WHAT IS CROSS STITCH?
Cross Stitch is one of the easiest stitches to learn. It starts with a simple X shaped stitch that is commonly embroidered with floss on a fabric. The cross stitch is repeated numerous times to create a design. Counted cross stitch designs are made by following a grid or chart where each square that contains a symbol represents 1 stitch.
Cross Stitch is one of the easiest stitches to learn. It starts with a simple X shaped stitch that is commonly embroidered with floss on a fabric. The cross stitch is repeated numerous times to create a design. Counted cross stitch designs are made by following a grid or chart where each square that contains a symbol represents 1 stitch.
SIX BASIC STITCHES USED IN CROSS STITCH EMBROIDERY NOTE:
Half stitches, quarter stitches and three-quarter stitches are commonly called fractional stitches because they are divisions of the cross stitch. Fractional stitches are considered advanced stitches and are recommended for more experienced stitchers.
Half stitches, quarter stitches and three-quarter stitches are commonly called fractional stitches because they are divisions of the cross stitch. Fractional stitches are considered advanced stitches and are recommended for more experienced stitchers.
- Cross Stitch – A Cross Stitch is an x-shaped embroidery stitch
- Half Stitch - The Half Stich is a diagonal stitch that goes from one corner of the fabric square to the opposite corner. Some designs use the half stitch to add interest and texture to backgrounds and shadows.
- Quarter Stitch – A quarter stitch resembles a half stitch but is half its length and only extends into the center of the stitching square. Quarter stitches are often used to create details or to complete a three quarter stitch that has been stitched in a different color.
- Three Quarter Stitch –Three Quarter stitches are used to create curved design lines. This fractional stitch makes it possible to add detail to the otherwise “blocky” look of traditional cross stitch.
- Back Stitch – A back stitch is a straight stitch used for outlining or lettering. These stitches form lines and are used to outline shapes or to add fine detail to your design.
- French Knot – The French Knot is a popular decorative stitch used in cross stitch to add detail. French knots look great clustered together to create texture, or individually to serve as a center of a flower, or eyes to an animal on your design.
QUICK START TO CROSS STITCHING
Get the basics! Counted Cross stitch is one of the easiest forms of embroidery – Warning! It is highly addictive!
TOOL KIT:
PREP YOUR SUPPLIES
Separate your Floss - DMC Embroidery Floss is composed of six strands that are twisted together and easy to separate. Many cross stitch designs stitched on 14-count aida call for only two strands of floss, so you will need to separate your floss. Refer to your design chart to see how many strands (or plies) of floss the design specifies.
Get the basics! Counted Cross stitch is one of the easiest forms of embroidery – Warning! It is highly addictive!
TOOL KIT:
- Embroidery Hoop
PREP YOUR SUPPLIES
Separate your Floss - DMC Embroidery Floss is composed of six strands that are twisted together and easy to separate. Many cross stitch designs stitched on 14-count aida call for only two strands of floss, so you will need to separate your floss. Refer to your design chart to see how many strands (or plies) of floss the design specifies.
Find the end of the thread on your skein of DMC Floss. Slowly pull the end out from the skein until you have an 18” length of floss and cut it off. To separate the floss into individual strands, pull one strand up and out slowly until it is completely separated from the remaining strands. Continue to pull out the number of strands you need to stitch with. To rejoin the threads, hold them together at one end then gently stroke the lengths to smooth and recombine them.
Prepare Fabric - To know where to begin a cross stitch design, it is helpful to find the center of your fabric. Fold your fabric in half and then in half again, where the two folds intersect is the middle point. Place your fabric into an embroidery hoop.
Thread
your needle - Follow
this handy needle threading guide to thread your needle with the DMC Needle
Threader.
READING THE DESIGN CHART
Your design chart contains all the information you need to stitch your design. A thread color key shows the symbols that correspond to each color. The squares on the design chart correspond to the squares on the fabric. Every square on the design chart that requires a stitch will contain a symbol. It is important that you center your design. Follow the four arrows on the design, where they all intersect is the center point. It is easiest to start stitching from the center of the design, but choose a section where you feel most comfortable.
The most common stitch on your chart is the cross stitch. Where the square on your Design Chart contains a symbol taking up the full square, a full cross stitch is required. The second most common stitch is the back stitch. Back stitches are generally used as outlining or lettering. When a square contains a straight line or dotted line that join two corners, a back stitch is required. Less common stitches are half stitches, quarter stitches and three quarter stitches, also referred to as fractional stitches.
Your design chart contains all the information you need to stitch your design. A thread color key shows the symbols that correspond to each color. The squares on the design chart correspond to the squares on the fabric. Every square on the design chart that requires a stitch will contain a symbol. It is important that you center your design. Follow the four arrows on the design, where they all intersect is the center point. It is easiest to start stitching from the center of the design, but choose a section where you feel most comfortable.
The most common stitch on your chart is the cross stitch. Where the square on your Design Chart contains a symbol taking up the full square, a full cross stitch is required. The second most common stitch is the back stitch. Back stitches are generally used as outlining or lettering. When a square contains a straight line or dotted line that join two corners, a back stitch is required. Less common stitches are half stitches, quarter stitches and three quarter stitches, also referred to as fractional stitches.
LET’S START TO STITCH!
Start stitching by pulling the threaded needle up onto the front side of the fabric, leaving a 1” tail of thread on the back. Hold the tail of thread against the back of the fabric in the direction you plan to stitch and work the first 4 to 5 stitches ovsecure it into place. Be sure to check the backside to confirm that your stitches are covering the thread and clip any loose ends before continuing to stitch.To end a thread, run your threaded needle under the last few stiches on the back of the aida, then clip off the end of the thread. After you re-thread the needle to continue, simply run the needle under several stitches on the back to secure the thread and resume stitching.
Start stitching by pulling the threaded needle up onto the front side of the fabric, leaving a 1” tail of thread on the back. Hold the tail of thread against the back of the fabric in the direction you plan to stitch and work the first 4 to 5 stitches ovsecure it into place. Be sure to check the backside to confirm that your stitches are covering the thread and clip any loose ends before continuing to stitch.To end a thread, run your threaded needle under the last few stiches on the back of the aida, then clip off the end of the thread. After you re-thread the needle to continue, simply run the needle under several stitches on the back to secure the thread and resume stitching.
Quick
Tip:
When stitching make sure your thread lies flat. If your thread becomes twisted while stitching, drop the needle and allow the needle to hang freely. The thread will untwist by itself. Cross stitch is usually worked in horizontal rows from left to right. To make a cross stitch bring the needle up at point 1, lower left hole of one square of the fabric and down at point 2 upper right hole of one square of the fabric. Then up at 3 down at 4, up at 5 down at 6. Complete the row. To complete your cross stitches The return row is stitched right to left, make crosses by bringing the needle up at 9 and down at 10, up at 11 down at 12. Complete the return row and repeat the stitching sequence until the area is stitched as charted.
Need more information? Just give a call, we can help!
When stitching make sure your thread lies flat. If your thread becomes twisted while stitching, drop the needle and allow the needle to hang freely. The thread will untwist by itself. Cross stitch is usually worked in horizontal rows from left to right. To make a cross stitch bring the needle up at point 1, lower left hole of one square of the fabric and down at point 2 upper right hole of one square of the fabric. Then up at 3 down at 4, up at 5 down at 6. Complete the row. To complete your cross stitches The return row is stitched right to left, make crosses by bringing the needle up at 9 and down at 10, up at 11 down at 12. Complete the return row and repeat the stitching sequence until the area is stitched as charted.
Need more information? Just give a call, we can help!
