Articles and Resources

Welcome to our online articles and resources page.   To get the most up to date information please visit our craft blog where new stuff is being added on an almost daily basis.  If you would like to view any of the entries below just click on their title. Newest articles are always listed first.

One of our favorite stitchers resources is Cyber Stitchers online community of stitchers each has their own free gallery to display cross-stitch projects. Also, providing free patterns, including some of our very own designs.

Create Your Own Halloween Trick or Treat Bag ~ If you are the crafty type, you’re probably used to making crafts with your child. You may even make clothing for them. Have you tried to create your own Halloween trick-or-treat bag instead of buying a ready-made one?

Make Your Own Halloween Greeting Cards ~ Making your own Halloween greeting cards can be a fun exercise for the entire family, but especially for the kids. There are several ways you can make these cards.

Making Halloween Beaded Jewelry ~ Dressing up in full costume on Halloween is lots of fun. But don’t forget that the perfect costume isn’t complete without the right accessories! Why not make some beaded jewelry to finish the look?

Creating Creepy Halloween Crafts ~ Children love to dress up and eat candy during Halloween. They also like creating creepy crafts while at school or at home. You may want to try making some of these edible creepy crafts with your children to give as treats at school or for trick-or-treaters. You can also create non-edible creepy crafts.

Making Your Own Halloween Party Favors ~ Halloween parties are fun for everyone. Crafty types can have a field day coming up with unique decorations for their Halloween get-togethers, from realistic-looking spider webs to one-of-a-kind jack-o-lanterns to spooky cloth ghosts. But don’t forget the party favors!

Scrapbooking Fall Photos ~ Scrapbookers often find ideas for their albums in the changing seasons. In the fall, the shapes and colors of the falling leaves, harvest crops and blooming flowers provide lots of great ideas that we can incorporate into our scrapbooks.

Scrap Passion Turned Into Profit ~ Do you have a passion for scrapbooking? Would you rather scrapbook than do almost anything else in the world? If this describes you, you may be wondering how to turn your scrap passion into a profitable business. Here are some ideas that may take you from crafter to business owner.

What's Digital Scrapbooking All About? ~ Scrapbooking is all the rage in the craft industry these days. From being considered a trend to being given its own holiday, scrapbooking continues to excite crafters and draws more people to it each year. What is digital scrapbooking?

Homemade Birthday Party Invitations ~ Birthday party invitations are often expensive when you buy them in the store. Making your own invitations can save you money, but that’s not the only reason to do it yourself. Creating original invitations is a fun project for you and your child, and it makes the party guests feel extra special.

Create the Perfect Craft Area in Your Home ~ People enjoy crafts of all kinds. Some take up little space; some take up a lot. Some crafts need very few supplies, and some require enough to fill a cabinet or more. Whatever the crafts, if there is more than one person in the family, creating the perfect craft area in your home is probably something you all only dream about.

Finishing Tutorials by Dani (TKDchick) ~ I was wanting to do a good series of finishing tutorials, but I don't think I could have possibly done any better than what Dani the finishing queen of the TWBB has already done for all us stitchers.  If you haven't seen Dani's finishing tutorials already, they are simply fantastic. (*this is a link to Dani's website, we in no way wish to take credit for her awesome work) Currently there are tutorials on pillow finishing, ornament finishing, creating a lined fabric bag, nametag finishing, and a layered bell pull tutorial.  Enjoy and Happy finishing!

Turn Your Needlework into a Pillow ~ by Pam Cirincione directions on how to make a basic pillow out of your finished project as an alternative to framing.  Gives us two pillow examples, one with a fabric border and one without. (moved to craft blog)

Do You Want to Learn to Crochet ~ by Susan Norrad gives an overview of crochet to help a newcomer decide on the craft.

Quilting and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ~ by Gloria Massard talks about ways for quilters (and other crafters) to help prevent carpal tunnel, with some great tips on adjustments you can make, and exercises you can do.  This is a topic we take very seriously at STNA, and many of our stitchers experience carpal tunnel syndrome.  Please be aware and remember that even stitching is an exercise that requires stretching! (article is on Craft Blog)

Stitching Over Two on Evenweave and Linen Cross Stitch Fabrics ~ by Loretta Oliver illustrates how to make a basic whole cross stitch, and a quarter-cross stitch "over two" on evenweave or linen fabrics.

Shopping for Out of Print Cross Stitch Charts ~ written by Rebecca Williamson discusses looking for those rare find cross stitch patterns.

