Improving Your Stitch: Cross Stitch Tips

In homage to our beloved Kingpin and because this is one of the simple beginner's techniques, I am spending today's column on tips for cross stitching and how to improve your Skills

1. The Right Amount Of Floss

In Cross & Stitch Australia, this is a very easy way - use the correct amount of a toothpick. First, this means using the correct amount of strands to cover the fabric - you don't want to see the fabric under the stitches, and if you need to, you need to use another strand in the needle.

Second, use the correct length of the toothpick - it should be about the same length as your forearm and hand. If your length is too long, it a) gets frayed before you're done, being constantly pulled through the fabric, and b) stretches for ages as you have to stretch your arm so far to pull the stitch. On a related note, finish off your floss before you get to the disgusting skinny, pulled out, licked end that you try to find a few more stitches. Saving 3cm of filament just isn't worth the hassle or the bad looks.

2. Tension

The tension in your stitching is easiest to correct, especially if you are using the hoop - tighten it tightly, but not enough to stretch the hole at all. If you're stitching your hands together (as I tend to be naughty!), You need to be more careful.

I found that pulling the thread mostly through, and then using my pinky finger in my hand holding the needle to "snap" the tail, the last beat gives the perfect tension and is reproduced for every stitch. Pay attention to the tension you apply, as if you stitch in different directions or patch the stitching over a piece, you will pull it in strange directions.

Washing and blocking the finished piece will help align it, even though you're a little loose!

3. Railroading

Rail means that you are trying to make both strands of thread run parallel. This is one of those cross stitch tips that will elevate your work to the level of competition! The easiest way to get to the rail is to use another large needle to hold it under you as you pull the stitch tight.

If you like special gear, you can get a styling tool - essentially a large needle.

4. Fractional Stitches

Now I have nothing against full crosses, but sometimes it's nice to be able to get a little more detail in the cross stitch design. Or you may have come across fractional stitches in a purchased pattern from Online discount store and are unsure of what to do. Feel free to use these stitches in both design and embroidery, and you will see how that can change.

The deal with fractional stitches (also called half stitches) is that it is almost always actually a-stitch and ¼-stitch (see picture below). How it should be divided (which color gets ¾, which ¼) is usually up to you.

In most cases, I stick to the judgment of which color "deserves" more. Is this a small piece of detail against a background of color? Give 3/4 to the smallest detail. The only place you can potentially make it half stitches and balance them is when there is a reverse stitch in the middle, however this is usually not very good for maintaining overall thread coverage.

6. Give Linen A Shot

No collection of cross stitch attachments is complete if you don't look at the materials you are embroidering with! The choice of fabric for cross stitching usually comes down to Aida or linen, but don't be fooled. The world is your oyster thanks to a wonderful thing called Waste Canvas. But first, let's get rid of Aida and the underwear.

The Aida is the starter's choice, with graceful little holes forming perfect little squares. You can start with a lot (like 12 stitches per inch), but I would use three strands for good coverage. Go down to 14 or 16 to do your job better (and less). Use two strands for those.

Bed linen is of two main types: linen and even linen.

Even weave is even a surprise, even a surprise, while in linen the threads that make up the fabric vary in size and sometimes have large lumps (cracks). Even weave is n00bs lighter on linen and gives very even seams, while linen adds a little variety to the stitch size.

To sew linen, you usually embroider "over two", which means a cross on two threads of the fabric. An easy way to do this quickly is to learn how to search for the lead thread. It is here that one of the vertical strands passes over the horizontal one. If you always sew this in the upper right corner of the hole you are using, you will find that your eye naturally slides to the desired location, apart from two strands. Also, sewing in there prevents your thread from slipping under the weft. The marvelous Connie G. Barwick describes it in her linen embroidery guide

Finally…

Use whatever colors you like, but I would suggest black or dark brown for the square character and reverse stitching with medium green, brown, or blue for the round character stitches. Or heck, try hot pink. Do what works for you, but don't forget to try and use the cross stitch tips we've talked about here and see how you do it! Enjoy your sewing!

See More Delightfully Unique Cross Stitch