Have you just started embroidering? If so, one of the points you will need to learn is cross stitching. It is a very ancient embroidery technique known all over the world. The images below demonstrate the method by working on plastic canvas and woolen threads to help you identify the process.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Choosing the Material
Step 1. Choose the fabric
While the term cross stitch refers to the way you create an embroidered design and not a particular fabric, most often it is done on a type of material known as Aida cloth. It is a coarsely woven fabric in a grid pattern that makes it easier to align the stitches. Aida canvas exists in many different sizes which refer to the number of stitches that can be created in 10cm of fabric. The options are usually 44, 55, or 72.
- It is easiest to start on Aida fabric that uses a 44 or 55 stitch count as this provides more space for your cross stitch. The higher the number of points, the smaller the points will be.
- If you don't want to use Aida for your cross stitch project, you could opt for linen or any other loose knit fabric. Unfortunately, however, these will not have the same large beginner spaces that the Aida cloth has.
Step 2. Choose the thread
Cross stitch is fantastic because it offers a lot of freedom on the part of the creator, particularly in the choice of thread color. Embroidery floss is usually used, which comes in hundreds of different colors.
- Each skein of embroidery floss has six threads, but only 1-3 will be used for cross stitching at a time.
- The embroidery thread is available in both matte colors and in bright and metallic colors. The last two are a bit more difficult to work with and cost much more than the first.
- If you find it difficult to cross-stitch with the thread you have available, you can take some waxed thread, or use a little beeswax to prepare the thread before starting to embroider. This will help the thread slide and knot more easily.
Step 3. Choose a design
With cross stitch it is very easy to bring the design from a grid on paper back to the grid of your fabric for cross stitching. Choose a design from an embroidery journal or on the internet, and choose thread in colors that match.
- As a beginner, it might be best to start with a simple cross stitch. Choose a simple design that does not involve too many details and that uses a maximum of 3-7 colors.
- You can create a design yourself using your own images and a computer program or some squared paper if you don't have ready-made designs available.
Step 4. Get an embroidery frame
This is made up of a double loop of plastic, metal or wood that holds the fabric in place as you work. While it is possible to create a cross stitch without having one, an embroidery hoop can be of considerable help and relatively inexpensive. Small embroidery hoops are easy to hold, but need to be moved often, while larger embroidery hoops are more awkward to hold, but don't need to be moved frequently.
Part 2 of 4: Creating Your Design
Step 1. Choose an image
Any image can be made into a cross stitch pattern, but simpler designs with well-defined shapes are best. Choose an image or design that has few colors and doesn't have too many details.
Step 2. Edit the image
You may want to crop and enlarge the image so as to focus on a single portion of the initial image. If you have a photo editing program, use the "posterization" option to transform your image into easily definable shapes. Convert the drawing to grayscale before printing it so it will be easier to choose the colors to use.
Step 3. Trace the image
Print a copy of the image and take a squared sheet of paper. Spread the squared sheet over the image you printed and trace the outline of the basic shapes. Try to limit the amount of detail you cover.
Step 4. Choose the colors
Once your image is traced, choose 3-7 colors to use for your cross stitch. Use colored pencils of the same color as the floss you want to use to color the drawing, focusing on the grid pattern and avoiding curved lines.
Step 5. Use a computer program
If drawing the draft for your project is not for you, try using a computer program to easily convert the image of your choice into a cross stitch pattern. Programs such as “Pic 2 Pat” allow you to choose the size of the design, the number of colors and the amount of detail to include in your finished scheme.
Part 3 of 4: Embroider a Simple Cross Stitch
Step 1. Cut the fabric and the thread
The size of the fabric will depend on the size of the pattern you are using. Each square on the fabric represents a single point (or a cross in the shape of an 'x') and can be counted to determine the right size. The embroidery floss should be cut about 90cm to start.
- Embroidery floss has six threads, but usually one is enough for cross stitching. Gently separate the strands from the center and use a single strand for each section on your design.
