Cross stitch is one of the easiest and most rewarding hobbies around. Anyone, young or old, can create beautiful works of art with little to no experience. The key to enjoying your project is to know the best and most efficient ways to work. Follow the steps below and you will become a master quickly.
1. Cross-stitch fabric is made up of small squares created by the crosswise and lengthwise woven threads. Each square represents a square on your chart, and you will complete one cross stitch over each square on your fabric. The key will correspond to the symbols in your pattern and will show you the correct color to use in each square.
2. For a full-canvas design (one that covers all the squares in stitches) begin stitching from the upper left-hand corner of the design. Allow for a three-inch border on all sides of the design to aid in the finishing of your completed piece. For example, if your finished design is 12″ x 14″ you would purchase an 18″ x 20″ piece of fabric.
If the design you have chosen does not cover all the squares, you can begin in the center of the design and work outwards. To find the center of your fabric, fold it in half lengthwise and crosswise. Mark the center point where the two fold lines meet with a pin. The center arrows on your chart will correspond to the fold lines on your fabric. The center square at the center of your chart corresponds to the position of your pin. You can then begin stitching from the center point.
3. To begin stitching, thread your needle with 2 strands of embroidery floss for fabric counts of 14 to 20 stitches per inch. If you are using fabric with a larger stitch count (25 stitches per inch and up) and you are stitching over one thread, you will use 1 strand of floss.
4. When you begin stitching, leave a long enough tail on the back side of your work so you can hold it in place as you stitch over it. This secures your thread. Do not tie a knot in your thread.
5. Cross stitch is worked with even, slanted stitches, usually from left to right. Cross each stitch in the same direction, making sure the top stitch is slanted the same way for all the stitches. Keep the tension of your thread even. It is recommended to use an embroidery hoop or frame to hold the material taut.
6. A single stitch is worked by bringing the needle out at the lower left-hand corner of the woven square and inserting it at the upper right-hand corner, bring the needle out again at the lower right-hand corner and insert at the upper left-hand corner to complete the stitch.
7. To do a row of cross stitches in the same floss color, bring the needle out at the lower left-hand corner, insert at the upper right-hand corner, bring it out directly below the previous stitch, and continue in this manner until the desired stitches are done. You will have a row of slanted stitches. Work back completing the square by bringing the needle out at lower left-hand corner, insert at diagonally one square over, out again directly below, etc.
8. For a smoother stitch, use the Push Pull Method by pushing your needle and thread straight through the fabric, coming up from the back for your next stitch. Do not use the Sewing Method because it causes an uneven raised effect.
9. To finish off the thread, on the backside of your fabric, run the needle under 5 or 6 stitches to secure the thread. Cut the thread close to the cloth so there will not be loose strands of thread that could get caught up in other stitches.