have time to read and stitch?

>4 beebeereads: >5 beebeereads: I'm gradually filling in the upper part of this thread.

Looking at the Just Nan snowman sampler, I think one of my Christmas cross stitch pictures is a Just Nan that I did years ago. Maybe I'll pull it out and post a picture. I looked on the web site but didn't see it - but it was a long time ago.

Barb, I'm loving your posted projects. I see many charts I recognize.

>16 dudes22: Betty, I looked for a photo online of this chart, but couldn't find one I thought I could use (copyright?). I have to get better at taking photos that show the chart in all its glory. Maybe I'll try again for a future post. I love Just Nan charts. This is the first I've attempted and as you see have not made much progress. I seriously considered her baby sampler for one of the grandchildren, but it would take me until I have great-grandchildren---hmmm, there's an idea!! Would love to see your Christmas one.

>17 thornton37814: Thank you, Lori. I'd enjoy seeing some that you've stitched.

Beautiful cross-stich projects, Barb! I've got a biggie on the go myself so I appreciate how much work they are. Astounded that you did 28-count linen. So tiny!

I tried cross stitch once upon a time but found it not for me. However, that doesn't mean I can't admire the projects done by of others. Those are indeed beautiful pieces . I like the "New England Sampler".

Rib-it, rib-it, rib-it! I think I'm done with this chart for now!

As I posted above >5 beebeereads:
In an effort to kickstart my cross stitching again, I pulled out some of my works-in-progress. With new determination, I got myself re-oriented and began to work on the next band. Grrrr. I am having such a difficult time with the counting. This is not a problem I have encountered before. I think the issue here is that the designer uses a lot of half stitches even in her embroidery and lettering. Finding the "right" placement for free-floating motifs has been challenging for me as well. I have frogged a lot of times on the snowflakes and even the lettering. So I finally decided to do my own thing on the snowflakes. There are still a couple I should re-do. In all my struggle I inadvertantly stitched the branch of the evergreen in the two tone green rather than bark brown. Oh well...
SO, I came to the conclusion that I am not having fun! Why am I doing this?
I've put it back in the drawer for a bit and moved on for now.


This basic chart is just right for my mood right now. It is all cross stitch and will give me that wonderful rhythmic relaxation that I am craving. I'll get started on it tonight. Spring Line Up by Trilogy. Overdyed floss on 32 count raw natural linen.


>20 avaland: Thank you! I love the NE Sampler as well and hope to make a lot of progress on it this summer.

>21 beebeereads: It's very nice. I love the spring colors on the one. I've got some with a wider variety of color as well as one that is mostly black. I also brought a Kathy Barrick bird pattern that I plan to do on pink linen with the called for DMCs. (I decided the silks would cost a fortune I didn't want to spend right now.) I also brought the Ukrainian bookmark with me, but I need to pick up the fibers for it. I can get those at Keepsakes when I go. I haven't decided if I want to go tomorrow or wait until I think Stephanie will be there so I can meet her in person. Maybe I'll go twice? LOL

Enjoy your visit or visits! Looks like a fabulous store. We are bereft of dedicated cross stitch stores in our area. I will look forward to reading about your experience and enjoying it vicariously.

Today is my birthday--74 yo! Yikes where does the time go? Anyway, this is a good time to post about my progress. I originally joined this group to get inspriation to pick up my needle more consistently. I really miss cross stitch when I leave it for too long. So you have definitely inspired me. Thank you!

But I needed more than inspiration. I struggled for a bit this winter...see earlier posts. I gave up on a more challenging piece that I wasn't enjoying and picked up an simple sampler-type chart.
I have made several modifications that have really helped me.
First I finally figured out the best magnification. I love my MagEyes, but since I let my hair grow, they slip off my head all the time. I tried other methods that attach to my glasses but they were less than helpful. Then I put a strip of the loop side of velcro over the very smooth and slippery cushion inside the mageyes headband. It worked! They now stay in place and have made stitching so much easier and fun again.
I also changed my starting technique. I use an away knot each time I start a new floss length. I always just held the end until I made a few stitches, but the away knot does that work for me and gives my hands a break. Those two changes have helped me get back in the rhythm of stitching and I now make time for it every morning. I don't expect to move quickly through projects, but I am so enjoying having linen in my hand again. Aging is all about adapting and modifying!

Happy birthday! I'm so glad you've found modifications that allow you to continue doing something you love.

Happy Birthday! I don't cross stitch any more and I gave it up because of frustrations like yours. Occasionally I miss it which is why I bought a pattern earlier this year that I'll plan on taking away with us next winter instead of trying to take my quilting.

>25 lauralkeet: Thank you!
>26 dudes22: I hope you find joy in stitching again!

>24 beebeereads: I use the loop method most of the time. The away knot works on variegated though.

