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howdy, long time no write!!
any time something like this happens, it's because i embark on a project, intend to write about it, but then i hit some hurdle (still have not been able to procure affordable lithography ink, speaking of which) and complete new projects in the meantime, but then i don't want to write about them until i've written about the first, still unfinished one. so as to not mess up the order of the mess, you know. anyways, while awaiting progress on a few other projects, i'm writing about some thread-y crafts i've been enjoying the last few years.
i really and truly enjoy the grandma vibes of cross-stitch. it's a lot less modern of a craft, since you can only create things like wall hangings or frame your final pieces, but its tedium and archaic-ness sort of makes it a high-value gift, because there's no way to do it quickly.
cross-stitch is done on aida cloth, which has a bunch of tiny holes and comes in a size that dictates the amount of said tiny holes per every inch of fabric. these holes are lined up in a grid, and going diagonally once and then diagonally the other way within a four-dot space to create an X is one stitch. bunches of stitches come together to make a larger image or words. in the past, i've made lots of framed things using patterns from etsy, or made my own patterns online. they are certainly appreciated as gifts, which makes up for the eye strain-induced headaches i guess.
what i enjoy making the most, though, are buttons. i've barely seen them anywhere online, but for me they're the lowest commitment version of this craft because they're so small, but still fun and very functional if you like to decorate bags or jackets with those things. i use the blank pinback button kits from the craft store, and a square of aida cloth as big as the button's instructions recommend, and wrap the fabric i've stitched on around the buttons before i snap on the back. if the fabric ends up being too thick to use the backing, i glue on a felt cover instead and add a new pinback. it's a bit janky but it doesn't look bad in the end, especially since no one except the owner is seeing that side. it's fun finding designs small enough to recreate on buttons, i mostly just guess by eye but any small pixel art will work - musical instruments, animals, or flowers seem to translate the best into mini-size. i also love the idea of water soluble aida, which basically makes it so you can cross stitch directly on clothing or a bag, but i haven't been able to get my hands on any yet. hopefully soon...
simpler pattern making:
more complex pattern making:
i highly recommend doing some more research on cross-stitch if you like doing small tedious tasks, or are impervious to headaches :)
punch needle, i find, is beyond the easiest of the crafts-involving-yarn-or-thread. it doesn't take as much time, and although it come out looking a little less professional sometimes, it makes a cute handmade gift for sure. punch needling essentially is like embroidery, but each piece of yarn exits the fabric in a little loop before it travels back behind the fabric, creating a rug-like fuzzy texture.
the basic materials for punch needling are:
fabric - one with a certain type of weaving as to catch and hold yarn, monk's cloth and burlap are the most common
a punch needle - sizes vary but the biggest you can get is generally best for a beginner, although the look varies with different loop/yarn sizes
yarn - whatever fits in your needle
a plastic embroidery hoop or frame - wood will not grip the fabric as well and will make it harder to "punch" into the fabric
the fabric just needs to be stretched tightly around this frame, and the yarn, when inserted into the needle the right way, will keep a loop on the other side of the fabric as you punch in and out with your needle.
the most common creations are rugs and pillows, and both come out looking fantastic. an 8-inch pillow only took me about 4 hours total this past christmas, and it's very easy to do while watching televison or on the phone. just remember to seal the "wrong" side of the fabric with a sealant like mod podge before sewing it into a pillow or something, so there's less chance of unravelling. definitely do some research on the best sealant for the job if you're doing something important, as well as the different sizes of yarns and needles, but otherwise, i found it pretty easy for a beginner, even if it was a bit more expensive than cross-stitch.
that's about it for now, although i hope to be back soon with some analog photography/film thoughts. hmm...
stay rad!
-atyrfingerprints