Stitching Your First Mirabilia [5 Things You Should Know Before You Start]

You are lurking in a cross stitch group and boom. You are awestruck by the most gorgeous, intricate stitching you have ever seen in your life.

Instantly, you NEED that pattern.

Never before have you stitched anything so massive and complex. So what do you do?

Level up your stitching game of course. It’s time for you to spread those wings and take on this new challenge.

The first thing I did when I saw the Mirabilia that I wanted to stitch was buy all the supplies I needed. It cost me around $100. After stitching a few smaller pieces and working on my first Mira, I’ve learned a thing or two.

Before you start going crazy and buying all that fancy supplies, here are some tips for starting your new Mirabilia.

1) Get in the Right Mindset

Mirabilias can be daunting for many stitchers. The anxiety from starting a pattern that is this big and detailed can be crippling.

The best way to overcome this fear is just to get started.

Treat it like any other piece of cross stitch and don’t “put it on a pedestal.” You will never progress if you are afraid to mess up.

Find your stitchy rhythm and just go with the flow.

The more that I make the decision to stitch on my Mira the more stitching that gets done.

2) Start with a Smaller Design

Stitching a smaller Mira is good for a couple of reasons. It’s a perfect learning tool and they tend to be less expensive kitted up because they use less materials.

Smaller Miras or Nora Corbett designs have all the same stitchy goodness as a full sized Mira but you won’t spend as much time stitching them because they are smaller.

This is the perfect time to experiment if you are being introduced to a bunch of new materials and techniques.

In my experience, Gypsy Queen was the first time I was stitching on linen. There was a little bit of a learning curve, but now I don’t have a problem stitching over 2. 

At first, I was using a magnifier because I wasn’t used to the higher stitch count. Once my eyes and brain adjusted, I could instinctually “see” the square.

Learn how you like to bead. There are different threads for beading and different directions you could bead.

I discovered how I like beading with my smaller projects before I started my Mirabilia.

I’m sure you have tons of questions about how to stitch your Mirabilia. Methods vary from stitcher to stitcher. The only way you will figure it out is by gaining that experience.

Find a smaller pattern that you love and start there. The Letters from Nora and Letters from Mermaids series are both a good place to start.

Portrait of Antique Vines from the 25th Anniversary Celebration booklet is only 60×100 stitches!

3) DIY Your Materials

Make your project your own by doing-it-yourself.

I find that I have an easier time stitching when I dye my own fabric for instance. It’s something about the mindset.

I have more of a connection when my project is customized to my liking. Try changing the color scheme to make it more personal.

A simple color switch can change your mind about the entire pattern, especially if you don’t like the colors.

You can even attempt to make modifications to the pattern if you are bold enough. Maybe you don’t like a specific part. Chart it out and modify it until you are happy.

It’s ok to frog sections of your stitching. Try new things and if you don’t like it, take it out.

4) Make Substitutions

Don’t buy supplies that you know you are not going to enjoy stitching with.

That’s not to say don’t try and venture outside of your comfort zone, but if you know you don’t like something don’t force it.

Stitching is meant to be relaxing, not cause more stress in your life. The process should be fun because let me tell you, if you don’t enjoy stitching it, you will never work on it.

If you don’t like stitching on linen or evenweave, use aida. Mirabilias can absolutely be stitched on aida. It’s a little more tedious in my opinion, but possible.

Don’t like beading? Don’t bead. If you still want that glitz and glam from beading, change out your beads for metallic stitches.

Don’t want to pay so much money for silks? Try finding a variegated DMC that is similar.

Stitch however you feel comfortable stitching.

5) Beading Needles are Overrated

I had never beaded before and purchased a bunch of beading needles because I wasn’t sure which ones I needed.

Unless you are stitching with petite beads, a size 28 tapestry needle will do.

Most patterns will use 11/0 beads and your 28 needle can fit through the hole of the bead with no problems.

If you are working with smaller beads, you may want to get a beading needle. They aren’t very expensive which is good news, but they also aren’t the most durable either.

I like the Big Eye needles because I don’t have to worry about trying to thread my needle.

Final Thoughts

Take a deep breath and relax. Stitching is meant to be fun.

Pick a Mirabilia that really speaks to you and that you want to finish. You are going to be working on her for a long time.

It’s perfectly fine not to use the called for materials. I love seeing all the different variations on projects on Facebook groups or Instagram. These personalized details may even motivate you to work on your piece more.

Happy Stitching!