Next pass your needle through a hole diagonally across from where you started to make a slanted half cross stitch (/). You will cover the tail with your stitches as you work to secure it. Starting from the back side of the fabric, bring your needle up through a hole toward the front, leaving about an inch of thread at the back. Refer to your stitching chart to figure out where you want to begin stitching. Step 6: Making a row of cross stitchesĬross stitch is generally worked in rows going from left to right. As a general rule, you want to avoid using knots when cross stitching because they can leave lumps in the final piece. You will stitch over the tail as you work to secure it without needing a knot. Thread your needle just as you would a needle for hand sewing. If not, see this article on choosing a needle for cross stitch. If you are stitching a kit, use the needle that came with it. Step 5: Thread your needleĬross stitch is typically done using a round-end tapestry needle. Pulling multiple strands may cause the floss to knot. Gently and slowly pull the strand up and out until it is separated from the remaining strands. To separate out a strand, hold the floss with one hand and pinch the end of one strand with the other. Depending on the fabric you are using, you will typically stitch with only one or two strands at a time. Most embroidery floss is made up of six strands of thread twisted together. If you go much longer than this, the thread is more likely to get knotted when you stitch. Pick the color of floss you are starting with and cut a length about 18 inches long. Don’t pull the fabric too tight or it will distort the weave of the fabric. Gently pull the fabric taut as you tighten the screw on the hoop. Place the other round over the fabric and press it down so the fabric is sandwiched between the two hoops. Lay the fabric over the hoop making sure the center of the fabric is in the center of the hoop. Place the round without the screw flat on a table or work surface.
To use a hoop, first loosen the screw and separate the two rounds.
Beginning stitchers may find it easier to put their fabric in an embroidery hoop. There are lots of different styles of embroidery hoops and frames available. You can place a pin in the center or make a small stitch to further mark the center point. Pinch and crease the center point to mark it. To find the center of your fabric, fold it in half one way and then fold it in half the other way. If you don’t want to sew the edges, you can also bind them with masking tape. To minimize fraying, sew the edges with a zig-zag stitch or use a serger if you have one. Before you start stitching, it is a good idea to bind the edges particularly if you are stitching a large project that will require lots of handling. Both are woven fabrics that have a tendency to fray when cut. Step 2: Prepare your fabricĬross stitch can be done on a number of different fabrics, but the most common are Aida and linen. It can be easier to start with a large block of color instead of part of the pattern that changes color frequently. Take a look at your chart and find an area close to the center to start with. Small arrows at the edges of a cross stitch chart indicate the center points. That way you make sure your design is centered in the fabric. When you begin a new cross stitch project, it is a good idea to start stitching in the middle of the design. Use the chart legend to map the symbols to the floss colors. The grid on a cross stitch chart corresponds to the grid created by the weave of the fabric, and each colored square on the chart represents a cross stitch.Ī combination of colors and symbols in the squares (or symbols only if the chart is black-and-white) tell you which color of floss to use.
Step 1: Reading a cross stitch chartĪ cross stitch chart tells you everything you need to know about where to stitch and what color to use. Designs can be traditional or modern or anywhere in between.Ĭross stitch projects are often sold as kits, but you can also purchase basic supplies and come up with your own project.Įither way, follow these steps to learn the basics of cross stitch. Cross stitch is comprised of X-shaped stitches done on fabric with an even and open weave like Aida or linen. Learning how to cross stitch is easy, and these cross stitch instructions for beginners will get you stitching in no time! What is cross stitch?Ĭross stitch is a form of counted thread embroidery that has been around for ages, and it is one of the easiest forms of hand embroidery to learn. Cross stitch is making a comeback among modern makers and crafters.
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