Question about cross stitch??

[Sundae]

Ok, I have done about 15 counted cross stitch projects, from tiny to 4 large Christmas stockings, my question, if someone can answer is this.
My backs look messy, is this OK?

I try to be neat on the back but it doesn't happen, is this really OK?

I really wish I could see the back of someones who consider themselves and expert.

[Missy]

I don't have anythign to show you, but i concider myself advanced, but not expert. My backs are neat but it isn't perfect by any means. They get messier the more colors you use, but noone looks at the backs, lol, so i generally don't worry about it.

[danni]

My backs are never as neat as my moms are. The backs of hers look as almost as good as the fronts. I probably will never get mine as neat as hers because I'm not a perfectionist and she is. She always teases me about it but like Missy sais who looks at the backs.

[SewCrafty]

I agree with the other ladies. As long as your threads are secure and not making the front 'bulge' out, who cares what they look like.

[pkellyc]

My backs are a little messy. I try not to trail the floss very far and I try not to let the floss twist so that it lays flat.

[Fritzie]

Do you stitch over your starting threads? I did that when I was doing a
lot of cross stitch and it gives it a neater look. Then you just clip the
excess when you have it stitched down good. My eyes are not letting
me see fine work anymore so I haven't picked up any cross stitch projects
for a long time. I did so love it though!

[Hoosier Momma]

The backs on my projects always look less than beautiful, but I usually do projects that involve dozens of colors so it is difficult to make it look good. I did a 9/11 project that used 100 colors and the back looks like a horror movie but I get compliments every time someone new sees it, so I am not too concerned, lol.

[mom2three]

My backs used to be fairly neat. One trick is (if you are using an even number of threads) to fold the thread in half (i.e. one strand in half for two strands) and thread your needle with the ends and not the middle. When you start catch your floss under the loop created at the back from the fold (not sure if this makes sense). Work in one area/colour at a time and thread through same color at the end of your section/floss and clip. If odd number stitch over your floss when starting and thread through crosses at end. This will be neat, but may not be of concern to you as not too many people look at the back!

[Lady Jennelle]

Add me to the backs of cross-stitch things are are messy no matter how hard I try to have it otherwise.

My plastic canvas project backs are just the same. :-(

Love,

Jennelle

[LastDragonfly]

I agree with everyone that has said that the more colors you use the "messier" it could look. However, I think that as long as you don't have knots on the back and that you don't "carry" or skip more than 3 stitches across the back it should be ok.

Different techniques of stitching will also give you different results. So will different fibers.

I've stitched professionally and I've also judged in quite a few fairs and some local shows. I think that if you make an effort to be neat on the back, it will show. Of course the only people that see the back of your work would be: the framer, you, friends that stitch, and your mom.

Happy stitchin!

[miss_thrifty]

i dont do alot of cross stitching, but i never worry about the back be perfect, no-one usually sees it.

[lilbit]

The backs of mine are not very neat either....But what is not seen..goes un-noticed you see!

[MrsGixxer]

I have some messy backs and some neat backs. It doesn't bother me either way. I am teaching my 9 year old to cross stitch (thought it might be easier for her than knitting was) and it drives her crazy to have a messy back.

[pqb57]

I was told that the back should be as neat as possible, and I agree that the fewer colors the neater it stays. I try not to go too far from a stitch to another stitch unless I can run it under other stitchs on the back.