| How to Do a Woven Wheel Stitch Posted: 19 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT The woven wheel stitch creates bold, circular shapes. You can use woven wheel for flowers, the sun, or any other round cross stitch elements. A finished wheel will stand out from the fabric from bunching up the thread under the "spokes" that serve as the framework for your wheel. This is an easy stitch to learn and do, so try making a woven wheel for your next cross stitch project! [Edit]Creating the Spokes - Thread a needle with 2 strands of embroidery floss. Cut a length of embroidery floss that is about the length of your arm from hand to shoulder. Then, pull 2 strands away from the 6 strands in the floss. Set the other stands aside to use when you run out. Insert the 2 strands through the eye of a tapestry needle and pull the floss until it is about 1/3 of the way through the eye.[1]
- You may also want to tie a knot in the end of the embroidery floss to ensure that it does not slip through the fabric when you make the first stitch.
- Mark your fabric to indicate the centerpoint and ends of the spokes. If your fabric is not already marked to indicate the center of the wheel and where each of the spokes will end, make these marks yourself. Use a pen or fabric marker. Position the spoke marks so that they are equidistant from the centerpoint.[2]
- Make an odd number of marks around the centerpoint so that you will end up with an odd number of spokes. For example, you could create a wheel with 9, 13, or 17 spokes.
- Insert the needle through the back of your work. Identify where you want the end of 1 of the spokes of the wheel to be. Then, push the needle up through the fabric at this location until the knot is right up against the back of the fabric.[3]
- Be careful not to pull the knot through!
- Bring the tip of the needle back down through the centerpoint. Find where you want the centerpoint of the spoke to be, and then push the needle down through the front side of the fabric at this location. This distance will be half the diameter of the wheel, so consider the desired diameter if you are not using a pattern. For example, if you want a wide wheel, then insert the needle into the fabric from the end point of the spoke.[4]
- Pull until the thread is taut after you insert it through the center, but don't pull so hard that the fabric puckers.
- You should have 1 spoke at this point.
- Push the needle back up through another spoke mark. Identify the end of the next spoke and push your needle up through the back of the fabric at this location. Pull the thread until it is taut.[5]
- The back of your fabric will look a little messy as you create the foundation for this stitch, but that's normal.
- Insert the needle through the center again and repeat the process. Bring the needle back down through the center of the wheel and pull the thread taut to create your second spoke. Keep doing this until you have created the desired number of spokes.[6]
- Remember to make sure that you end up with an odd number of spokes or the stitch won't work properly.
[Edit]Weaving around the Spokes - Insert the needle through the back of the fabric. Locate the center of the spokes and push the needle through the fabric right along this point. Ensure that the needle comes up near the center, but between 2 of the spokes. Pull until the thread is taut.[7]
- Don't bring the needle right through the center. Bring it up through the fabric right next to the center.
- Weave the thread under the first spoke and over the next. Insert the needle through the space between the thread and the fabric to weave under the first spoke. Then, bring the needle over the next spoke to weave over.[8]
- Do not push the needle down through the fabric. Keep it between the thread and fabric as you weave over and under.
- Continue weaving over and under going all the way around the wheel. By making an odd number of spokes, you will weave over certain spokes on 1 round and weave under them on the next round. You do not need to keep track of the rounds. Go over and under the spokes without skipping any or changing direction.[9]
[Edit]Finishing the Wheel - Weave until the spokes are not visible. If you are working on a wheel that overlaps other designs or that is a standalone design, you can work the woven wheel stitch all the way to the ends of the spokes. Keep weaving in and out of the spokes until the ends are no longer visible.[10]
- Keep in mind that when the flower underlaps other flowers, you will not be able to weave all the way out to the ends of the spokes. In this case, you will need to use a different stitch, such as a backstitch, to fill in the spaces between the remaining spokes.
- Backstitch to fill in and secure the outside of the flower. Insert the needle into your fabric from the back side and pull the thread taut. Push the needle back down through the front side of the fabric about from where it came out of the fabric. Then, bring the needle up through the fabric again about ahead of where you pushed it down through the fabric. Insert the needle through the front side of the fabric at the location of your previous stitch.[11]
- Use this stitch to fill in remaining spokes once you reach the end of the shortest spoke. You can make the stitches longer if you prefer, such as by backstitching from 1 spoke to the next. This will help you to retain the appearance of the woven wheel stitch.
- Backstitching around the outside of the flower 1 time will make the stitches extra secure and you can also use a contrasting color to add a visible border to your design. For example, you could border a lavender wheel with dark purple, or use white or black thread to add even more contrast.
