Wednesday, February 02, 2005

"Seven Secret Gifts of Stitching" "Seven Secret Gifts of Stitching" Stitching Relaxes the Mind Stitching causes the mind to relax to a point that many express as being in a “state of meditation,” Some express it as a “Zen-Like” level.   Stitching helps you to accomplish Goals Stitching satisfies  the need to accomplish something with your hands. Handwork has been passed down to us throughout the centuries. There is something ingrained in each of us that gives us the desire to work with our hands.   Stitching helps you Solve  Problems You can use Needlework to solve a problem. Just think about the problem, then put the problem away while you are stitching. Answers to the problem often surface because you are using a different part of your brain while you stitch. You’ll  find it surprising how stitching Needlework creates a problem solving atmosphere.   Stitching exercises Your Brain Needlework is healthy for the brain! Stitching helps both the right and left sides of the brain work together, since the decisions you are making while you stitch (where to put the stitch, how to negotiate the thread, which color to use, relationships to the rest of the canvas, etc.) integrate brain activity.   Stitching makes you Happy Color therapy takes place while you Needlework. Studies show certain colors make us happy!   Stitching Lowers Your Blood Pressure Certain studies indicate Needlework is healthy for the heart and lowers blood pressure. There is speculation that the rhythm of the arm and hand moving repetitively slows down the heart.   Stitching helps you Gain Confidence You gain strength through the item you are creating. The ability to create something beautiful through needlework gives you confidence that is transferred to other activities.   Pass It On Being a Stitcher you may already know all of these little secrets.  But in today’s busy world, most of us don’t.  By teaching someone else to stitch or even just passing this article along  you’ll be sharing the gift.  Who knows? You may just change their life for the better and what could be a greater gift than that! Excerpts used from Joanne Nestor’s theory about the value of needlepoint. Read more about Joanne Nestor at Smiling Sheep Needlepoint 5:32:19 PM    comment [] Sample Grid Pattern You can download this free2003 Christmas Ornament at: www.tiag.com 9:32:45 AM    comment [] Sample Grid                         I grid all my complicated patterns in this manner.  I grid in 3 colors, orange, green and purple. My center grid is  in orange. You can change these colors to suit your fabric and pattern.  Gridding can be as elaborate or as simple as you want! I enjoy gridding so I make a project out of it. I know one thing, Ihave never had to rip more than a few stitches in  any project no matter how big they were because of  gridding.  Gutermann 100% polyester regurlar sewing thread is great to use. This thread does not fuzz. Find your center stitch and mark it with a pin or a stitch etc., then count from there as to where your grid will be, this pattern is 3 stitches up and 4 stitches to the left.  I start my gird in this area. Use a single strand of thread  and count over two and under two threads or if you want four threads, placing the tick marks every 20 threads apart in evenweave or linen. The Tick marks are four threads on each side of the grid. When starting the first line I leave about half of my thread on top so I can use it later to go in  the other direction to finish the grid.  Please make sure your count is correct, double check your counting often! I have stitched the sample grid in over two under two, and over four and under four threads so you can see the difference. Whatever is easier for you! You will develop your own style of griddding. Adia cloth can be gridded too. You just count ten holes to grid it! Here's a great cross stitch site: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.crafts.textiles.needlework You can do a search on "gridding" and find tons of info on it! 9:09:34 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2005 Elizabeth Catron. Last update: 3/2/2005; 11:07:27 PM.

At the Moment I'm Working On:Seaweed Stole

Flag of Florida