Now we will tell you how to choose the right canvas size in centimeters, and what kind of fabric it is in general.
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How to choose cross stitch canvas? Useful guide.


So, you have chosen a pattern and are already going to stitch, but the question arose: what cut of canvas will you need for this? Everyone who is fond of embroidery sooner or later faces this problem. Now we will tell you how to choose the right canvas size in centimeters, and what kind of fabric it is in general.

The most popular cross stitch fabric is Aida canvas. The interweaving of threads in it forms a uniform square with holes into which it is convenient to stick and poke a needle. Aida is a way of weaving threads into fabric. In each square, the threads are intertwined according to the principle – two in the middle and two on the sides. Thanks to this, the squares on which you embroider remain even and do not deform. Whoever the manufacturer of the canvas is, if you see that it is Aida, then the threads in it form special squares for embroidery, which are convenient to work with.

On the label, next to the inscription Aida, there is always a number (sometimes the word “Count” is added). This is the basic information about the size of the squares that you will embroider. The number indicates the number of crosses that fit in one inch. The most popular canvas sizes are Aida 14, 16 and 18. There are also Aida 11 and 22, but these sizes are less commonly used. For example, take 14 Aida. One inch of Aida No. 14 contains 14 crosses.

In order to accurately calculate the size of the fabric, you need to divide the number of crosses in your pattern by the number of the canvas on which you will embroider. And then multiply this number by 2.54, since 1 inch = 2.54 cm. For example, let’s take a 50 x 60 cross pattern.

  • 14 Aida: 50/14 = 3.5 inches x 2.54 = 8.89 cm; 60/14 = 4.2 inches x 2.54 = 10.67.
  • 16 Aida: 50/16 = 3.1 inches x 2.54 = 7.9 cm; 60/16 = 3.75 inches x 2.54 = 9.5 cm
  • 18 Aida: 50/18 = 2.7 inches x 2.54 = 6.85 cm; 60/18 = 3.3 inches x 2.54 = 8.5 cm

As you can see, the same drawing on a different canvas will be of different sizes.

You can also perform a calculation, knowing how many crosses fit in 10 cm of canvas:

  • Aida 11 – 43 crosses in 10 cm
  • Aida 14 – 55 crosses in 10 cm
  • Aida 16 – 63 crosses in 10 cm
  • Aida 18 – 71 crosses in 10 cm
  • Aida 22 – 87 crosses in 10 cm

And now another important point – the allowances necessary for registration. To make the finished embroidery easy to arrange – we need allowances. They should be at least 5 cm on each side – in width and height. If not the entire field is sewn up (partial sewing), then these allowances may be larger. If you leave the finished embroidery in the hoop, then the size of the canvas should be such that it is convenient to neatly hem the edge. To do this, add 5-8 cm to the diameter of the hoop.

A little more about the size of the canvas: often the word “Count” is used when designating the size. To make it easier to understand which canvas number is right for you, focus on the following information:

  • Aida No. 7 is a “children’s” canvas, which is used for learning to embroider. It has a wide weave.
  • Aida No. 11 is a fairly large canvas. Perfect for embroidering simple patterns, for embroidering napkins, tablecloths, runners and pillows.
  • Aida No. 14 is a wonderful canvas size, on which it is quite easy to embroider, and the pattern comes out exquisite and detailed.
  • Aida No. 16 – used in embroidery with well-designed details, the most common canvas size.
  • Aida No. 18 is a canvas for people with good eyesight who embroider exquisite and intricate work.

Embroidery on such a canvas comes out “dotted”, very detailed. As you can see, nothing difficult. We hope that this information will be helpful.

Happy cross stitch!

How to start cross stitch for beginners
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How to start cross stitch for beginners

Let’s start to stitch!
For the convenience of embroidery, before starting work, you need to put a marking on the canvas. It is most convenient to do the markup in increments of 10 cells. Marking is usually applied with special markers. They come in two types: flushing (with a wet cloth) and disappearing within 24-72 hours. Also, lovers of needlework make markings with the help of threads – sew on the canvas. Make sure that your markup is directed not to the drawing, but to the fields. It is undesirable to apply markup with a simple pencil. It is very poorly washed off.

The edges of the product are processed manually with a looped seam or on an overlock. Another way is to smear the edges with glue, which is easily washed off after finishing the work. Such actions will prevent the edges of the work from crumbling and make it more accurate.

