cross stitching on linen
I have been cross stitching for years but never tried it on linen. Is it possible to get instructions or close up photos on how or where the stitches go?
Posted by: pnbcindy28 on 10/05/15
You could go to you tube and search there for cross stitch on linen and a list of many tutorials will come up. Watch a few to see which one shows you the best visuals. Good luck and let us know how you're doing. We all enjoy seeing and hearing about each other's stitching accomplishments. Happy stitching.
by: lbcatlovr001 on 10/06/15
There is a bit of a trick to sewing on linen because you're going over two threads in each direction (usually). You actually can stitch over one thread -- if you have very good eyesight! Linen comes in multiple threads to the inch, i.e. 28 threads, 32 threads, etc. If you stitch over 2 threads -- 28 count becomes 14 stitches to the inch and 32 count becomes 16 stitches to the inch. Much easier to deal with than 28 stitches or 32 stitches to the inch which can be very tiny. There are some very good videos out there on u-tube that will walk you thru the whole process. I, personally, have done both because I'm into dollhouses so I do miniature samplers and stuff but it's very time consuming and you need a good magnifier lense.
by: quilterangel123 on 10/06/15
Hi pnbcindy-
I agree about the You-Tube tutorials on TV. You can probably find one that will show you the detail.
You said you have been cross stitching. Have you been cross stitching on 14-count? 18-count?
Also, if you need a tutorial on the internet regarding cross stitching on linen, you might want to think about going to "the scarlett quince" cross stitch website. Their website has a whole bunch of tutorials that might assist you.
Many of us stitchers started out on 14-count Aida OVER 1 square and many stitchers continue to stitch on it because it is so much easier to SEE visually where you're sticking the needle. There are other stitchers that decided to stitch on a higher stitch count such as 28 (which is over 2 squares) count.
IF you decide you would like to try doing a higher count fabric such as linen, I would strongly suggest that you 1) do a small project with only a small amount of colors OR practice cross stitching OVER 2 on a small piece of linen 2) make sure you practice on an EVENWEAVE fabric because the fabric's "squares" are exactly the same size. Jobelan is one example of an evenweave fabric. Other linen fabrics' are not necessarily an 'evenweave" and the horizontal and vertical threads of the fabric can range in size of thickness which can give a "slubbed" appearance but might cause frustration when attempting to find the correct hole in the fabric to make your "x's". Hope this helps!

by: Bermuda on 10/07/15
If you try linen, try a lower count to start out with. My first sampler I used 32 or higher count (don't remember) and it was tough. I call it my "Masterpiece". There were some wider threads and very thin ones. Also slubs. If you stitch something more formal, linen is great. I only use linen. I would suggest 26 or 28 count. Also have good eyes.
by: Rosieposie on 10/07/15
I do a lot of my cross stitching on 28-count evenweave Jobelan. But I also have a lighted magnifier to do the projects or I'd go insane trying to see the holes in the fabric....
by: Bermuda on 10/09/15
Maybe that's my problem! I might be insane because I don't use a magnifying light and I do 32 and 28 count linen. My eyes are sure taking a beating.👀👀👀😊
by: Rosieposie on 10/09/15