Needlework rotation stitching
When I first started reading in the online needlework communities, I didn’t really have a good grasp of what a needlework rotation was, or why people would do them. I figured it was probably mostly a way to justify having a big Stash (enlarging one’s Stash is always fun!).
I am finding in my own stitching, however, that the big projects can start being less fun to stitch. No fun with stitching = less time spent stitching. What to do? Work on a different project for a while. Right now I’m setting aside Frederick because working on the black cloth tires my eyes and my enthusiasm for it is fading. I love the design, and want to enjoy stitching it, and looking at it some day framed and hanging on the wall in our “library”.
How does a person go about setting up a rotation for their needlework? I think you have to look at what projects you have in progress, and which ones you want to start, to design a rotation that will work for you. There are about four weeks and four weekends in each month with which to organize your needlework projects.
Some folks keep one big cross stitch project and a few smaller needlework projects going each month. Some have two large pieces that they rotate every couple months. I’ve seen daily rotation systems. It is simply a matter of getting a piece of paper or opening a new spreadsheet, and jotting down a schedule to follow.
I plan on picking up Frederick in a month or two, and working on it as long as I am inspired, and then setting it aside again. On my to-do list for the week is putting together my own rotation chart, so that I have a game plan for both keeping my enjoyment of needlework alive and completing my projects. I’ll be starting Teresa Wentzler’s Egyptian Sampler 
as my “currently working on” large piece, and Lorri’s Needlecase 
as a small; and fitting in time to stitch on my embroidered pillowcases.
A rotation chart can be handy for all types of arts & crafts, and especially useful for anyone who does several types of hobbies. For instance, I also love genealogy and scrapbooking; as well as having a quilt that needs repair and one that needs quilted. These other hobbies have been neglected in recent months as I’ve indulged my cross stitch and embroidery habits. :)
Look for my rotation to be posted sometime later this week, to see what insanity I’m embarking upon in my corner of the world!
Tags: Cross Stitch, Embroidery, hardanger, method, Needlework, Stash, thoughts, work-in-progressRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Counted Cross Stitch, Surface Embroidery, Works in Progress, hardanger, thoughts
2 opinions for Needlework rotation stitching
Ternezia
Apr 26, 2006 at 2:58 am
I noticed that rotation has its good and bad sides (at least for me). The good: as you say it can help finish a large project that we got tired from. Another good: one feels relaxed enough to start something else that really calls for you and not feel remorse. Third: we’re at least doing something about that enormous pile of stash.
The negative thing I noticed for myself: I tend to very much lose interest to the other projects in the rotation and fail to return to them. Moving the focus elsewhere, so to say, and wanting to finish the new ones instead of following the shedule. Perhaps mostly a matter of self-discipline.
Another: a bit costly. To buy more floss (in case you kit them yourself) for each new project while already spent a considerable sum on the older one.
I am experimenting with keeping one large (BAP) and one small ongoing. But seems I will return to the “one at a time” for a while, as I need to properly focus on the BAPs and finally finish them.
Deb
Apr 26, 2006 at 11:07 am
I am a bit concerned I’ll find myself not wanting to return to the older pieces too. As for the floss, I only cut one or two sections at a time, so when a piece that isn’t a purchased kit goes to the “lurking in the drawer” position, the bobbins will go back in my floss boxes. I try to only buy a new skein of a color if it’s almost used up, or if I don’t have it yet. That spreads the cost of the floss over more time, and keeps me from buying multiple skeins of commonly used colors.
In theory, anyway. heh. :D
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