Sages-of-the-World
Everyone has trouble seeing stitches when she/he stitches white on white. The trick is to put a piece of black material behind the canvas. This will provide contrast between canvas and the white thread.
Petra
177 x 107 stitches 20 colors
177 x 107 stitches 20 colors
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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.
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.
Most designs supposed to be done using two strands of embroidery floss. But the floss is usually sold in six strand packaging.
So before threading your needle, you should separate all the 6 strands.
To do it just cut somewhat about 15”-18” (35 - 45 cm) of the thread. Hold it near the top with one hand allowing the bottom to untwist. Now pull each ply upward with the other hand. Carefully - one at a time.
Combine the necessary number of strands (typically two) and save the remaining for the next usage.
So before threading your needle, you should separate all the 6 strands.
To do it just cut somewhat about 15”-18” (35 - 45 cm) of the thread. Hold it near the top with one hand allowing the bottom to untwist. Now pull each ply upward with the other hand. Carefully - one at a time.
Combine the necessary number of strands (typically two) and save the remaining for the next usage.
I assume that you yourself understand this, but still I will say. It is very important to wash your hands before touching the fabric or thread. Of course, you are going to wash the finished cross stitch design, but why make it dirtier?
In case you use a thread or fabric that is hand-dyed wash them in advance so that they do not stain your handwork.
Unwind your thread from time to time. Just leave the needle and let the thread loose - it will unwind itself... Or help it a little to unwind.
Do this every few stitches, otherwise the texture will be uneven and the fabric will show through your stitches too much.
In case you use a thread or fabric that is hand-dyed wash them in advance so that they do not stain your handwork.
Unwind your thread from time to time. Just leave the needle and let the thread loose - it will unwind itself... Or help it a little to unwind.
Do this every few stitches, otherwise the texture will be uneven and the fabric will show through your stitches too much.
Prepare your fabric for the cross stitch work.
You should finish the edges of the fabric you are working with prior to embroidering. This is especially important if you are working a very fraying cloth like aida.
You should finish the edges of the fabric you are working with prior to embroidering. This is especially important if you are working a very fraying cloth like aida.
Most experts recommend prewashing the fabric before you start stitching the designs. Some even wash the floss.I suppose if you suspect that the floss will run it is better to be safe that wait till all the hardwork is over for it to start bleeding all over the work.