SS>Hello all!
  >        I am hoping someone can help me...I have really just started doing
  >counted cross stitch a few months ago.I am very content at the moment to
  >just use the "quickie patterns" that i get at the  local discount
  >store.They are very cheap, simple and I get a nice sense of accomplishment
  >when I finish one.Now, here are my questions:
  >        Most of these products are "5x7" size, and as I have been giving
  >some of them as gifts, I have been trying to mount them in a "5x7" frame.I
  >am finding this very difficult. I have seen the cardboard that they have 
o
  >mount things on, but did not have much like with it, and also found it a
  >little expensive! Any suggestions on how to mount these projects easily?
     Try getting "foam core" it's a little bit pricey but you can get
large sheets and just cut off the size you need so that in the long run
it would be less expensive. Try lacing the fabric to the foam core and
cutting your own mats. You could get some of the kits to decorate your
own frames or maybe hit the hardware store and get some molding that you
can cut yourself to make a frame. You could also decorate the mats or
get some of the double sides tapes to mount the mat to the stitching but
do try to use "acid free" tapes, mats and foam core as this will help the
piece last longer. Experts in the field of needlework preservation
recommend this as a way to prevent the pieces from yellowing and looking
old and shabby before their time. (also do not lick your floss to thread
the needles, use a threader if you can not thread it without wetting it
first.) You could also use fabric to frame the piece then turn it into a
pillow or small wall hanging. You could also go to a U frame it place
(look in the phone book and give a few a call to see if they have had
experience with needle work) they have all the necessary tools and can
usually walk you thru it at a much lower rate than having someone else
do it for you.
  >        My second question is that I am trying to fond a way to put a pem
  >on a piece of Aida cloth I went out a bought a piece of cloth that I
  >believe measures "15x18" .I really don't want the poem to be that big
  >though- it is a  12 line poem not includung title,it has 3 stanzas of 4
  >lines each.Can anyone help me get this setup?I really would like it to not
  >be toobig if possible- say "8x10" or so.How do I go setting up a pattern
  >and sizing it?Thank you in advance for all your help!
  There is a product called "GRAPH IT" (also goes by other names)
that is actually lines printed on a clear plastic sheet you can just lay
over the poem (or picture) then you can use each square as a stitch.
Or got to a library and look up cross stitch books. There are quite a
few that have different styles of alphabets marked out and you can use
the lettering for your poem by using a few sheets of graph paper. Mark
out the poem using the squares as one stitch each then just count the
stitches you will have, and then decide on which count of fabric you
want to use. The higher the count of the fabric the smaller the
stitches. There are counts of Aida the range in size from 14-16 and 18
count (there are more but "craft" stores don't usually carry those) then
there are the even weaves you can find which run from 22 count hardanger
to 32-36- up to 40 count linens. When working with the even weaves
remember that most are stitched over two threads in each direction and
to divide the count in half to get the number of stitches. I am working
on a large piece of 28 count even weave fabric right now so it will come
out about the same size as if I were working on 14 count Aida. Take a
look at some of the leaflets and you will find a size chart on most that
tell you if you use ____ count fabric the piece when stitched will come
out ____ size. They usually have two or three sizes you can choose from
to give you an idea of how big you want the piece to be. On the other
hand if the pattern has a lot of beading they may only recommend one
size of fabric as you need to allow for the size of the beads to fit.
You also have to allow about 3-4 inches on each side to allow room for a
mat or for framing period.
   Hope this helps but if you have more questions there is an echo just
for cross stitchers to hang out on ask your sysop for CROSS-STITCHING
There are a lot of us hanging out there that can give you a hand in
figuring this stuff out.  Good luck with the poem! 8-) Well back to my
wizard as the project of the day...
Roseanne Brown
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