Choosing a cross stitch,
Hardanger, Needlepoint, or needlework fabric can be a daunting task with the plethora of
choices out there. There are several different categories of cross
stitch fabric: Aida, Linen, Even Weave
(for example: Jobelan and Lugana), Hardanger, Canvas, specialty fabrics,
as well as Afghan fabrics, Hand Dyed fabrics and more.
Each of the different kinds of fabric have a unique texture, feel and
sheen. Some, like Linen are very stiff and others, like Aida Country
French are very, very soft. Fabrics even smell different depending on what kind of
material they are made out of and how they were dyed.
Our fabric comes in 3 standard sizes. A Fat Quarter, Fat Half and Full
Yard. Here is a video tutorial describing how fabric is sized and
cut down...
Fabrics can be made of many different materials as well. 100%
cotton, rayon, canvas, polyester, linen, a mix of several textiles, etc. The types of fabric also
absorb the dye differently. Linen is very absorbent and takes on
color well. Rayon, and polyester fabrics don't absorb dye as well.
If you are not sure what type of fabric you are looking for or you are
interested in trying something different for your next project, purchase
some of our
fabric
swatches. Then you can feel and see the different types of
fabric for yourself without having to commit to it for a whole project.
There are also many
different colors in all of the fabric groups to choose from. White, off
white, ecru, ivory, mushroom, cream, black, and variations of white being the most used and
widely available. When choosing a color for a project, you want to find something that
compliments your design colors, but allows the design to show up well.
White is generally a safe bet, however for a more unique look, choose a
beautiful color. There are also Hand Dyed fabrics that come in
variegated colors that are very unique as well. Opalescent hand
dyed fabrics add sparkle to your design. They are prefect for a
night sky or a water effect. Hand dyed fabrics make your project come alive.
Natural color fabrics like Dirty Aida, Mushroom, Natural Light, Brown Undyed, Chestnut, etc. make a design look old fashioned,
classic, or antiqued. The darker the fabric, the more
difficult to see the holes in the fabric to stitch I have noticed.
The metallic fabrics can be difficult to see as well while stitching,
but if you can manage it they turn out just beautifully. The hand
dyed fabrics can lose some of their shape and that can make it more
difficult to see the holes when sewing as well. Once again, if you can
handle the variation in the hand dyed fabirc, there is nothing like a
specialty dyed fabric to add beauty
and dimension to your project. I have won several ribbons on
projects that I used a hand dyed fabric. It really brings your
project alive.
We carry fabric from a
few different companies known for quality. Permin of Copenhagen
(Scandinavian Art Needlework) was started in 1854 by Christian
Permin in Copenhagen Denmark. His son Carl eventually took over
the business and then his son. Their main focus at the time
was embroidered house wears. However, during WWII their focus
changed due to tough economic times. They took advantage of the
"do it yourself" movement of the time and started to create graphs or
embroidery charts so customers could do their own embroidery work.
The first printed color chart was made in 1953. Amazing. Now
they make needlework and cross stitch fabric, patterns, kits and
accessories for needle work. We carry several of their linens, and
cross stitch kits.
One of the
most popular and easy to use fabrics for cross stitch is
Aida fabric.
Most people learn to cross stitch on Aida fabric. Aida
fabric is generally 100% cotton.
Aida was invented in 1890 specifically for cross stitch. It is
often referred to as "The Cross Stitch Fabric". 14
count is the most widely used in the group with the most color choices,
followed by 16, 18 and then 11 count fabric.
Aida fabric consists of small squares that make it easy to count and even
to stitch. Aida is in fact an even weave fabric. It comes in several different counts as large as Herta (6
count) and fine as 20 count. Herta is often used for teaching children
or beginners to cross stitch because it is easy to see. 18 and 20 count
fabrics are for more experienced cross stitchers that are looking for a
finer or more detailed look to their piece.
Aida
Country French is a cotton Aida even weave that has a soft, luxurious
texture. It is great for baby quilts, clothing or washable items.
It drapes nicely and comes in a variety of neutral colors. It does
however fray quite easily, so it is best to surge or tape the edges when
working with it.
Aida 14 Count Sample
Hardanger
is made of 100% cotton and it is usually a 22 count fabric. Hardanger is a method of embroidery
and Hardanger fabric was designed specifically for it. Hardanger
embroidery used to be worked on linen years ago. Hardanger as we
know it today originated in
the Hardanger region of Norway several hundred years ago. Eventually,
Norwegian immigrants brought it to the Untied States
Hardanger fabric is usually imported from European cities. It is generally used for
embroidery, but can be used by cross stitchers looking for delicate
detail. It is often used by stitchers for projects like
ornaments and doilies. There are pattern designs just for
Hardanger. You can even make clothing out of Hardanger
fabric. Hardanger projects make wonderful heirlooms. For more
information about Hardanger, please read our
Hardanger
tips section.
Hardanger 22 Count Sample
Linens have the appearance of a basket
weave. Linen offers a more “old fashioned” look to a piece.
It has a very rustic look to it, especially in the more neutral colors
like "raw linen".
The fabric has a very "crisp" feel. They are
more difficult to use then Aidas because it requires more skill to
control the tension of the floss for even stitches. Linens are great
for detailed designs and experienced stitchers. Linens are
generally stitched over two. They come in several
different counts with 32 and 28 counts being the most prevalent.
When stitched over two, 32 count becomes a 16 count, and 28 count
becomes a 14 count.
Linen and Linen Blends come in many, many different colors. There
are several types of linen to choose from like
Belfast,
Cashel,
Betsy Ross, Chester, Cork,
Country French,
Dublin,
Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Graziano,
Hand Dyed, Hardanger, Pearl, Rosenstand, Silk, and
Weaver.
