Dmcthread's Blog

Cross Stitch Part 1 + Floss 117 assortment Giveaway!

Hello Everyone!

Now that we know the rich history behind needlework, we can move forward with my favorite needlework categories – From cross stitch – to tapestry and everything in between. I am going to show you my favorite supplies, the best stitch guides, my time tested tips, and of course, fantastic giveaways! This week I am starting off with cross stitch. I will take you through the world of cross stitch, starting off with the supplies. Next Friday we will be giving away the entire 454 color assortment of DMC cotton Embroidery Floss 117!

Let’s get started with my favorite thing, the thread!
I even made you a handy guide of the most common threads you would use for your cross stitch project. I included free designs that use each thread to get you started!

Six Strand Cotton Embroidery Floss

There are a lot of different kinds of threads you can use for cross stitch. The most widely used is the 100% Cotton DMC Embroidery Floss. Each length of Floss is made up of six individual strands. The Key in your Design Chart will tell you the thread type, colors and number of strands you will need to work with for your project. You will generally use two strands to create a cross stitch. All DMC floss is colorfast and fade resistant. If you do not use DMC, You want to make sure whatever thread you use is colorfast, if not make sure to set the floss before you start working with it. A good way to test this is to rub your thread against your fabric, this is called crocking, if color comes off you want to be sure to set your floss.

Emma’s floss setting tip: If the your stitching with DMC floss don’t bother, but if you are using an overdye or a floss that the manufacturer doesn’t claim to be colorfast then its a good idea to set your floss. Wash your skeins of floss one color at a time, in a small bowl or sink. Wash it with a gentle soap like ivory or baby shampoo in warm water. Woolite™ actually contains bleach and is not a good choice. The best is ORVUS™ soap. This soap is used by museum conservators because it is non-abrasive and free of harsh chemicals.

Color Variations and Overdyed

I love working with DMC Color Variations Embroidery Floss. It makes my work look special by adding variations and texture. What is great about variations is that each skein is a combination of DMC colors, so you can coordinate Color Variations with DMC Embroidery Floss to stitch beautiful designs with colors that compliment one another. The other great thing about this beautiful overdyed thread is that every single skein is consistent, with 4 inches of every color corresponding to the 117 Floss colors, it will leave your work looking finished and beautiful.

Emma’s Color Variations Stitching Tip:
The stitching method you for Color Variations use depends on two things: the look you wish to achieve, and how the color is spaced on the thread. For example, let’s take a tree. Say I’m using a brown-black variegated for the trunk. Because a tree grows vertically, I’ll be stitching in vertical columns rather than horizontal rows. All these methods display some level of striping/shading.

Click here to download a free chart using Color Variations

Metallic Threads

DMC came out with one of the first metallic embroidery threads called Light Effects. This thread looks great in all projects and can be stitched by itself or blended with other threads to create a shimmering effect on your project. Light Effects is a line of 36 colors and have gorgeous shades that include Precious Metals, Jewels, Antiques, and Pearlescent shades, plus trendy Fluorescents and Glow-in-the-Dark tones.

Emma’s Stitching Tips:
It is important to realize that stitching with DMC Light Effects will be a little different than stitching with cotton floss. It is recommended to work with shorter lengths of Light Effects, approx. 12”, to prevent tangling and to avoid fraying. The more the thread is pulled through the fabric, the more “wear and tear” it takes. Shorter thread lengths help to prevent this from occurring. Also try using a slightly larger needle than you would with cotton floss.

If your Light Effects becomes tangled while stitching, simply drop the needle and allow the thread to unwind itself. This helps to reduce knotting, too.

When working with a combination of Light Effects and Embroidery Floss, you may want to lightly moisten the fibers with a clean, damp sponge. This will help the two thread types to stay together more easily during stitching.

Intermediate to Advanced Stitchers will find that DMC Light Effect Floss is more durable than most blending filaments and metallic thread. This is a good transition floss for newer stitchers interested in moving beyond the basic cotton flosses.

Creative Poppy has some great tips as well for stitching with metallic threads take a look here.

Click here to download free projects using DMC Light Effects

Light Effects Color Card

Satin Floss

Satin floss adds a great sheen to your projects and looks beautiful either blended with other threads, or by itself. DMC recently introduced 24 new colors in our Satin Thread line increasing the selection to 64 colors. DMC Satin Floss is packaged in pull skeins and are six-stranded. They are the same equivalent to the cotton floss meaning if four strands of floss work on 18 mesh, four strands of rayon floss will work as well. The satin thread is 100% rayon.

Emma’s tips for working with Satin Floss: Satin floss is lustrous and smooth. For a better handle and tameable stitching experience try wetting the thread. You can take one or two plies in working length and run them over a slightly wet sponge. They dry in no time and will be flat and a lot tamer than the unbathed ones. I like this floss a lot as the colors correspond to the regular DMC floss. You can even mix and match plies of each and substitute the rayon in your stitching patterns. You can also run the thread over a block of beeswax or using thread heaven, without sacrificing the sheen.

Click here to download a beautiful chart using DMC Satin Floss

Pearl Cotton

Pearl Cotton is a highly mercerized, non-divisible, lustrous 100% cotton thread on a twisted skein. DMC Pearl Cotton skeins are available in three sizes – 3, 5 and 8 (the higher the thread size, the finer/thinner the thread). DMC Pearl Cotton also comes in variegated colors and pearl balls.

Emma’s stitching tip: Cut short lengths, 18 inches at the most, and try to keep the eye of the needle at the same spot on the thread as you stitch.

Here is how to open a skein of Pearl Cotton. Most Pearl Cottons are twisted so if you open it right, you should be able to simply pull the thread you need and have it twist right back together.

Embellishments

Embellishments on cross stitch is becoming very popular. Buttons and beads are a common choice that stitchers choose to give that design an extra kick. DMC has another embellishment up their sleeve for you, its called Color Infusions Memory Thread. I’m crazy for Memory Thread right now! Memory Thread is part of DMC’s newest thread line called Color Infusions, allowing stitchers and crafters limitless possibilities of using the threads in your projects. Memory Thread is a soft fiber wrapped copper wire that adds beautiful color, dimension, and texture to your needlework projects. It comes in 18 colors and can be easily shaped into embellishments that can be couched or tacked down on top of your stitched design.

Click Flying 3D Butterfly 061009 for a free cross stitch chart of this butterfly, embellished with Memory Thread

Helpful Links:

DMC Color Card

DMC Shoppers Checklist

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT STITCHING TIP? LEAVE A COMMENT FOR ALL TO SEE!

I just LOVE floss and all the different kinds of beautiful threads that are available to create beautiful cross stitch designs. I hope you enjoy the free designs that you can stitch using DMC threads. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s ultimate fabric guide!

Enter for our giveaway! The ENTIRE DMC 117 Cotton Embroidery Floss Assortment over a $300 retail value. Drawing will be done on Friday March 12, 2010. In order to enter you must become a Google Friend over on the sidebar, as well as leave us a comment with your email address so I can notify you if you win Good Luck!