How to Use Memory Thread to Add a 3D Look to Your Projects

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Loop over the wire, then go back down through the same hole. (This works well with 14 count, 11 count, and smaller. With higher fabric counts, like 18, 22, you may need to come up in one hole, then go back down through an adjacent one.)

Be sure that you don't distort the fabric with the stitches. Beyond that, it is a matter of what effect you want and, like so many crafts, your own personal taste. That is the "art" in craft.

Pull the floss taut, then bring your needle up through the next hole. Using the holes that are already in the fabric keeps you from disturbing the cross stitches beneath and along side of the wire.

Repeat this process until you have securely tacked down the entire length of wire.

My candy cane was stitched on 14 count Aida cloth. Because the ornament is handled, and there are lots of little bends and curves in the shape, I placed a couchng stitch in every hole it intersected. If your fabric count is higher and/or your piece won't be handled or laundered, tacking at larger intervals may be appropriate.

Again, your specific project will determine how frequent your stitches are. Just be sure to use consistent spacing throughout.

Before you finish the last couple of stitches, push the end to the back of the fabric in the same way you started. Complete the final stitches that will secure the wire.

Turn your fabric to the wrong side. If you need to, trim the ends of the wire to no longer than 1/2 inch each and apply Fray Block.

If you want to use the same wire in another location, you can carry it across the back just as you would carry a strand of floss to use in another location. However, I would not recommend carrying a length of wire much more than about a half an inch.

If you still have floss left over from your couching stitches, continue with that. If not, knot and bury the end of a single strand of floss.

Slide the needle under the end of the wire and a nearby cross stitch.

Circle around...

... go under the wire and that same cross stitch and through the loop.

Pull the loop taut.


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