Cross Stitch for The Holidays
August 24th, 2009
Are you PASSIONATE about Cross Stitch…
Are You a Cross Stitching Newbie…..
DISCOVER HOW YOU TOO CAN BE
A CROSS STITCH EXPERT
Did you know that cross stitching goes back centuries? Some of the world’s great art pieces are cross stitched.
Girls and women in days of old, used to gather together in the parlour to cross stitch for their afternoon’s entertainment. They decorated clothing, dishcloths, tablecloths, almost anything they could take a needle and thread to. Young girls were taught from a very early age to cross stitch. Their first pieces of work were usually samplers where they learned how to stitch letters and numbers and pictures . Quite a few of these samplers from the 1700 and 1800’s still survive today. If you look closely at their work you can see the uneven stitches made by a young child. And you can also see how they progressed as they continued through the piece.
Women and children have been cross stitching for a very long time but today, men are discovering that the art of stitching is both exhilarating and relaxing. It is a wonderful hobby for those cool fall and winter nights or even those lazy Sunday summer afternoons..
Cross stitch can be worked on many different types of materials.. Fine linen is often used to make exquisite gifts to give to a bride and groom on their wedding day. Young children can cross stitch on pieces of paper or plastic.
The most common fabric is called aida cloth which has a designated number of holes per square inch – 8, 10, 12, 14 etc. The holes indicate where you will put your needle to make the cross.The higher the number of holes per square inch, the smaller your piece will be. Fabric may be stamped with your chosen design and then you simply colour-co-ordinate your thread or wool to the colour on the aida cloth.
When working “counted cross stitch” you simply start in the middle of the material and follow a separate pattern which tells you which colours to use.and where to place your needle. Then you simply count your stitches as you go along. It sounds very difficult but it really is quite easy.
You can choose to cross stitch many things from small to large. Key chains are a popular item for beginners. You can cross stitch wall hangings or pictures as well as tablecloths, dish towels, hand towels or pillows. One of the more popular things to do is add cross stitch embellishment to items of clothing such as tee shirts, babies bibs or anything else you might think would look a little nicer with a pretty design on it.
You can start cross stitching by buying a pattern, thread and fabric separately. Or you can purchase a kit which contains your pattern, fabric and thread all together in one place. Kits come in all shapes and sizes and can be either stamped or counted.
Whichever method you choose – remember Christmas is fast approaching. It’s time to get started making those wonderful hand-made gifts for those important people in your life.
Should you click on the Christmas stocking or the book and place an order, I will receive a small commisiion.