Crafting is one of the most popular hobbies, but in order for it to bring joy, it is important to use materials. Cross stitch requires not only high-quality threads, but also carefully selected canvas. It belongs to inexpensive and comfortable fabrics, which consists of tightly intertwined threads forming squares. It is easy for experienced embroiderers to calculate the size of the canvas using cross stitches for a particular embroidery technique, but for beginners it is better to use special calculators. When beginners fully master this version of the material, they move on to more complex materials to create their masterpieces using floss.
Overlay and water-soluble canvas
But what if you wanted to decorate with cross stitch not a special fabric, but, for example, clothing? An overhead or water-soluble canvas will help you with this.
The overlay canvas is attached to any fabric using basting stitches, and after finishing the work, the marking and canvas threads are pulled out, and the design remains on the fabric. One of the disadvantages of the applied canvas is that when pulled out, the crosses can become deformed, and the embroidery will look sloppy. And it’s not always easy to pull out the tough threads of the canvas.
In Russia, the most popular and widespread water-soluble canvas is from Gamma. Before starting work, it is also basted to the future base for embroidery (it is recommended to do this with white thread, since after pulling it out from threads of a different color, colored fibers may remain). After finishing the work, the basting seams should be removed, and the embroidery should be placed in hot (40-50 degrees) soapy water and left for 10-15 minutes. This time is usually enough for the canvas to completely dissolve. After this, you need to rinse the product thoroughly.
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Canvas K06 45x45
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Size and types of canvas. Does the size and type of canvas matter when embroidering? Of course it does! The size and type of canvas you choose depends on the size of the painting itself, the density of the embroidery, and, of course, the appearance of the painting itself. Some embroiderers like the crosses to lie tightly and the canvas not to show through, while others like lighter, “openwork” embroidery. What canvas size should I choose?
Natalia Makarova Dear embroiderers! Please tell me, how many threads and what canvas do you like to embroider on? For example, on 14 Aida I always embroider with 3 threads, with the exception of the half-cross and Dima sets, where, as a rule, I always follow the instructions. On 16 Aida (32 uniforms) there are always 2 threads, even Lanarte, although there are not enough threads, and on 18 (36) there are also always 2. And I really don’t like sewn sets, for example, the Golden Fleece in one thread on 18 Aida, Up close, it is generally impossible to understand what is embroidered. How do you get used to it and love it? And what canvas number is your favorite?
Vera Nevushka The number of threads depends on both the canvas and the threads. At 14 DMS you can embroider in 2, but Kirov embroidery is better in three, because the thread itself is thinner. When you want to make your work brighter, there will be more threads.
Tatyana Rutkauskas I embroidered on different ones and with different numbers of threads. For 14 it is more suitable to embroider with 2 threads; with 3 it was harder for me. Once I embroidered a set from Lanarte with 1 thread, at first it seemed pale, but the design looks great, and the fabric is uniform. On 18 I also embroider with 2 threads.
Author Alena
If you use a ready-made set, the problem immediately disappears.
In fact, you can embroider on any fabric, but since crosses are square in shape, you always take fabric with the same number of threads in height and width, for example linen. You can use a special fabric - canvas. Once upon a time in the USSR in Ukraine, and now in Western countries, an overlay canvas is produced - when the embroidery is finished, the threads of this canvas are carefully pulled out. But the most popular canvas is a ready-made base - after finishing the work it is not pulled out, but inserted into the product. There are several types of canvas, each of which is optimal for a particular embroidery option.
The color of the fabric and its type are largely determined by the design. Let's say, on Aide 7 (27 squares = 10 cm), I would embroider simple patterns with a Bulgarian cross. And graceful miniatures or complex designs are usually embroidered on Aide 18 (72 squares = 10 cm) or linen.
Aida 14 is a canvas with 14 threads per inch (or 55 cells per 10 cm) and is one of the most popular fabrics for cross stitch. This canvas is embroidered, as a rule, in two threads, sometimes in three threads of floss with needles 24. Aida 14 is used in the sets Dimensions, Janlynn, Permin, Kustom Krafts, RTO, Zolotoe Runo and Riolis.
Aida 16 is a canvas with 16 threads per inch (or 62 cells per 10 cm) allows you to perform embroidery with a clearer rendering of details. It is embroidered using two threads of floss using 24 needles. In this case, the pattern is not thinned out, i.e. the canvas does not show through the embroidery. Aida 16 is used in Dimensions, Derwentwater Design kits.
