speaker-0: You're listening to O Stitch, the podcast where needlepoint, creativity, and real conversation come together. I'm Natasha Sewell.

speaker-1: And I'm Alansa Riddle. You don't have to be a needle pointer to be here, but you might leave as one.

speaker-0: Okay, we're gonna start with a little confession time on my part. ⁓ I did something that is sort of considered a needlepoint like rule by some people and I'm feeling a little bit guilty about it.

speaker-1: Okay, let me guess. You started a new canvas before you finished your last one or finished your last three.

speaker-0: Accurate, I have probably about six or seven canvases I'm working on and I bought two new ones.

speaker-1: I know you so well. But you know what? This isn't really a rule. This is just some guilt you're feeling. And somewhere you picked that up.

speaker-0: Yes, and we all are fed all of these needlepoint rules that eat us alive with guilt. And that is not what this hobby is about. This hobby is supposed to be relaxing and fun and y we all need to let the guilt go. So in this whole episode, that's what we're gonna be talking about, are these silly needlepoint rules that we have been told that just aren't rules.

speaker-1: Yes. And today we're doing two things. First we're gonna show you what we're stitching right now, plus everything we wish someone had told us when we started. And then the part we're a little excited about, the uptight rules we are officially releasing you from.

speaker-0: Okay, so get ready for that because there are no rules that you should be hanging on to. This is your hobby. Do it your way. So let's start with whips. Alonsa, do you want to share your work in progress first?

speaker-1: That's right. I would love to. So this is one I have showed before, but I've actually stitched a lot of it, so I thought I'd share it again. It is my champagne bottle. It is the Vive Clocot bottle that Natasha actually got for me in California. It's so beautiful. It has sort of a geometric ⁓ two-tone circle pattern in the background of the bottle. And I have stitched the whole bottle. I love it so much. It was super fun. I started to do the foil. The gold is like a super metallic-y. Shimmery gold.

speaker-0: Yeah, it has good shimmer. Love it.

speaker-1: Love it. But then the other threads I got for the foil top were not as shimmery. And so I started them and I didn't love it. You can kind of see at the very top. And so I'm going to frog what I've done and I have ordered some threads that match the shimmer of the gold. but in the tones I need for that foil, and I'm hoping I'm gonna like that better.

speaker-0: So I think you'll love it. Yeah. Because the shimmer will make a big difference. And for those of you that don't know what frogging is, frogging is taking your stitches out that you don't like. And I'm a big proponent of frogging. I do it frequently, almost in every canvas. But you also don't have to frog. You can fashion Yes, you can leave your imperfections. It's not a big deal. So, like whatever works for you. So, I'm gonna share my whip for today is from the retreat that I just got back from in Maine, where I taught Needlepoint. And Alansa designed a special canvas for this retreat, and it is a main canvas. So for those of you listening, it is a square. Design and it has a main camp flag with an ⁓ E and a heart, and then it has a lobster and this darling blue and white lighthouse on it. And it has been a fun stitch. I am almost finished. I just have the lobster and the border left to do. And then Sabrina, who ran the retreat, gave everyone these darling frames for them to frame them in. But

speaker-1: Georgie. I don't know if everybody's Georgie's talking in the background.

speaker-0: Yes, we maybe he'll make an appearance. I'm so sorry. ⁓ so yes. So I am actually gonna turn this into a coaster and hopefully Alan's is gonna design some other states, fun states, and I'm gonna make more coasters and have a whole set of state coasters. But that is what I am planning on doing with it.

speaker-1: Georgie would like to be a part of this podcast. Yeah, I think that would be such a fun little series of campuses if I can get those designed. Cause I would love to have a coaster from everywhere I visited, sort of a state coaster from the places I visited. I think that's so fun. Yeah. Super for that too.

speaker-0: It really is. It's it's a four by four, so it's perfect for a coaster. And I did just want to share that I am still working on the bugs. I have made progress. I know it doesn't look like I have, but I truly have made some progress on this. And it's the background. I'm doing basket we for the whole background. It's a huge background. So I'm getting a little bit. It is a big one. But I did just want to share that the Stitch Clip sent us some of their clips.

speaker-1: That's a big one.

speaker-0: And I am using those on this canvas because it's a bigger canvas, so it is rolled. And I am loving this stitch clip. So shout out to the stitch clip for sharing those with us because we are we are loving it. ⁓ I love that. So we're gonna kind of pivot a little bit and talk about some things that we wish we'd known when we first started needle pointing. And I think People get caught up in their head about choosing a first canvas that is considered, and I'm using air quotes here, beginner canvas. And although I think that's important, I do think starting with a 13 mesh canvas is very helpful to your eyes and just getting in the groove of things. I think you can choose a canvas that has more color and more design to it than what people kind of say to do. You should choose something that you love. Agree, Alonsa?

speaker-1: I totally agree. I think if a Canvas speaks to you then that's the one you should do.

