Travel with Cross Stitch

When selecting a project to accompany you on a trip, there are a few things to consider. (If you plan to travel by plane, check with your carrier to see what is allowed. Depending on the level of alert, you may have to leave that project in your checked baggage.)

• Protect your stitching in a plastic storage bag.
• Choose a simple project with few colors. Whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile, multiple color changes will be frustrating. Lighting may not always be sufficient to discriminate between different floss colors.
• Cut floss into stitching lengths before your trip to save from fumbling with scissors.
• Avoid taking a pattern by stitching the outline of a design and filling it in or stitching a repetitive pattern.
• Realize the project may get dirty or even lost on the way.
• Consider your traveling companions - choose a small project. In the car or on the plane, you don't want your fabric or canvas to be an annoyance to your fellow partners.
• Put projects away during meal or snack service (see the two prior tips).
• Take an extra needle or two.
• Don't let all this advice discourage you from taking Cross Stitch when you travel - what else are you going to do when your flight is delayed in Houston or you are caught in traffic after Talladega?