This question from Amy made me so happy, because I love it when stitchers try new things!
This is my first time stitching a project that isn’t from a kit, it’s also my first time using an evenweave fabric (28 count). The sampler pattern I’m using doesn’t specify how many strands of floss to use and I’m a little nervous about starting. How many strands do you recommend?
First of all, I just want to say YAYYYYYYY ~ seriously happy for you stepping out of the aida and kit comfort zone to try a new format, that’s awesome, I think you’re going to enjoy it.
So the number of strands generally depends on how much coverage you want from each stitch.
- 1 strand gives thin coverage and can sometimes be used for minor fill details, like the sky or a background.
- 2 strands seems to be the go-to number of strands for basic average coverage on most fabric counts.
- 3 strands is for very full coverage and sometimes used to make things stand off the fabric more.
- 4 strands is sometimes used in stamped cross stitch and on larger count fabrics where the X is a lot bigger and has more fabric to cover.
All that being said, you can use as many strands as you’d like. There is no right or wrong.
You could test a few stitches in a part of the fabric you won’t be using, a corner or an edge, just to see how you like the coverage of each number of strands you’re considering. Usually 2 strands provides a decent coverage and it seems to be “the standard” use in most projects.
I hope that helps and I look forward to hearing about your sampler stitching progress! 🙂
Happy Stitching
This is my first attempt at evenweave fabric stitching and these “old eyes” are having a difficult time. Do you have any recommendations for magnifiers?
they make great magnifiers ones that hang around your neck and are great for traveling, however they have a drawback, if you move your head or neck while stitching it slips from its resting place on your chest. so I only use this when on the road. the best is a floor model that can rest like a lamp next to your chair and leans over the arm of the chair so you are hands free and can see better! hope this helps
I’m an old veteran stitcher and quilter started stitching when I was 4yrs on my grandmothers lap.. now I had to stop stitching because of cataracts, now that my surgery is done I want to jump back into the game!!!!
I want to stitch a wall full couch length hanging. do you have any ideas or tips on this, or know anyone who has done one? let me know excited to get started!