- Insert the needle near the edge of the spokes and tie a knot. After you are done filling in and outlining your woven wheel design, push the needle into the fabric right along the edge of the woven wheel. Try to get the needle slightly under the edge of the woven wheel to hide this stitch. Tie a knot in the thread on the back side of the fabric to secure it.[12]
- Your woven wheel is complete! Make more by following the same process.
- Always complete full wheels in your design before working on underlapping ones. This will make it easier to keep the elements in the cross stitch design snug.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Friends on the First Day of School Posted: 18 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT One of the hardest things to do on the first day of school is making new friends. It's completely normal to feel scared and anxious. If you feel nervous, there are few simple things you can do to make friends more easily. You can give someone a compliment or use a conversation starter to start chatting. Joining a club or sports team will give you a chance to get to know other people. With a little effort, you'll make new friends in no time! [Edit]Finding Someone to Talk to - Look for someone who's on their own. Don't worry about it if you're nervous on the first day. You're not the only one! Look around for someone else who's on their own. They might be in need of a friend, too.[1]
- Try going up and sitting next to someone who's eating on their own during lunch. This will be easier than going up to a large group of people.
- Find someone with common interests. Keep your eyes open for someone who is reading a book you like or wearing a t-shirt with a character from your favorite movie or TV show. If someone is interested in the same things you like, you'll probably have a lot to talk about right away.[2]
- If you see someone who seems to share interests with you, go up and start talking to them. Start by complimenting their shirt, backpack, or whatever else caught your eye.
- Then, ask them questions about their favorite character, episode, or movie.
- If you see someone with a Harry Potter T-shirt, for example, you could say: "I like your shirt! Are you a Harry Potter fan, too? Which is your favorite book?"
- Spend time with people you already know. If you're already friends with someone at your school, hang out with them and their friends. It's easier to meet new friends if there's someone to introduce you.[3]
- Ask your friend to introduce you to at least 1 other person on your first day.[4]
- Don't be upset if others don't start conversations with you. They're probably just as nervous as you, and maybe even more so.[5]
- Join a club or sports team. Clubs and sports teams are great places to meet people who have the same interests as you. If you like soccer, sign up with a soccer team. If you like anime, look for an anime club.[6]
- Ask your teachers and other students about any clubs or teams at your school.[7]
- Look for bulletin boards at your school for information about clubs.
- If your school has a website, look at to see if it has any information about any clubs, sports, or other activities you could join.[8]
- Don't worry if you don't make a friend on your first day. Since clubs meet regularly, you'll have plenty of chances to meet people after your first day![9]
[Edit]Starting a Conversation - Make yourself look approachable. Keep a smile on your face so that your classmates feel comfortable talking to you. Make eye contact with others and wave. Assume a confident posture and bright attitude.[10]
- Try to avoid wearing earphones during your first day of school. While listening to music, an audiobook, or podcast may help you feel relaxed, people may be more hesitant to approach you because they won't want to disturb you.
- Keep your phone and other devices at home or in your bag. If you're looking down at a screen, you may miss a chance to make a new friend.
- Try using a set phrase to start talking to someone new. Starting a conversation with someone is the first step in making a new friend. To start chatting, ask a simple, basic question to break the ice. Then, follow up that question with other questions. You can even prepare and practice these questions before your first day of school.[11]
- After a science class, for example, you could ask the person sitting next to you: "How did you like the first lesson?"
- Or, if you see someone reading a book, you could ask them: "What book are you reading?"
- If you're not sure where to find a classroom or the cafeteria, ask someone for directions and then say "thanks" and introduce yourself.
- If you're nervous about speaking to other people, try practicing these conversation starters in front of a mirror.
- Ask other students open-ended questions. Once you've struck up a conversation with one of your classmates, ask questions that will allow the conversation to continue. Avoid asking simple questions that can be answered with a "yes" or a "no," or a single word or short phrase.[12]
- For example, ask: "How was your summer?" Instead of: "Did you have a good summer?"
- Listen closely to the other person's answers and ask questions based on what they tell you.
- Give someone a compliment. Complimenting someone's hairstyle or outfit is a great way to break the ice and strike up a conversation. It will also make your classmate feel less nervous on their first day of school and give them a positive first impression of you.[13]
- Try to follow up your compliment with a question that will keep the conversation going. After complimenting someone's bag, for example, you could ask: "Where did you get it?"
- Try to avoid giving someone a false compliment. If you don't like someone's shoes, try not to tell them that you do. It's probably not a good idea to start a friendship with a lie.
