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Saturday, February 21, 2009
Interesting Facts on Cross Stitch Embroidery
What exactly is cross stitch embroidery : Cross-stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery and is famous amongst enthusiasts across the world. Many folk museums show examples of clothing decorated with cross-stitch, especially from continental Europe and Asia. Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form a picture.
There are two different stitching techniques commonly used in Cross Stitch Embroidery.
The first, the "stab" method, is used by most beginning stitchers. The stab method involves moving the hand back and forth from the front of the fabric to the back of the fabric. The needle is "stabbed" into the front of the fabric, left there, and then pulled through from the other side. The second, the "Sewing" method is a favourite of stitchers who prefer to hold the fabric in the hand instead of hoop.
Each stitch technique has unique characteristics. The stab method is effective when using a hoop or frame. The stab method of stitching does not distort the fabric. It is easy to make certain that the stitch is placed properly. In the sewing method, the stitcher's hand and needle stay on top of the fabric, except when securing floss. The needle scoops under the weave of the fabric. Since this requires practice, the sewing method is not the best for beginners. It is more difficult to ensure stitch placement, and the fabric can be distorted by the scooping motion. For more experienced stitchers, this sewing technique is preferred for some projects because a hoop is not required and the speed is considerably faster.
Some forms of Cross Stitch : Here we introduce you to some of the common and famous forms of cross stitch : Counted cross-stitch is unique since this involves actual counting of each of the stitches. Cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the canvas, showing every single cross (stamped cross-stitch)."
Two-dimensional (unshaded) cross-stitch in floral and geometric patterns, usually worked in black and red cotton floss on linen, is characteristic of folk embroidery in Eastern and Central Europe.
Multicoloured, shaded, painting-like patterns as we know them today are a recent development, deriving from similar shaded patterns of Berlin wool work of the mid-nineteenth century
Cross-stitch is the most popular form of hobby embroidery in the western world. It lends itself well to recreational use, as it is easy to learn and very versatile.
In the United States, the earliest known cross-stitch sampler is currently housed at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts (Pilgrim Hall).The sampler was created by Loara Standish, the daughter of Captain Myles Standish, circa 1653.
Traditionally, cross-stitch was used to embellish items like dishcloths, household linens, and doilies (only a small portion of which would actually be embroidered). Although there are many cross-stitchers who still employ it in this fashion, especially in Europe, it is now more popular to simply embroider plain pieces of canvas and hang them on the wall for decoration. There are many cross-stitching "guilds" across the United States and Europe which offer classes, collaborate on large projects, stitch for charity, and provide other ways for local cross-stitchers to get to know one another.
Embroidery Designs Guide
Hand Embroidery Designs
Amazing Embroidery Designs
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shikha_Deepak
There are two different stitching techniques commonly used in Cross Stitch Embroidery.
The first, the "stab" method, is used by most beginning stitchers. The stab method involves moving the hand back and forth from the front of the fabric to the back of the fabric. The needle is "stabbed" into the front of the fabric, left there, and then pulled through from the other side. The second, the "Sewing" method is a favourite of stitchers who prefer to hold the fabric in the hand instead of hoop.
Each stitch technique has unique characteristics. The stab method is effective when using a hoop or frame. The stab method of stitching does not distort the fabric. It is easy to make certain that the stitch is placed properly. In the sewing method, the stitcher's hand and needle stay on top of the fabric, except when securing floss. The needle scoops under the weave of the fabric. Since this requires practice, the sewing method is not the best for beginners. It is more difficult to ensure stitch placement, and the fabric can be distorted by the scooping motion. For more experienced stitchers, this sewing technique is preferred for some projects because a hoop is not required and the speed is considerably faster.
Some forms of Cross Stitch : Here we introduce you to some of the common and famous forms of cross stitch : Counted cross-stitch is unique since this involves actual counting of each of the stitches. Cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the canvas, showing every single cross (stamped cross-stitch)."
Two-dimensional (unshaded) cross-stitch in floral and geometric patterns, usually worked in black and red cotton floss on linen, is characteristic of folk embroidery in Eastern and Central Europe.
Multicoloured, shaded, painting-like patterns as we know them today are a recent development, deriving from similar shaded patterns of Berlin wool work of the mid-nineteenth century
Cross-stitch is the most popular form of hobby embroidery in the western world. It lends itself well to recreational use, as it is easy to learn and very versatile.
In the United States, the earliest known cross-stitch sampler is currently housed at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts (Pilgrim Hall).The sampler was created by Loara Standish, the daughter of Captain Myles Standish, circa 1653.
