Your needlework questions answered
The only silly needlework questions are those that are not asked! Here is your opportunity to ask everyone for advice or help with your needlework and embroidery.
There are two ways you can ask a question...
Of course I am delighted to help anyone by email, but that way you only get my opinion. Why not throw your question out there to the thousands of visitors a day that browse the site?
What can you ask about?
Anything that is related to needlework.
Due to the popularity of this page I have started to organise things a little. There are now more interactive pages on the site where you can ask questions relating to the following subjects (just click on the photo to go to the relevant page)...
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Guidelines for submitting questions
If you have a short and sweet question to ask, then it is probably best to send me an e-mail, but if you have quite a bit to write, and you feel that the answer to your question could help other stitchers then please feel free to use one of the interactive invitations.
I can't promise to reply straight away, but will do my best to get to build your page as soon as possible so that others can jump in if they can help you.
Please try to be specific in your title. If you name your submission Sue or Mary, it doesn't give me any idea of the question you are asking. If I can see at a glance that I can help straight away, then it is better for both of us.
If you have a photo that you can add that is great. It makes YOUR PAGE more attractive. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece. A pic from your mobile phone is fine, as long as I can clearly see what you are trying to show.
Once I publish your submission it will be listed below the invitation, and other visitors will be able to comment on it.
Got a question about needlework?
The best way to learn is by asking questions. Sure, you can email me and ask but why not ask all the visitors to the site and get a selection of answers?
This is also the place to give something back and try to help others with their queries. Have fun!
Read other people's questions - and help if you can
Click below to see questions from other visitors to this page...
Stabilizer for embroidery 
I am entering back in to the embroidery world and decided to start with some flour sack tea towels.
I have an iron on transfer to put on them.
…
Embroidering over old initials--can it be done & how?
I am a mom to 3 1/2 year old twin girls and I love every minute of it. I was recently given some hand-me-downs and in the bag was a beautiful gingham check …
new to this-question about fraying
I'm getting ready to start my first "real" cross stitch project. I have the kit ordered and I'm chomping on the bit to receive it!
However, I would …
Transferring embroidery pattern onto colored fabric
I am going to embroider a design on to black fabric.
Someone told me to use a fusible paper to draw my pattern, and then to iron it to the fabric, …
Just thank you
I just wanted to comment and thank you. You come across so sweet, helpful, and knowledgeable. I've been wanting to try cross stitch and with your instruction, …
hand embroidered signatures
Hi, I want to embroider a name onto a stuffed heart but I'm not sure which stitch I should use as I'm new to embroidery.
Thanks
Lisa
Carol answers... …
threads for making friendship bracelets
I make small friendship bracelet kits for kids. I give them away for free and enjoy the happiness it brings them.
I usually buy embroidery floss by …
flatten and block antique needlepoint lace
How do I flatten and block a piece of needlepoint lace with a lot of floral inserts etc?
Thanks, Christine Zachary, Portland, Oregon
Carol says... …
transferring patterns to fabric for embroidery
The pattern I'm using has a needle work design that needs to be transferred onto felt. What is the best way for me to do this? I've tried tracing paper, …
Daphne J Ashby Kits
Please if possible could you tell me who supplies Daphne J Ashby kits, as I used to do them many years ago but have lost the name of suppliers in uk only …
how to end a stitch on hand embroidery
My mother embroidered forever and did incredible work...I have always just knotted my thread on the back and she didn't..she did it the right way and I …
Beading questions
needlework beading
by L. Corrigan
(Canada)
As L. Corrigan (Canada) I am doing the needlework entitled "Earthdancer" by butternut road.
I purchased …
how do i make a picture graph for crochet
I want to learn how to make my own graph of a picture. I want to crochet the blanket from the graph, can you please tell me how to put a picture into …
Quilting dilemma please help
I am making a twin size quilt. The delimma is that I have only made a pretty good size lap quilt and it was a stitch and flip pattern.
I like the pattern …
Mirror Image Needlepoint.
Can you please tell me how to stitch a pattern so that a mirror image of the pattern appears on the reverse side of the fabric?
I believe there is a …
Are There Any Alternatives to Needlework
Okay, I know this might sound odd but are there any alternatives to needlework. You know, you must have had a few occasions where you just can't put the …
Cutwork Tablecloth supplies
I want to make a cutwork tablecloth by hand, but can't find a place to buy the materials needed. Does anyone know of a place to purchase supplies for …
Twilling Stitch
Years ago a cousin taught me how to embroider a pillow top using what she called the twilling stitch. I completed the pillow. Now about 20 years later …
lace or crochet edgings
I am attempting to create holes in fabric to attach crocheted edging. I have tried a wing needle 100/16, but the holes are not large enough to see. Any …
perfect needlework backs
I am really anxious to have backs that look the same as the front. There are several gentlemen who do that automatically. I don't. Is there some way to …
How do Trunk Shows work?
