What does the backside of your cross stitch look like?

R Lee

To change the subject slightly... Im quite proud of my back, for the complete opposite reason. Its still fairly neat, I suppose, but mostly I liked it (in this particular section) because it reminded me of a corset. I liked the way the skirt was straight lines on the back except where all the big crosses jumped across it. And because my tension was a bit dodgy, it even felt a little bit ridged. (that is mostly fixed now that it is finished and washed). For a bit of a guideline, that white section is 7 different colours and the orange that jumps all over the place was the final metallic thread backstitching - I just wanted that done as quick as I could, I didnt care about travelling.
I can honestly say that this is the first time ever I have preferred the back of the design.

cute.panda.sue

R Lee replied at 2013-7-2 18:43
To change the subject slightly... Im quite proud of my back, for the complete opposite reason. Its ...

Wow...that looks nice :D I need to learn to snip the thread closer, but I always worry itll slip out! I love corsets...and own probably way too many XD and I can see what you mean about the corsetted look to it... Also... I like that you spell "colour" XD I do too, and Ive been slowly changing my American friends way of spelling >.>

AMoosed

It doesnt bother me if the back is a little messy, nobody sees it, unless its on plastic canvas or paper, and even then, everyone is looking at the front NOT the back, so for me its a neat effect, but Id much rather simply enjoy my time stitching to than to add time to it trying to figure out how to make the back mirror it or look perfect. Just my opinion, but I really think it does look cool! I just never look at the backs! LOL

Mary.Jane

I agree with AMoosed, and dont get too stressed about the back (within limits though, no knots or lumps, and I try not to carry the thread too far).  Its all about the front of the piece, for me :D

lalaland2013

Looks very clean to me. Ive been stitching for about 15 years and am very OCD about the back and keeping it neat and yours looks fabulous :)

cute.panda.sue

lalaland2013 replied at 2013-7-7 05:58
Looks very clean to me. Ive been stitching for about 15 years and am very OCD about the back and ke ...

:D If you could upload a picture to show me  that would be great! And also if you could share some tips :D

lalaland2013

Unfortunately, I dont have any completed ones to show, but heres a small sample of one Im working on now. As you can see, I tape the open threads and dont close until theres a suitable amount of stitching to close them under. Depending on how much Ive done when Im ready to finish a thread, I might tape it as well. The best advice I can give you is to work right like this ///// and left like this \\\\ bottom to top in order to get the back to look like mine so its easier to close the thread. Let me know if I can be any more help

cute.panda.sue

lalaland2013 replied at 2013-7-7 07:13
Unfortunately, I dont have any completed ones to show, but heres a small sample of one Im working ...

I always thought the back should be in vertical rather than diagonal lines? O.O

lalaland2013

Sometimes it works out easier that way depending on the project, but Ive found it is 100 times easier to close the threads when the back lines are diagonal... and it looks almost identical to the front, almost Picasso-like LOL. When I finish this project, Ill send the back along to you :)  And thanks a bunch for the start-up coins, much appreciated luv!

cute.panda.sue

lalaland2013 replied at 2013-7-7 07:24
Sometimes it works out easier that way depending on the project, but Ive found it is 100 times easi ...

I just cant seem to wrap my head around howto make it diagonal in he back XD I think the traditional method is too ingrained in me. However, yours look amazing! Whats the biggest project youve worked on?