What are some hints on how to make cross stitches that are isolated and not next to other stitches?

Such stitches can appear in border, in repeat patterns like wallpaper, and like stars in a night sky. Stars are usually not a problem since they are usually white on a dark fabric and you can carry from one to the next without the carry-thread ever showing.

When working a border, do all the stitches that are connected to each other first, then use this base as a place to carry the thread used to create the isolated stitches. As you approach the area of each of these stitches, anchor the thread the same way and approach, create and leave the isolated stitch in the same manner each time so that is it shows, the carry-thread’s shadow will be the same in each case and part of the pattern. The same would be true of a “wallpaper” pattern, or any other similar background.

I have never seen anyone successfully begin, create, and end a single stitch. Even by knotting or tying off the thread, unkempt tails remain. The best thing you can so if plan your path so that you never carry under the true vertical, true horizontal, or true diagonal. Even on an Aida fabric, carry-thread will show if it passes under a hole in the fabric. The solution is to always carry on an oblique angle, so the thread never (or rarely) passes under a hole, even if it means creating the next stitch from top to bottom instead of bottom to top the way you usually stitch. Just remember to carry the same way each time, as mentioned above.

Another way to “hide” the carry-thread shadows happens after all your stitching is done and you prepare to frame your needlework. Cover the mounting board with a piece of fabric that is dark enough to camouflage the shadow, but not so dark that it will appear to change the color of the needlework fabric in an unattractive manner. Even a medium blue fabric, for example, will camouflage a dark blue thread and only give a very pale blue look to a white linen cross-stitch fabric. Sneaky, but it does the job…

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

Return to FAQs page