Carefully Look At The Stitching Pattern Used In Embroidery

   Were you wondering how do you do embroidery?  Then you have come to the right place. 

   How to do embroidery? The 5 basic steps that you need to know in getting started…

   Embroidery is a great way to relax from your hectic lifestyle.  Some people think this is only for old people, but its popularity has raised so much in the last few years with people of every age giving it a try.  Think how amazing it is to create something that can be passed on generation to generation as an heirloom.  Or you can make something special for friends that are inexpensive and came from the heart. 

   So let’s get started.

   First you will need some supplies to get started.  You will need a piece of cloth or fabric that you will be doing embroidery on.  Cotton is the easiest for beginners.  You will also need an embroidery hoop.  This is a frame made of two wooden or plastic hoops.  These hoops come in all kinds of sizes, but it is advised for beginners to start with the smaller ones. 

   A needle is needed to thread the fabric.  You should use a needle that is larger in size, like a size 10 or size 12.  These needles have larger eyes (the hole at the top) which make them easier to thread.  Embroidery thread is a must.  A darker color of thread will help you see your work better.  You need a pin cushion to stick pins in when you are not using them. 

   Now, let’s move on to how do you embroidery.  There are many techniques that can be used.  The most common of the most common of the techniques are the stem stitch, the chain stitch, the whipped stitch, the running stitch, the back stitch, and the crossed back stitch.  All of these stitches are relatively easy, but you will need to practice to get used to them.

   Here are the 5 basic steps to embroider. 

1. The first step is to collect the tools and pick a fabric or cloth that you want to use.  On the front side of the fabric you are using, trace the design that you are going to embroider.  Doing this will help you follow the design when you are working. 

2. The second step is to put the fabric in the embroidery hoop and fasten it tightly. 

3. The third step is to string your needle with a suitable amount of thread.  You can choose how long it is and how many strands you want to use.  It is best to start with at least twenty inches of thread.  Once you get the thread into the needle eye, tie an end of the thread in a knot. 

4. The forth step is to actually begin stitching on the back.  Put the needle through the back and follow your tracing.  You can use whichever stitch you want, but the easiest is probably the back stitch.  To do this, you just push and pull the needle through the fabric while following the tracing.  When you want to stop the stitching, you just take the needle with thread to the opposite side of the fabric.  If you have any loose ends, you can cover it up passing your needle through the stitches.  

5. The last step is to tie a knot through the thread again and cut off any extra thread. 

It will take you few tries to get the hang of it.  The key is to practice. Pay attention to the detail and that produces good work. That is the answer to how do you do embroidery…

Finding a suitable wedding cross stitch pattern to embroiled.

    If you’re a wedding guest who’s looking to show your joy for the happy couple, it might be a good idea to do it via the centuries-old tradition of giving a wedding cross-stitch as a gift. A wedding cross-stitch is a handmade embroidery which can range from the simple to the complicated in design. The tradition of giving a cross-stitch for a wedding present is still popular, simply because handmade presents will always show the amount of care that a person has put into making that item.

 Cross Stich Ideas….

    Making a wedding cross-stitch doesn’t have to be a craft left to the experts. In fact, many retailers sell wedding cross-stitch kits with many creative patterns to choose from. These kits come complete with all the directions that you’d need in order to make it perfectly. There are many businesses which also specialize in more modern patterns for wedding cross-stitches.

    After you have finished your stitching, simply place the cross-stitch in a frame, wrap it up nicely, and present it at the wedding. It’s really as easy as it sounds. An added benefit to being the gift giver who gives a wedding cross-stitch? Making an embroidery for a wedding present can be very inexpensive; kits will often run around $20, and a frame can be even cheaper.

    More experienced cross-stitch fans can create their own messages for the newly wedded couple. A very popular way to show appreciation for that special day is by cross-stitching the name of the bride, the name of the group, and the date of the wedding somewhere in your cross-stitch. Another  favorite amongst the wedding recipients would be to cross-stitch their portraits. This will be a more modern take on the centuries-old tradition of cross-stitch wedding gifts.

   Witty quotes such as “Keep calm, marry on,” will also be a cute and humorous way to show your friends that you care. For experienced embroiderers, downloading free wedding cross-stitch patterns might save a pretty penny, as well. Giving personalized wedding embroidery gifts will give the newlyweds a gift that will last for generations filled with fond memories.

Cross Stitch Example

The history of Cross-stitch goes back through the centuries when woven fabric was decorated with hand stitched thread. It is difficult to pin down an exact date as only a few examples of cross stitch have survived longer than about 1400 years.

    It is however known that cross stitch is one of the oldest forms of needlework and can be seen in all regions throughout the world. Many folk and traditional museums show examples of clothing worked and decorated with cross-stitch technique of embroidery, especially through the regions of Europe and Asia.

