Quilters and Cross-Stitchers
 

So I did something pretty silly the other morning, I was out with Butters and Poe letting them potty, stepped wrong, twisted my ankle up pretty good, wrenched my back and tweaked my sciatica. Yeah, it wasn't pretty in the least, but I saved myself from a fall that would have been a lot worse and I would have ended up face first in freezing cold mud.

Since I'm laid up and can't sit at my sewing machine for long, I decided to finally break out a project that's been in the back of my mind for years. It's a cross-stitch pattern of the story of Rainbow Bridge. I'm going to make it into a quilted wall hanging and I'm considering donating it to my niece's vet office, she's a vet tech in Kansas City and they do wonderful things for the families that have to say good-bye to their furry family members and I think the wall hanging would be perfect for them.

I'm not sure how long it's going to take, I'm not really a fast cross-stitcher like I used to be because of my carpal tunnel, arthritis and now dealing with tendon lock, but for a project of this size (the size of the cross-stitch panel alone is roughly 12 x 36in.), slow and steady is the way to go so I don't make mistakes. I have, however, found out something rather interesting and thought I would post it here.

I used to be able to cross-stitch in bed, when I had pneumonia when I worked for the railroad and I was laid up for two and a half weeks, I would pass the time cross-stitching. This time, though, once I got all of my cross-stitching supplies in my bag and I was nestled in with Butters and Poe, I started cross-stitching fine but then discovered that I couldn't do it for long anymore while I was in bed. I actually had to get up, get into a comfortable chair and then I could keep going. I've since moved back into my quilting corner at my desk and I'm able to cross-stitch much longer and more comfortable.

I don't think it's because of my injuries, it just feels a little more natural to sit at the desk and cross-stitch. My computer monitor is right in front of me, so I'm able to watch whatever I want, I'm actually closer to the kitchen and bathroom being in here, I think it's the level of comfort for me. I'm just curious how others cross-stitch, are you the kind that can cross-stitch anywhere and everywhere in whatever position you can get yourself into, or are do you sit at a desk or table and do it?

I'll be sure to post progress pictures, just a curious thought that passed inside my brain and thought it would be good to talk about.

That sounds like a wonderful addition to a vet office. They are such kind and caring people, especially when we have those hard issues with our pets.
I was reading about a vet who said " Being a vet is harder than being a people doc because they can't tell you how they're feeling." So true.

I love cross stitch. Seems a lot of us who are quilters do too.

OH i hope you feel better soon. Your cross stitch will be a lovely addition to the Vet's office area. Something lovely to look at in times of sadness. one of my14+ yr old girls must go to the Vet this morning. She's always been delicate and can't tell me what is wrong this morning.

That will be a beautiful piece to give to a vet's office Animal people are such wonderful people. I have had to help several dogs to the rainbow bridge and all but one of the vets has been wonderful. The one who wasn't wanted me to do home dialysis on a 16 1/2 year old blind and hard of hearing dog with failing kidneys and who I had found terrified trapped behind a plant in my living room when I came home from work one day. I just knew it was time.

I like to do my cross stitch sitting in a comfortable chair with a good lamp near by. I usually found I did not need a hoop if I was working on adia cloth.

I find I need really good bright light to cross stitch nowadays. Direct sunlight or a daylight Ottlight.

One thing I found helpful on larger projects is to mark the large 1-inch squares of the pattern with sewing thread. Say it's 11 squares to the inch, so every 11 stitches I would use a contrasting sewing thread with big running stitches. That way you don't have to look at the whole pattern, just the square(s) you're working on.

I have made lots of counted cross stitch pictures. I didn't do it for years. When I started a birth announcement picture for my Great Granddaughter I found it very challenging. I started over and still have the line the bear is holding is crooked. I still haven't finished it.

I sit at my dr table on a regular chair under 3 100W light bulbs.

I love cross stitch! I find I do it as my summer craft while quilting and knitting are my winter crafts. I can stitch anywhere the light is good. I've also discovered in the past few years I prefer to stitch using the sewing method without a hoop. I can go so much faster. Someone suggested gridding, and while I don't do that, lots of people on flosstube swear by it.

I love the idea of sending it to a vet's office. So kind of you. Feel better soon!

Oh how terrible! Hope you’re doing better soon. I used to cross stitch A LOT, but it’s quite frustrating now with my old eyes and not being able to count out the holes correctly anymore.

If you’re looking for things to watch, there are some fun YouTubes out there called “floss tubes” where they talk about their cross stitching, or sometimes talk while they’re doing it. A couple of my favorites are 1) the Fat Quarter Shop floss tube; and 2) Stitch All The Things - she’s especially fun because she quilts too.

My niece's vet set aside a couple of rooms away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby and exam rooms and set them up like a living room. There is a couch, loveseat, couple of arm chairs, TV, even a small fridge that's stocked with water, soda and juice for the kids and there's a coffee maker for the adults, carpet on the floors, drapes on the windows. They have a grief counselor on stand-by, so when it's time for a family to say goodbye, they are taken into one of these rooms, the counselor comes in and they are allowed to stay as long as they like or feel the need to. The grief counselor also keeps in touch with the family throughout the days and weeks afterward and it's such a beautiful, loving experience for these families, it's the way it should be all the time. It's also the top reason why my niece wants to retire from that office and no where else.

The sampler is one I bought for myself about ten years ago. I've tried it off and on over the years but something always pulled me away from it to the point I was making huge mistakes, so I put it away because I knew when it was time to work on it, it would present itself and sure enough, the time is now. Depending on how things go with this one, I'll make one for myself eventually, but I think these families needs it more than me right now.

Bright lights for me, too, I also had to dig out my magnifying glasses, my usual readers aren't strong enough, I'm using Aida 14-count. I surprise myself, I used to do cross-stitch with the 20-22-count cloth, I think I'd drive myself looney if I went that small now. I tried the 'sew-in' method and I was good at it for a while, but noticed my stitches were just too tight in some places, so it's a hoop for me. I don't mind it, though, the ones I use keep incredible tension so it's a breeze.

Also have to have a cup of coffee, lol

I revisited cross-stitching recently, too! I found that I could snap a picture with my phone to magnify the area I'm working on. Much easier to count.