To begin any cross stitch you need to make sure you have all the tools you need. The most important for this Craft are your fabric that you want to cross stitch on and your needle. Most commonly you will begin with aida. This comes in different counts. A count simply means how many blocks are in an inch, so a 14 count aida means there are 14 blocks in an inch. The value of the count will indicate the size of the blunt tapestry needle you will need for Crafting. 8 and 11 count is best with a size 22 needle. 14 count (the most commonly used) is best with a size 24. 16 and 18 count is best with a size 28 needle. This size is also recommended for use with 28, 30 and 32 count evenweave. However bear in mind that evenweave is quite difficult to work with if your a beginner as you need to stitch over two blocks at a time. So if you are just learning it is advisable to start with aida. As well as your needle and fabric you'll require a pattern to work from (these can be bought, found online or even drawn yourself on graph paper), embroidery threads (and here at calico laine we offer a wide range of Anchor threads) an embroidery hoop (this helps keep the tension in your fabric even) and finally a small pair of scissors to cut threads.
[caption id="attachment_7387" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Here are a selection of tools[/caption]
A commonly asked question is where do you begin stitching from. It is recommended in many plans that you begin Crafting in the middle of the design. To find the middle of your aida simply fold the fabric in half horizontally and then fold in half again vertically. To get a more defined line you can always iron these lines in. These lines can be easily removed once you have finished Crafting your project by ironing over the back of the design with the iron on a low heat. Or by gently hand washing your finished design.
To start Crafting you can either take two strands of thread and thread them through your needle. It is advised not to put a knot in the end of this. Although that does stop the fabric pulling through it, it is known cause many problems such as: creating lumps and bumps on the front when the picture is mounted. Threads can catch on knots while you are stitching. Knots can lead to uneven thread tension and distorted fabric. Knots can pop through to the front on a loosely woven fabric. And most importantly knots are harder to undo if you make a mistake. If you don't feel confident to leave your stitch unsecured, you can be Crafty and fold one thread in half and thread the two ends of the thread through the eye of your needle. This will create a loop at the bottom of the thread that once pulled through the fabric you can draw your needle back through securing your stitch. This is my personal favourite although on larger projects it can lead to a lot of stopping and starting if you are using pre-cut threads.
Now that your ready to Craft simply pull your thread through from the underside of the fabric and pull it diagonally down from that entry point and back through the fabric. If your using the folding method this would be the time to pull your needle through the loop at the back to secure your stitch. There are two ways you can proceed from this point you can come up at the point just above where you last exited the fabric and pull that diagonally back across the stitch you just made to make the cross shape or you can come up at the point just above where you exited the fabric and pull diagonally over in the same fashion you did previously. When you reach the end of the colour you are sewing you can then work the diagonal back to Craft the cross shape. It looks like this:
[caption id="attachment_7389" align="alignnone" width="228"]
Using the continued diagonal method[/caption]
To tie off the the colour your using to Craft just slide your needle under your completed witches to secure the thread and snip the excess off. Again don't knot as this will lead to a bumpy finish. Hopefully with all this basic knowledge you'll be able to Crafting wonderful little pieces and maybe progressing onto bigger better things in time!
[caption id="attachment_7390" align="alignnone" width="259"]
Finished cross stitch including french knots[/caption]
Here are a selection of tools[/caption]
A commonly asked question is where do you begin stitching from. It is recommended in many plans that you begin Crafting in the middle of the design. To find the middle of your aida simply fold the fabric in half horizontally and then fold in half again vertically. To get a more defined line you can always iron these lines in. These lines can be easily removed once you have finished Crafting your project by ironing over the back of the design with the iron on a low heat. Or by gently hand washing your finished design.
To start Crafting you can either take two strands of thread and thread them through your needle. It is advised not to put a knot in the end of this. Although that does stop the fabric pulling through it, it is known cause many problems such as: creating lumps and bumps on the front when the picture is mounted. Threads can catch on knots while you are stitching. Knots can lead to uneven thread tension and distorted fabric. Knots can pop through to the front on a loosely woven fabric. And most importantly knots are harder to undo if you make a mistake. If you don't feel confident to leave your stitch unsecured, you can be Crafty and fold one thread in half and thread the two ends of the thread through the eye of your needle. This will create a loop at the bottom of the thread that once pulled through the fabric you can draw your needle back through securing your stitch. This is my personal favourite although on larger projects it can lead to a lot of stopping and starting if you are using pre-cut threads.
Now that your ready to Craft simply pull your thread through from the underside of the fabric and pull it diagonally down from that entry point and back through the fabric. If your using the folding method this would be the time to pull your needle through the loop at the back to secure your stitch. There are two ways you can proceed from this point you can come up at the point just above where you last exited the fabric and pull that diagonally back across the stitch you just made to make the cross shape or you can come up at the point just above where you exited the fabric and pull diagonally over in the same fashion you did previously. When you reach the end of the colour you are sewing you can then work the diagonal back to Craft the cross shape. It looks like this:
[caption id="attachment_7389" align="alignnone" width="228"] Using the continued diagonal method[/caption]
To tie off the the colour your using to Craft just slide your needle under your completed witches to secure the thread and snip the excess off. Again don't knot as this will lead to a bumpy finish. Hopefully with all this basic knowledge you'll be able to Crafting wonderful little pieces and maybe progressing onto bigger better things in time!
[caption id="attachment_7390" align="alignnone" width="259"] Finished cross stitch including french knots[/caption]