If the embroidery is not very large, it is convenient to start stitching from the middle. To do this, you need to determine the center of the canvas piece and the center of the scheme, or embroidery. It is easy to do this by folding the canvas in half. In our diagrams, the center is indicated by black triangles around the perimeter of the diagram.

When there are a lot of canvases, they embroider from the corner. Depending on which way the cross of the embroiderer lies, they start from the lower left or right corner. But be sure to lower it, since when embroidery is done from top to bottom, the drawing is closed.

Filling the thread into the needle

It seems to be a simple action – and how sometimes you have to suffer! You can use a threader, but even it does not always save the situation. When filling the thread into the needle, the end of the thread should be flat. Moisten the thread with water and flatten it.

If you need to thread a larger number of threads or woolen thread, you can use the following technique: pinch off a small piece of cotton wool, literally a few fibers. Wind them on the end of the thread. At the same time, a thin continuation of the thread is formed, but already from cotton fibers. Thread the needle, and then remove the cotton wool from the tip.

Fixing the thread on the fabric

If we stitch in two threads: a very convenient option is to take a double-length thread and fold it in half. Make the first stitch and fasten the thread by passing the needle into the loop that formed when folding the thread.

If the number of threads is odd: inject a needle into the weave of the canvas, stretch through 2-3 cells. On top of the resulting stitches, we perform cross-stitch, as if sewing these stitches.

If we stitch in one thread: we fix the thread by passing it through one cell of the canvas, and sewing it on top with a cross.

Seam “cross”

Seam “cross” is two crossed stitches. When performing it, it is necessary to ensure that the upper stitch is directed in one direction. Having secured the thread folded in half, we bring it to the front side and make a stitch from the lower left corner to the upper right. We perform the required number of semi-cross stitches. Then we close the semi-crosses with a stitch from the upper left to the lower right corner. Horizontal stripes are obtained from the inside out.

When stitchng, make sure that the upper stitches of the cross have the same slope. Otherwise, the same color will have different shades.

Do not make long broaches (longer than 2 cm) – they may sag or tighten the fabric, it is translucent. Watch the thread tension – it should be uniform. At the end of the embroidery or when the thread ends, skip the tail on the wrong side through a few stitches.

About the underside

In our opinion, the wrong side should be neat.The wrong side should be perfect if you are embroidering a shirt or a towel. After all, the wrong side will be visible.But if you embroider a picture, then there is nothing to worry about if there are a few tails and short transitions on your underside, for a few stitches.

Good luck!

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What is Hoop Art? How to arrange embroidery unusually.
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What is Hoop Art? How to arrange embroidery unusually.

Today we want to tell you about such a relatively new direction in cross stitch design as Hoop Art. This style is rapidly winning the hearts of people around the world, so this is a good reason to adjust to the trend and start doing something similar.

Hoop Art is translated from English as “art in embroidery frames”.

The essence of this direction is to make ready-made embroidery not in traditional frames, but in embroidery frames. After the embroidery is finished, the edges of the canvas are simply bent from behind and masked with felt. The work as a result looks neat and original. Moreover, for such a design, both ordinary wooden hoops and special frame hoops are suitable.

But it is obvious that not all embroidery designs are suitable for hoop art, but only small pictures, since a large canvas will not look so interesting. Although here, of course, everything depends on your imagination and creativity.

Below we have made a small selection of examples of decorated works in the style of hoop art.

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Blends. What is it? How to do and where to use?

Today we have prepared for you another educational issue on the topic of cross-stitch for beginners. And the topic of today’s article will be blends. Very often, at the sight of such an element in a ready-made kit or a pattern, novice embroiderers get scared, preferring to choose what they already know.

In fact, there is nothing difficult and scary about blends, it’s easy to make them, but the result can be impressive.

What is blends?

So what is this element. To begin with, it is worth paying attention to the meaning and translation of this word. Then everything immediately becomes clear.

Words meaning

This term came from the English word blend, which means mix.

As it is easy to guess now, a blend is just a mixture of threads of different colors for some symbol in embroidery. If we consider that embroidery is usually done in two threads of the same color, (for example, brown), then the blend is the same thread in two threads, but one of them will be brown, and the second will be light brown.

When and how to use blends

Blends are usually used in two cases:

  • When you need to get an intermediate shade (for example, between dark brown and light brown), thereby making a smooth transition from one color to another. Something like blurring the borders between colors.
  • Or when you need to achieve some special effect.
  • And if in the first case the blend can still be replaced with a color from the manufacturer’s palette, then in the second case it is simply impossible to do without a blend.

As you see, blends is a quite simple element.

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