Mini cross stitches: I've used 22 count Aida cloth on minicross stitches I have done.  I started off with Eileen Folk's book:. Needlework Designs for Miniature Projects, plus picked up some ideas from "regular size" books and sometimes in mini-magazines they'll publish cross stitch patterns.

Jen

Miniature cross-stitch: If you go to Barnes and Noble online they have quite a few nice books and inexpensive booklets for doing miniature cross-stitch. I know because I have most of them *grin*

Leslie

Cross-Stitch: If you like country look for the magazine "Cross Country Stitching." It's full of country style cross-stitch vignettes.  The one I bought today has baskets, quilts, a watering can with flowers, geraniums in clay pots with "patches" on them, tiny houses, bowls of fruit, bird houses, hearts, etc.  These would be really cute pulled out of the big design and done as pillows, rugs, pictures, etc.  This magazine always has tons of this type of designs.

I do most of my mini cross-stitch on 18-count fabric.  Sometimes I use 22-count.   And I have a Noah's Ark started that was a bookmark kit with 32-count linen in it.   It was 'supposed' to be stitched over two, but I'm doing it over one.  I have to do that one in daylight with my magnifying glasses on.  I have a piece of 40-count silk gauze around somewhere.  One of these days, I'll try it.  Maybe for Christmas stockings, if I can find some I like.

Quinn

Source for miniature needlework supplies and kits: try http://www.angelfire.com/wv/minipix/ Mary Lynne has some nice products and a well-designed site.

Carol Giberson

I have a website for miniature carpets kits in needlepoint.  My web address is http://sites.netscape.net/orientalsxpressd/.   I also offer patterns for all our designs, if you prefer to work them in cross-stitch or on a larger/smaller mesh.

Michelle Fox

Mini needlepoint: Dover Publications, Inc.,   East 2nd Street Mineola, NY 11501 has a book (paper back) by Susan McBaine, titled Miniature needlepoint Rugs for dollhouses. It has patterns for over 20 rugs. I had a grand time making Navajo "railroad" blanket in cross-stitch. I purchased my copy at a store that dealt mostly with cross-stitch. If you don't have such a store near you I suggest typing cross-stitch or mini needlework into your search engine and let them find one for you. 

Patricia

Easter Bonnet "roombox": The Easter bonnet can be stiffened by cutting out the pattern (brim) from cardstock or heavy pellon (depending on how stiff you want it to be).  Then lightly smear glue all over one side of card stock and place glued-side down onto wrong side of fabric.  Iron to smooth out any wrinkles.  Then clip and fold over excess material to back side of cardstock and glue it down.  Iron again. 

You now have one finished side and one unfinished side.  The unfinished side can be covered with tiers of lightly gathered lace.

Viola

Aging Fabric: I had to create a last minute costume. Had the Indian princess dress but needed tights and shoes for her. The nylon tights would not keep the tea stain in. I pulled out the brown shades of acrylic paints and mixed a bunch with water in a bowl until I got the right shade. Wha-la! brown tights and even brown slippers (painted gold lame ones). Dried them in the dryer and they didn't get crunchie and are still the same color.

Rebecca

Stiffening Fabric: Here's another method to use for any fabric project and it also prevents fraying. Apply Alene's Tacky glue to the back side of a piece of fabric (more than you will need) and spread it in a thin layer with a palette knife or similar object, pushing out any clumps. When dry, it will not show through to the front.
Stiff enough to do many things with it and great for small scale items that you cannot hem.

Jeanette Zanio

Cross-stitch fabric: If you go to a needlework specialty shop you will find all kinds of even weave fabrics. I have never seen 28 count Aida but there are other even weave fabrics in 28, 30, 32 34 and 36 count.

Jennie

Stiffening material for the hats: I prepare my ones by using double sided stick on stiffening, I iron unto it on one side the chosen material and in the inside a lining, only after I cut the pattern and I preside as per instructions, it works wonders!

Mirta Fitzgerald

Dying cloth; Some years ago I dyed eggs by boiling them for hours with onion skin and they were very pretty. I used red onion skins, as well as the yellow. I think I will have to try it on fabric. Once when I had a lot of beets to cook, after the beets were removed from the pot I dyed fabric in the cooking water and made a pleasant, "country" red-pink.

Earlene

Aida, etc: Herschners needlework catalog has Aida cloth up to 22 count, as well as lugana up to 32 count, and monoco cloth in 28 count.  These are all even weave fabrics.  Phone # 1 800 441 0830 for the 'Needlework Shoppe 2000' catalog.  Web site is www.herrschners.com

R & J Ackerman

Crotchet patterns: Hanky Panky has two mini crochet books that you can order on their website www.hankypankycrafts.com.

Bonnie Justice

Knitting: Seems like I have seen others interested in knitting and such. The following web site has some wonderful pictures of mini knitting.  If you are interesting in knitting you can join the knitting list. http://www.tinytalk.org/jeannette.htm  & http://members.xoom.com/minknitting/ Come and join my knitting list: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/MiniKnitting

Barbara Campbell

Natural dyes: For reasons which escape me, Golden Delicious Apple peels will give a turquoise color.

Dani

Sandy's Laces and Trims: Sandy's Laces and Trims email addy: sandyslace@juno.com . Website: http://www.sandyslace.com.  Fun place to shop!

Linda Roebke

Bunka: it is unravelled crocheted rayon cord. Tassels, upholstery fringe, etc. There is a product called "Chainet" that is bunka. When you unravel it, it stays curly, and makes nice mini-trim for dresses, lace on underclothes. A little snippet makes a pretty rosette on a fancy shoe.

Dani

Victorian Doll Clothing / Clothes: Try Marnie's Mother, c/o Carol Conti tevenson, 26 Maplewood Ave, Everett, MA 02149

Viola

Hand dyeing with Natural and Vegetable Dyes; This site lists several links with information about DIY dyeing, I couldn't resist some browsing; it's absolutely fascinating. You might expect to find bark, berries, and lichens there - but Jello and Koolaid?!

http://www.weaving.about.com/hobbies/weaving/msub3n.htm

Mary in Oregon