   Basically cross stitch is a type of counted thread embroidery; it is dated as far back as the 6th or 7th century. It was mainly used to decorate household items using floral, geometric patterns to create interesting patterns. Usually worked and seen in red and black cotton thread on linen fabric of the day. Dry desert air in Egypt preserved the oldest known cross-stitch work which was found in a Coptic tomb in Upper Egypt. The cotton material was conserved by the dry conditions. These Coptic tombs were build by Christians during the Roman occupation of Egypt.

   Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish first wife of Henry VIII has introduced black-work in England. Black-work is considered to have predisposed the development of cross-stitch. Catherine of Aragon used to stitch her impression in the King’s shirts.

   The most common cross stitching work were usually in a form of a prayer or a aphorism. In 1797 children from the orphan’s school nearby Kolkata in West Bengal were given the assignment of mending the longest chapter in the Bible with cross-stitch, the 19th psalm.

   Traditionally, cross-stitch embroidery was used to decorate household items like dish-cloths, household linens, and doilies ( only small portion actually be embroidered, such as a border etc.). Even though there are many cross-stitching workers who still employ it in this fashion, especially in Europe, it is now getting popular to simply embroider pieces of fabric and hang them on the wall for beautification.

    Also during the 17th century the printing of model books become more available in Europe and America the function of samplers changed.  They developed this into educational tools, where samples stitched by children were used to teach others the skills of needlework essential to young girls. Improved and developed skills to be used as a house wife in decorating household linen and clothing.

   The history of Cross-stitching continued when it was re-discovered in the sixties. This was because there was increased relaxation time and focus was once again on the home. And so the renewed interest of counted cross-stitch and new creative ideas.

1. Calculate a budget for an embroidery machine. Some of the best ones run up to $700, but they last a long time. On the other hand, a cheaper model might not have a good warranty.

2. Estimate your monthly usage. Do you intend to use the embroidery machine once a year to create gifts, or do you plan on selling your creations? You may want to purchase a more expensive machine if you plan to use it a lot.

3. Figure out your purpose for embroidery. Do you need a dual sewing/embroidery machine, or do you already own a sewing machine?

4. Be realistic about your level of expertise with sewing crafts. If you have never sewn before or done embroidery or cross stitch, it’s best to start with a basic model for a faster learning curve.

5. Check out name brand embroidery machines first. Brother, Singer, and Simplicity are quality brands that have legions of loyal followers.

6. Look at the extra features on the embroidery machine. It should include a buttonholer, a feed-dog adjustment, an electronic needle threader, speed control, and a top-load bobbin. It’s alright if you don’t know what these features are just now, but you will appreciate them once you learn how to use them.

Crewel Fabric

Traditionally, crewelwork was done on cotton, wool, or linen. These days, however, women are choosing all types of fabric, from silk to velvet and jute. If you are going to crewel embroider a table runner or drapes, choose upholstery-grade fabric. Excellent fabric deals are found online, especially if you like imports.

Crewel Needles

Crewelwork requires special needles with large eyes and sharp points to get through the sturdy fabric. You can buy assorted needle packs that contain different sizes. The package should say something about “crewel needles.” They tend to be thicker and longer with large eyes for the wool thread that is used for crewelwork.

Crewel Thread

Thread for crewelwork is made of wool. It can be dyed any color, just like cotton. “Purist” crewel artists prefer hand-dyed thread, which has a natural vibrancy and sheen, although it tends to cost more. For example, a pack of 75 hand-dyed skeins of various colors costs $116 in one online store.

Crewel Kits

All-in-one kits are advised for newcomers to the art of crewelwork. They contain the appropriate needle sizes, hoops, designs, and fabric. It really takes the guesswork out of finding supplies. Kits, however, are only good for one project, so they are less cost-effective.

Of all the fabrics, the most popular one is probably Aida. It’s the easiest fabric to learn cross stitch on, since it’s stiff and the holes are bigger. Aida also comes in different counts: 14, 16, 18, etc. The counts refer to the number of holes per inch of fabric. The bigger the number, the more difficult it is to see the holes and the more advanced the design.

Linen is another popular fabric for cross stitch projects. The counts are much higher, usually around 28 or 32 per inch. With linen, however, you can skip holes and use it just like Aida fabric. It’s more freeform. Since there are more holes, it’s easier to create custom designs that don’t look “pixelated” like Aida fabric. It’s also easier to get your needle through linen because there are no thick criss-crossed fibers to push against. Another benefit of linen is that the cross stitch looks smoother and more refined in the frame. Aida has a very thick, patterned fabric that can look too rough behind a delicate design.

