| sn't matter whether you are a beginner or an | | | | Remove it from the freezer and immediately iron it until |
| experienced cross-stitch stitcher, there are always | | | | it has thawed and dried out. Then let it rest overnight |
| new things you can learn to give your projects that | | | | on the ironing board before moving it. Also, you can |
| increasingly polished look. But getting that professional | | | | wet the folds in the fabric and place it in the |
| look takes practice and skill, so here are three great | | | | microwave for 30 seconds. Then iron it. Let the piece |
| tricks the professionals use to make their designs look | | | | cool before you move it. |
| better than the rest. | | | | The Colonial Knot: |
| Great looking Front and Back: | | | | One frustration for many cross-stitchers is the French |
| When you begin cross-stitching one frustrating aspect | | | | knot. It is a difficult knot to do without it unraveling or |
| of the craft is a backside of your fabric that looks like | | | | coming through the back of the fabric -- and forget all |
| someone threw down a ball of multi-colored floss. | | | | about using a delicate floss, such as metallic. Many |
| Some cross-stitchers just resign themselves to the | | | | stitchers also complain that they can never get all the |
| fact that the back of their fabric will neverlook as good | | | | knots to look the same size on the fabric. However, |
| as the front while looking at those "neatnik" experts | | | | there is an alternative that will give your work a |
| with envy. However, there are a few ways you can | | | | professional look -- the colonial knot. |
| keep your back looking almost as nice as the front. | | | | To do a colonial knot you place the needle behind the |
| First, you can make extra effort to keep your stitches | | | | standing thread. Then you drop the thread over the |
| consistent. Use one method of stitching (English or | | | | needle, front to back. Push the thread toward the |
| Danish) throughout your whole piece. Using one | | | | standing thread to form a loop. Pull the thread in front |
| method keeps the back of your piece looking as good | | | | of the standing thread up and over the needle. This |
| as the front. Also, you can end your threads by | | | | should create a drop toward the tip of the needle, to |
| weaving them under the same color. If there is not | | | | the left of where the first drop occurred. |
| enough of that same color, try to weave it under a | | | | Now you are going to follow the same instructions as |
| similar color in the back. Finally, you can avoid carrying | | | | the French knot. You insert the needle tip going over |
| your threads at all. Just end them and restart. | | | | one thread toward the upper right. Then pull the |
| Fabric that Lies Flat: | | | | working thread taut so the knot slides down the needle |
| After using hoops or holding your fabric, wrinkles can | | | | and rests on the fabric. Make sure the knot is tight. |
| become a bane of your stitching existence. They are | | | | Finally, pull the working thread toward the left of the |
| difficult to get out of any cross-stitch fabric, but often | | | | knot. Use your thumbnail (non-needle hand) to hold the |
| they are inevitable. | | | | knot while working the thread. Keep the tension on the |
| You can use two methods to get the wrinkles out of | | | | thread and thumb on the fabric, bring the needle |
| your fabric, keeping it looking professional. You can use | | | | through to the back. You can release the tension a little |
| heat or cold to get out the wrinkles in your fabric. To | | | | just as the eye of the needle passes through the knot. |
| use your freezer, you can simply wet the fabric along | | | | But hold on to the remaining thread tension until the |
| the folds then slip it into a paper bag so it can lie flat. | | | | next stitch so that the knot is maintained. |
| Lie the piece as flat as possible in the freezer until it is | | | | And there you have it. Three great tricks performed |
| frozen solid. | | | | by the professionals... and now you too. |