Hand Stitching

Jul '24 HopeEBrady

For those of you that hand stitch on your scrapbook pages, what size needle have you found works best if you're using all six strands of embroidery thread?

Thanks,
Hope
Jul '24 Lisn2cats

@HopeEBrady I don't stitch on my layouts very often but, when I do, I use 3 strands folded (doubled) over so I can use an embroidery needle with a smaller eye (I think mine is a 7 or 8 though I just pick one that I can thread without blinding myself or frustrate me to the point of screaming). For using the full 6 strands, probably 4 is as smallest as I can go, unless I use my threader (when I can find it and, even then, sometimes - depending on the needle or thread, 5 is better.
Jul '24 Dawna.s Place

@HopeEBradyÂ Hi Hope, I do quite a bit of stitching on my layouts. We Are Memory Keepers makes a paper piercing tool which is fabulous for adding all sorts of stitched designs onto cards or layouts. The heads that come with the piercing tool set are interchangeable, so you can do straight, zig-sag, curvy, double stitches, etc. I have about twenty interchangeable heads, so it's easy to get creative with this paper piercing tool. I found a set on Ebay, here's what it looks like:

And here's a link to the page:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116214667305?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Pwf2BRfkS2C5cZtdWY7_3A42&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=116214667305&targetid=2321110923981&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031514&poi=&campaignid=19894961968&mkgroupid=163588356363&rlsatarget=aud-1405249128464:pla-2321110923981&abcId=9307911&merchantid=101830364&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwqMO0BhA8EiwAFTLgID38lsSN2WqTjVQ_CIJZd-pb2n_7hZwDAXBw-tgIliAoJEgA1EcrvxoCLh4QAvD_BwE

I separate my embroidery threads into two strands, and double the threads over so it's 4 stands thick. Like Lis, I also use a standard embroidery needle. The stitch comes out bold enough against a pattered paper without the bulk of thicker threads althought I usually use a white or black thread to make it pop against patterned paper. I hope that helps! Wishing you the best!
Jul '24 Rhonda.scrapbooks

I rarely use all 6 strands but Paige Evans had a tutorial awhile back and she does use all 6 strands and she recommends a size 2.
If you search this on Amazon it should pop up and it's only a couple dollars.
Dritz 56C-2 Crewel Hand Needles, Size 2
Hope that helps!