Why Do You Cross Stitch ~ written by Pamela Cirincione discusses how to answer this question that seems to come up for all of us at one time or another. 

Entering a Cross Stitch Competition ~ written by Loretta Oliver lists some tips of the trade for entering your finished cross stitch in the state fair or other competitions. (this article has been updated and moved to Craft Blog.  Clicking the title will now take you to the blog.)

Journaling Your Cross Stitch Projects ~ written by Rebecca Williamson, gives some examples of ways to journal your cross stitch or other needlework projects to save the memories with your finished piece.(this article has been updated and moved to craftblog, clicking the title will take you directly to the article there)

How to Make the French Knot Easier ~ written by Katrina Renouf and giving us a great set of instructions for creating the ever popular colonial knot in replacement of the dreaded French knot. 

No Sew Cross Stitch Ornaments and Magnets ~ written by Stacey Wells gives basic directions for putting together a beautiful ornament or magnet from your finished cross stitch without sewing anything.

Dye Your Own Floss ~ written by Stacey Wells.  A fabulous set of directions on how to create your very own floss creations using Rit Dye and basic household items. 

Quilting - How to Select the Essential Tools ~ written by Rita Bode of Quiltbox.com goes over what you need and don't need when you want to quilt using your sewing machine.

Finishing a Bookmark ~ written by our very own Stacey Wells, gives us three great ways to finish off that quick stitch to give as a gift, or keep for ourselves.  It's not as scary as you may think.

Making a Quilt From your Finished Cross Stitching ~ Directions written by one of our members for creating a beautiful quilt from your finished cross stitch pieces.  Pam takes you step by step through how she created a beautiful gift from her finished stitching work.

Floss and Bead Conversion Chart ~ This handy table shows conversion of floss and beads from DMC to Anchor, J&P, Gentle Arts Sampler Threads and Mill Hill Beads.  A handy reference guide if you're re-charting a cross stitch pattern to show a different color way than the original design.

Washing Your Finished Cross Stitch Piece ~ by Loretta Oliver
Washing your finished stitching is not as frightening as it may sound at first.  With a mild detergent or orvus you'll have a clean piece and help to preserve your treasure by removing the oils left behind by your hands while stitching.

Purchasing a Kit versus Purchasing a Chart & Supplies Separately ~ by Loretta Oliver
Differences and things to consider when buying a cross stitch kit or buying the chart individually and choosing your own supplies.

Hanging Hearts Trio ~ by Mary Wilkins
Easy to follow instructions for creating this wall craft for Valentine's Day ~ also perfect for any little girl's room all year round!

Gridding your Fabric ~ by Sherrin Elliot
A great set of directions for gridding your fabric in preparation for stitching that next large project in your to do pile.

Tackling the Magazine Tower ~  by Stacey Wells, Professional Model Stitcher & Upcoming Designer. Great way of organizing all those cross stitch magazines.

Railroading Your Stitches ~ by Loretta Oliver, Stitching the Night Away. Railroading your stitching for flat, neat, perfect cross stitches and a great finished piece. (on craft blog)

No Sew Fleece Blanket Project ~ by Loretta Oliver, Stitching the Night Away. Such a popular project among we thought we'd share our version of how to make one of these great fleece blankets. (this article has been updated and moved to craftblog, clicking the title will take you directly to the article there)

Fabric Covered Photo Album ~ by Rachel Paxton ~ This easy, inexpensive project is great for a Mother's Day gift! Just add your favorite family photos to it and mom will be so surprised.

Don't Say "I'm Sorry" ~ by Arleen Kaptur about giving your stitching and other crafts as holiday gifts.

Caring for Your Quilts ~ by Joyce Moseley Pierce owner of Emerson Publications, describing proper care to improve the life of your quilt so it can become a family heirloom.

Hand Sewing Needles ~ by Mary Wilkins of Sew-Whats-New reviewing many of the the different types of hand needles and their uses.  Having the right needles is an important part of every stitching project!

Preparing Your Fabric for Stitching  ~ by Loretta Oliver  ~ Probably one of the hardest things to do for a newbie stitcher (and sometimes for a well seasoned cross stitcher too. Getting your fabric right makes a big difference. (moved to blog)

UnFinished Projects and What to Do With Them ~ by Loretta Oliver ~ We all have them, piles of stitching and craft projects that just never will get finished.  Here's some ideas on how to shrink that pile and make room for new crafts and stitching! (moved to blog)