Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Cross stitching

There are many different types of needles to use in embroidery and cross stitching. Quality and size vary greatly, so try several different needles to find which one you are the most comfortable using. To help you get started, I have written up some basics to keep in mind when choosing which needles to use and when to use them.

Brief Cross stitch advice

You should always cut the fabric you are going to stitch onto at least 8-10 cm larger than the finished size of the design, this will allow you to turn up a seam, or to mount your work or make it into a gift. If you are making a garment with a cross stitch design you should mark out the pattern of the garment onto the fabric before you start stitching to ensure you place it correctly.

To prevent the fabric from fraying you can either turn over the edge and machine stitch it or bind it using tape. I find masking tape good for this job. You should always start stitching from the center of the fabric. Fold the fabric in half one way and then the other way to find the center point.

Cross stitching Adventure

Contrary to popular belief, cross stitching can be interesting. Cross stitching can also add interest to a room in several ways. One way is to repeat elements that are found in a detailed cross stitch pattern and place these elements throughout the room. Another way is to set up part of a room to look exactly like a pattern. Finally, a third way is to have a picture converted to a cross stitch pattern and then display both the picture and the finished cross stitched piece.

CONCLUSION

To prevent the colours in your favourite cross stitch piece from fading, it is important to keep it out of contact with any direct sunlight. The Ultraviolet "UV" light from sunlight is the largest reason why colours will fade over time, yet glass will only block out 60% of all UV light. So, make sure to place any cross stitching where the sun will not touch it. Keep in mind that as the seasons change so does the angle of the sun. Therefore, it is important to check your artwork throughout the year to make sure sunlight does not touch it at any point.