Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: Hello cross stitch wizards!
October 21, 2014 at 2:04:00 AM  (in response to MamaPak message #1)
 
Debi,

Welcome!    We're so glad you like our site!

To answer your excellent questions (by no means am I an authority...this is what I've done with cross stitch...YMMV!):
1) For framing, if you don't mind spending a lot of money, you can bring your finished work to a shop and have it professionally framed; however, if you were to do so, I would strongly suggest talking to people who have brought cross stitch work there, because there are professional framing places that don't know how to frame cross stitch.  And you don't want to go with someone who is going to mess up your beautiful work!

For that reason (and others), I used to frame my own work.  It's very complex and I don't want to get into long descriptions, but it involved centering the work on mounting board, then pulling all sides tight and "lacing" the work in the back - e.g., taking stitches from top to bottom and side by side, to keep the fabric taut.

This was very, very tedious.  It's also why I don't have a lot of cross stitched pieces that are framed.  But it can be done...with a lot of trouble.

2) Honestly, I wouldn't recommend coating your finished work with any kind of coating.  If you notice a problem after, you won't be able to fix it.  And then there's the look of the fabric and floss.  You'll be giving up that look for a very plasticized look.  If that's what you like, it's one thing, but if you don't think you want your work looking plastic, I would say to be cautious.

I once had an issue with a bead project, and I was going to use what was basically a plastic coating on it.  Then a friend asked me if I would want my piece to be plastic rather than glass.  I did a lot of thinking and realized I would hate it looking all plastic, so I tore it out and started over the right way, and that worked.  Had I put the plastic on it, I wouldn't have been able to do that without buying all new materials. 

3) For 11 count, your finished project would be approximately 12 3/4" x 14".  I've seen 11 count go either 2 or 3 strand, so it would probably be best if you tried both 2 and 3 strand to see what coverage you really like.  Also, you may find it uncomfortable to stitch with 3 strands...I sure did. 

Hope that helps! 

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Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: Hello cross stitch wizards!
November 17, 2014 at 1:52:56 AM  (in response to MamaPak message #3)
 
Debi,

You're very welcome! 

That's fantastic news...always great to find other stitchers nearby and to be busy with cross stitching! 

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