Aida 18 count with 18 threads per inch (or 72 squares per 10 cm) is ideal for cross stitch. Used for large, well-designed circuits. It is most often embroidered in 1 thread of floss with needles 25-26. It is used in the Dimensions, Thea Gouverneur, Golden Fleece and RTO sets.
In addition to the classic Aida embroidery canvas, there are special embroidery fabrics without a clear division into squares: Linda, Belfast, Edinburgh and so on. Working with them requires some experience and dexterity, but the result is simply wonderful, while embroidery on Aida will not look at all. In other words, Aida is often evil!
Linda 27 is 100% cotton canvas with 27 threads per inch. Lightweight fabric with even weave. The edges are easy to process and drapes well. Used for sewing clothes, bed linen, tablecloths, napkins. Can replace flax. 2X2 Linda squares correspond to Aida 14. But unlike Aida, where the square is not divisible, Linda allows you to make two narrow crosses in the horizontal or vertical direction instead of one cross. This technique is used in Heritage sets. Linda is also used in Lanarte kits.
Lugana 25 is a cotton blend fabric (52% cotton and 48% rayon) with 25 threads per inch. One of the most popular fabrics from Zweigart. Elegant fabric for tablecloths, pillows and other decorative items. It is great for cross stitch work. It is used in Janlynn kits (Teresa Wentzler).
Hardanger 22 is 100% cotton canvas with 22 threads per inch or 87 cl. by 10 cm. High quality Zweigart fabrics. Looks like regular fabric. This is the smallest of all types of canvas that have clear cells, not counting single-strand ones. It is embroidered with a cross in one thread or a half-cross (tapestry) in two threads.
Davosa 18 is 100% cotton canvas with 18 threads per inch or 71 cl. by 10 cm. This is a wonderful high quality fabric with a special weave. The intersecting threads are not rigidly intertwined. This canvas is soft and has the appearance of fabric. The needle passes effortlessly through the spaces between the threads. It is most often used for embroidering tablecloths, napkins, and runners. But it is also good for embroidering pictures.
Stramin is a rigid canvas for embroidering tapestries and carpet techniques. Dense fabric for needlework made of very uniform and tear-resistant fibers - a special type of weaving and processing. Two threads in the warp and two in the weft (according to the principle - one thread on top, one on bottom) form clear open cells. Used for embroidering rugs, pillows, tapestries, bags, etc.
The numbers after the name of the canvas indicate the number of squares (for Aida canvas) or threads (for evenweave canvas) per inch (2.54 cm). In English this figure is called “count”, in Russian it is “number”. To find out how many “cells” or threads there will be in 10 cm, you need to divide the canvas number by 2.54 and multiply by 10. For example: for the Aida canvas 14 it turns out (14 / 2.54) * 10 = 55 cells per 10 cm.
To determine which Aida number evenweave corresponds to, you need to divide the evenweave canvas number by two. But it is not always possible to select a canvas of uniform weave that exactly matches the desired Aida number. For example, Aida 14 canvas is very often replaced with Linda 27 (Heritage sets of the same design can be equipped with either Aida 14 or Linda 27).
When choosing the size of the fabric, you should take into account the allowance for stretching it over the frame, a few centimeters around the perimeter. But if, after finishing the work, you want to insert it into the passe-partout and there are not enough allowances, you can always sew on thin and strong fabric. Let's determine what piece of fabric we need. To do this, you need to calculate the total size of the embroidery, add a margin for matting to each side (for large works this is about 5-6 cm on each side) and a little more for processing the edges. Let's say the size of the finished work is 150x200 crosses, and Aida18 canvas is used for embroidery. As we remember, such a canvas has 18 crosses per inch or 70 crosses per 10 cm. Thus, the total embroidery size will be 21.5x28.5 cm, now add 12 cm to the horizontal and vertical size (margin for mat) and 2 cm (for processing edges). In total, a piece of fabric measuring 35.5x42.5 cm is required. Of course, these are only preliminary calculations; the indentation for the mat can be made smaller, and the edges coated with Gutermann glue and also save on consumables.