- Some designs may need multiple threads, so be sure to check your design before assuming you only need one.
- If the thread for your design runs out, fear not! One of the advantages of cross stitch is that it cannot be established where the starting / ending point is from the front. Simply cut the other thread and start where you came from.
Step 2. Thread the thread into the needle
Take a single strand of the embroidery floss and tie a loop at the end. Wet the center of this loop (by licking it or using a drop of water) to make it slide more easily. Then pull through the loop, leaving two ends (one should be very short) to hang on the opposite side of the needle eye.
Step 3. Cross stitch embroidery begins
Count on your design the number of spaces on the grid from the first point (usually the most central point), and insert the needle from the back. Pull the thread completely, leaving the loop at the end. Then, cross the thread up or down diagonally and pull the needle through the loop from the other side to create a stop for your embroidery.
- It doesn't matter if you start your cross stitch in the '////' or '\' line as long as you are consistent throughout the project.
- With each stitch you make, let the thread run over the loose garment at the back to secure it to the fabric for the cross stitch. This will also prevent the cross stitch from unraveling when pulled or jerked.
Step 4. Continue sewing
Always using the 'X' as the shape of the embroidery stitch, work from the center outwards until you have completed the design. If you run out of yarn anywhere, tie the garment at the back and grab a new piece of yarn.
Step 5. Finish the job
When you have completed the design and added any border, tie the thread under the embroidery. Tie a simple knot on the back of your design and remove the excess thread.
Step 6. Wash your embroidery
Hands are naturally very dirty and oily, and consequently also dirty your embroidery. Washing your hands frequently can help limit the amount of dirt that transfers to your fabric, but a halo of dirt around the thread is virtually unavoidable. Gently wash the embroidery with soap and water and let it dry in the open air when you're done.
Part 4 of 4: Try More Advanced Cross Stitch Embroidery Techniques
Step 1. Create a quarter stitch
Quarter stitches are, as the name implies, ¼ of an 'X' completed in a cross stitch. These can be used to add some sudden curved lines and lots of detail. To create a ¼ stitch, bring the needle from the corner of one of the boxes to the center of the box. This should create a single leg of the 'X'.
Step 2. Make a three quarter stitch
This is another stitch usually used to increase the detail in your design. This is done by creating a half stitch (a full diagonal stitch) and a quarter stitch. The appearance is that of an 'X' with only three legs instead of four.
Step 3. Create a purl stitch
To create a border around the figures you have embroidered, use a single embroidery thread (usually black is used) and purl stitch around the perimeter of your design. To create a purl stitch, work vertically and horizontally (instead of creating '/' or '\' shaped stitches, create '|' or '_' shaped stitches) around the figure. Pull the thread up from the top of a square and then go down to the lower corner, repeating until the edge is complete.
Step 4. Make a French knot
While not traditionally part of cross stitching, it can be used to create small dots in your embroidery. To create a French knot, pull the thread up through the fabric. Wrap the needle around the thread 2-3 times near the base of the thread entry. Re-thread the needle into the fabric near the point of origin, keeping the thread taut as you do this. Pull all the yarn to complete the French knot.
Advice
- When there are many stitches of the same color in a row, do the first half of the stitches for that row (////), and then go back and complete them all (XXXX). This will save you time, save yarn, and give the finished project a more harmonious look.
- To have consistency in the embroidery stitches, make sure that the thread below the 'X' always goes in the same direction, for example it starts the stitch from the upper left corner and ends in the lower right corner.
- Make sure you take into account where you are on your drawing to avoid mistakes. If you are having a hard time keeping track, make a photocopy and mark the points on the drawing with a highlighter or colored pencil as you make them.
- Cross stitch charts are available for free on many websites. You can also find software to design your own, such as PCStitch or EasyCross.
- You can hold the embroidery thread in place by using a cardboard or bobbin found for sale, embroidery rings, embroidery bags or even use pouches to hold each individual color. Choose the method that works best for the project you're working on, and if you're passionate about cross stitching, shop around and find the system that works best for you.
