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| KNOW-HOW |
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Fabric facts
All cross stitch fabric comes in different counts or holes per inch (HPI). The count of your fabric determines the size of your finished stitching. The lower the count of fabric, the fewer stitches per inch, so the larger the design will be.
The count of fabric will also determine the size of the needle you need to use. Size 24 is recommended for 14 count fabric, a size 26 needle for 16 count fabric and above and a size 22 needle for fabrics below 14 count. The needle should always be small enough to pass through the fabric easily without distorting the hole.
Have a look at the fabrics available ...
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1. Blockweave fabrics like aida, have groups of threads woven together to form distinct blocks with holes between each block. Each cross stitch is then worked over one block of the fabric. These fabrics include binca, aida and Hardanger and come in different counts from 8 to 22 HPI and in a variety of colours.
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2. Evenweave fabric including Jobelan has the same number of threads per inch in both directions as its' name implies. It may be made of natural fibres, man made fibres or a blend of both, and it is available in a wide range of colours and counts. The most popular evenweave for cross stitching is 28 count and is usually worked over two threads, giving the same size design as if worked on a 14 count aida.
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3. Linen is also an evenweave fabric which is made from the fibres of the flax plant. It can be quite an expensive fabric but is durable and drapes well, making it perfect for table linen and heirloom projects. As it is woven from natural fibres some of the threads are coarser than others. This gives the fabric a slightly uneven slub which enhances its natural appearance.
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4. Special fabrics are also available. These include lurex, rustico and fabrics with checks woven into them. One of the most popular of the special fabrics is lurex, which is available in both aida and evenweave and has a sparkly thread running through the fabric. Also available are fabrics such as damask which have areas of aida woven into them and are great for stitching tablelinen.
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5. Plastic canvas is made from sheets of plastic punched with a mesh of holes. It is available in 7,10 and 14 count. White, cream and clear are the most popular colours but others are also available. The canvas is washable, doesn't fray and is ideal for making Christmas decorations, mobiles and three dimensional items.
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6. Perforated paper is sold in A4 size sheets of 14 count and can be used in the same way as plastic canvas although it is more fragile. It is ideal for making cards, bookmarks and gift tags and Christmas decorations. The larger holes allow the needle to pass through more easily and help you to avoid tearing the paper by mistake.
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