Cross Stitch
Basic Cross Stitch Tips for Beginners
The art or craft of cross stitch is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Easy to learn and do, ‘cross stitch’ is simply embroidery stitched with lots of little ‘X’ stitches to create a lovely design. This fun craft is sometimes referred to as ‘counted cross-stitch’ because the pattern and fabric require the crafter to count the number spaces to know where to place the stitches.
Most often, cross stitch patterns are done using a woven fabric called Aida cloth. Some advanced stitchers create designs on other types of fabrics using a special backing to help keep the stitching uniform. The kind of fabric you use depends on your skill level and the type of design you’re creating. I’ve cross stitched designs on my children’s clothing, bedding and other items for my home and as gifts.
Skilled cross stitch crafters create beautiful projects by stitching on plastic and various different papers as well. Gift cards and scrapbook designs may be made by stitching on paper of varying thickness and fiber.
Of course you can’t cross stitch without the proper thread. The threads used in counted cross stitch range from basic cotton, to wool or silk threads. Usually very colorful, embroidery floss as it’s called, comes in all kinds of colors and textures for you to play with.
If you’re just beginning to consider learning to cross stitch, your best bet is to learn about the craft itself before you start buying supplies. Your local craft store, bookstore, or library will most likely have several books available that will teach you and provide easy patterns to start with.
Once you know what’s expected of you in the craft of cross stitching, you’ll want to find some easy projects to begin with that will allow you to learn as you go. You’ll want to start with a project that requires only a few colors of thread and a larger weave Aida cloth. By doing so, you’ll prevent a lot of unnecessary learner’s frustration.
When you sit down to start your first cross stitch project, you’ll want to have all of your materials available and easy to get to. Start out by reading through the project instructions. You’ll want to look over your pattern and make sure that you understand all of the jargon and markings that you may find on the pattern. There will be a color key that you’ll need to understand so that you use the correct thread color. Make sure to have a pencil handy to make notes or Your Own marks on the pattern for later reference.
Cross stitching requires you to use a six strand of floss or thread and separate it into individual threads. Your pattern will tell you how many threads you’ll use at a time. Most often, the larger the weave of your fabric, the more strands of embroidery floss you’ll need at a time. Don’t rewind your floss and by all means don’t let it get tangled or bunched up. Your end project will look flat and even if you take care of your floss.
One key factor in learning to cross stitch is remembering not to knot your thread. Knotting threads in a cross stitch project will Make Your end result look lumpy and uneven; not a good thing. Just pull your thread through your Aida cloth and make sure to leave a length of thread on the end in the back. You can keep the bit of tail from going completely through the fabric by holding onto it on the back of your fabric as you make your first couple of stitches; they will overlap and hold the thread in place. You may have to practice this easy technique a few times, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough.
Another handy cross stitching tip is when you’re ready to change thread colors, just simply pull your needle through the stitches on the back of your fabric to hold your thread before you snip it off with scissors. Make sure to leave a little bit of thread so that it does not come loose and unstitched. Change your thread color and start on the next area of your project as you did before. And during the stitching process, remember to drop your needle every few stitches, meaning, just hold your project in one hand and let the attached needle and thread dangle from the fabric so that the thread unwinds and your next few stitches will be flat.
I can remember learning to cross stitch from a school librarian when I was a young girl. She eased my newbie anxiety with this phrase: ‘If you have one eye and half a brain you can cross stitch.’ Now, perhaps that may offend some avid cross stitchers, but she didn’t mean it in derogatory way. Only that cross stitching is an easy to learn and do craft that just about anyone can master. I mastered it in the 1980’s and stitched on anything I could get a needle through and even taught classes to school kids myself as an adult. The biggest problem I and most other cross stitchers have is the addiction of the craft. One thing to keep in mind is to control the number of kits you buy or you’ll find yourself with drawers of unfinished projects. Have fun and keep on stitchin’!
About the Author
Learn more about crafting and find free patterns for cross stitch and all sorts of craft projects at ‘Free Craft Ideas’ http://freecraftideas.homestead.com . Find all of the free clip art you need for scrapbooking and other craft projects at ‘Free Baby and Kids Clip Art’ http://freebabyandkidsclipart.homestead.com
Cross Stitch In 5 Minutes from Yarn Tree
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LoRan Magnet Board 6 x 10 $2.74 LoRan-Magnetic Board. Designed especially for cross stitch and embroidery charts, leaflets, books and other printed material. This package contains three LoRan magnet strips and a 6×10″ board. Made in USA…. |
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Devon Dresser Tray & FREE Pattern $29.99 Exclusive! Display your needlework in style! Wooden 13-1/2 x 8-1/2″ (34 x 22cm) oval dresser tray includes a FREE counted cross-stitch pattern. Size approximate…. |
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Spirit of Cross Stitch Video Library (11 VHS Video Set) [Missing volume 4, diagrams included in all but Vol. 1 and 8] Over 15 hours of instruction! The Spirit of Cross Stitch with Jean Farish Huls offers a wide range of needlework techniques featuring exclusive projects. Follow step-by-step instructions, learn at your own pace, choose your own schedule, watch animated stitch diagrams. CONTENTS: 1) Pulled and Drawn Thread 2) Linen Ban… |
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Spirit of Cross Stitch with Jean Farish Huls Volume 6 : Hardanger Heirloom $12.79 Andis Illuminator Tourmaline Ionic AC Motor Dryer 1875 Watts Item Number: 82090 Silky radiance, fuller form, faster drying – No-heat LED lights illuminate each section of hair, letting you view the form as you style, preventing over-drying and hair damage. Tourmaline infuses each hair shaft with negative ions, breaking up water molecules for 60% faster drying times, while sealing natural moistur… |
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Crochet Stitches In Motion $10.47 With this groundbreaking DVD it is so easy now to improve your crocheting and increase your confidence. Simply sit shoulder-to-shoulder with a friendly expert as she puts crochet in motion for you. With close-up photos from the crocheter’s point of view you will learn 12 intriguing pattern stitches that can energize your projects. The Stitch-Along format automatically pauses periodically waiting u… |
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Snow Babies It’s Snowing Cross Stitch Kit It’s snowing snow babies counted cross stitch kit. Snow babies are loved by all and collected by many. His cross stitch kit is perfect for anyone. You could give the kit as a gift to someone who loves to stitch or make it yourself and gift it as a gift. K… |
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Futura Auto Cross-Stitch Software for CE-150 and CE-250 $169.00 Since 1851, the name Singer has been synonymous with sewing. The spirit of practical design and creative innovation that characterized the company at its beginning continues today as we develop products for every level of sewing. They have celebrated many firsts, including the world’s first zig-zag machine, the first electronic machines and they now proudly produce the world’s most advanced home s… |
December 23, 2010 8:58 pm 
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