Help?
Stitch count so I can order cloth? Thank you!
Posted by: lpnbarnes on 04/14/14
Page:
Uses 32 ct Zweigart cream linen, DMC floss, Kreinik metallic, & Mill Hill beads & treasures.
by: jlhewes on 04/14/14
So.......is this a kit? I've never stitched on anything other than Aida cloth......can it be done on Aida?
by: lpnbarnes on 04/14/14
Same as a 16 ct Aida. You could find a similar color. No, not a kit. It's a Mirabelia, which means lots of beads & metallics. May also have part stitches, but using a sharp needle helps stitch between the Aida strands (so I've read here from one of the stitchers, syagel maybe)
by: jlhewes on 04/14/14
Yes that was me who suggested the sharp needle. I have always used a sharp needle for all my cross stitching projects so I can do partial stitches. It really works great for me.
by: syagel on 04/14/14
Syagel, silly question.........I mean pretty stupid actually........but do you just use a regular sewing needle? Is it a special needle that's sharp? Do you sharpen you own?
by: lpnbarnes on 04/14/14
This is not a silly question. I just use a regular sewing needle that my floss will go through the eye. It is no special type. I have done cross stitching for over 30 years and have used nothing but an ordinary sewing needle whether it was Aida cloth or even waste canvas. I don't sharpen my needles. When they get old and dull I throw them away and get a new one out of my pack.

Don't ever be afraid to ask a question. I or some of the other ladies will be glad to answer it. When I started cross stitching 30 years ago there was no personal computers or chat rooms. I learned it by making a lot of mistakes and ripping out stitches.
by: syagel on 04/14/14
Thanks for all the replies! Lol, but the question still remains unanswered:
> What is the stitch count for this piece so I can order cloth? <

And I can convert this to 16 count Aida? Would stitch count be the same?

AND is using beads hard? Do you add bead AFTER the cross stitch is made? Or during?
by: lpnbarnes on 04/20/14
Stitch count is 149 x 295. It would be the same size on 16 ct Aida as on the 32 ct linen, so yes, you can do it on 16 ct. I haven't stitched one of these, so don't know about the beads, I think they are done as you go.......ladies ??
by: MissKitty on 04/20/14
Beads during or after stitching doesn't matter. Most choose after as the beads are fragile.

Two ways to attach. Use a single strand the color of the fabric, or close to it. Many books say to use a 1/2 cross. This will make the beads slant, but that's OK. Either direction for the 1/2, but I've seen more that used 2nd leg, or course of a x-stitch.

The second way is to do a full cross, going through the bead twice. A little experimenting will show you which way to put the needle through the bead. I use this method because the beads stand upright.

Mirabilia normally gives the beads their own squares.

If beading as you go, be careful not to smash the beads -- a problem with hoops & scroll frames. I use a frame & pad the beaded fabric on the rod with batting or paper towel.
by: jlhewes on 04/20/14
Like Miss Kitty says the stitch count is 149 x 295. The model is stitched on 32ct. cream linen, but can be done on 16ct. Aida cloth. If you use Aida cloth the finished size is 9.31 inches x 18.44 inches. I would purchase a piece of 16ct. that is 15inches x 24 inches. I usually add 3 inches to a side when deciding on the size of fabric I need. Hope this helps.

by: syagel on 04/20/14