>28 thornton37814: Yes, I love the loop method. I was told sometime ago that technically the floss has a nap so the loop method mixes the direction. I really am not that particular. I am not entering any juried shows! I do use it when I am using DMC, but lately most of mine have been overdyed yarns.

I'm sorry I missed our birthday, Barb but I hope it was a good one.
I'm glad to hear you've managed to make modifications that help you do what you love, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the work in >24 beebeereads: - those are nice fluffy clouds!

>30 PawsforThought: Thanks. If I were stitching for eternity, I would have used a textured floss to make the clouds actually fluffy! Since I am just stitching to keep my hands happy, I did not go the extra mile.

I'll post an update in a bit. I have started the butterflies row to finally add some color to this sampler.

Oh, butterflies! How lovely. I just saw the first butterfly of the year this past weekend.

Incidentally, there’s a vote going on right now on what’s going to be Sweden’s national butterfly. There are several worthy candidates but I voted for the peacock butterfly, which has always been a favourite (I think it was the first one I learnt).

The other day my husband and I were discussing the placement of new chairs on our deck. We fell into the usual disagreement between symmetry and asymmetry. He being a champion of even, balanced placement, me perversely attuned to imbalance and diverse color arrangements. So when I picked up my cross stitch this morning, I realized that what at first glance I had thought was a very linear design, turns out to be subtly asymmetric and this is why it appeals to me. It is called Spring line up but other that being a band style sampler, there are wonderful pops of color and design variation which causes the eye to jump around in delight. So sometimes the asymmetry that I so love is not so bold and obvious, but can be found in the reserved design of lettering that mixes upper and lower case in an unexpected way--SPRInG for instance. The more obvious design interest comes in the color and motif arrangements on each line. All of this is to say, even a simple chart, chosen because I needed a pleasant, uncomplicated stitching experience can bring great joy as the design unfolds in front of me. Here is my progress so far. I stitch about 20 minutes/day give or take. I am thoroughly enjoying having needle in hand again.



I haven't done any of the finish work on the rows that include antennae for the butterfly, eyes for the bluebirds, etc. I like to pick a day and do it all at once. That will come later.

>33 beebeereads: Looks good! I see you use a Q-Snap. I use one for larger pieces, but I like to stitch in-hand as much as possible. I usually wait on back-stitching, french knots, and such. One of my in-process pieces has a lot of back-stitching to outline sunflower petals and other things. I may not wait until all the design is stitched to do all of the back-stitching, but I think I need more of the design done before I begin any so that it flows better.

>34 thornton37814: Thanks! I used to work in hand most of the time, but the Q-snaps help with my aging eyes and hands. I loosen after each stitching session so as not to stretch the fabric. I never liked working on a scroll frame. I have one or two works in progress that are mounted, but loosened...not sure if I will ever go back to them.
Backstitching can be fun, right? I don't mind that much and, like you, generally wait a bit and then do some. The stitches that slow me down are the embroidery stitches or long stitch embellishments. If I pick an hour to work on them all at once, it is much easier to establish a rhythm. I'm having fun watching your stitching projects. We have similar taste.

>35 beebeereads: I don't mind backstitching either. I hate french knots! Some embroidery stitched incorporated are not that slowing, but some do slow you significantly. For the flights this summer, I'm taking single color pieces or pieces that don't use many colors that have large blocks of colors. I don't want to risk losing the needle. I'll have other things in my checked luggage that I can work on in the hotel.

Any updates on your project in >33 beebeereads:?

>37 lesmel: Sorry, but I lost my mojo again. I don't seem to be able to accomodate both a reading hobby and a needlearts hobby in my life right now. I still love stitching and hope to find more time in the future. When I sit for relaxation and both the stitching and the book are next to me, the book always wins the hour. I'm conflicted about this, but there is perhaps some time in the future when I am not responsible for other tasks, and I can fully enjoy both loves.

I did recently finish donating the majority of my fabric stash---dressmaking fabrics from my 24 years in the business. I had already donated a portion a few years ago to a high school that still has an active tailoring program-can you believe one still exists? This time a friend who is a former employee had contacted a Framingham State University which has popular fashion and merchandizing degree. https://www.framingham.edu/academics/programs/index?section_name=programs&se...

They train students interested in design and those interested in retailing. They were thrilled with our donation...a chance for the students to work on fine fabrics they could not otherwise afford. Both of us are very happy about this opportunity for new life for the fabrics we love.

Thanks for checking in!!

>38 beebeereads: I think the needle has won over the book for me a lot. I need to ramp up the audiobook listening, I suppose, but I keep watching or listening to Flosstube episodes while stitching. We still offer a fashion merchandising and design degree here.

>39 thornton37814: Your stitching is beautiful and your taste matches mine. I enjoy reading your posts even if I don't always respond.

>40 beebeereads: I understand. Life is super busy right now. I'm hoping things settle down after tomorrow!