Traditionally, cross-stitch was used to embellish items like dishcloths, household linens, and doilies (only a small portion of which would actually be embroidered). Although there are many cross-stitchers who still employ it in this fashion, especially in Europe, it is now more popular to simply embroider plain pieces of canvas and hang them on the wall for decoration. There are many cross-stitching "guilds" across the United States and Europe which offer classes, collaborate on large projects, stitch for charity, and provide other ways for local cross-stitchers to get to know one another.
Embroidery Designs Guide
Hand Embroidery Designs
Amazing Embroidery Designs
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shikha_Deepak
Cross Stitch a Lucky Charm
If you love to cross stitch, and you love St. Patrick's' Day, or you just love the color green, then try this.
One heart shaped cookie cutter
One Potato cut in half.
Aida cloth, or your preferred cross stitch fabric
Lots of green cross stitch threads
Green ink pad or acrylic paint. (make sure the surface of the potato is dry)
Press the heart shaped cookie cutter into the potato half, and then cut away the rest of the potato, leaving yourself a heart shaped stamp.
Dip your potato stamp onto a green stamp pad or a light layer of acrylic paint, and stamp it onto your cloth three times forming a clover with the narrow part of the heart at the center. Start with the first one at the top of the clover and the other two on each side of it. so that their narrow ends meet in the center.
You now have a three leaf clover. Now draw the stem and let dry. Cross Stitch your clover in the green of your choice, and you now have a "lucky charm".
You can incorporate this into any type of picture, you could do a collage of them, or you can do a single one. Hang it in your kitchen for "good luck".
If you have never done cross stitch, now is a good time to learn. Counted cross stitch is easy to learn, and fun, you can get some great videos that show you hands on. Then start creating your own lucky charm.
http://www.make-crafts-for-cash.com/crossstitchkits.html learn to cross stitch with the free video, counted cross stitch is the easiest to learn, and you will be a pro in no time at all. Aricle and website by Diane Palmer, who has been in the crafts business for over 15 years..
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Palmer
One heart shaped cookie cutter
One Potato cut in half.
Aida cloth, or your preferred cross stitch fabric
Lots of green cross stitch threads
Green ink pad or acrylic paint. (make sure the surface of the potato is dry)
Press the heart shaped cookie cutter into the potato half, and then cut away the rest of the potato, leaving yourself a heart shaped stamp.
Dip your potato stamp onto a green stamp pad or a light layer of acrylic paint, and stamp it onto your cloth three times forming a clover with the narrow part of the heart at the center. Start with the first one at the top of the clover and the other two on each side of it. so that their narrow ends meet in the center.
You now have a three leaf clover. Now draw the stem and let dry. Cross Stitch your clover in the green of your choice, and you now have a "lucky charm".
You can incorporate this into any type of picture, you could do a collage of them, or you can do a single one. Hang it in your kitchen for "good luck".
If you have never done cross stitch, now is a good time to learn. Counted cross stitch is easy to learn, and fun, you can get some great videos that show you hands on. Then start creating your own lucky charm.
http://www.make-crafts-for-cash.com/crossstitchkits.html learn to cross stitch with the free video, counted cross stitch is the easiest to learn, and you will be a pro in no time at all. Aricle and website by Diane Palmer, who has been in the crafts business for over 15 years..
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Palmer
Thursday, February 12, 2009
How To Create Your Own Design
If you love cross stitching you are always searching for new design and there are plenty of patterns and designs you can find today. But sometimes you see a nice picture somewhere and think "That could be a good cross stitch design I can make..." I can tall you "You really CAN!"
Making your own cross stitch design isn't so hard. You just need use your imagination. I'll show you all process of creating a cross stitch design here.
First of all you need to fined a picture you want to cross stitch and at first time it's better to start with small and simple picture. Then you need to draw horizontals and vertical lines and at the end you have a grid on your picture. Remember: the more lines you draw the better and clear design will be. The lines don't have to be perfect, your squares can be different sizes - this is just a helping tools for you. This part of cresting is the most exhausting and boring work but you really need it. You can prepare some sort of grid and use it.
When you finish with your lines you already have some sort of pattern. Now you are starting to fill your squares with colors. It's easy to fill in squares colored in one color but what about squares with few colors in it? You need to decide what color it will be. Here is a rule - if there are few colors in a square you choose the most presented in it. If there is lots of red in a square and a bit of blue - you choose red and so on. Even after this you can have a look at your picture and have little changes to make it better.
Hopefully you finish filling in the squares. Now we need to do something with thin lines if you have them. Just use full and half back stitching for this. You can also use it to make an edge of you picture, it become more clear like this.
Now you have finished design of your picture and you can start to cross stitch it. I think you will love the result - your one cross stitch sampler from the beginning to the end.
After this you can try to make a bigger and more complicated design. There is only one little problem with big designs - it is hard to make so big grid.
