General Stitching:
Before handling your chosen fabric, you should always wash your hands with soap and water to reduce the natural oil of your skin. Avoid using lotions as your fabric can easily be stained by them.
To cut your fabric, add 3 to 4 inches on all sides of the stitching area, or more, depending on your desird finish. Machine stitching the edges of your cut fabric will help prevent fraying. If you plan to frame your finished work, a certain amount of fabric will be pulled to the back of the stretcher bars (stretching is a process to pull the fabric evenly and tight for a proper show of your work). Matting covers an area of fabric as well. It's better to be safe than sorry so be sure to add plenty of extra fabric to take into account all of your finishing desires!
When you are ready to begin stitching, find the center of your fabric by folding it in half vertically and again horizontally. The center point fold is marks the center of your design. A quick slip of thread will easily mark the spot should you desire to begin stitching from the central point, working outward. If you prefer, you may begin your stitching from a corner point. Having cut your fabric larger than the stitching area (example 3 inches), measure 3" down from the top of your fabric and again from the side of your fabric. This exact point will be your place to begin stitching. If your measurement is not precise, your work will not be centered and finishing may be difficult.
A tapestry (blunt point) or embroidery (sharper point) needle is best suited for cross stitching. There are different sizes however so choose a needle that 'fits' your fabric and your needs. You need an eye large enough to accomodate the floss strands required. The higher count fabric needs a smaller needle. A tapestry needle is easier to use when you are stitching French knots, a size 24 needle works well on 11 or 14 count fabric but a 26 is preferable for 18 or higher count fabric. (Remember that the higher the number, the smaller it is, both in fabric and needles) There are beading needles as well, specific for beading, that also come in an array of sizes. If you are unsure as to what needle you should use for a certain project, ask for assistance at your local LNS or your online store. A poor quality needle may have a rough eye which will pull and fray your floss.
Always work your stitching in the same order. If you suddenly change the way you complete a stitch, it will stick out like a sore thumb! If you prefer to begin at the bottom left corner of a stitch, come up at that point, cross over to the top right corner, bring your needle down thus completing the 1st half of a cross stitch. To continue across a row, come up at the bottom right corner and cross over to the top right corner (you are now into your second stitch) and continue on with the same color to the end of that row (or according to your design chart). To complete the full cross stitch, reverse your stitching by coming up at the bottom rt corner and crossing over, bringing your needle down into the top left corner. Continue in this fashion until you are back at your first stitch. You have now completed a section of cross stitches of the same color. Some prefer to complete each stitch individually (this method works best with over dyed floss) but remember to always stitch in the same order.
In beginning, leave a tail of thread on teh back of your fabric and 'catch it up' along 3 or 4 stitches as you continue. This will hold your thread in place, preventing it from coming un-done. There is also a slip method when using two strands. In threading your needle, take both cut ends of your floss and insert through the needles eye. The opposite end will appear to have a loop. From the back to front of your fabric, push your needle through at the beginning point, leaving the loop at the backside. When you continue your stitch from front to back, slip your needle through the center of this loop and pull your thread so that it's held in place. continue stitching in a normal fashion. When you are at the end of a thread, catch your floss at the back by slipping it under 3 to 4 stitches then cut it off. Always try to begin and end off your floss within the same color. Do not tie or knot your floss as this may show through to the front of your design as a small bump, especially when framing. Never string your thread along to reach another stitching area. These 'string-alongs' can easily show through to the front side as undesired 'shadow lines'.
BISCORNU:
A French word meaning 'an irregular form with projections', the
biscornu cushions are made in a variety of sizes and are used as
pincushions or for decorative purposes.
Cut your chosen fabric in the size fitting your design and in an exact
square (2 pieces). Keep in mind that the smaller it is, the more
difficult it may be for assembling. The top and bottom pieces do not
need to be the same. You can choose a totally different design for
the bottom piece or even a fabric square. Keep in mind to co-ordinate
the colors.
If your stitching fabric is 'see through', you may want to line it with a
fabric of the same color. Just stitch the fabric piece to the back side
of your stitched piece and treat them as one when assembling.
Once you have completed stitching your chosen design, you'll need
to remove any wrinkles by carefully pressing it. Now fold back a slight
edge on each side and press in place. This will give you a perfect
hemming line. Remember that each piece must be of the same size!
Now mark the center point on each side of each of your stitched
pieces. You can do this with a thread or a slight pencil mark on the
underside. This will work as your guide during the assembly to be
certain of proper allignment.
Next, match one corner (top piece) to one center point (bottom piece)
with right sides together. This is where you will begin. By assembling
the pieces with right sides together, your stitching will be on the inside
of your biscornu and should not show through when using thread (or
floss) that is the same color as your fabric. Slip stitch the pieces to-
gether in a straight line until you reach the next 'point and center' (you
will have stitched together 1/2 of a side).
When you reach the 2nd point (it will now be on the bottom piece), it
should match up with the center marking of your top piece. I found it
easier to FLIP my stitching so that the point (or the corner of my square)
was always on the top side while I stitched. This is easily done. As you
continue stitching, you will need to turn your fabric slightly so that the
'point to center' will lay straight. This sounds worse than it actually is!
Once you have your fabric in hand and you are stitching along, it will
make perfect sense.
Continue stitching in this manner UP TO the last 'point to center' section,
keeping your stitches fairly taunt but not so much as to cause a pucker.
Remember that these stitches will hold your biscornu together and
keep the stuffing inside!
Very carefully, turn your biscornu right side out (through the opening)
and with your finger on the inside, push out the corners or points.
It's time for stuffing! Using fiber fill or stuffing of your choice (lavender,
scented petals, etc, your choice!), stuff the biscornu through the
opening, being sure to fill the corners so that they will stand properly.
Check frequently so that you don't over stuff your little pillow. To check,
pinch it together at the center with two fingers. Does it look right? Need
more stuffing? Less? Does it need to be spread more evenly to prevent
lumps? Adjust the stuffing accordingly. Once it is to your liking, use a
slip stitch to close the remaining 'point to center' opening.
It is usual to stitch the two center points together with a fun button or beads
on both the top and bottom of your biscornu. Choose something that will
match the design both in color and style. Secure a thread of the same
color as your fabric, stitching 3 times through both fabric pieces. Attach
your center piece (button, bead, etc) to the top and when you stitch through
to the back, pick up your back center piece (which may be the same or
different). Continue stitching back and forth to secure the centers, all the
while pulling the fabric pieces together (like the back of a tufted chair).
Secure your thread well so that it is not seen and cut.
If desired, you can stitch a simple border edging to cover your seem line
of your biscornu, add a string of small beads, lace or a complimentary
cording. You could even add beads or charms to hang from the upper points!
Now enjoy your biscornu or pass it on to the delight of some you care about!
If it's a Cross Stitch Hatchery design, send us a photo and we'll post it here
on this website for all to enjoy! That may be just the encouragement someone
else needs to try making a biscornu for themselves!
