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What makes the ideal cross-stitch pattern?
Sep. 5th, 2007 09:15 amI enjoy doing cross-stitch, but I find there's a definite level of difficulty that leads to maximum relaxation.
Too easy is boring. Large blocks of a single colour are very mechanical to sew and insufficient to force you to concentrate on the pattern. (The whole reason cross-stitch is relaxing is that you are forced to concentrate on something other than whatever was worrying you before you started sewing)
However, some patterns are too difficult. The worse one I've done recently was a pair of pink ballet shoes. The pattern used five different shades of pink and loads of fractional stitches. Because the shades of pink were so similar, it was almost impossible to tell which bit you'd just stitched and hence, you couldn't tell which bit of the pattern to do next.
A pattern should also be attractive in itself, forming a picture that you will enjoy when completed. Part of the pleasure of doing cross-stitch is watching the picture emerging as you sew. I actually prefer working from black and white patterns for this reason (as long as the symbols are clearly printed).
Large patterns and small ones both have their appeal. A large pattern may take a couple of years to complete, whereas most small ones can be done in a couple of weeks. I usually have a large and a small piece on the go simultaneously and another kit (kept in a carry case) for when I am travelling.
The patterns I most enjoy visually are either naturalistic - birds and flowers, or else highly abstract - Mackintosh roses, Celtic birds, etc. I don't seem to enjoy patterns with people in the picture, as a rule.
What kind of patterns do you like stitching?
When do you do your sewing? (I do mine in the last half hour before going to bed and when I'm on train journeys)
Too easy is boring. Large blocks of a single colour are very mechanical to sew and insufficient to force you to concentrate on the pattern. (The whole reason cross-stitch is relaxing is that you are forced to concentrate on something other than whatever was worrying you before you started sewing)
However, some patterns are too difficult. The worse one I've done recently was a pair of pink ballet shoes. The pattern used five different shades of pink and loads of fractional stitches. Because the shades of pink were so similar, it was almost impossible to tell which bit you'd just stitched and hence, you couldn't tell which bit of the pattern to do next.
A pattern should also be attractive in itself, forming a picture that you will enjoy when completed. Part of the pleasure of doing cross-stitch is watching the picture emerging as you sew. I actually prefer working from black and white patterns for this reason (as long as the symbols are clearly printed).
Large patterns and small ones both have their appeal. A large pattern may take a couple of years to complete, whereas most small ones can be done in a couple of weeks. I usually have a large and a small piece on the go simultaneously and another kit (kept in a carry case) for when I am travelling.
The patterns I most enjoy visually are either naturalistic - birds and flowers, or else highly abstract - Mackintosh roses, Celtic birds, etc. I don't seem to enjoy patterns with people in the picture, as a rule.
What kind of patterns do you like stitching?
When do you do your sewing? (I do mine in the last half hour before going to bed and when I'm on train journeys)
