Stitch Along: Featherweight in Cross-Stitch - Part 6

The Final Stitches

 REVIEW: PART 5 >>

Supplies

1. Featherweight Cross-Stitch Kit (with 14 count Aida Cloth) - If it is sold out, you can sign up for the in stock notification at product link, and you will be notified as soon as we have more kits available. Also available in 32 count.
2. 4-inch or 6-incch Embroidery Hoop
3. Embroidery Scissors
4. Hand-sewing needles in various sizes
5. Already have the supplies on hand? Printed Pattern only is available here. 
6. Advanced in Cross-Stitch Skill? 
   The Belfast Linen 32-count Kit is available here. 
7. The Beekeeper Thread Minder by Lori Holt
8. Need more floss colors for your Cross-Stitch repertoire?  This Bee Basics 20 Spool Set is super handy to have for many cross-stitch and embroidery occasions.

The outlining went rapidly as expected, and I was both delighted and sorry to take the last stitch. My beautiful picture is finished, with a vintage Featherweight showcased in all its glory, down to the very last detail.

I love the scroll work on the end view – so delicate and intricate looking. I had to pay attention closely to make sure I was getting all the stitches in the right places, and remembering to do them all. Every time I thought I was done, I would get out the mini charts and compare to make sure I'd done all of that step.

I did find one typo in my copy of the pattern, though – in the A2 section it calls for DMC 535 Shell Gray Lt, but it actually means DMC 435 Shell Gray Lt. So double check your pattern when you get that far to make sure you select the right shade of gray.

I had lots of thread leftover, and greatly enjoyed using my Sullivan's heirloom embroidery scissors and the Tulip needles. Both were perfect for the job and made it a lot easier.

I liked the finishing touch of the loose strands of thread, just like thread in real life when you use it on a sewing machine. When working these, make sure you pass your needle under the thread guards on the machine, especially on the end view.

Aren't the pin heads adorable? I chose two different colors for mine since in real life my pin box is always a mix of bright colors. I like how the blue heads tie in the blue thread spool a little bit too. You can also use beads, the pattern says, which would be a fun touch instead of the French knots.

 (By the way, when working French knots, if you come up in a hole in the Aida cloth, don't go down in the exact same hole – go down one thread over. Otherwise you might pull the knot back down through the hole.)

Ideally, the long strands of thread should be nice and snug – as snug as you can make them without warping the fabric. That way they won't sag if they relax a little once the piece is framed.

When working detail stitches, it can be easy to stress out over placing each one exactly right. But don't worry – just like with quilting, you can see all the mistakes at close range under your needle, but once you step back, they are hard to even find, much less notice. Any small mistakes or wobbly lines will just melt into the overall picture once it is finished. I know I made some mistakes, but at any sort of distance they really aren't noticeable even to me, and I know where they are! Besides, little inconsistencies just create individuality, right?

Well...now that all your hard work is behind you, what's next? Next week I will wrap up this series with one last post, showing you how to prepare and frame the finished piece so it can be showcased on your wall.

 GO TO PART 7 >>