Cross stitching a lot of material

I've done a large project like this, and solved the problem by rolling up the fabric on two sides of the work area and making it into bit of a sausage by securing it with some thread. You still have a large project, and you still need to adjust this when you can move to a new row, but for the bulk of the time, the bulk of the fabric is out of your way. As an aside I did this as it was tooooooo hot stitching the blanket in the midst of summer with it all draped over me - perhaps if I've stitched in winter I'd never have thought about it!

Joanne

Something I learned recently when I tried my first piece on evenweave. I was initially stumped because the material was so much floppier than the aida I'm used to using. I couldn't "fold n hold" like I used to.

The solution? Binder clips are your friend. Roll the excess fabric up to the edge of your hoop and use a binder clip or two to hold it together on each side.

Your mileage may vary, but it's working well for me. Becky A.

Another option is to use the "banana" clips made for hair. These work especially well on really *large* projects like the afghan refereed to in the original post. When I use them, I usually put a piece of old sheet or other woven fabric over the area where the clip will be used just as a bit of extra protection for the ground fabric. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

I am a bit wary of the binder clips only because they hold so tightly that if the should catch on something they won;t let go and could cause some damage. I like to use those cheap little plastic butterfly barrettes little girls wear. I get a dozen at the dollar store. They hold the fabric in place but also slide off if I should catch it on my sweater or something.

Congratulations!!! Take time to enjoy the new one as well as looking after the rest of the family!! Whereabouts in Louisiana?

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Big, big hugs for your daughter. I went through that myself and know how thoroughly exhausting and stressful it is. If she is covered by insurance, I would suggest that she stay the full four days allowed. She has essentially gone through delivery twice and the extra bed-time won't hurt! It's also much nicer to make use of a bed with electronic controls to gradually ease you to a sitting position for as long as you can instead of having to really exert the abdominal muscles so soon.