speaker-0: Right. Another thing I wish I'd known as a beginner is to it's okay to take my time. You don't need to rush through this. This is a slow hobby. It is something that takes time, as you can see from my bug canvas, sometimes a lot of time. And that's that's the great thing about it. It's something you can put down and pick back up and not rush through. So don't feel like when you start a project. There's a there's a timeline. There is no timeline. Take your time finishing it.

speaker-1: Yes, I agree. Take your time stitching, take your time finishing, that's the fun of it, I think.

speaker-0: Okay, so another thing is we have this reel that kind of has been a big hit on Instagram and it was me showing, not really showing, the back of my canvas. Because there is I would say old school needle pointers feel like the back of your canvas should look as great as the front. And I understand that. And sometimes when I'm really in a basket weave groove, I am really proud of the back of my canvas. But also, no one needs to see it.

speaker-1: Nope. And when it gets finished, nobody sees it anyway. So doesn't matter what the back looks like.

speaker-0: No, don't get stuck on what the back of your canvas looks like. Just you're okay. Another thing is you may ruin a canvas or two because I have done that. I have never self finished a canvas and I decided that I was going to. And I decided I was gonna do an irregular shape for my first finish. Like what was I thinking?

speaker-1: No. Not just like a little bit of an irregular shape, like a major irregular shape. The bow was intense.

speaker-0: It was intense. So my bow is now a patch on my boat and tote. And I love it as a patch. It's great. But it there was zero chance it could be finished the way I wanted to finish it into a back tag, which was my original thought process. So please know that you are probably going to ruin some canvases, have some canvases that don't turn out the way you want them to, and that is okay. It's okay. Yes.

speaker-1: It's okay. And also you don't have to buy every fiber and every gadget and everything you see that they say is gonna help you with needlepoint. Don't buy it all at once. Wait. Make sure you love needlepoint and then decide what you need and what you don't need.

speaker-0: Yeah, Alonsa and I both bought frames for canvases because we thought this is what you're supposed to do is is stitch with frames. In fact, the first kit I bought came with a frame. And ⁓ we both stitch in hand and we roll our canvases. So we don't use the we don't use the frames. And so just, you know, do what feels right. There are a lot of stitchers that love frames. So use a frame if you think. But you don't necessarily need the little like gadgets for the edge of the frame to keep it perfectly locked and all of the things. Just don't fall into the trap of buying everything shiny and new.

speaker-1: Correct. And also f having a finished project doesn't mean it has to be professionally finished. You can watch YouTube videos, you can frame stuff, that's super easy to do. There are a lot of self finishing things now that you can use. But also if it is a canvas that you love with all your heart, that might be one that you decide to pay for the finishing.

speaker-0: And we've discussed the p this before that there are finishes that are more difficult for for people like I have that eyeglass case or ⁓ pillows. So if you do not have amazing sewing skills, you might want to wait and save those for a professional finisher.

speaker-1: Yes. But the b main thing I wish well, I think maybe I just thought this. I don't know if anybody said it to me, but it should be fun. Just have fun with it. It's not about doing it perfect. It's not about following rules in air quotes. It's just just have fun with it.

speaker-0: Absolutely. And if you are a beginner stitcher or you want to learn how to stitch, we have something for you and it is free. It is a video playlist of beginner videos. It takes you through threading your needle to your fur learning your first stitches. So go ahead to our website. It's Georgie and Lottie dot com backslash playlist. It will be in the notes, show notes, and pop your email in there and you will get sent. Access to the playlist.

speaker-1: All right, ⁓ none of these are rules, right? We just talked about them all. ⁓ they're just opinions that got loud. ⁓ and here's what we're letting go of.

speaker-0: You can stitch an entire canvas in Continental FYI. You do not need decorative stitches. You do not need to do basket weave in the background. The whole canvas can be done in Continental Stitch. And there is nothing wrong with that. Not a thing wrong with that. So don't worry about it when people start talking about all of these decorative stitches and you are newer. It's fine. Continental. No. Continental because that canvas they'll come and you might you know I even have canvases now though that I'm like, well, I could use a decorative stitch. In fact, the bug canvas is one where I tried in the background and I did not like it. So I frogged it out. I took it all out, all the stitches out of the background and started again. So you can do that.

speaker-1: This one we already talked about, but we're gonna say it again. The back of your canvas is nobody's business. So you do not have to show anybody the back. You don't even have to look at the back. Just pay attention to the front. That's what matters.

speaker-0: Yep, and here's another one that we did discuss about stretcher bars are optional. Try them. If you like them, awesome. Keep stitching that way. Maybe certain projects you'll use stretcher bars and certain ones you won't, but it's up to you. You choose.

speaker-1: Yes. And this is one where what I'm gonna talk about is one that I feel like I have definitely gotten a little shame from people on, but that you have to start with the lightest color. I don't always wanna start with the lightest color. And so we're release that. Release that. I I understand the thought of it, the under that when you do the lightest color that way there's no fibers of the dark colors coming through. There is

speaker-0: That's a reason for it.

