How to Cross Stitch Faster

We all know that crafting isn’t a race and for the most part, most of the time there is no need for speed. Unless you’ve got a crafty deadline coming up, projects can take as long as they take and that’s fine. Since it’s something we enjoy, we don’t mind it taking a long time.

But sometimes you might want to stitch a little faster, or more efficiently, or just to try a different method to see if you like it better.

Peacock & Fig shares the sewing method for cross stitching, which allows you to stitch faster and with less movement on your part, which could also be easier on your body.

This method is done without using a hoop, so it’s best to do on smaller projects with nice flexible fabric, at least as you are getting comfortable with it.

If you’ve ever done embroidery or hand sewing this method will make sense to you, because a lot of times those techniques are taught so that you’re never (or hardly ever) pulling your thread through to the back of the work. Instead you’re making a stitch and starting the next stitch all in one move so the needle is always at the front of the work.

This takes a bit of thinking when it comes to cross stitch because it’s not the way most of us are used to working. But it’s a great method especially when you have a lot of stitches of the same color in a row because you can easily work across and then work back.

There’s a video in the blog post showing you exactly what to do, but it’s pretty easy to get the hang of it. I don’t know why I never thought of this when I’ve done plenty of hand embroidery, which should have made me think of this method.

Have you ever tried it? I’d love to know what you think of it!

[Photo: Peacock & Fig]

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35+ Sunflower Cross Stitch Patterns

There are so many fun ways you can go when stitching Halloween cross stitch patterns or giving your place a slightly spooky or witchy vibe any time of year. I love the look of little potion bottles, whether they’re real bottles lined up on the mantle or shelf or cross stitched versions like these.

The gorgeous Elixir of Life cross stitch pattern from Makaronka Stitch is decidedly not Halloween in its vibes, so it would be fun to stitch and display any time of year. This is also definitely not a pattern for beginners, as it uses 37 colors and 34 blends to make the beautiful colors. It also uses full and half cross stitches, back stitch and French knots. The design measures 82 by 115 stitches, which comes out to 5.8 by 8.2 inches or 14.88 by 20.86 cm on 14 count fabric.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller but still a lot of fun, check out this set of six potion bottles from MIYA Stitch. I love how each bottle seems to have its own personality, from one with a pumpkin and witch hat to one with crystals, mushrooms, or a butterfly and flower. The patterns are 60 by 88 stitches each. That’s 4.3 by 6.3 inches or 11 by 16 cm on 14 count fabric. The full set uses 26 colors and blends.

Or try this set of five mini potion bottles from Plenty of Strings. I love the colors on these and they’d look great as a set on one piece of fabric or individually stitches as shown. Each one fits in a 3-inch hoop.

These minis from Giselles Cross Stitch are really cute, too, though they are meant to be worked together as one piece. The whole pattern uses 26 colors and measures 93 by 107 stitches, which comes out to 6.6 by 7.6 inches or 16.8 by 19.4 cm on 14 count fabric. They’re perfect on black or a dark blue fabric.

I also like this bigger set of potion bottles from SamXstitch, which is meant to be stitched as a set but you could also work individual bottles in their own frames if you’d rather. The full design uses 10 colors and is 123 by 173 stitches. Taht comes out to 8.78 by 12.36 inches/22.31 by 31.39 cm on 14 count fabric.

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