Free Papers!

Just to let you all know, as I know we all love FREEBIES .....

I have added a new page to my website. You will find tips and Free papers to print on the 'Paper Craft Projects' page.

Check them out here http://www.joannesanderson.com/page18.htm

Joanne x

p.s don't forget to check out the 'Gallery pages' for more inspiration.

How to design your own Cross Stitch chart Lesson 2

After playing around with creating small motifs on graph paper (Lesson 1) you may want to progress to larger motifs or converting your own drawings/photographs to Cross Stitch.

1. Take your chosen image and using a soft pencil and tracing paper, trace the image.
2. Rub over the back of the traced image with a soft pencil.
3. Place the traced image right side up on to graph paper.
4. Use a sharp pencil to go over the traced image again.
5. Remove the tracing paper to reveal the faint image on the graph paper. Go over this to make the outline darker if necessary using the Sharp pencil.
6. Use coloured pencils as described in Lesson 1 to colour the image as before.
7. It is possible to obtain specialised graph paper to correspond with fabric count, this is more expensive than simple graph paper but gives an accurate real size chart.

Question of the week

I would like to design my own cross stitch charts, where do I start?

Lesson 1

1. I recommend using graph paper to start with. Colour in the blocks to produce simple patterns and motifs.
2. Each block will represent one stitch. To find the finished size divide the number of blocks in the design by the fabric count you will be using (for 14 count fabric).
3. Use coloured pencils to roughly match the chosen thread colours to give a more realistic idea of the finished design (use a thread chart to finalise the DMC or preferred manufacturer thread number).
4. Make a simple key at the side by colouring a block or blocks with the coloured pencils and write the corresponding thread numbers at the side.
5. practise first by designing simple borders and repeat motifs before trying larger designs with shading and detail.
6. Thread colours will look different depending on where they are placed and the adjacent colour.

See the next lesson for more designing tips

Joanne x

Question of the week

I am quite new to cross-stitch how do I make neat stitches?

Firstly always stitch in good light and take your time practise does make perfect - here are few tips.

1. Ensure all the cross stitches are made in the same way i.e all the top diagonals have to lie in the same direction.
2. Complete each stitch as you go as this will help get the stitches even tension (as opposed to making a line of diagonals and then going back across the row to complete the stitch - this can distort the fabric) Using a hoop or frame will also help with the tension.
3. Every so often let go of the needle and let it spin and unravel - this will help prevent knots forming)
4. Make sure that you use the correct amount of strands every time you thread the needle.
5. Try to come up through an unoccupied hole and down an occupied one.
6. If using 2 strands for the cross stitch - use the loop method to start this will help you avoid tying knots.
7. Avoid trailing the thread over long distances when stitching in different areas - instead weave the thread under the stitches on the back of the fabric.
8. When finishing, weave the thread under a few stitches on the back of the fabric before trimming, again avoid tying knots as they Will show through the front especially on even weave fabric.
9. Practise on smaller designs until you are confident with your stitching - the result may encourage you to try something a little more challenging.
10. Accuracy and careful counting are just as important as neat stitches.
11. Always make sure your hands are clean and that you do not leave the needle parked in the fabric as rust stains may form.

Happy Easter....

Everyone. In between delivering Easter eggs, giving my website a Spring makeover and catching up on some gardening, I've been working on lots of new Cross Stitch designs. I have decided to give all my customers an 'Easter Gift' and for one week only *Buy One Get One Free* applies to all my chart downloads. See www.joannesanderson.com for details. There's also an Easter themed freebie on my 'Free Chart page' - you've still got time to stitch it as it's quick and easy.

Joanne x

Hooray!

We've got broadband again!
After weeks of trudging laptop in hand, to different friends houses to get on to the internet, I have finally got a broadband connection at my new address. To celebrate I decided to give my website a Spring makeover, and feeling more than ready to get back in to some proper work I have added over 40 new Cross stitch charts to the shopping pages. Hope you like the websites new colour scheme - I managed to add a bit of aquamarine (my favourite colour) and lilac (requested by Rianna) - which has me thinking of beaches and holidays mmm.......
Although it didn't go so smoothly to begin with as I have Sky as my ISP and didn't realise that like thousands of others out there (judging by the problems published on various websites) sky's settings are a bit different from other providers. In the end I did manage to work out a way to configure Windows Mail to send and receive my website email through sky - anyone reading this and having problems with their own sky broadband can email me and I will send you the settings I used!
So now I am going to spend the rest of the evening catching up on some long overdue emails...

Joanne x

FREEBIE

I have added a free Thread Sorter to the 'Free page' of my website, which you can use for all your stitching projects.

Here is the link http://www.joannesanderson.com/page2.htm Select 'print' from the file menu (or the printer icon) the sheet contains 4 thread sorters, cut out each along the dotted lines. Use a hole punch to make the holes down the left hand side and away you go.

You will also find new free charts on the same web page, happy stitching.

Joanne x