speaker-1: Or even like fuzzies or anything. There's nothing coming through. There's a reason, and I get that. But if it brings you joy to start with a darker color, start with a darker color.

speaker-0: I know, because let's be honest, the designs are a lot more fun. Right? So and a lot of times it's the background that is white or cream. Yes.

speaker-1: And you don't wanna start a lot of times I don't wanna start at the background. That's not as fun. So

speaker-0: So so do what makes you happy. And a few others. We talked about frogging a little. So again, for people that are new, frogging is taking out your stitches like a mistake or you don't like the thread color like Alansa doesn't like with her champagne bottle. And that is not failing. That is just pivoting and redoing your canvas. Editing it. It is not a failure.

speaker-1: Not a failure at all. And you're also allowed to have more than one project going. Like Natasha said, she's got, I don't know, six going right now. I probably have three or four going right now. And some of them I've been stitching for months and months. The frame, it's been a long time. I bring it back every once in a while. ⁓ but that's okay. I love it.

speaker-0: Having multiple projects. And you know what? It's fun to have multiple projects for different things. Like maybe you have a project that you stitch when you're in the car waiting, you know, for kids to get out of something or in a carpool line or something. And you just leave that canvas all the time in the car. And maybe you have one canvas that you stitch while you're watching TV at night. You know, so it's fine. You can have as many canvases as you want. There are no rules, right? Do you want to do this next one?

speaker-1: No no rules. If you want to, you don't have to block it professionally to be done. So blocking a canvas is after you have finished it, it's making sure it is sort of back to square. So w especially if you stitch in hand, your canvas can get a little wonky as you stitch it. And that's normal. Do not freak out about that. But that blocking at the end will allow your canvas to get square again. And it's easy to block at home or you don't have to block I mean, you can finish it into an ornament or whatever and just pull it to your liking. So don't stress about that either.

speaker-0: Yeah. And as Alonsa said, blocking is fairly easy. You don't need a lot of things to do it. So there are lots of YouTube videos out there on how to block. That is something that will be coming. We have not done one yet. But it is easy to do yourself if it's something that you want to do. And this next one, we stitch in front of the TV all the time. All the time. Does

speaker-1: Next thing my favorite. I think it's my favorite time to stitch.

speaker-0: I agree. Because you know what I was doing before I was stitching in front of the T V is I was I was scrolling. Scrolling. So if it gets you to put your phone down and you can be doing something with your hands while watching TV, go for it. Do it. Yes.

speaker-1: I also that's one of the things I love about Needlepoint is that it's not I used to cross stitch way back when and there was a lot of counting involved and a lot you had to look at the pattern and then go back to your canvas and one of the things with Needlepoint that's so great is you don't have to do that. It's it it's on the campus already. So it's easy to stitch while watching a show or doing something else. So that's why I love that.

speaker-0: Absolutely. And then this last one is one that when you think about your needlepoint canvas, which are expensive, let's be honest, then you add in all of the thread that you need to stitch it. You're talking about a lot of money. So use what you have. If you have a pink that's really close to the pink in the canvas or you just happen to like that pink better, use the pink you have. You know, you don't have to kit every single canvas perfectly. You can totally go in your stash of threads that you have and pull those. There is no one that is going to come to your house and say you did not use the right color or the right size thread because honestly, sometimes on an eighteen mesh I'll use Milan and that's fine, even though that's not necessarily what is recommended. So just just use what you have. Do what feels good to you. This is your hobby. There are no rules. Okay.

speaker-1: And also you can be creative. If there's a canvas you love but you don't really like the colors on it, you can always change the colors. So that's an easy pick the threads that you have at your house or that you want that you like the color better. So that's always that's a good r one that you don't have to follow the colors on the canvas.

speaker-0: Absolutely. And it's sometimes really fun. You'll find a canvas that you absolutely love and but it doesn't it's for a pillow, but the pillow does not match your home decor. That is a great time to swap it out for colors that actually match your home decor. So you can do all sorts of stuff. And if this episode made you want to pick something up, use the code O Stitch Ten. That's O H. S-T-I-T-C-H-10 for 10% off in our shop. It's on geogieandlottie.com.

speaker-1: ⁓ and here's the only real rule. It should bring you peace and get you off your phone. Everything else is negotiable.

speaker-0: And two quick things, wherever you're listening, would you do us a favor and hit follow so the next episode just shows up for you? You don't have to remember, it'll just show up in your queue. And if this gave you permission to stitch your way, leave us a review. If you're on Apple Podcasts, a review there especially helps other stitchers find our show.

speaker-1: Thanks for listening.

speaker-0: Thanks so much for listening to O Stitch, the podcast where needlepoint meets real life.

speaker-1: This podcast is brought to you by Georgie and Lottie. Whether you're looking for your next canvas, stitching, inspiration, or a community that loves Needlepoint as much as we do, we'd love to have you join us.

speaker-0: You can explore canvases, products, and more at Georgie and Lottie Data.

speaker-1: Until next time, happy stitching!