Is Cross Stitching Becoming a Dying Art?
By Aurone
@Aurone (4755)
United States
August 4, 2010 4:50am CST
I cross stitch. Its my favorite craft, but I have noticed it is one that is not so popular in the US. It seems to do very well in countries such as The British Isles, they have great magazine over there and expos and everything, but here in the US its hard to find a particular kit you want or any variety in cross stitching materials in craft stores. It seems everyone is all about scrap booking, or yarn crafts. Even Dimensions who is a main designer and distributor of kits has cross stitch listed under other crafts in on their discussion board. Any cross stitchers out there? Have you ever tried this craft, been interested in trying the craft, do you think its a dying art?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
10 Aug 10
Don't think cross stitch is a dying art as I have seen kits in the craft stores. This is one craft I haven't tried since the constant threading of the needle would drive my eyes nuts. Small, detailed work plays games with my eyes. I do admire the finished product(s). My mother use to do alot of cross stitch. The end result was beautiful. I am so addicted to working with plastic canvas and yarn. Love this craft. It sounds very childish but I can turn out some pretty items. Have made all kinds of Christmas crafts and am now into making Sesame Street crafts such as banks, wall hangings and tissue covers. Our grandkids love 'em! My motto is "never give up."
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
10 Aug 10
No problem. I have accidentally posted things twice myself here when I had internet issues. Sorry that you can't do cross stitch but glad you found a craft that you enjoy. Isn't it nice when other people enjoy what you make? Right now I am working on a Snowman that I am going to give to my mother for her birthday. It has a lot of beads involved which I am not going to like when I have to put them all on the piece but if my mom likes it then it will be worth the trouble.
1 person likes this
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I have never gotten the hang of cross stitching. I had tried a few times and have never been successful. I have done some scrapbook making. Actually my favorites is bath salts and soap. I am also into making salt dough ornamnets and felt ornaments. I am thinking about making mosaic glass ornaments, but it depends on cost. If anyone has any ideas where I can get small baby food jars (empty) so I can sell my bath salts I would appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
5 Aug 10
You might put a posting on Craigslist saying you are wanting some babyfood jars. Are you willing to pay for them? I might know where you could get some if you are will compensate a small amount for them. Cross Stitching can be difficult depending on the pattern that you select, they range from easy and small to large and complex. Sounds like you do plenty of other crafts.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
5 Aug 10
Thank you for the advice Aurone. Yes, if you could please share where I can get them I would appreciate it. I am looking for some different fragerances so I can make my bath salts. I will have to try craigslist.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
6 Aug 10
Cross stitching may not be as popular here as it is in Britain, but you can still find kits and threads for it. I would love to be able to do it and have tried several times, but my eyes just won't focus on those tiny stitches any more. I have seen so many pictures cross stitched that I'd love to have!
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
7 Aug 10
I guess that is true, not many people want to put the time in to create the projects. We have become such a now society, instant satisfaction. I love to cross stitch because it so wonderful to see the art come alive on the canvas. I want to start creating some of my own designs too.
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I don't think its a dying art, I think its wan in it popularity at the moment - there for a while in the 1970's it was needlepoint everything, then cross stitch, now they are crocheting, knitting and quilting, but there are still loads of places to find cross stitch - even if it means going with online catalog type sales...
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I buy a lot from catalogs and online sites. I end up doing lots of items for gifts and such, I am going to do a tiger piece for my office next. It will be the first bigger piece I have ever done for myself in all the years I have done cross stitching.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
7 Aug 10
I have been thinking the same thing. I have been searching for some good cross stitch things... and can only find counted cross stitch which I hate! FAR to much work to constantly count and all. But I was looking for bibs, baby stuff and things like that to do for my grand kids and find nothing. I am a good crafter, but buying all the stuff to transfer and all myself... I don't like doing that.
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
7 Aug 10
I am just the opposite. I like counted because I can use the pattern over and over again. I have seen a lot of baby stuff. That is about all I can find. You should try www.123stitch.com and www.herrschners.com they have a lot of items, hopefully you can find what you are looking for.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
10 Aug 10
Don't think cross stitch is a dying art as I have seen kits in the craft stores. This is one craft I haven't tried since the constant threading of the needle would drive my eyes nuts. Small, detailed work plays games with my eyes. I do admire the finished product(s). My mother use to do alot of cross stitch. The end result was beautiful. I am so addicted to working with plastic canvas and yarn. Love this craft. It sounds very childish but I can turn out some pretty items. Have made all kinds of Christmas crafts and am now into making Sesame Street crafts such as banks, wall hangings and tissue covers. Our grandkids love 'em! My motto is "never give up."
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
4 Aug 10
I’m surprised to hear that it’s not that popular now in the U.S. because that’s where I learned it! I spent several years there as a kid, before I cam back to the U.K. and it wasn’t that popular here. That was in the mid 90s.
Now it seems that lots of people do it. I still really enjoy it obviously. Perhaps these things go through phases of popularity.
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
6 Aug 10
It's so timeless and therapeutic, I'm sure it will always be around.
1 person likes this
@penny023 (4)
•
26 Sep 12
I love counted cross stitch. I usually buy patterns online and I download them. I shop from Artecy and http://www.yiotas-xstitch.com
