Need some answers
1. I'm curious, why are there no knots in cross stitching? I've cross stitched for years, but never knew why there were no knots?

2. Can you tell me if the Aida cloth from the M.C.G. Textiles has any preservatives sprayed on it? I have contact dermatitis and my hand keeps breaking out.

3. Instead of putting my cross stitch project into a photo frame, I'm planning on stapling it to an artist canvas. The finished project is rather large, so a photo frame would be heavy and expensive. Can anyone tell me what to cover my project with to keep dust off of it?
Posted by: l.d.lapinski on 05/28/15
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Hi l.d.lapinski :)

1. There are no knots in cross stitching because on Aida cloth a knot will pull through and on linen it will create a visible lump.

2. I would send M.C.G. Textiles an email and ask them, their email address is :
customersupport@mcgtextiles.com

3. I have no idea but would love to know, hopefully someone will be able to answer this question for you.
by: jau11 on 05/28/15
Jau11 .. Thanks for the info on No. 1 & 2. Regarding my question about what to put over my project to keep the dust off. I'm planning on hanging it on the wall as a display piece. I'm wondering if that plastic shrink wrap film that people put around baskets would be okay. I'm not going to use my hair dryer to shrink it. I would just wrap it around my project and staple it on the back side. Way too much work on this (over a year) to have it destroyed. What do you think?
by: l.d.lapinski on 05/28/15
You are very welcome l.d.lapinski :)
I have never heard of using shrink wrap and I would have to wonder if that would create a glare from the plastic and see crinkles. And over time wouldn't the color of the plastic turn yellowish? Have you tried googling how to protect art canvas from dirt and dust? Or try contacting a store near you that sells canvas and ask them.
If you use staples make sure they are rust proof and the canvas is acid free :)
by: jau11 on 05/28/15
Jau11

Thanks again. I will google your idea and see what they say. It's nice to have a chit chat room where one can get answers from other stitchers. 😀😀😀
by: l.d.lapinski on 05/28/15
Jau11

Thanks again. I will google your idea and see what they say. It's nice to have a chit chat room where one can get answers from other stitchers. 😀😀😀
by: l.d.lapinski on 05/28/15
As far as hanging the piece, my framing shop has the possibility of shrink wrapping a piece (the cross-stitch piece was stretched on foam core board, and behind two matte boards)

you could wash all your aida cloth before you start using it
by: bgmarr on 05/28/15
3. Don't cover it with anything. If it gets dust after some years, use your hair dryer on cool setting.

They usually don't collect dust because the picture wire makes them hang sloped. Along with that, don't use sawtooth hangers and be sure to use felt or plastic circles at the bottom corners of the frame.
by: jlhewes on 05/28/15
To bgmarr and to jlhews,

Thank you so much for your ideas. I think I now have enough info to decide what to do with my project.
by: l.d.lapinski on 05/28/15
I read the article about using artist canvas to hang needlework, too. The canvasses I've seen hung without framing were flat to the wall....so picture wire and eye screws would be a necessity for needlework....would that spray stuff they used to make to protect fabric work?

While I agree that this would be a less costly way to frame/hang your work, anything I spend a year working on deserves professional framing and is going to get it. The artist canvass is a great idea for seasonal and fun stuff....it would be great for modern stuff, too....heck, I just like the idea....if we can figure how to protect the needlework long term.....

Wonder if they make a box cover....kind of like they used to have in movie theaters for posters and stills? Just thinkin'.....
by: VCESS on 05/29/15
VCESS,

Thank you for your input. You have given me something to think about ... framing my project. Yes, it's been a lot of work and I am still working on it. I'm too old to see the Aida cloth in the 14 count, so I changed to the 11 count. This made this project big! But, it's going to be adorable. What I'm stitching is Teddy Bears in a bathtub. So, my plan is to put it in the master bathroom. With this in mind, I probably should frame it to keep the humidity off of it.
by: l.d.lapinski on 05/29/15