Work in Progress

When I was pulling out the cross stitch items I had stored away, I found a set of six Bucilla Christmas Old Time Santas that I had started (one). That's what I've been working on. These are stitched on #18 Aida. I'm not particularly crazy about how they're working up. The colors aren't just right, and the patterns don't call for any back stitching. I may go back and do them, but my goal is to first get them stitched. Another thing I'm not pleased with is that the colors aren't identified with DMC numbers. There are numbers listed, but I'm not sure what they are.


This is the one I had started 'back when' and I probably stopped because I think I was lost. It is not a great idea for me to take such a break - getting back into the rhythm of color was difficult.


I did this one consecutively, and it was much better to work on.

So, what do you think of Bucilla? Is it just this grouping, or are the charts not detailed enough?

Another question for your comments, please. How do you press your items when finished? I've been putting them face down on a towel and pressing with steam, but it's not giving the results I want. Perhaps it's the type thread (100% cotton) or the towel may not be plush enough...