What is Cross Stitching?

Question

What's the difference between Counted Cross Stitching and Cross Stitching and how do I use the patterns? How do I get the Cross Stitch on to a pillow?

Answer 1

"Cross stitch" is the blanket term to include both counted and non-counted cross stitch. The non counted stuff is when you cross stitch over fabric that has a pattern printed on it. There are some really cute kits, but they are horribly annoying when you are used to do the counted stuff. That's when you start with blank fabric. So you have to count the pattern, then sew an equal number of stitches onto your fabric. The best way to sew onto a pillow depends whether it is finished, or if you are intending to make your stitching into a pillow. If you are making the pillow, the best way is to use waste canvas. Go to a craft shop and ask for that, they'll know what you mean. If you have a pillow, you'll need to cross stitch onto aida fabric (the shop will know what you mean, so ask for it by name) then sew it onto the pillow. You could also use evenweave linen, but aida is easier for a beginner. This will only work for a fully constructed pillow if you are doing only a small design. A large design won't sew onto a rounded pillow very neatly. If you want to embroider a large design onto a pillow, I think other styles of embroidery would be more suitable.

Answer 2

Counted Cross Stitch is just what it says. You use Aida clothe, which has little "boxes" because the weave is open. You use embroidery floss, 2 strands at a time, and make diagonal stitches in the boxes. You make a line of them, however many stitches going from left to right one direction then back the other way. The chart tells you how many stitches of what color and where they go.

Cross stitch is similar, except the fabric isn't usually Aida clothe but cotton, and the design is printed right on it.

Answer 3

There is no difference. To get the stitching onto a pillow (or do you mean cushion) you can stitch it onto a piece of evenweave material and then stitch it to your item or you can use waste canvas. You tack (baste) this onto the item you wish to decorate then, following your design, stitch through it. When finished dampen the waste canvas and remove it strand by strand. You can use this method to decorate anything you can stitch.