what to do with all the thread ends
I am starting a new project with a lot of colors very close in color it is a hydrangea. What do I do with all the thread when changing colors. End every one as I go or what? HELP
Posted by: lanasparadise1 on 09/22/14
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You should call the company where the cross stitch under its name. Or buy new floss yourself. Good luck and happy stitching.
by: miss crossstitc on 09/22/14
If the colors are close together (location wise), you could "park" several needles threaded with those colors and switch to the color you are currently working on in that section. I hope that makes sense.
by: marg.leduc on 09/22/14
Yes, definitely weave each thread in as you finish with it. Otherwise you will have a mess like you cannot imagine. Some areas where there are a lot of color changes and lose ends will get "puffy" and will look thicker or higher in the front. I've also noticed that the last stitch will look loser than the others because the end hasn't been secured. I've learned from experience. I don't know about you but unless you give it away you will always remember the back when you look at the picture. I'm not some "gotta have it perfect" freak but do like it when it looks halfway decent. Good luck. I know it's a lot of work but you'll enjoy it all that much more when it's finished.
by: Texas Stitcher on 09/22/14
If you park then I would recommend that you pull the thread away from where you are stitching and pull it towards the front so it won't get caught in the stitching or you'll a mess on your hands. I'm not real good with parking.
by: Texas Stitcher on 09/22/14
I agree with Texas Stitcher as far as weaving it through the back of the stitching. If it was me, I never park the needles. I did that before and you end up paying more attention to the parked needles (not getting them tangled up with the needle you are now using) than actually stitching. You could have different needles with different colors on it in a pin cushion (I use paper with the color # on it and park my needles with the corresponding thread on it instead). I hate parking, it's confusing, especially trying to remember which needle has what color of thread (most is so alike in colors).

Just do one color at a time for a perfect picture and less stress. You have all the time in the world to finish (if not, then you will have a more prettier picture when complete) if you use on color at a time.

Make a copy of your pattern and mark the color(s) you have completed. You can do sections of one color, mark it as complete, then go back with another color and mark complete, etc. I do all my stitching in sections (sometimes 100 blocks at a time when I use Aida). Or sometimes if it's multiple pages, then I do one page at a time. Hope this helps. Sorry for the lengthy message.
by: jclifford on 09/23/14
I tried parking my needle on my work once, and as mentioned above, I spent more time trying to keep my threads from tangling than actually stitching. I gave that up. So, I just pick one color and complete stitching with it as much as I can in one section, cross it off the list, pick another color, and so on. Lucky are those stitchers who can handle more than one thread/color at a time.
by: arottenbucher on 09/23/14
I never park my needles because it makes such a hassle. I always weave my threads when done. I try and work a single color in one section at a time. I have tried different things over the years and this system works best. You will find out what works best for you as you get more experience. Since I put fusible interfacing on the backs of my projects no one sees the threads.
by: syagel on 09/23/14
I have never put fusible interfacing on the back of cross stitch. Would it work for a pillow, or picture best. Please comment
by: lanasparadise1 on 09/24/14
I saw in one of the cross stitch magazines in their cross stitch supplies section of plastic tray that has a number of windows in it where you can put your needles that have different color threads already threaded AND a piece of white cardboard in each window in which you can write the corresponding DMC number (or name of thread color) on the cardboard. You can buy more Cardboard "Window" material for writing in your future projects. The new cardboard slides into the end of the plastic tray. Just a thought on how to keep your needles "parked" somewhere.
I think it was in "The Stitchery" magazine. I have never used it but am tempted to buy one to see how it works out.
by: Bermuda on 09/24/14
Using fusible interfacing on the back of a project will work on just about any cross stitch project you choose. it makes the back side look so much better even if you are framing a project.
by: syagel on 09/24/14