I can’t keep up! The Bee-utiful QAL is already on block 17! Oh well, one block at a time, one work week after another…I need a stitching vacation! 🙂
No new stitches learned with this block and I followed the direction stitch by stitch. A simple block, but how sweet it is.
I didn’t make any progress on my cactus pattern, but I did start on my Classic Winnie the Pooh pattern. Here’s where I’m at:
Can you guess with the silhouette in the middle is? Obviously, the golden colors of Pooh Bear are developing in the background. I wish I had more time to work on this as I’m enjoying the stitching. My only problem is the twisting of my thread. I just can’t seem to get nice flat x’s. Any suggestions? I keep my floss in skein form and have shortened the length of thread I stitch with. Let me know if there are any special techniques that help your stitching.
Time to blog-hop and see what the group is stitching up!
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Wendy, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Susan, and Kathy.
Petals and Pins 
when I feel my thread starting to twist, I just hold my embroidery upside down, let thread hang with needle on the end, and it gently unwinds on its own
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Yup, I’ve been doing that as well! Most of the time that helps. 🙂
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Same as Claire. I try and do it about every 10 stitches at least. The other thing is, when I unravel two threads from the 6 in the floss, I’m careful to straighten the threads completely before I start stitching, so they lie flat in the needle eye. If you start with a twist, it just gets worse.
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Thanks, Kate! Sometimes I use one long thread and fold in two. This shortens it and gives me my two threads. Then I catch the loop in the back to start my first stitch. Maybe this is causing the constant twist? I’ll try two separate strands on my next stitches.
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It’s definitely something to to try. I weave my ends in rather than catching the loop, it makes unpicking a lot easier too!
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And take the threads one at a time and then make up the number required.
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if I’m stitching with 2 threads I take one longer strand and fold in half.
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Yup, that’s what I’ve been doing! Do you see/feel any difference than starting with 2?
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Great point! Even for embroidery, I wasn’t sure if I should separate all three strands first or pull the 6 ply in half and start stitching. One at a time going forward!
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A part from everyone else’s suggestions, I use thread heaven or good old fashioned beeswax. I find that helps tame threads like the satin thread I’m using, I’ve also used it to tame metallic thread ( they are better used slightly warm, eg I leave mine on a sunny window ledge or on/ above a radiator in winter)
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Yes, I think I want to give wax a try. Thanks, Lucy Ann!
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Christina, still lots of progress! I can relate to your wish to catch up. I’m dying to start the Splendid Sampler, but I just can’t until I finish two wedding gifts…the group is half way done, and I haven’t started my first block! Everyone else has advised you on thread…I wonder if it has more to do with being a satin floss? Maybe that particular type is extra finicky.
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Glad to hear in not the only one 😊 Projects will always be there for later so we can catch up! The splendid sampler is adorable!
I don’t think my floss is satin, just the regular DMC. But have you ever noticed how some colors stitch differently than others?
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I agree with having a vacation for projects, I need a quilting vacation.
Maybe a retreat in the future?
My only tip I can share, since I do appliqué and hand piecing, is not to cut thread too long. And as others adviced let it dangle after several stitches. I use thread heaven, it’s a thread conditioner.
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Thread heaven conditioner huh? Interesting, I’ll look into it! Yes, a retreat for us in the future for sure 😃
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Love your bee blocks. The latest one is really pretty.
I use the loop method of starting too but as I’m stitching, I keep giving the needle a quick twirl to take away the twist. You can use a double ended needle which can eliminate the twist as you don’t turn the needle. I don’t get on with them myself though. I’m so used to using a normal one 🙂
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Thank you! Wow, had no idea there was a double ended needle! Definitely some options to look into.
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Don´t stress away, cause that´s when everything starts going wrong 🙂 I know, been there, done that……Instead be happy for every finished block. The Bee-utiful QAL is such a beautiful project!
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Thank you for those words of encouragement! That’s definitely great advice to follow 😊
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Such a lot of ideas for your twisted threads. Isn’t it funny how we all do different things to achieve the same results? I use the double thread with the caught loop method and allow the thread to dangle every few minutes. Great progress anyway.
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There sure is! I tried both ways with the same results. Yup, I will continue the one strand method for now and dangle my needle from time to time. I’m definitely interested in the wax and see how that works.
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I have never thought about catching the loop. That is such a clever idea
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Definitely give it a try on your next thread change 🙂
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Another gorgeous block, loving watching this project grow
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Thanks so much! I’m working on the next one now. Was hoping to complete two, but we’ll see what I can accomplish this weekend 🙂
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