Doing backstitching on this pattern
Hello everyone,
I'm finishing up the Lavender and Lace "Angel of Light" and have question regarding the backstitching that needs to be done below the "village" and below and behind the angel's dress in the pattern. The backstitching is by itself on the linen (isn't supported by other stitches against it). Some of the backstitching is going over 14-16 squares or more on the 28-count linen. I'm concerned that if I make one long stitch covering that many squares, when it comes time for framing, there will either be a problem with the thread being stretched too tight or too loose.
Is there a rule on not going over a certain amount of squares when backstitching?
Thanks for any help!
Posted by: Bermuda on 01/14/15
I don't know of a rule, but I wouldn't do it anyway. You mentioned the problems. Don't know if it's legit, but I've tried to bread up long long-stitches where the line crossed the intersection of 2 squares. I'm interested in the opinions on this.
by: jlhewes on 01/14/15
What a beautiful motif, Bermuda. How long did it take you to stitch? I've never heard of a rule but am sure there is one! I always play it by ear. Sometime I stretch it and if it doesn't look good, I divide it by 3 or 4 stitches. My worry is that it looks too loose once it's been framed.
Curious to hear what the other stitchers have to say on this one.
by: Texas Stitcher on 01/14/15
instructions in one of my patterns said to never stitch over more than 7 squares.. that particular pattern had lots of long backstitching; worked out well, with no problems..
good luck
by: dbye468 on 01/14/15
Thanks to you all. I'm going to try the" maximum 7 squares long" rule and see how it looks.
Will get back to you on this as to what it looks like.
As for the time it took me to do this particular "Lavender and Lace" pattern. I would say about a year since I didn't work on it all the time, took time out for us to move from one state to another. But for the diligent stitchers that work on it every evening (and depending how quickly you stitch) a person could probably get it done anywhere from 6 months to a year.
As a companion piece cross stitch pattern to the one I'm completing, I'm going to begin the "Second Angel of Freedom". I saw a picture of someone who had completed the two, had them framed and hung in their hallway with a small table in between them and it was just beautiful.
I've completed Lavender and Lace's "Earth Angel", "Guardian Angel" and the current one.
Thanks to all of you again! Like I said, I will get back to you very shortly as to how the "Maximum 7" works out!
by: Bermuda on 01/15/15
Hi Bermuda! I am digging up a "buried bone". I was walking back in time through the chat board this morning looking for something else and I saw your post. I have this pattern, was looking through it not long ago and wondered about the backstitching. How did you decide to finish it? How did it look framed?? Also, I am curious what type of frame you chose. Thanks much. Carol
by: jerseycrafter on 03/19/15
Hi Jerseycrafter,
I haven't had this pattern framed yet; I'm retired so I need to save up my pennies and quarters to do this completed project justice. Probably will bet it framed within the next 3 months or so.
As for the backstitching on this angel pattern,( down by the "village" using the straight stitches that extend out onto the fabric) I was asking about, I went with the "7 square maximum" rule. BEFORE I did the "7" rule, I did try just one long stitch (never thought about making small vertical stitches to hold such a long piece of floss down, but thought about doing it and was concerned that the vertical stitches might look to obvious. Tried doing "5" stitch squares long and pulled it out because it looked "too choppy" So went with the "maximum 7".

Are you planning on doing this pattern? It's a wonderful pattern to work on. Reallly liked how it turned out!
by: Bermuda on 03/19/15
Sorry Jerseycrafter,
I made a boo-boo in my last message to you. The "straight stitching" in question is the stitching that is underneath and to the left of the ANGEL which gives the impression that the angel is flying forward with a "puff" of dust.
by: Bermuda on 03/19/15