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Choosing a Cross Stitch or Needlework Fabric
This
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
(Plain Weave), Hardanger, Canvas, specialty fabrics, like Afghan
and 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 some, like Aida Country
French are very, very soft. They even smell different depending on what kind of
material they are made out of and how they were dyed.
There are also many
different colors in all of these groups to choose from. White, off
white, ecru, ivory, mushroom, cream and variations of white being the most used and
widely available. When choosing a color you want to find something that
compliments your design colors, but allows the design to show up well.
White is generally a safe bet, but 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 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 or antiqued.
One of the
most popular and easy to use fabrics for cross stitch is
Aida fabric. It’s 100% cotton.
Aida was invented in 1890 especially for cross stitch. It is
sometimes called "The Cross Stitch Fabric". 14
count is the most widely used in the group with the most color choices,
followed by 16 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.
Aida 14 Count Sample
Hardanger
is 100% cotton with 22 counts. Hardanger is a method of embroidery
and Hardanger fabric was designed specifically for it. Hardanger
embroidery used to be worked on linen years ago. It originated in
the Hardanger region of Norway 100's of 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.
Hardanger 22 Count Sample
Linens have the appearance of a basket
weave. Linen offers a more “old fashioned” look to a piece.
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.
Linen 32 Count Sample
Even Weaves (Plain
Weaves) are most often cotton
fabric. 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..
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 a 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.
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.
Gloria, 14 count Afghan fabric
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.
Waste
canvas
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