| For a beginner, canvas is best suited №14 (Aida 14). This canvas is quite large, and allows the embroiderer not to strain her eyes too much without any additional devices (magnifying glass, glasses). Many manufacturers recommend embroidering with double-fold thread even on this canvas. In this case, the embroidery turns out to be quite neat, “airy”, but the outline is slightly visible from under the crosses. And the picture itself turns out larger than if you embroidered on a smaller canvas. | |
| Canvas No. 16 . This canvas is well suited for craftswomen with good eyesight and who already have some experience in embroidery. This canvas allows you to slightly reduce the size of the desired pattern, and the crosses will be denser than on Aida 14. It is also recommended to embroider on the 16th canvas using two threads. Canvas No. 18 . This is already a very small outline and in some cases requires additional devices (magnifying glass, glasses) in order not to strain your eyesight. On the 18th canvas you can embroider with one thread, but this, again, depends on how dense the embroidery you like. Aida 18 canvas significantly reduces the size of the resulting work and is suitable for creating realistic embroidered pictures. Determining the size of Aida canvas: 18 - 72 cells per 10 cm. | |
| «Linen ". | |
| Stramin (Stramin) - a rigid mesh with large gaps. Stramin comes in different sizes, but the large size is most often used for embroidering panels, pillows, and tapestry blankets. Such products are embroidered with voluminous woolen threads, or with ordinary floss in several folds. | |
| And finally - plastic canvas (plastic) - a synthetic mesh with holes, the threads of which are tightly connected to each other. It comes in different sizes and shades, and is mainly used for souvenirs, cards, Christmas tree decorations, because... When cutting contours, such a canvas does not tend to “crumble” or unravel. I gave as an example only the most commonly used fabrics for embroidery and their sizes. But in fact, there are a great many different bases for embroidery, different colors and sizes, and it’s up to you to decide which canvas is most suitable for your embroidery. | |
Features of material for embroidery with beads
Any type listed above is suitable for working with beads. It is important to correctly determine the count in accordance with the size of the beads and the threads chosen for embroidery (read which ones are better).
To choose the right canvas for bead embroidery you need to follow simple rules :
- measure the diameter;
- count the number of beads per 10 mm of fabric;
- multiply the resulting number by a factor of 1.25 (to take into account the tilt of the beads when sewing them onto the fabric);
- the resulting number is the count number of the fabric needed to work with beads of the selected size.
If the choice is made incorrectly, and the beads turn out to be smaller than the markings, gaps between the elements will be visible on the product, which will not have the best effect on the quality. When the beads are larger than the count, noticeable movement may occur after a few rows. This will greatly complicate further work and may even completely ruin the drawing.
You can buy canvas for embroidery in online stores and handicraft shops in all cities. Be sure to learn how to embroider if you don’t already know how, because this is one of the most useful hobbies!
How to determine the cut size of canvas or fabric for embroidery
1.
Look at the canvas/fabric number.
Let’s say this is “Aida” 14. This means that 14 cells fit in 1 inch (2.5 cm) (see tables above). 2.
If the design is 150 (width) by 200 (height) cells, therefore, we calculate the cut size BY THE FORMULA: 150 * 2.5 / 14 = approximately 26.8 cm (for width) 200 * 2.5 / 14 = approximately 35 .7 cm (for height)
3.
This means that our drawing will occupy an area of 26.8 by 35.7 cm.
4.
Now allowances for design.
The general rule is something like this - for miniatures we add 5 cm to the height and width, for large embroideries - 10 cm to the height and width. In our example, the proposed design is rather large, which means we’ll add 10 cm: 26.8 + 10 = 36.8 cm 35.7 + 10 = 45.7 cm 5.
Round
up .
We will need a piece of 37 by 46 cm. 6.
BUT! You should always take into account the specifics of the embroidery project and the desire of the needlewoman. Perhaps your design requires huge vertical and horizontal allowances or, on the contrary, very small ones. Add as much as YOU need! For example, I am a reinsurer, which means that for our example I would round it up even more and take a cut of 40 by 50 cm (for embroidering a design of 150 by 200 cells).
Which base is better for cross stitch
All types of canvas are suitable for cross stitch. The choice depends on the type and purpose of the product, the preference of the needlewoman and the properties of the threads. You can buy cotton, linen, synthetic. If you are just learning to embroider, choose mesh fabrics .
Stramin is most often chosen for embroidering rugs and pillows with large patterns with woolen threads. Plastic canvas is suitable for souvenirs and panels. Water-soluble is ideal for embroidering clothes, it is used as a basis for motifs.
