How to Do Embellished Cross Stitching
Embellished cross stitching is a slightly different take on counted cross stitching. The picture is printed on cloth and instead of completely filling it in, you work only in selected areas. It emphasizes certain aspects of the entire picture, sometimes the outline, or you may add in other types of embroidery, other than cross stitch. Another option is to add beads to the cross stitching as you work.
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Things You'll Need
- Purchased embellished cross stitching pattern Thread Beads Lurex or metallic thread
Instructions
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Be sure that every one of your cross stitches goes from the top right to the bottom left across the row and then from the top left to the bottom right on the return. Be aware that just one reversal will stand out and ruin the entire picture.
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Read all of the instructions. When the pattern calls for outline stitching, work from the bottom of the outline to the top. Make it a practice to stitch in the same direction with every set of stitches, usually from right to left and counterclockwise. Be patient with embellished stitching. It takes a long time because direction is so important, but it is worth it.
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Add beads to cross stitching when you are putting in the topmost stitch. Go across the row as normal. Then, when you come back, bring the stitch up from behind the fabric, slide on a bead and go back down to the wrong side of the fabric. Continue across the row and watch for changes in the color of the pattern to indicate the shade of bead to use.
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Be careful using Lurex or metallic thread because it poses tangling problems. Wrap short lengths of thread around a business card to keep it from knotting. Reel off a few inches and secure the remainder with a rubber band.
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Tips & Warnings
The back of your picture should look as neat as the front. Be careful to knot off the thread before starting a new section if you will have a lot of floaters cluttering up the back.
