I thought the same thing when I started doing some applique blocks - why can't I embroidery now when I use to do beautiful work? I think I answered my own question, I was our of practice. I used to do a lot, hadn't done any in years! But now that I am whipping out some wool appliqued blocks they are turning out stunning. Keep up the work, don't be so hard on yourself. I have adopted the attitude that whatever I do is my design, be it perfect or with boo boos!

I teach classes on color tinting and hand embroidery and sometimes it makes sense to put the thread on top of the needle and sometimes it works better at the bottom. I always tell students to go counter clockwise on circles and arcs if possible, but if you can't--- put the thread on top (and it produces smoother stitches). Also on tight circles tack your stitches down so they don't slip out of their spot. Hope this helps. IMHO hand embroidery is always wonderful because it's done with love and patience.

I have macular degeneration and my eyesight is really bad. Can't tell one dark color from another and seams are not as nice as they once were. Does that stop me? NO! I just call my DH and he tells me what color I am looking at. I also use an OTT light beside my easy chair so I can see enough to knit and even that is getting harder. I am looking for a light that hangs around my neck now so I can aim the beam right where I need it. Also use magnifying glass and a Kindle to read. Depend heavily on my needle threader on the machine. Don't give up without a fight! My grandkids and great grandkids don't care if their quilts are not perfect. They are still warm and remind them of me.

Perhaps the distance of time has made it look better. I know when I'm working g on something, whether it's embroidery or quilting, I'm so close to it and used to seeing it, that sometimes I don't see it as good as it is. When I've put it away or haven't see it for awhile, I have to admit it often looks better. Maybe that's what's at work here - just a thought!

I have been getting increasingly frustrated with cross stitch over the past two years. Got new glasses a few weeks ago and I am enjoying it again. I did have to accept that it was time to add a pair for reading/computer/close-up work to my wardrobe in addition to the pair for driving/distance.

Cheers, K

Have your tried a new techinique? I used to do brilliant back stitches but now am going needle down, needle up, needle down, needle up. The work looks as good as it did in the olden days, but either the needles got wonky or my astigmatism got worse and the old technique just doesn't work any more. To tell you the truth, I kind of like the new way best. It wouldn't hurt to try a new way. froggyintexas

Good advice about honoring ourselves as we age. None of us acts like, works like, or feels like we are 20 anymore. I am grateful I am still able to do some of my crafts as I age. A dear friend told me when I was in my 20's that I should prepare myself for getting old: learn several crafts so that if one ability were taken away, I could do something else. I think that was some of the best advice I ever received.

That's a bit of a disappointing discovery isn't it?

I started a set of CCS "advent ornaments" I want to give to my DGD, one each year (her 1st Christmas, 2nd, etc.). I finished them all about a year ago and am saving them, 'cause by the time she's older, I may not be able to do CCS any more. Of course at some point, I'll probably just give her the rest of them.

If it's true that your embroidery skills are suffering, maybe it's because you have all of that quilting talent ;-), because your avatar is WOW. Our lives are about counterbalances ;-).

you had more practice then, if you keep at it you will see your stitches improve ten folds. Practice makes perfect