I would like to know how a trunk show works. I see them advertised at shops all the time.
When an artist does a trunk show, are the pieces unique? …
Gold Work
Why is there not much in the way of information on Gold Work available?
The Royal School of Needlework has a very pricy book but if you cannot have …
French and bullion knot stitch
I have seen a stitch used for Santa's beard. I think it was called "knot-on-a-stick." Do you have a stiching diagram that shows me how to make and place …
History Of Couching
For my homework we have to find out the history of couching and where it started and I cant find a single thing on Google, for it insits it's coaching. …
Sock monkey's eyes
I have made a sock monkey for my grandchild; she is only a year old. I would like to embroider the eyes on instead of button eyes since she is so young …
card stock for stitched cards
where in the world do I get card stock? I am interested in doing stitching on cards and have NO idea where to find card stock... HELP!!!
pattern following
Hi, I am new to this,and I found a cool picture of a witch. It is done on black material,and I have been reading your info. Do you always just eyeball …
quilting and needlepoint
I have this idea that I would like to make a checkerboard sort of quilt.
I would like to have all the dark squares be a pieced design and all the white …
Starting a class
Hi
I work in a primary school and would like to start a needlework class for 8-11 year olds an hour a week. I have limited experience (mainly my own …
where can I find perforated paper?
Where do I find perforated paper for crafts? I have looked at every craft store around my area and nobody has heard of perforated paper. Could anyone …
hand embroidery stitches 
How do i know which stitch to use on my project? For example: I'm working on a tea pot with flowers on it. How do I know which stitch would look good on …
needlework identification
I'm reading a text in Chinese in which a needlework technique is described. Baiscally one color is embroidered onto the cloth, then a second color is …
learn to cross stitch on linen Not rated yet
I don't know the first thing about cross stitching on linen. I have been cross stitching on Aida cloth for 13 years and it's time for a change. Is this …
Fastening off threads when using a large standing embroidery frame Not rated yet
I recently bought a 3ft scroll frame on a stand to enable me to work on larger projects. I wondered if you have any tips or advice on using such a large …
What is it called when you do the X stitches? Not rated yet
Is the pre-printed fabric with the X's, cross stitching or just embroidery? I know its not the counted cross stitch.
Thanks,
Vickie
Carol responds... …
Blackwork pattern (rocking horse) order through Pay Pall Not rated yet
Dear Ms Leather,
I would like to compliment you on your website which I discovered through "Googling" the expression "Blackwork patterns".
I love …
Conversion Table Not rated yet
If I have a counted cross stitch kit which will measure
14 X 10 inches when stitched on 14 count Aida, what would the finished product measure (in inches) …
Cleaning and removing wrinkles from finished cross-stitch project. Not rated yet
What is the best way to clean and remove wrinkles from a finished cross-stitch project? The hoop I use always leaves a ring and wrinkles.
Thanks,
…
Foam core board Not rated yet
What thickness of foam core should be used for framing a piece of cross-stitch?
Carol writes...
I like to use a 5mm thick foam core board if …
correct kind of thread for redwork Not rated yet
My friend and I are going to do our first Redwork project. Should we be using regular embroidery thread or purl cotton? Thanks! Beverly Johnston
Carol …
Programa de bordado Not rated yet
Buen día, en dónde puedo comprar un programa para hacer de mis fotos patrones en punto de cruz o bordado tradicional?
Muchas gracias
Carol says... …
mirror work embroidery supplies Not rated yet
When I was a child, my uncle lived in Pakistan and he sent my sister and I each wonderful traditional vests with mirror work on them.
Recently, I …
tambour needle Not rated yet
I saw a needle which is used for the chain stitch in an embroidery tutorial in internet. I think it is the hook needle. from where i can get it?
…
Hand embroidering a sweatshirt Not rated yet
Hello - I am making, for the first time, a jacket from a new sweatshirt. It is black and I have used black bias tape down the front and around the end …
Can I print your direction pages? Not rated yet
I see your pages say do not copy.
I don't want to copy it but I sure would like to print some of the crazy quilt directions.
My computer is downstairs, …
Changing pattern size and threads used Not rated yet
I have been given a large amount of cross stitch thread and patterns.
I am keen to make, for our four grandchildren, a Christmas stocking each. The …
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