How Do You Stitch Mill Hill Kits?

 I love Mill Hill kits! They are gorgeous when finished and unique for using the perforated paper to stitch on. That is a plus for how they look, but a minus for me when it comes to holding and stitching. I used to hold mine in hand, but that limits me as to when I can stitch because my hands tend to sweat when it's hot and humid. When the weather is cooler, I still find that the paper ends up feeling a little softer and gets a little worn looking. Yes, I know you are to cut the paper off for ornaments, but what about the Buttons & Beads kits? I saw a few videos telling about the new magnetic frames but when I priced them - ummmm- nope. Then I saw a woman that put hers on 6" stretcher bars and secured them with tacks. She said the needleworkers tacks (tarnish resistant) go through the holes with no problems and secures the paper without marring it. 

After comparing costs, I decided that I would try the stretcher bars. I found some on Amazon and ordered some tacks with puller. The stretcher bars came in a pack of 20, so I could have 5 small items or Mill Hill kits on the go all at once. And the best part was the cost of all of this was less then one magnetic frame! Everything arrived yesterday and last night, the #22 for Brringo was called. That was my Mill Hill Cappuccino kit - and it was a roll the dice to see how many stitches were to be put in. A roll of one required 100 stitches, a roll of 2 required 200, etc. Hubby rolled a 2 so I was required 200 stitches. Now was the time to put the stretcher bars to the test and see if I liked them.

Well - this was my progress. I began with the 2 hour start on the 2nd and finished with this: 

I passed my 200 stitches and found that the stretcher bars work quite well. Much better than holding in hand and worrying that I'm going to crinkle or do something awful to the paper. This method is still not perfect but a whole heck of a lot better to stitch!