Onebulletburner. To each pattern there is always an errow to the top and the other in the middle of the pattern. You can connect them that way and start to do your cross stitching. On the other hand you can measure the piece that you are going to use plus the pattern and start from there. And the 3rd for you to do there is always the number of stitches in the pattern up and down and you can do your count and then start your project.

It does take a long time, but on large projects it is worth the effort. and really you only have to count as you begin the basting line ... count up 10 and make straight lines (double check towards the end, eh?)... the length really doesn't matter ... I have found that alternating colours of the basting threads helps with the orientation

I have literally no advice regarding this, but I'm curious.....what is that for? Someone please explain this product to me!

Katie, this product is popular with stitchers who work on the large, fully stitched patterns like Mystic and Heaven and Earth Designs. They grid out the project in 10 x 10 squares ( or larger ) so that they can more easily find their place in a pattern and more importantly, if they make an error. It is a fine monofilament like fishing line, so it pulls right out after stitching without disturbing the stitches. I think if you were doing a 50 page project from a black and white chart, it would be well worth the hour or two it took to grid first. Can you imagine, getting halfway done and finding an error ???!!!!

This is a product which is new to me, but I think I will definitely check it out. I am doing more and more very large patterns so this could be a help. Thanks for the information MissKitty.

I'm with ktscrubs28, I don't have a clue what this gadget is, what it's used for or how it works. The easiest way is to fold the fabric and start in the center. As has been explained, the arrows on the chart will show where the center is. I've only seen basting stitches done for Hardanger projects.
So fellow stitchers, is this gadget a counting device?

I've purchased tons of "stuff" over the years but must say that most only complicate things. For blended floss, I use sandwich bags, I no longer use the tape or glue ro prevent fraying but ask my daughter to serge (sp) my fabric, etc. I got rid of most "stitching aids" during my last move.

@texasstitcher and others. Most of us do not have access to a serger, although you can use a tight zig zag for the edges. One solution have been using for 35 years is fabric glue. I started this with edges of smocked dresses. ust use a large sheet of wax paper and go around the edges. The harder part is making sure you do not move the material as the wax paper as it will have some of the glue on it and you do not want that on your fabric. The glue that I found now is not as heavy as it use to be.

@texasstitcher and others. Most of us do not have access to a serger, although you can use a tight zig zag for the edges. One solution have been using for 35 years is fabric glue. I started this with edges of smocked dresses. ust use a large sheet of wax paper and go around the edges. The harder part is making sure you do not move the material as the wax paper as it will have some of the glue on it and you do not want that on your fabric. The glue that I found now is not as heavy as it use to be.

The shop where I buy my fabric serges it for me, when it's not working my daughter will do it for me. I don't have one because it's just one more thing sitting around that won't get used. Until those options became available to me, I used the zigzag feature on my sewing machine. I have also used a, what I call, cast over stitch (by hand). I have used the glue but made sure that I had enough fabric so I could cut off the glued part before framing. I also remember having used a sort of masking tape, it was an off white color. It made things bulky. However, I believe in using what works for the individual and sometimes we have to make concession when certain products/services are not available to us. I'm more cautious now because I know that many things are not for me and they end up taking up space and eventually get tossed. Frames for instance are not for me. My daughter on the other hand cannot stitch without one. We both love doing many of the same crafts yet we use completely different techniques. I like to stay in my comfort zone and she is forever trying new things. As long as we're having fun and are satisfied with the outcome........ :)

I love the easy count guidelines, It's become my best friend. Small (not very small) or large projects, I use it. I save the ones that I remove from the previous project and use it for the next project. But be careful and double check your count. I messed up one project (not very far into it) and had to redo the actual project stitching. But I still use it. Much simpler. When I start a color, I now check where the color stitch begin and end by looking for the 10th count. (i.e., begins at the 1st count and ends one after the 10th count).