Can Grids on Fabric = faster?

icecreamcake

I havent used Grids on fabric before but I am wondering if it might make the cross stitching faster as maybe less time counting? although I can imagine there might also be a lot of set up time in making the grid. What have peoples experiences been?
I havent made that many mistakes without a grid but I like the idea of it.
thanks for reading

Trudy432

Following this thread for tips--my griding experence has always ended in frustration!

Bluejay

I dont grid my pieces. Instead I use washable pens (the kind kids use at school) to mark my stitches on the fabric. I find it very useful. A few ponits to consider:

its not that time consuming once you get the hang of it
you can stitch and watch tv or talk to people without a blink of preocupation of misplacing a stitch
you can have a better idea on the display of the design on the fabric

Down point: you can only mark Aida.

naine

I started to buy Aida with grid. It works for me. I could not stitch Golden Kite, HAE... without a grid.

fei2x

Using grid lines helps a lot especially if youre doing a large project. But I dont use washable pens to mark my fabric.

Have you ever heard of Pilot Frixion pens? Actually I bought these pens for my kids so they can use them at school. The ink can be erased by rubbing it with the gray bit on the tip of the pens cap. Theyre very efficient for my kids because they wont be needing correction pen anymore everytime they make writing mistake.

It was a fellow member here who told me that I can also use the same pen to draw grids on my fabric. And when I want the ink to go away, I can simply heat my fabric with a heating iron and the ink will vanish like magic. It saves a lot of time because I dont need to soak and dry my project anymore.

chouchou

I never use water resolvable pens, coz Im too lazy to wash them afterwards, and sometimes they leave stains, (ink not so resolvable afterall.)  
I am very used to start right away, no gridlines. I always start from the center and work outwards, therefore no need to count the grids either. haha~
I saw someone embroider one thread horizontally and vertically to mark the grids. Works pretty well for projects with threads not colorfast.

bridulo

I discover the pen system. For big work, I prepare the fabric with thread. Its a long work !

daisysmom

I never grided my work before.  I started with my last project.  It made it flow much quicker.  The prep time is made up by not having to fix or miss count later.  

Im now working on a HAE and I dont think I could do it without the grid.  I use a fabric marker.  So far I have not had a problem.

I dont think I would ever cross stitch without it any more.  It has been worth the time and made me a quicker stitcher.

LouAnna

I grid my page lines with fishing line.   A lot less work then every 10X10 square.  I do have the frixion on my list of pens to buy, but I would have to make a trip to a specialty/office store to purchase.  So I have put it off.  
In the past  I have used pencil but found it doesnt wash out.  :o(  

icecreamcake

fei2x replied at 2013-1-21 12:50
Using grid lines helps a lot especially if youre doing a large project. But I dont use washable pe ...

Yes i have heard of those pens.. have you had any problems with the pen showing up again? As that is what worries me about those type of pens but maybe they are different?

icecreamcake

daisysmom replied at 2013-1-21 14:52
I never grided my work before.  I started with my last project.  It made it flow much quicker.  The  ...

Great thank you, I was wondering that. Might have to choose a project and have a go!!