Betsy
Ross Linen comes in 10 count and it is made of 100% linen woven in
a unique fashion ( Similar to Aida weave) to give it the old rustic
look. Ideal for the ''tired eye" projects as well as any designs
of your choice. Linen is a very traditional fabric and most
project were worked on linen in the early history of cross stitch, and
Hardanger embroidery.
Nora Corbett has also come up with a gorgeous line of
fabrics to go with her more recent patterns. The colors are very
unique and soft. Currently, they come in 16 count Aida and 32
count Linen. The line of cross stitch fabric is called,
Hand Picked by Nora. I keep all of her fabrics IN STOCK.
Linen 32 Count Sample
Even Weaves (Plain
Weaves) are often made of cotton. The warp and weft thread count is the same. These fabrics come in many colors. There are several
different types like Davosa, Janina, Lugana,
Jazlyn (52% Cotton and 48%
Rayon), Linda, Annabelle, Jubilee,
Aida and Jobelan.
Jobelan
is one of the most popular because of it's elegant, soft, smooth sheen
and large variety of colors, including hand dyed fabrics.
Jobelan
also
drapes nicely.
Davos
is made of 100% cotton twist yarn and it is great for all types of
stitching. It's a relatively thick fabric and is ideal for
clothing, pillows and other items and gives a soft supple look. It
comes in a small range of neutral colors.
Lugana is also a heavy
fabric that is very versatile and similar to a Jobelan. Lugana
comes in many colors and it is a blend of 52% cotton and 48% Viscose.
Did you know that Lugana used to be called Brittney fabric?
Lugana is a soft, heavy,
even weave fabric that is easy to count and great for cross stitch. It
comes in many colors and a few different counts like 25, 28 and 32
counts with the most color choices in 25 count.
Lugana is an elegant fabric for
table linens, samplers, pillows, and other decorative accessories.
Lugana is also a great choice for Hardanger projects. It
is made of 52% cotton/48% rayon blend.
Salem
Cloth is made from a special blend of polyester and rayon yards.
Perfect for projects requiring soft, machine washable, soil and wrinkle
resistant fabric. It is a good alternative to Aida fabric.
Salem cloth is relatively inexpensive for cross stitch fabric. It
come in just a few neutral colors.
Jobelan 28 Count Sample
Hand Dyed Fabrics
have a very unique look. They come in
Linens,
Even Weaves,
Aida and other traditional fabrics. They are excellent for an
interesting or unusual background. Hand dyed
opalescent fabrics are an incredible touch to any project.
Opalescent fabrics have a shinny thread weaved through out the fabric to
give it sparkle. They are excellent for a night time back ground
with shimmering stars. Black or dark blue based
opalescent fabric works best. Most of our hand dyed fabrics are
supplied by
Picture
this Plus. Their fabrics are washable, soft in texture, and
colorfast. Picture This Plus uses Zweigart fabric for their hand
dyed fabrics. Types of fabric take on dye differently. A
linen is very porous, thus it soaks up dye well. Where as a Lugana
is a smoother fabric and does not soak up dye as easily. If you
are looking for a dark color, it is usually best to go with the Linen
fabrics in the hand dyed section. If you are looking for a more
subtle effect, fabrics like Lugana, Aida, etc. are a good choice.
The hand dyed fabrics are all very unique. No two are exactly
alike. Hand dyed fabrics come in a plethora of colors.
There are endless choices to choose from. The hand dyed fabrics
are a special order. They are made for each individual customer so
each one is unique. You will have a one of a kind project to show
off to your friends.
Hand Dyed - Linen Babbling Brook
Perforated Paper was used by those that could not afford Linen in
the Victorian era. During the Victorian era, most perforated
paper projects consisted of bookmarks or bible verses made into
samplers that were hung on the wall. It is still used today for the same purposes.
It comes in a variety of solid and marbled colors and is generally 14 count.
Perforated paper is often used to make ornaments and bookmarks.
Perforated Paper -Hand Painted 14 Count
Afghan
fabrics. Afghan fabric is often referred to as patterned
fabric. There are several different types of afghan fabric to
choose from.
Abby Cloth,
Alba, Almanac, Andrea,
Alpine,
Gloria,
Hearthside
and many, many more. They come in different counts and different
styles. Some have a large center for a center theme to the afghan.
Others are in patterns of squares. There are many
cross stitch patterns to choose from that are designed for afghans.
There are also some great baby afghans by companies like Charles Craft
and Zweigart like the
Baby Alphabet Afghan by Charles Craft.
Waste
Canvas is used to stitch your design on fabrics that are not cross
stitch friendly, like denim or T-shit cotton fabric, and table cloths
and napkins. Waste canvas
comes in many different counts from 6.5 to 20 count. Waste canvas
is marked with a grid, usually in blue that breaks the canvas down into
10 count squares (just like a pattern) that makes it easy to count
and to position your design in the center. Some people choose to
use some fabric on the inside of the material they are stitching on to
give added support to their stitches. This is called interfacing.
Using a 6 stranded floss, you will generally stitch with two strands of
floss. However, this is something that is left up to you to
decide. If you are concerned that the floss colors will run, than
you can soak each color of floss in water to remove any excess dye
before stitching. To begin your design, be sure to center
the waste canvas on your shirt, blue jeans, etc. You can baste or
pin your waste canvas and interfacing to your project.
Be sure to secure your floss firmly so it doesn't come undone when you
wash your garment. Once you have stitched your design to your
garment and you are finished, wet your waste canvas and gently pull it
out from under your design so that all that is left is the design you
have stitched on your garment. It is best to wash your garment
turned inside out. Make sure the edges of your interfacing are
trimmed close to the design so as not to be caught during the washing
process and pulled off.
