Gridding Cross Stitch Fabric

xstitchloon

Glad I found this thread as I am doing a large project, 16 pages!  Its on 18 count, which I havent used before and its the most complex chart I have done.  I like the idea of the pen but I am scared it wont wash out and my work ruined.  I like the idea of fishing line as I wont get fluff from cotton either.  I have finished 1 colour on 1st page and finding it difficult to keep track of where I am so I think I must stop and do some gridding :(  Worth it in the end though.

zitocleo

Ive never had a problem with the pens, and I use them on every project. Even the little ones. It makes a huge time difference to not have to count, and since Im usually doing it for pay, the less time I spend, the more money I make. Ive also used it on my own personal projects, which have sat, sometimes (ashamed to say) for a year or more, and the marks still come out perfectly. (tho when theyve been there for months upon months, Ive sometimes had to reinforce them in places where they have air-disolved).

The only thing about the pens is to make sure you use COLD water. And theres no need to "wash" the fabric at all. If youre washing it with detergent, the lines probably will not come out, as soap will set the color. I hold the fabric under the cold tap on the faucet for 30 seconds to 2 minutes (depending on the darkness of the grid I drew - The center point usually takes longer, as I mark that and then also draw lines over it, for example), then lay on a board to dry overnight. There is no misshaping because of washing that way, as it was maintained flat the entire time.

Crystal
Stitched-4-U

walala.miche

this is a great idea! ill try it next time when im stitching big project... like L&L celtic ladies

Happy_Stitcher

great sharing thread. thanks

retno1978

I always use water solluble pen now, coz it makes me easier to check my work. im lucky though because my pen mark can easly be removed.

nightlife

Hem..I dont do grinding.just to lazy to do it, I color the chart so I wont make to many mistakes, is that true I dont make lots of pick up the thread...lets hear it  from my old time friend stitcher here ha..ha..:D

scaredy-cat

I dont grid, I find it too much work and I dont see the advantage of it.

lrblanc

Glad to know that about the pens.  I hate gridding fabric but sometimes it helps.

koorkoor

I havent tried to put grids in my projects,
but for the HAED I will because it is such a large project and surely I will get list hehe

threadbare

I grid with a washable pen and the red shiny magic guide thread, just makes it easier as my medication can make my counting large spaces difficult.