Expert: Kris - 1/22/2011

Question
I have finished cross stitching a picture and am now working on the backstitching.  The packet asks for three strings of black to outline a diagonally lying book.  I tried to do the stitching two or three rows at a time, but the cinching that occurs at the connection points makes the line look disjointed.  The pattern itself is hard to follow and seems to dictate going 10-12 rows up before completing a stitch.  However this does not quite look refined.  It could also mean going the entire length of the book's spine, which seems a bit extreme.  In addition, where do backstitches go in, only in the already present holes or anywhere in the canvas?  So the questions are how long should backstitches be and where should they be sewn into the canvas?  Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Answer
Sarah,

Backstitches can be as long or short as you want them to be. If it looks better for them to go in a pre-existing hole or through the middle of a stitch it is fine. Whatever gives you the look you want.

There is no set rules about it! I have seen patterns where it would cover several rows (the entire spine of the book) and it look fine. Just make sure that your tension is good!

Happy Stitching!
Kris