Cross Stitch|
Oct
14
Filed Under (Photo Album) by Kert
Christiane Potts asked:
As a beginning cross stitcher, it is best to work with Aida fabric in 11 or 14 count. When starting out, it is important to choose a light colored fabric so the holes will show up more easily. Even experienced cross stitchers understand the difficulties in using dark fabrics and only use them when necessary. Whether a beginner or experienced stitcher, it is important to look for fabric that is rolled, not folded. Folded fabrics can have creases in them that are extremely difficult to get out.
Floss
Embroidery floss, a thread composed of six loosely-twisted strands, is generally available in cotton, silk or rayon. There are several brands of embroidery floss, including DMC, J & P Coats, and Anchor. The biggest consideration when choosing a brand of floss is its availability in your area, including the selection of colors within each brand in the store. Of course, in these days of ecommerce, brands are available in any color and amount in online stores.
Once a brand is decided upon, it is very important to stay with that brand since even a slight color variation will show up in a project. That being said, it is also very important to buy more than enough floss in each color so a project can be finished without buying more. Occasionally a floss maker will need to remake the dye for a batch of floss and will make the new batch with a small square or other symbol next to the floss’ dye lot number.
Needles
A good needle can make the difference between enjoying a project and hating it since it is the main tool you will be using to do your work. Beyond creating a bad experience, poor quality needles can ruin your work by causing frayed floss, staining from rusting, and pulling.
Match the needle to your thread size. The correct-size needle should be only slightly thicker at the eye than the thickness of your thread, making a hole in the fabric that the thread can pass through easily.
Match the needle to your fabric and embroidery technique. Sharp-tipped crewel or chenille needles work best for projects requiring you to stitch through the fabric. Blunt-tipped tapestry needles are suitable for stitches worked on fabrics with ready-made holes, such as Aida for cross-stitch.
Scissors
The most important pair of scissors do not have to be expensive, but they should be sharp enough to cut through floss without fraying it. A small pair is all that’s needed for the small snips needed for floss. The Transportation Security Administration has eased restrictions on scissors so metal scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches are now allowed, but should be securely wrapped to prevent injury to inspectors making it possible to take embroidery scissors on the plane.
If there is a need to cut fabric, it is important to have a pair of scissors that have not been used for any other purpose to ensure that the cut is sharp and clean and that there is no foreign matter like grease transferred to the fabric.
Embroidery Hoop
While some stitchers prefer to work their fabric by hand, many will opt for the help of an embroidery hoop to keep the area in which they are working taut. Hoops are available in plastic or wood (the vintage metal hoops with cork insides should definitely be avoided!), in many different sizes. Standard, round lap hoops range from four to twelve inches.
Floss Organizer
While not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to have a way to keep track of your floss while working on a project. While there are many products available to purchase, in the beginning it is just as easy to punch holes in a sturdy piece of cardboard, write floss number by a hole and secure the corresponding floss in the hole.
JONAS
___________________________________________________________________
As a beginning cross stitcher, it is best to work with Aida fabric in 11 or 14 count. When starting out, it is important to choose a light colored fabric so the holes will show up more easily. Even experienced cross stitchers understand the difficulties in using dark fabrics and only use them when necessary. Whether a beginner or experienced stitcher, it is important to look for fabric that is rolled, not folded. Folded fabrics can have creases in them that are extremely difficult to get out.
Floss
Embroidery floss, a thread composed of six loosely-twisted strands, is generally available in cotton, silk or rayon. There are several brands of embroidery floss, including DMC, J & P Coats, and Anchor. The biggest consideration when choosing a brand of floss is its availability in your area, including the selection of colors within each brand in the store. Of course, in these days of ecommerce, brands are available in any color and amount in online stores.
Once a brand is decided upon, it is very important to stay with that brand since even a slight color variation will show up in a project. That being said, it is also very important to buy more than enough floss in each color so a project can be finished without buying more. Occasionally a floss maker will need to remake the dye for a batch of floss and will make the new batch with a small square or other symbol next to the floss’ dye lot number.
Needles
A good needle can make the difference between enjoying a project and hating it since it is the main tool you will be using to do your work. Beyond creating a bad experience, poor quality needles can ruin your work by causing frayed floss, staining from rusting, and pulling.
Match the needle to your thread size. The correct-size needle should be only slightly thicker at the eye than the thickness of your thread, making a hole in the fabric that the thread can pass through easily.
Match the needle to your fabric and embroidery technique. Sharp-tipped crewel or chenille needles work best for projects requiring you to stitch through the fabric. Blunt-tipped tapestry needles are suitable for stitches worked on fabrics with ready-made holes, such as Aida for cross-stitch.
Scissors
The most important pair of scissors do not have to be expensive, but they should be sharp enough to cut through floss without fraying it. A small pair is all that’s needed for the small snips needed for floss. The Transportation Security Administration has eased restrictions on scissors so metal scissors with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches are now allowed, but should be securely wrapped to prevent injury to inspectors making it possible to take embroidery scissors on the plane.
If there is a need to cut fabric, it is important to have a pair of scissors that have not been used for any other purpose to ensure that the cut is sharp and clean and that there is no foreign matter like grease transferred to the fabric.
Embroidery Hoop
While some stitchers prefer to work their fabric by hand, many will opt for the help of an embroidery hoop to keep the area in which they are working taut. Hoops are available in plastic or wood (the vintage metal hoops with cork insides should definitely be avoided!), in many different sizes. Standard, round lap hoops range from four to twelve inches.
Floss Organizer
While not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to have a way to keep track of your floss while working on a project. While there are many products available to purchase, in the beginning it is just as easy to punch holes in a sturdy piece of cardboard, write floss number by a hole and secure the corresponding floss in the hole.
JONAS
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