Cross stitch is lots of fun and very easy to learn! If you've ever seen cross stitch up close, then you already know that it's made up of tiny "x's" that form a picture.
I'm going to tell you everything you need to know to create your very own cross stitch picture. You'll learn what supplies you need, how to use the supplies, and how to make three basic stitches.
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Once you've practiced these stitches, you'll be ready to cross stitch almost any cross stitch design you can find. Some of your pictures will make great gifts for your family and friends, but don't forget to keep some to hang in your room, too. So find a comfortable seat and let's get started!
Gathering Your Supplies
Before you can stitch, you must gather your supplies. All of the supplies listed here are easy to find.
Aida Fabric
There are lots of different kinds of cross stitch fabric. We recommend 11 aida cloth (pronounced eye-E-dah) for beginners. Aida is the name of the cloth and it appears to be made up of lots and lots of little squares. Eleven count means that there are 11 squares in one inch of fabric.
This fabric is best for a new cross stitcher because the holes in the fabric are large and easy to see. If you use a different size aida cloth your design will be a different finished size. The exact size to cut your fabric is typically given with each design, but you must adjust this information if you are using a different size cloth than the pattern.
Masking Tape
This is a paper tape. It is used to keep the edges of your fabric from raveling, or coming undone, while you work on your project. When the work is finished, the tape is easily removed.
Cross Stitch Embroidery Floss
Embroidery floss is the kind of thread used for cross stitch. It is usually just called "floss." You buy floss in a small bundle called a skein (rhymes with rain). Floss is made up of six strands of thread twisted together. Floss comes in many colors and each color has its own number. There are several brands of floss. DMC floss color numbs and Anchor brand color numbers are used most often. You can convert those numbers from one brand to another with a floss conversion chart. You will also find that color names are listed in the color keys or charts. Color names are helpful if you choose a brand of floss that is not listed in the color key. It's best to use only one brand of floss for your whole project.
Scissors
You will need a good pair of small, sharp scissors. Keep them close to you while you work. Each time you finish stitching with a length of floss, you'll have them handy for snipping. To keep your scissors sharp, cut only floss or fabric. Never cut paper with your scissors; that will dull them quickly.
Needles
Cross stitch is done with a cross stitch needle which is also called a tapestry needle. A tapestry needle is different from other needles because the point isn't sharp. It doesn't need to be sharp because most of the time you want it to slip between the fabric threads and not through them. A tapestry needle also has a long eye, or opening, for threading several strands of floss. For 11 count Aida cloth, you will need a size 24 cross stitch or tapestry needle.
Needle Threader
A needle threader is a helpful tool you can use to thread your floss through the eye of your needle. I like the kind that has a hook on the end because it is the easiest to use.
Embroidery Hoop
An embroidery hoop is a pair of rings that fits together, one inside the other, and holds your fabric smooth and tight while you stitch. The outer ring has an adjustable screw that allows you to loosen and tighten the hoop. We recommend a 6" hoop.
Once you've gathered all your cross stitch supplies you will be ready to start.
Many quilters look forward to retirement so that they'll have plenty of time to devote to their hobby. Unfortunately as we age we may find ourselves with physical limitations, such as arthritis, poor vision and back problems. To make sure you continue to enjoy patchwork and quilting there are some tools that will assist you in completing tasks. These tools can save time and effort for everyone, regardless of their age.
Clover Desk Top Needle Threader & Clover Self Threading Gold-Eyed Needles
Both these tools eliminate the nuisance of threading needles. The Clover Desk Top Threader is a marvellous device that actually does what it's made for - which is threading needles! You can quickly thread almost any size needle with the push of a button. Simply place your needle in, lay your thread in the slot, press the lever and voila, your needle is threaded. Sometimes called 'cheater' needles, the Clover Self Threading Needles are threaded simply by placing the thread above the eye of the needle and pulling down. Maybe these needles should be nicknamed 'smarter' needles because there's no need to strain your eyes trying to focus on that tiny hole.
Bendable Bright Light
Many quilters complain that the light in their sewing machine just isn't bright enough. Inadequate light can cause eye strain along with a sore back and neck from hunching to see your work. You can overcome this problem by attaching a Bendable Bright Light to your machine. It provides a brilliant white light that can be directed to just where you need it. No more sewing in the dark.
Creative Grid Rulers
Do you find yourself squinting at the lines on your rulers? With both white and black easy to see markings the Creative Grid rulers can help prevent eye strain. There are even more benefits to these top quality rulers. Every increment on the ruler is accurate, ensuring better results when measuring and cutting. The embedded opaque dots help prevent slipping and sliding. If you're not convinced of the value of these rulers consider this - squinting causes wrinkles!
Git-A-Grip Ruler Gripper
This little gadget makes handling your acrylic rulers and templates much easier. The suction cup attaches to the ruler so you can easily reposition the ruler (or the gripper) when needed. It allows you to hold the ruler in place without using a great deal of pressure. It also ensures that your hand is kept well away from the rotary cutter.
Hobb's Heirloom Fusible Wadding
A wonderful product, that has made it possible to temporary attach top and bottom fabric to the batting just by ironing, which eliminates the need for basting. With fusible wadding you don't have to waste time tacking with thread or pinning your quilt sandwich together. Your hands and back will thank you. And this wadding quilts like a dream.
Quilt Halo
Free-motion quilting can be a challenge but the Quilt Halo helps make it less painful. This tool is a 7 inch diameter stainless steel ring coated with PVC. The weight of the ring combines with the slightly tacky coating to provide a good grip on the fabric. This allows the quilter to easily manoeuvre the quilt in any Simple threader direction using minimal pressure. To look at it you wouldn't think that this simple design could minimise discomfort, but since no gripping, twisting or pressure on the hands or wrists is required it's of great benefit for those that suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel or neck and shoulder problems.