The only downside to linen is that it doesn’t feel very smooth against your hands. Aida is made of cotton, but linen has flax in it. There are, however, some expensive brands of linen that are softer. One example is Jobelan, which is actually a mixture of Aida and linen. It’s fairly inexpensive when compared to true linen.

Zweigart Lugana fabric is another type of cross stitching fabric that is good for all projects. It’s made from viscose and cotton and comes in 20, 28, or more stitches per inch. It’s best for advanced sewing experts, since it can be difficult to see the holes and count them.

The only function on this machine is embroidery. You can’t use it for sewing purposes, but it does everything else. The biggest design you can make is four by four inches. The best part is that there is a whole collection of free designs you can pick, including numbers and letters in different fonts. It’s the perfect tool for adding a little design to a towel, shirt, or other fabric piece. It costs about $500 and has a 25 year warranty on the parts alone.

Brother Embroidery-and-Sewing Machine

Another embroidery machine that gets rave reviews online is manufactured by Brother. It’s a hybrid sewing/embroidery machine for multiple purposes. It’s very similar to the Simplicity machine reviewed above – the price is the same, and it also has a 25 year warranty. It contains over 70 various designs, five different letter fonts, and saves up to 12 of your personal designs in its memory. Not only that, but it can sew on buttons, too!

Singer Futura CE-250 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Priced at almost $700, this machine will do almost anything related to sewing and embroidery. There are over 100 different stitch types, automatic needle threader, five different fonts, and even a button sewer. In order to use it for an embroidery project, you need to connect it to your computer and use the included software program. The designs are then uploaded into the embroidery machine and it starts to create the project.

1. Fabric is obviously essential to have. The best type of cross stitch fabric for beginners is called “Aida.” That is what is included with most cross stitch kits. Linen is another type of fabric to use, but it’s better for more advanced stitchers.

2. Needles are another necessary item. You are going to need a tapestry needle, a cross stitch needle with a dull point, some smaller needles, and a crewel needle in a size 10. Look for variety packs for the best value. Needles are one of those things that manage to disappear pretty quickly!

3. Embroidery hoops are those round, wooden frames that hold your fabric taut. They come in all sizes, so get a pack of them for different projects. Beginners will probably need smaller hoops for smaller projects.

4. Scissors and floss are another must-have. Floss is the name for the colored, cotton thread used in cross stitch. They come in all colors, so look for a bulk pack that includes everything. As far as scissors go, find some embroidery scissors and thread snips, which help you get really close to the tiny thread ends that hang off your fabric.

4. Cross stitch patterns are found in craft stores, online, and in library books. Kits also come with pre-printed designs with all the instructions. Start by working with simple patterns with a few colors, and work your way up to more advanced projects.

The Dimensions Cross Stitch Company has several different designs for kids. The designs are small and simple – a dolphin, kitty, or frog, for example. These kits are best for children who have had some experience with cross stitch or sewing, or who are at least 10 years old. They might be a little advanced for a younger child. Prices for these cross stitch kits range from $5 to $6 and include the fabric, needle, hoop, and thread.

Disney also creates some very simple patterns for the younger set. A five or six year old that is good at counting and concentrating could easily finish one of these projects. Designs to choose from include a flower, heart, and butterfly. The kit includes everything you need, including a plastic frame to display it.

“Kid Stitch” is a third company that offers easy patterns. For less than $5, your child will get a simple pattern, fabric, cotton floss, hoop, needle, and instructions. The finished products are about three inches around, which might take about a week to finish. The designs are cartoonish, but do not include a frame like some other kits.

1. Mini Iron

A tiny iron is helpful for ironing out fabric before embroidery and doing appliqué work. Big irons are too bulky for little pieces of fabric. For less than $10, you are really going to appreciate this item.

2. Lint Brush & Oilers

Embroidery machines get little pieces of fabric and dust stuck inside them, so a small lint brush will help to keep the machine clean and working for many years. Machine oil is helpful for those times when the metal parts get stuck.

3. Extra Hoop Screws

For some reason, these screws always seem to disappear when you need them most. Have extra screws handy for your hoops.

4. Replacement Bobbin Cases

These are good if you tend to lose the little pieces in your machine.

5. Stitch Rippers

Better than scissors; stitch rippers offer precise thread removal without damaging your fabric. There are manual stitch rippers and electric ones.

6. Cutting Mats & Cutters

Blades and cutting mats are necessary for measuring out fabric lengths and slicing them cleanly. The mats are made out of heavy-duty plastic and have measuring tools printed on them.

7. Markers or fabric pencils

Ordinary pens and markers aren’t good for fabric or embroidery projects. A disappearing ink marker is best for sewing projects.