If you're thinking about tackling a big project this year, January is a great time to start it! A new year is a wonderful time to pick out that milestone project you've been thinking about. Whether it's an advent calendar, a stocking or a big pillow, there are lots of great projects to stitch! We're hoping to help make those projects feel less intimidating by giving you our top tips for tackling big canvases.
1. Give yourself small goals.
When you take a look at a brand new canvas of any size, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed! Rather than focusing on the project as a whole, think about tackling one area at a time. For example, if you're working on a stocking, focus on completing just Santa's suit for example. Completing these smaller milestones will make you feel a sense of accomplishment!
2. Chip away at the background as you go.
Rather than leaving the entire background until the end of the project, try and chip away at it as you go. Maybe you do two or three strands a day. That way you don't get to the end of your canvas and have only background to stitch! If you do a little at a time, it won't feel like such a daunting task.
3. Buy more thread than you think you need.
Big projects can take a while to complete. If you're stitching in silks or other natural fibers where you have to worry about dye lots, we recommend purchasing more of that thread than you think you will need. Dye lots can shift over time and we don't want you to run out of a color, only to find out that you can't get a perfect match in the same dye lot again. We will gladly accept a return on unopened skeins when you're done stitching your project.
4. Try out a scroll frame.
Mounting your stocking or other large project on a scroll frame can make it much more manageable to hold! When stitching on scroll bars, part of your unstitched canvas is rolled around the bars, leaving a smaller area exposed for stitching. As you stitch the project gets rolled up and new unstitched canvas is unwrapped. It's far easier to stitch a big project on the go this way!
Click here to shop scroll frames.
5. Try and stitch a little bit every day!
Even if it's only for five minutes, on a big canvas, slow and steady wins the race. Stitch a little before bed or right as you get up for the day. It's a wonderful way to wind down or practice some self care!
Click here to shop full size stockings.
Click here to shop advent calendars.
Click here to shop pillows.
3. Buy more thread than you think you need.
Big projects can take a while to complete. If you're stitching in silks or other natural fibers where you have to worry about dye lots, we recommend purchasing more of that thread than you think you will need. Dye lots can shift over time and we don't want you to run out of a color, only to find out that you can't get a perfect match in the same dye lot again. We will gladly accept a return on unopened skeins when you're done stitching your project.
4. Try out a scroll frame.
Mounting your stocking or other large project on a scroll frame can make it much more manageable to hold! When stitching on scroll bars, part of your unstitched canvas is rolled around the bars, leaving a smaller area exposed for stitching. As you stitch the project gets rolled up and new unstitched canvas is unwrapped. It's far easier to stitch a big project on the go this way!
Click here to shop scroll frames.
5. Try and stitch a little bit every day!
Even if it's only for five minutes, on a big canvas, slow and steady wins the race. Stitch a little before bed or right as you get up for the day. It's a wonderful way to wind down or practice some self care!
Click here to shop full size stockings.
Click here to shop advent calendars.
Click here to shop pillows.