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#Post#: 56150--------------------------------------------------
Fabric for cross stitch
By: lacoloratura Date: August 18, 2020, 12:09 am
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Hello, fellow stitchers! I have some questions...I have a lot of
experience working with Aida cloth. I started stitching in 5th
grade, over 3 decades ago, and have recently returned to it
after a bit of a hiatus. The other day, I ordered some patterns
that I think will look a lot better on a nicer fabric such as
linen or evenweave. However, I've never used either of those.
The patterns appear pretty intricate/involved (they haven't
arrived yet, so I haven't yet had a good look at them), and
don't want to start with one of these and screw it up due to
inexperience with the fabric. I have a smaller piece of linen
that I could use to practice on, but honestly there isn't really
a smaller project I'm interested in doing. How difficult will it
be to make the switch? Is it really important to bite the bullet
and practice first? And does anyone have a recommendation as to
linen vs. evenweave?
Also, I've read conflicting things about using a hoop or frame
with linen. I first read that you shouldn't, because it can
distort the fabric, but then I've since read that you can. I
find it easier to use my frame with large projects, but I can
imagine having a hard time keeping the fibers straight when
putting it on. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks for any advice you may have!
#Post#: 56152--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fabric for cross stitch
By: Aleko Date: August 18, 2020, 2:17 am
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I have done quite a lot of Eastern European geometrical
cross-stitch on linen and other evenweave fabrics, many of which
weren’t sold as embroidery fabrics but just happened to be a
good clear even weave (some actually came off barrows in street
markets). I don’t go in for big pictorial panels, so I have no
experience of stretching them on a rectangular frame; I use a
hoop, often quite a small one, and move it around the fabric as
I go. Provided I’m careful to get the stretched area of fabric
in the hoop nicely even, and when I take the hoop off let the
fabric relax and smooth it flat (steam it a bit if necessary)
before putting it on another area, it works fine for me.
But I’d never start a project on a fabric that I hadn’t used
before without doing a sampler first. Not a whole “project”:
just a couple of motifs in whatever colour I most want to use up
on a spare bit of fabric. That lets me see how it behaves, how
many threads to a stitch will get me a good size of cross, and
how many floss threads look best.
#Post#: 56259--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fabric for cross stitch
By: Mara Jade Date: August 20, 2020, 2:21 pm
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I've used linen for hardanger, and I usually jump right in. You
might need to check the size, you'll probably want to go over
more than just a 1x1 thread to make a square. But assuming you
have plenty of thread and you start with a neutral color that
won't stain, I don't see why you couldn't just start making your
project. If it's not looking right you can just take it out.
#Post#: 56334--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fabric for cross stitch
By: Sylverbirch Date: August 22, 2020, 8:52 pm
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In my experience, linen is not as great a fabric as you might
think, because the threads themselves are not as even in size.
Evenweave, Lugana or similar are a better bet, and most people
work the patterns over two strands with two strands of floss for
decent coverage. You should certainly practice before
committing because it will give you an idea of how it looks and
feels.
A standard hoop should be fine, unless the fabric is
particularly fine or prone to pulling.
#Post#: 56607--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fabric for cross stitch
By: lacoloratura Date: August 27, 2020, 7:58 pm
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Thanks for the input! I started a smaller project on a piece of
linen I've been holding on to in my stash, and I have to say, so
far I really like working on it! We'll see if I still feel that
way after finishing the project. I'll make my decision about
what kind of fabric to use for the larger project after that. I
think I'll end up ordering a selection of fabrics to try for the
long term. Thanks again!
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