Stitch from Scratch Ep. 2.2 Materials: Floss and Needles

Let's get to it!

Floss and/or Thread

These words are used somewhat interchangeably. I grew up saying floss and that's what DMC calls it. When I think of thread I think of sewing. I normally use DMC but I also have a bunch of Krieink that I absolutely love.  Of course, there are many other brands.  Look around and just pick the colors you love.

The important thing to know about DMC floss is that you don't use the whole thing. It's actually 6 strands in one skein.

For a typical project you will use 14 ct cloth and 1 strand of floss that you will halve so that it becomes two.  I will show you this in the video at the end of this page.

The number of strands you want to you is really up to you.  Sometimes I want a more pronounced stitch, in which case I will use 3.  As a DMC Mentor, I will tell you that in general and typically you will use 2.

You will buy the skein and wrap it around a bobbin and likely put it in a plastic case like I have above.

I like to organize my thread based on color.  DMC has over 400 colors and types.  The numbers and the colors don't really go in an observable order but they do have this.....

Above: The number of the floss and the corresponding column.
Below:  The column sorted by color family.

 I use this tool to keep track of the colors I have and the ones I still need to pick up.

So pretty!!!  I've got a whole case of these.  :D

Kreinik a braided strand.  You don't separate them to use them.  In the second photo you can see there are actually many different braid sizes.  There are still more than I have here.  The size depends on your project. 

Needles

As I said in the last post all you need is a needle to get started.  This is true but there are specific needles for specific size cloth, if you want to get technical.

This site says it better than I ever could - http://www.crossstitchneedleshop.co.uk/needlesizeguide.html

For comparison...

There is a lot of information just on the packages.  They will say the size and generally what the size is used for.  I had no idea there was so much variation in needles sizes until very recently.

I used an old sewing needle until 5 weeks ago.
I know. Oops. Now I use my smallest needle always.  I realized I was stretching the hole in the fabric. Once I realized it, it's one of those things that I couldn't unsee. So now I kinda play it safe.

And now my very very first video on how to pull strands apart and thread a needle.

Don't bother with your volume, there no audio.  :)


Tell me, which thread do you like?

You can see previous episodes here -

Calendar
1.1 Credentials and History
2.1 Materials : Cloth

Stitch from Scratch Ep. 2.1 Materials: Cloth

Materials

First, you need some stuff. I really think the necessary materials are the ones you already have on hand.

If you are interested in any form of craft please don't run to the craft couple (Joann and Michael) and buy everything I mention here. This is one of the more cheap and simple ways to make very cool things. Please don't think you will be going broke learning.

You will need

• Aida cloth
• This is the only thing I don't expect to already be in your house. 
• A 15 x 18in piece of 14ct is about 2.99 at Michaels. 
• Thread or "floss"  
• .37 cents at Michaels for a skein and .40 and Hobby Lobby for DMC
• A needle
• use a sewing needle before you splurge and drop 2.99 on a 5 pack
• Hoop
• Price depends on the size.  6x6 wooden is about 1.50, plastic is about 2.99 and a q-snap is 9.99
• Or don't even use one.  :shrug:

We will talk about each of these things in order in it's own blog before begin actually stitching.

I'll try to make it painless. 

Aida cloth

Aida is the cloth that has holes in it. It's used for embroidery and cross stitch.  A count (ct) is how many squares per inch. The MOST commonly used ct for cross stitch is 14. That means that there are 14 squares per inch.

 The smaller the number the smaller the project.  On 14ct a 42 by 42 square will be 3 inches by 3 inches.  on 11ct it will be 3.8 inches by 3.8 inches and on 22ct it will be 1.9 inches by 1.9 inches and you will be blind. 

Go to Hobby Lobby's website, get the 40% off coupon and pick up some 14 ct white. It will be like 2 bucks and you will use it.

Moral of the story: Just remember to keep in mind the smaller the count number, the more stitches in an inch.

Also, If you buy a pattern (much more on patterns later) it will tell you which cloth you will need. Often it will include the cloth.  That's the beauty of a pattern, no random guess work. 

Here is a tons of different kinds of fabric that you can use - http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-bin/fabric.pl

Go pick up some cloth and I'll get back to you on next Friday to talk about floss.  Here we go!

Please post any questions below, or feel free to email me at Teresa@daisiesforviolet.com

Happy Stitching!
-Teresa

Stitch from Scratch Ep. 1 Credentials and History

Credentials

I have been embroidering for about 10 years, though not at all consistently. I've been cross stitching for about 3 months, very consistently. However, I have watched my mom do it my whole life. Before I picked it up I had some subliminal direction already lingering in my brain. This is the stuff I intend to pass on.   

History (Via Wikipedia)

Cross-stitch is the oldest forms of embroidery and can be found all over the world.[1] Many folk museums show examples of clothing decorated with cross-stitch, especially from continental Europe and Asia.

Two-dimensional (unshaded) cross-stitch in floral and geometric patterns, usually worked in black and red cotton floss on linen, is characteristic of folk embroidery in Eastern and Central Europe

The cross stitch sampler is called that because it was generally stitched by a young girl to learn how to stitch and to record alphabet and other patterns to be used in her household sewing. These samples of her stitching could be referred back to over the years. Often, motifs and initials were stitched on household items to identify their owner, or simply to decorate the otherwise-plain cloth. In the United States, the earliest known cross-stitch sampler is currently housed at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts.[3] The sampler was created by Loara Standish, daughter of Captain Myles Standish and pioneer of the Leviathan stitch, circa 1653.

Samplers on Pinterest

Traditionally, cross-stitch was used to embellish items like household linens, tablecloths, dishcloths, and doilies (only a small portion of which would actually be embroidered, such as a border). Although there are many cross-stitchers who still employ it in this fashion, it is now increasingly popular to work the pattern on pieces of fabric and hang them on the wall for decoration. Cross stitch is also often used to make greeting cards, pillowtops, or as inserts for box tops, coasters and trivets. - Wikipedia

Obviously, Cross Stitch has a very long history. It's something that I got into because of the ease. As a crocheter it is not always feasible to cart around a blanket. Or to make something with words or pictures in it. In cross stitch you are only limited by your imagination. 

If you are looking for something relaxing and creative.  Disciplined yet flexible.  Traditional and modern.  This is the craft for you. 

Learn to Cross Stitch!

Over the next couple months I will be releasing a How To series called "Stitch From Scratch".  Learn to cross stitch step by step.  Including videos and photos!

If you have ever wanted to learn, here you go :)

1. History of Cross Stitch and My Credentials  [Release: Jan 3]
2. Materials
1. Cloth  [Release: Jan 3]
2. Thread or "Floss"    [Release: Jan 10]
3. Needles and Hoops    [Release: Jan 17]
4. How to Read a Pattern    [Release: Jan 24]
3. How to Cross Stitch
1. Beginning, Stitching and Ending thread    [Release: Feb 7]
2. Half Stitches    [Release: Feb 14]
3. Blackwork    [Release: Feb 21]
4. Patterns
1. How to create a pattern in Photoshop    [Release: Feb 28]
2. Free pattern to try    [Release: March 7]

Follow me in facebook, twitter or bloglovin to get updates when I post.  :)

Stay tuned for Friday!
-Teresa