Tutorial Tuesday: Cross Stitching Tips & Tricks for Faster Stitching!

Hi friends! I've had a few people ask me how to stitch faster, so I'll show you a few tricks in this video that have really helped me over the years.

Let me know what you think!

If you'd like to practice these techniques on simple patterns, you can check out my silhouette patterns for stitching with one color throughout:

I also have hundreds of other kinds of cross stitch charts available for download or paper chart in the mail in my eBay shop here:

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I sell handmade cards and scrapbook layouts on eBay each weekend as well:

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[jenp]

Wow, I've never seen this type of stitching before! I'm such a slow stitcher and it gets frustrating. I'm going to try this - thank you!

[sewlady]

Just an FYI - I've been embroidering for over 50 years and I actually have been stitching in this faster method, what you call the new age of stitching, for this whole time. And yes it is so much quicker to stitch this way instead of what we use to call it "the stab method", which is definitely very tedious and slow. My mom was quite a stitcher and she taught me this method from the start. Love it!! Glad you found this method and happy stitching!

[JanetGomez-pr]

I cannot wait to start this. It is going to make my huge project go much quicker. I wish I would’ve found this video about 10 years ago and I appreciate you sharing.

[SusanSmith-yhue]

Saw this method several months ago but the first time I tried it I became very confused but I'm trying again and you were a great teacher. Thank you for sharing

[cindyrobbins-challoner]

When I was learning to cross stitch many years ago, I too had pulled it through the front. I was told not to do that because of the tension would give me uneven stitches and the needle could damage the fabric and enlarge the holes or pull the holes. And yet your stitches look great! I think I will go back to my old way and see what happens! Thanks for the info!!!!

[kll]

One reason for the two ways of sewing is that the sewing through the fabric, in general, makes the stitches more even in tension, whereas sewing from the top is faster. When you do it faster, you have to watch that you keep your tension the same from one area to a different area, and the same when you stitch your half-stitches across a row versus down.

[dreesha_maya]

Holy moly!!! I can't tell you how super happy i am that i came accross this tutorial video. I've only ever cross stitched on weekends bc of the time it takes to work on even a simple piece. I had to plan to sit for hours on end in order complete a few rows. I will certainly practice this technique so i can make more stuff

[lethawelch]

I’m today old finding this out. I have been working on one pattern for ten years now. I got bored with it because it was taking forever. Thank you for enlightening my life. ❤️

[debbieelholm]

I have never seen the first example, so I’m going to give it a try. The second example I’ve been doing for years. I sorta stumbled upon it one day when I was looking at my project and thought there had to be a faster way. I started thinking about just doing a whole bunch of half stitches and then complete the cross. Definitely speeds things up!

[emijb]

A bit disappointed that your new fast way is the way I always stitched. 😆 This is how we learned in school. Can’t imagine doing it any other way, but was hoping you had an even faster way. Thanks for the tutorial though, seems like it helped a lot of people! 😊

[Centralmassmedia]

I am only 25 stitches into my first project so I’m happy I found you. One YouTuber turns his work over for every stitch. It’s dizzying! I live near Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts (1830s living museum-highly recommend) and sometimes they have a quilting bee frame set up in a large room of the Towne House - ladies would hand stitch quilts together by only sewing from above. Makes sense because the quilts are so big and pulled taught on the wooden frame. Thank you for explaining!

[ramonalee]

So, I cross stitched years ago and just yesterday I got out my unfinished projects to think about finishing or giving away. This is interesting because I remember when I learned, I was told that all your x's have to be done the same, i.e. either right to left top to bottom first then left to right top to bottom to complete the x or any combination you want but I was told that if you change it up throughout your piece, it will look uneven and ragged and unprofessional. So have you noticed that you can tell a difference when you do all half stitches then all the other side of half stitches in a row or when you do a row of complete x's?

[barbarradevlin]

Thank you for sharing this! I am a cross country stitcher but I wanted to learn how I could stitch faster like those that do the parking method. This is lovely.

[BWoods]

Wow!!! Game changer to flip the fabric upside down!!! Thank you so so so much

[gabyarellano]

The first tip blew my mind!!! Also, I'm right handed but I typically work left to right. I will try your way and see how it goes. Thanks for sharing!

[jammiknox]

Love this ... can't wait to try it...been a stitch for almost 40 years

[georgiacoker]

Stitching in hand and the sewing method. What I always use.

[lesleybreen]

I have been cross stitching for years and have never know of the 1st method. I am in shock lol. I can't wait to try it. I also thought I had to use a hoop....I do however do consecutive 1/2 stitches in a row and then go back over. Excited to watch more of your videos.

[karenrichardson]

Thank you! I am just starting my first cross stitch.

[suzannewolfe]

OMG! Mind blown! I’ve been cross stitching since I was a kid but took a looong break for years. Only just now coming back to it. Last time I did it was before social media. This is such a better way to stitch.