Jan Hicks Creates - The Basics of Cross Stitch - 5. How to Kit up a Project

In this video, I talk about how to start from scratch. You’ve bought a chart, now what? I talk about how to decide what count fabric you want to use, how to calculate fabric size, and how to change floss, and how to decide when it’s appropriate to make any changes. This video is helpful for both beginners and experienced stitchers who may be a bit timid about making changes.

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[GeminiDolly]

I have been following along since the first video about the "basics". You are such a great instructor for anyone who is new to cross stitching. I have picked up a tip or two along the way. I am not new to cross stitching. Been doing it off and on for about 40 years now, and I still have learned new things just from watching you.Thanks so much for making these videos.

[carolhofstetter]

Oh my! You just opened a can of worms with me. I had to stop video and go check out Sue Hillis Designs. LOVE! Thanks for the videos! They are very helpful to me.

[lorettahenderson]

Jan...every time I watch one of your videos...I have to go to my wish list to add a pattern...love those Salt Box Houses...this is a very good tutorial and information on the X Stitch app...best wishes❤️

[shawnmatthews]

Great Videos.
Thank you for taking your time. Everytime I watch I see patterns I want. 🤗

[arleencurry]

Thanks for another good beginner video. I'm following along trying to learn and you are really explaining things I didn't know. That calculator answers lots of my questions. I downloaded the free heart pattern you featured in your first basics video and now I'll be able to get the necessary fabric and floss together.

[nancyjones]

This is very helpful and yarn tree Cal is great thank a bunch

[vickyb]

Hi Jan, coming back to your series to get some questions answered and so glad I clicked on this one. When you went to the fabric calculator, I was interested to see what you would enter for “fabric on each side for framing”. and you said 2 inches. I actually (having restarted bigger projects after 20 years!) did this on my first project in my “restart” and I found that it was almost impossible for me, with 2 inches, to do the cross stitching that runs up to the edge of the picture - I especially noticed it on my 2nd one that I stitched in an 8 inch q snap and for these “edges” I had to sew on scrap fabric on all four sides in order to have enough to actually put in the frame - in future I will be adding 3 inches.

[ooMysticdragonoo]

Question...sorry if it's been asked...you show how to use the calculator to change the size of the piece by the fabric you pick but if I were to make the piece bigger is there a way to calculate the floss needed?

[melissaszafranski]

So I’ve been using xstitch for all my patterns, floss, fabric and to keep track of projects just like you described. Love it. Even use the shopping list in tools. How is it that I NEVER noticed the calculator?!?! Yeah, gonna start using that.... I notice that I sometimes need to make change in Floss color because maybe my skein Of over dyed is quite a bit different than the lot the designer used to chart.

[RonnelsStampStudio]

Thank you again Jan for this series. I am, as I mentioned before, a newbie and my stitching is improving with every new day. I had the X-Stitch app and upgraded to the plus. Love the stitch calculator! Still doing some frogging, but happy with end result. Love, love, this series. I use a single thread. How do you start and stop a color change? I am trying to make the back of my project look better and would like some ideas. Thank you so much for you fabulous videos.

[hollyanthony]

Hi Jan, Another great tutorial! Thank you for teaching and giving great tips. Do you follow the same procedure for preparing your threads for a full coverage piece and a non full coverage piece?

[emb]

Loving this series! So glad I found your flosstube channel recently. Stitched some Aida kits long ago and just got back into it recently. Thank you soooo much for all of this information. You ARE a great teacher ; ) I've used the cross stitch calculator but have a question when doing a small (pillow) I guess is what they're called. How much extra fabric do I need on each side? Do I still allow 2" as if I were going to frame it and not just display it in a dough bowl sort of thing?

[moosemom]

I’m not sure if I have EVER used the called for fabric in the chart😂 The x-Stitch app is well worth the $10 a year. I still buy a duplicate chart once in awhile, but that’s because I forgot to check the app😂