Stitching DIY.

We all have our own way of doing things.   At the beginning of this year, my honest list had my oldest work in progress on it, a cross-stitch kit.  Decided as the paper pattern is falling apart on the folds, have to get this one done.  To this end,  it gets worked on at least once a week. Opening Pandora's box, without realizing it. Since then the stitching bug caught again. Inspiration is close by as, Diane stitches all the time.

This is her progress on her latest piece, Jane Bannister.

 Kits come with pre-cut floss, our muscles and brain gets use to this.  So when I decided to start a new piece, something was missing.  Until it dawned on me, the floss needs to be that magic length!

 As this was a 2018 stitch-a-long, going online to check out the layout was a good idea.  As the patterns we buy, was for individual blocks only.  This gave the answer, as to how to connect the blocks of the months. Very good to do research, before starting a project.

 Prepping the fabric first, serge or zigzag the edge of the fabric.

These are my little tools to help me.  The magnifying glass, came from a Christmas Cracker, little zip lock bags with the corresponding symbol on the outside of the bag for short pieces of floss, just in case they are needed later.  A sharpie to write on the bags, a pencil for colouring in the parts I have stitched on the chart and a small pair of sharp scissors.  The other thing I use, is a black fabric bag, to place on my lap while stitching, it helps me to see the holes on the fabric so much better.  It works similar to when one use dark fabric, by placing a white fabric on your lap to reflect the light up. Making the holes easier to see.

 Getting all the supplies together.

 Prepping the floss.

 Using sandwich zip lock bags.

 Write the number on the outside of the bag with a sharpie.

 Cut the floss the length, in this case it turned out to be 26 inches.

 Place the floss and the tags from the thread in the zip lock bag, ready for use.

 It is almost ready, just remember to close the bag.  Place it in your project bag, it is now ready for you, when you want to work on your project.

A small start has been made.

Spring arrived yesterday, so glad it is official.