cross stitch tablecloth

When I have done tablecloths in the past, I have woven the ends into the stitching on the back.

Cheryl

There is a way for single stitches, which may work for what you want. For a single stitch, assuming you are using you are using more than one thread in the needle, use only one thread in the needle, and go over each leg of the cross twice, for using two threads. You leave the starting thread loose, and when the cross is complete, you then tie a square knot at the back, which with only one thread, is not unacceptable. The floss rapidly frays back to the knot. If there is more than one stitch, you can do an "out and return", finishing a set of stitches at the same place you started. Then tie the knot. I am not sure if this is as clear as mud, as it is easy to demostrate, but tough to explain.

When doing surface embroidery on an item that won't be framed but actually *used* I will knot my beginning and ending threads. I use a very small knot so that I don't end up with a big bump in the finished item. The ending knot is easy enough too. After my last stitch, I will run the floss under the back of 1 or two stitches that are next to each other. Then I will cut ONE strand of the floss (assuming you are stitching with 2 strands) so that it is about 2" long. I run the remaining strand(s) of floss back under the stitch I just went under and then tie a SMALL knot in the floss. I am totally anal and always worry about the knots. If I am working on something that gets used & laundered **a lot**, I've been known to put just a teensy dab of something like Fray Check on the ends of the floss. Dianne and I have *discussed* this many times because it's not really the "proper" way to finish a length of floss :-)))! Is there a photo of the tablecloth online? I for one would like to get a look at it as I love surface embroidery!! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

You guys are all amateurs!!!!! When I was taught to embroider as a child, a hundred years ago in England, I was taught that (1) you never, ever, wash the cloth before embroidering on it and (2) You start and finish all threads by doing two tiny, tiny stitches, one directly on top of the other at the beginning and the end. After the item is completed and washed, the fabric shrinks ever so slightly and thus holds the threads even more tightly. One of the big points back then was that the embroidery should be virtually reversible.

I still have several of that type in the sideboard drawer, some done by me and some wedding presents. They are all in daily use, regularly go through the washer and dryer, and none of the threads has come loose.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Surface embroidery stuff today -- at least the "blue line" stuff, CAN'T be washed first or you wash out the design! The other thing is that a lot of the blue line stuff is poly cotton and doesn't really shrink. So much of the "linens" that are available today are just not made of really good quality materials. VBS -- I remember Granny teaching me to embroider on a set of pillowcases. They were beautifully soft, high count 100% cotton and a dream to work on. I know I am silly -- Granny probably rolls over in her grave when I tie those little knots. But I DID say I was anal about this and I have had some threads come loose after washing. Of course, that was years ago and I probably didn't take much care in how I anchored my floss -- LOL! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

Thanks so much for all the ideas. I have 2 BIG tableclothes to do , both are 60x104. But they won't be used a lot because they will be in the formal dinning room. I have napkins to match and am going to try to make the back look as good as the front..... notice I said try LOL.

Dana Compton :)