• 2019 SAL
  • ~ My Favorite Cross Stitch Supplies & Tools ~
  • Tutorials & Reports
    • Tips for Stitching on Black Fabric
    • Cross Stitching Over Two on Evenweave or Linen Fabrics
    • How to Use Counting Pins
    • How to Make the French Knot Easier
    • More Articles and Resources
    • Printable Sheets
  • Newsletter
  • About
    • Contact Loretta
    • Be Our Guest
    • Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
    • What I’m Cross Stitching
  • Gallery
  • Services
  • Facebook Group

Stitching the Night Away

Cross Stitch

  • Fabric Calculator
  • Pattern Shop
  • Free Patterns
  • Product Reviews
  • Stitchqueries
  • Printable Sheets

Entering a Cross Stitch Competition

Keep Calm and Cross Your StitchesI’m sure you’ve seen the gorgeous pieces on display at the county fair every year. Have you ever thought about entering your finished cross stitch into one of these competitions? Here a few things to look at before you submit your entry.

  • First you need to know the name of your design, who designed it, and it’s helpful to list the materials you used, such as fabric type including name of the fabric and fabric count, any specialty threads you used such as Kreinik blending filament, any changes you may have made to the design, how you stitched (1 over 1, 2 over 2, 1 over 2 etc)…
  • Make sure any floss fuzz or pet hair has been removed from the piece
  • Wash the piece and block out any wrinkles that may occur, you don’t want to have hoop or scroll marks on your finished piece
  • Be sure there are no knots in your floss and all tails are neatly tucked in and trimmed with sharp embroidery scissors to avoid fraying.
  • All cross stitches are crossed in the same direction (this is one of the first things that will be noticed.) It does not need to be any particular direction, as left-handed stitchers tend to stitch in the opposite direction of right-handed stitchers their top leg of the X will go in the opposite direction. As long as all cross stitching is crossed in the same direction throughout the piece.
  • Consistent stitch style, meaning if you stitch one X at a time, do this for the entire piece, and if you stitch across //// and then come back to cross those \\\\ then do that throughout the entire piece.
  • The back of the piece does not need to be 100% perfect, especially if it is a difficult design. However, you want to make sure you don’t have any tails poking out through the front, and carryovers should be short and not show through the front of the design.
  • Framing isn’t usually judged, but the style of frame and matting should compliment the design that you’ve stitched. Professional framing is recommended if the piece is going to be entered into a competition.
  • Be sure you have even fabric coverage and tension of stitches, it helps to use a laying tool or to “railroad” your cross stitching. This helps direct the threads to lie next to each other smoothly and prevents a bulky or twisted looking stitch from happening.
  • If your stitching has not been framed and you are entering a pillow, afghan, box, etc. consider the same things and also consider any sewing or finishing that has been done. If your piece is sewn into a pillow, bell pull, sachet, ornaments, or whatever you’ve chosen make sure that the seams are smooth and the fabric hasn’t bunched up around the edges. Adding cording helps to hide any bunching that may occur, and it also adds a nice visual effect. If batting is used make sure it’s distributed evenly throughout the piece. If you’re piece is something like an afghan that shows the stitches on the back it might be a good idea to add another fabric as backing just for visually appealing purposes.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or sharing on your favorite social network. Thank you!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Articles and Resources

About Loretta

Passionate stitcher. Mom of four amazing young men. Wife to a comic book geek who makes me smile every day. Transcriptionist by trade. Gluten-free by necessity. Writer at heart. Seeker of knowledge and reader of novels. Dreamer of big colorful creative dreams.

Comments

  1. Shana Chambers says

    January 21, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Hi Loretta,
    I am to cross stitching and adore this activity very much. After my first finished project (FFO) I knew I wanted to learn absolutely everything I could. Are there any books, resources you’d recommend for stitching and different ways to finish a project? I was thrilled to read this article! I would like to have my style of stitching done the best way possible at the very start with time passing for continuing improvements. I will be subscribing to this site!!! Thank you again for this fantastic article.
    Sincerely,
    Shana

    Reply

Comments are always welcome and appreciated.... Cancel reply

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Amazon

Don’t Miss a Stitch!

Your cart is empty
Visit The Shop

Bits of Thread from Our Sponsors:


Free Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator Apps on the web, available for iPhone, Android, and Kindle
==> Click here for app info!

Categories

Featured Freebies at FreeXStitch.com: Free Cross Stitch Patterns

3 Amazing Free Doctor Who Cross Stitch Patterns from Buzy Bobbins

3 Amazing Free Doctor Who Cross Stitch Patterns from Buzy Bobbins

Free Cross Stitch SALs to Join in 2021

Free Cross Stitch SALs to Join in 2021

Free Guide to Evenweaves

Download this free guide about how to cross stitch on evenweaves and linens

If you haven't taken the plunge from aida fabric to evenweave fabric, now is the time to do so.

Expand your project options and enjoy something new.

retta719

cross stitcher ✂, writer ✍️ , transcriptionist ⌨️, dabbler in all things creative ✂ , mom, wife, finder of lost shoes....

retta719
Project stitched by Alexis Krobatsch added to the Project stitched by Alexis Krobatsch added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
⁠
The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightaway⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightawaysal⁣⁠
#stitchalong⁣⁠
#crossstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#xstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchstagram⁣⁠
#instastitch⁠
#crossstitching⁣⁠
#crossstitch
Project stitched by Dawn Middleton added to the al Project stitched by Dawn Middleton added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
⁠
The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightaway⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightawaysal⁣⁠
#stitchalong⁣⁠
#crossstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#xstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchstagram⁣⁠
#instastitch⁠
#crossstitching⁣⁠
#crossstitch⁠
Project stitched by Julie Cockerton with Jodyri De Project stitched by Julie Cockerton with Jodyri Designs variegated threads added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
⁠
The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightaway⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightawaysal⁣⁠
#stitchalong⁣⁠
#crossstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#xstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchstagram⁣⁠
#instastitch⁠
#crossstitching⁣⁠
#crossstitch⁠
Project stitched by Denise Kelly with DMC Satin Fl Project stitched by Denise Kelly with DMC Satin Floss added to the album of finished cross stitch for the 2019 Stitching the Night Away Stitchalong⁠
⁠
The free cross stitch pattern is available at https://www.stitchingthenightaway.com/2019-sal/⁠
⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
.⁣⁠
⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightaway⁣⁠
#stitchingthenightawaysal⁣⁠
#stitchalong⁣⁠
#crossstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#xstitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchersofinstagram⁣⁠
#stitchstagram⁣⁠
#instastitch⁠
#crossstitching⁣⁠
#crossstitch⁠
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy for Stitching the Night Away
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2001–2021 Loretta Oliver & Stitching the Night Away
...
I may be an affiliate for products that are recommended throughout this website and as such if you purchase those items through links on this site it may result in me earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made there. This website and its author are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.