[Edit]Boosting Your Confidence - Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. When you feel comfortable, you'll feel more like yourself. This will make you more confident, which will help give you the courage to start talking to others.[14]
- Don't try to wear trendy clothes or stylish shoes if they don't make you feel comfortable. Wearing clothes that you're not comfortable in will just make you even more nervous on your first day.
- Wearing clothes you like will also draw the attention of people who like the same style of clothes.
- Act confident even if you don't feel so. Acting like you're comfortable in your own skin can actually make you feel and appear more at ease. To act confident, stand up straight, smile, and try to make eye contact with other people. Or, try acting like someone who seems self-assured.[15]
- Try to focus on things that are happening around you instead of yourself. This will also help you feel less self-conscious and more confident.
- Do small things to help others. Showing someone else kindness or helping them can make you feel better about yourself. Doing a bunch of small acts of kindness will help build your self-confidence.[16]
- For example, try to give a compliment to at least 1 person on your first day of school.
- Helping someone pick up something they've dropped can also give you an opening to make friends. Smile and introduce yourself as you hand the item back to them.
- Making eye contact and smiling at someone is another great way to spread positivity.
- Try not to stress if you don't meet anyone on your first day. The first day is nerve-racking for everyone. Everyone will be anxious and busy learning their new schedules. Many people will be too nervous to start talking to others. Stay patient and try to make friends on the second or third day of school.[17]
- If you do something embarrassing on the first day of school, try not to worry about it. Laugh at yourself and try to move on.[18]
[Edit]References |
| How to Freeze Bread Posted: 18 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT Does your bread go stale or moldy before you can eat it all? Freezing your bread will keep it fresh for 3-6 months. Whenever you want to eat it, you can thaw it in the refrigerator, or pop a slice directly in the toaster. Whether you are a home baker, or have just purchased too many rolls from the supermarket, freezing your bread will make sure your bread loaves stay fresh and ready to eat. [Edit]Freezing Your Bread - Let your bread cool on the counter if you have just baked it. 3 to 4 hours is generally enough time for a fresh-baked loaf to cool. Make sure your loaf is completely cool before you freeze it. Freezing a hot loaf damages the consistency of the crumb.[1]
- Slice your loaf if desired. If you are freezing sandwich bread, and anticipate wanting to thaw out a slice at a time, then it is easiest to slice your bread before you freeze it. This way, you can defrost one slice at a time instead of having to thaw the whole loaf.[2]
- Seal your bread in a Ziploc bag. If your loaf is whole, place into a large Ziploc bag and press the air out of the bag before you close it. If your loaf is sliced, place a piece of parchment paper between each slice so that the slices will be easier to separate once frozen.[3] Then place the sliced loaf into a large Ziploc bag, press out the air, and seal.
- Place your bread in the freezer. Now that your bread is packaged properly, it is ready to go in the freezer. If you are freezing sliced sandwich bread that you will need to access often, keep it in a handy-to-reach part of the freezer. If you are freezing a whole loaf, and will only need to access it once, you can put it farther back in the freezer.[4]
- Bread can last between 3 to 6 months in the freezer, but flavors may start to dull after a month.[5]
[Edit]Thawing and Refreshing Your Bread - Toast a single slice directly from the freezer. If you want to immediately eat a single slice of bread, you can toast it straight out of the freezer. You do not need to thaw your slice before you toast it.[6]
- This method works well if you know the entire loaf will not get eaten in one seating. Then you do not have to thaw and refreeze a whole bread loaf each time.
- If you want your bread slice to be thawed, but not toasted, let it thaw on the countertop for a few hours.
- Thaw a loaf on the countertop for several hours or overnight. If you want to thaw an entire loaf, take it out of the freezer and place it in on the countertop for 3 or more hours.[7] It will gradually thaw until it is no longer frozen. You can eat it now, or you can heat the bread in the oven to fully restore its fresh-baked state.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F° (177 C°) to refresh the loaf. You will use the oven to restore your to its just-baked state, so that it tastes as good as new. Make sure the rack is in the center position.[8]
- Run the loaf under a light stream of cold water. Do not soak the bread. Only coat it finely in water. This thin coating of water will steam in the oven and create a crisp crust.[9]
- Place the loaf directly on the oven rack and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, check to see if the crust is crispy enough for your satisfaction.[10] A crisp crust should crackle to the touch.
- Some kinds of bread, like baguettes, only need 15 minutes, while others might require 20 minutes.[11]
- Cool your bread on the countertop for at least an hour before serving. Your bread will taste freshly baked.[12] If you want to freeze it and store it again, you can.
[Edit]References |
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