Welcome to this month’s edition of Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd! It is the 33rd linky party where you can share new or favorite tips and tutorials related to sewing and quilting. I had another post I was prepping, but I was speaking with Sandra Walker and she reminded me about the 22nd coming up. Seems that I lost all track of time this month (again) and I am chasing my tail. You will see my finishes from the first quarter of #WipsBGone2022 beginning Sunday. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy my set of tips on learning a new skill as this is one of the many things I have been doing this month!

Last Month’s Link Ups

In case you missed them, here are last month’s linkups. I hope you enjoy seeing them…let them know you stopped by and visited! I am so grateful for their linking up to the party!

Blue Wonky Star from  Andrée G. Faubert,
DIY Drop Sewing Table Tutorial from Yvonne Fuchs,
Mason Jar from Sandra Walker, and,
Double Sided Napkins from me.

If you like this post, please consider linking up or creating a post for this party. Seems like a lot of us were taking it a bit easier this summer, but if I don’t see more, I may convert this to a monthly collection of tips and tutorials that I run into during the month.

Tip: Learn a New Skill!

I really wanted to sew along with the  Support Group Stitch and Quilt Along * at the Fat Quarter Shop. So many women I know have had breast cancer, including my mother, that I felt called to sew along this month (and as long as it takes to finish). I didn’t want to make the quilt but the cross-stitch project caught my eye. I never learned how to cross-stitch, so what is a girl woman to do….look it up on the internet! I have done this with how to fix our new dishwasher, should work for learning something new in sewing too, so here we are!

1. Identify what you want to learn.
   I wanted to learn how to cross-stitch. I am supporting the FQ Shop Sew Along for October and decided I wanted to make this piece. Of course, it will take me a few months to finish the one I started or this one. I do think it will be nice to work on it during the evening after dinner.
   
2. Find good resources on this skill.
   YouTube videos, books or patterns, and blog posts are invaluable. Here are a few of the blogs I found.
   • Lots of eye candy here
   • A Beginner’s Guide here
   • Another beginner’s series here
   • And this is the pattern I am beginning with from Laser Arts Designs (and 25% of the proceeds to support her Ukrainian friends so this is a doubled support effort).
     
3. Keep a file
   Keep some sort of file to have the links ready at your disposal.
   
   Below are some of the cross-stitch videos I watched. I knew I didn’t want to use a pen on the cloth as I wasn’t sure I wanted to wash it. And, I knew having it gridded out would work best to help me count along the way.
   • How to Prepare for Cross Stitching
   • How to Grid Your Fabric
   • Starting Cross Stitch
   • How to Change Colors
   • How to Use Thread Drops
   • 4 Mistakes to Avoid when Cross-Stitching (I should watch before I go much further in my project
     
4. Assemble the tools
   • Aida Cloth
   • Needles
   • Pattern
   • Floss for Pattern
   • Needle Minder
   • Hoop
   • Floss Holder
     
5. Dive in!
   Don’t be afraid. There are so many things we have learned, and we can keep learning. Since I am a little more remote than many, the advantage of being able to learn by YouTube is invaluable. I have done embroidery and it is not that different so I am pretty sure I can be successful at cross-stitching too. Here’s a peek at where I am on my project.
   
   

Sadly, I didn’t realize the paper copy of the pattern I want to do (above) was available, so I found something on Etsy to start with. I assumed the digital would be available before the paper, but its the other way around. Anyway, the paper copy should be here next week. Looking at the pattern, I think the color challenges could be a bit difficult for a newbie. Good thing I marked that video about color changes which should be very helpful when I get started on pattern #2. My husband just saw the picture and commented on it, so I think it is a go for a next project!

Join the Linky Party

Now it’s your turn to post, and the rules are simple – write up a tip or group of tips or a tutorial that is quilting or sewing-related and link that post below. The linky party is open from midnight on the 22nd, through midnight on October 31st. The post does not have to be new but should be one that hasn’t been linked to Tips and Tutorials in the past. If you don’t have a blog, please send it to me (kathleen@kathleenmcmusing.com) and I will post your tip or tutorial for you!

Past Tips and Tutorials

In case you didn’t know, if you have missed some past #TTot22, you can check them out in the tab at the top of my page or on my Pinterest board.

Coming Up on My Blog

Challenge Quilt for Rising Star (10/23/22)
PopStar QAL Finish (10/25/22)
FQ Support Group Stitch and Quilt Along (10/27/22)
Second Quarter Finishes (10/31/22)
Music Blog Hop (11/15/22)
Tips and Tutorials (11/22/22)

Disclaimer: *Links with asterisk indicate an affiliate link. Your price is not any different, but a small percentage of the sale will go to supporting my blog.