I'm curious what all of you do when you realize you've made a big mistake in your stitching?
Just now, I realized I've made one in the piece I'm working on. I'm stitching the outer border, and it has become clear that that it is NOT meeting up nicely with the other side. Somehow and somewhere, I got off by a stitch. And that is not the kind of mistake you can gloss over. I'm going to have to pick some of it out and restitch. I could see that the error had occurred, but couldn't manage to identify the origin of the error. I was getting frustrated, so I just put the whole project away for the day and will go back to it tomorrow with fresh eyes and try to find the origin then. I'm pretty frustrated though!
So, what are your strategies for when you've identified a big error? Any stories of mistake you want to share to help me feel better?
I've taken out many stitches, kind of going in reverse. It is an annoying pain but worth it. I am also now basting in reference lines in an off the charts crazy color.
I just started a new project. Just finished end only to realize I cut the fabric wrong. The ends of runner I can fudge, the middle is lattice and my brain, can’t do the math to shrink it. So.. it’s just a border piece now. Frustrated because this is third piece I’ve started and stopped. The other two taught me 30 ct linen or otherwise, isn’t for my eyes. I was off by two stitches on the Byzantine Meander. I added a thread into the border where there were two smaller threads. It looked to me, but once I stepped away, it was hard to find. I only see it a few times a year, and I just don’t look close!
That's good to know. I have this same kit and would probably have missed that little jog as well. I'll probably miss it anyhow, even though you told us about it, and then I'll remember your post!
Thanks for the perspectives, everyone! Very helpful. I spent about 2 hours frogging this afternoon, and in the end I found it fairly relaxing. Maybe not as relaxing as actual stitching, but I kept reminding myself it was part of the process.
I found my mistake today too. First, here is the origin of the mistake. See that little jog in the diagonal stitches on the chart? And see how I did not do that little jog in my stitching?
Well, I made that mistake, and then merrily kept stitching up the border, only to find this had happened. My gray line going up was a stitch off from the gray line going down, and the red motifs were messed up too.
Nothing to do but frog the whole side! I'm still not done frogging. I'll pick it back up later tonight or maybe tomorrow. All part of the process...
I have a swear bowl! Welcome to the club!
Your inclination to put your work down is a good one. Sometimes, I find that if I look at my work upside down or sideways, it's easier to spot the misalignment.
Also, I find frogging oddly meditative. Maybe because I do so much of it? I've financed several projects with quarters in my swear bowl, if that helps anyone feel better. The Man has become so used to it, he loudly chimes in "rip it, rip it!" which always makes me laugh.
I keep a seam ripper/stiletto tool handy for just such incidents. I have a really fancy one so I kind of look forward to using it. The sharp thingies pull out and reverse when you need to use them and it's really well made. I ordered it from a guy named Ernie, who was really sweet and made it exactly like I wanted it, color and all: https://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/shop/Handmade-Accessories-by-Ernie.htm
I found a way to make frogging a treat. So have your best day and take joy however you find it!
I completely agree with Cindy. In fact, last night I just realized I was off by 2 threads on a 15-inch run of stitches on 32ct linen and had to unpick ALL of it. It just happens from time to time, even to very experienced stitchers. I briefly considered just letting the mistake lie, but I knew I would notice it every time this piece sat on the coffee table in my living room and I decided that I was going to give my future self the gift of not having to overlook these errors every time I saw the piece :)
Mistakes happen. Often BIG mistakes. I do exactly what you are doing: let the project sit for a day or so, then tackle the un-doing. I've had some days when almost the only thing I do is "undo!" But since embroidery for me is a process, I don't mind. I worry most about running out of the right thread if I take so much out, but even then I figure that I can get more thread. If I get in the right frame of mind, undoing can be as relaxing as stitching. I'd like to say that by un-doing stitches I've learned to be very careful with my counting, but mistakes happen no matter how careful I am. And my skills at taking out stitching are now quite impressive!
So, take a deep breath, and enjoy the process of learning the best, most efficient ways to take out stitches. You'll love the piece all the more for it.