Ann Logan|Cross Stitch Patterns to Download|Latvia

Buy all your supplies for a project at the start. Thread comes in dye lots that may vary slightly between batches.

Use a sharp pair of small scissors to avoid frayed ends on your floss. There are many embroidery scissors or thread clippers to choose from. The most useful size of embroidery scissor for cross stitch is probably 3/12 inch or 4 inch. It is a convenient size for snipping ends of floss while you stitch. Clip the floss with a small tail or with no tail at all. It’s a matter of choice. Beware of ends showing through the fabric. We have many fancy designer scissors and several more plain scissors to choose from. Some of my favorites are by Gingher and they are truly collectors items. They come in a variety of colorful handles and there are new ones every season. Right now the newest one is called Tessa. Store your scissors in the sheath that they come with or in a scissor block if you collect scissors. A scissor block is similar to a knife block.

The best fabric for cross stitch other than even weave fabric and aida is Linen. Linen and evenweave look almost the same. Linen has small slubs in its surface but this wouldnot look so obvious once cross stitches are made. Linen has a beauty unparalleled as well as the weave is very apparent which makes it best for this embroidery.

Set up your main stitching station so that you are comfortable and avoid injury. If you don't have the luxury of a specific place to stitch, chose your perch carefully. Don't sit in an awkward position. Your seating should allow you to work freely, with your arms in a natural stitching position.

You can cross stitch on different kinds of evenweave fabric. It may be evenweave linen, Aida cloth, waste canvas etc. It is largely a matter of your personal preference.
Just remember: the number of stitches per inch (or per cm) can drastically change the look of your ready project.
Fabric with a higher stitch will produce smaller and finer designs.