Anna Pervuninskaya
http://crossstitchsamplers.zozuz.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Pervuninskaya
Making your own cross stitch design isn't so hard. You just need use your imagination. I'll show you all process of creating a cross stitch design here.
First of all you need to fined a picture you want to cross stitch and at first time it's better to start with small and simple picture. Then you need to draw horizontals and vertical lines and at the end you have a grid on your picture. Remember: the more lines you draw the better and clear design will be. The lines don't have to be perfect, your squares can be different sizes - this is just a helping tools for you. This part of cresting is the most exhausting and boring work but you really need it. You can prepare some sort of grid and use it.
When you finish with your lines you already have some sort of pattern. Now you are starting to fill your squares with colors. It's easy to fill in squares colored in one color but what about squares with few colors in it? You need to decide what color it will be. Here is a rule - if there are few colors in a square you choose the most presented in it. If there is lots of red in a square and a bit of blue - you choose red and so on. Even after this you can have a look at your picture and have little changes to make it better.
Hopefully you finish filling in the squares. Now we need to do something with thin lines if you have them. Just use full and half back stitching for this. You can also use it to make an edge of you picture, it become more clear like this.
Now you have finished design of your picture and you can start to cross stitch it. I think you will love the result - your one cross stitch sampler from the beginning to the end.
After this you can try to make a bigger and more complicated design. There is only one little problem with big designs - it is hard to make so big grid.
Anna Pervuninskaya
http://crossstitchsamplers.zozuz.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Pervuninskaya
Your Cross Stitch Is Done, Now What
It's been a couple of months since you've started the exciting journey of starting your first, second or maybe even tenth cross stitch project. It has been a wonderful therapeutic journey from start to finish, from seeing the stitch start from a simple x to a glorious masterpiece of art.
Then the question strikes you. Now what do I do with it? Most cross stitchers would just send their work of art to the frame dealer and with a little mental prayer that they don't screw it up, the cross stitch would be framed and ready to be hang. I have to admit I've been hanging all my completed works. I even have a wall dedicated only for my cross stitches.
Still there are other things you might want to consider doing. Here are 7 of my fun and unique ideas about what you can do after you have completed your project. Do take note that all ideas are dependent on the size of your patterns.
1. Make a quilt.
Make small little patterns and sew them all together on a large piece of blanket, making a beautiful patchwork of cross stitch patterns.
2. Make a table cloth.
Floral or border cross stitch designs are great for table runners. Forget about buying a commercial table cloth. Show off to your guests by making one of your own!
3. Coasters
Another favorite for guests are coasters. Cross stitch at least 6 patterns of the same theme and add lace around them to transform them into little girly coasters or simply use no-fray Aida to have ready made coasters after you are done stitching them.
4. Cushion covers
Although there are plenty of ready made stitch-able cushion covers, you don't have to use that to make great cross stitch cushions. If you have plain cushion covers in hand, you can simply sew your cross stitch designs on them.
5. Wallpaper border
This is an interesting one. You can cross stitch floral designs or alphabets on long strips of Aida and then glue it around a plain wall to liven up your baby's room. It's an alternative to putting up wallpaper and definitely would be something your baby would love to touch when he starts experimenting on textures.
6. Pencil case or purse
This is not a hard project to do. All you need is stitch on a bigger piece of Aida and only half of it so that when you later fold it, the design is nicely centered on one half. Of course this is entirely up to you. You can even arrange it that there are two designs at both sides. Then simple sew up the corners and add a zipper to the top. And you've got yourself a nice hand made purse or pencil case!
7. Head band
If you have a small rectangle cross stitch pattern done, consider making it into a head band. You only need to attach a short piece of elastic band to connect your cross stitch ends. And then it's perfect to hold your hair back!
Get more ideas at our site below with our stitch-able crafts!
Hamidah Gul is a freelance published author who usually writes horror and comedy. Her stories have been published in US and UK, both online and in print. The most recent publication is the US printed book, Diabolic Tales II. She was featured in Diabolic Tales I as well. Her other love aside from writing is cross stitching. She loves creating her own work of arts as well as sharing this love with others through her personal online at http://www.theartofstitch.com
Aside from this, she also shares her guide and updates on both writing and cross stitching in her blog - http://www.theartofstitch.com/blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hamidah_Gul
Then the question strikes you. Now what do I do with it? Most cross stitchers would just send their work of art to the frame dealer and with a little mental prayer that they don't screw it up, the cross stitch would be framed and ready to be hang. I have to admit I've been hanging all my completed works. I even have a wall dedicated only for my cross stitches.
Still there are other things you might want to consider doing. Here are 7 of my fun and unique ideas about what you can do after you have completed your project. Do take note that all ideas are dependent on the size of your patterns.
1. Make a quilt.
Make small little patterns and sew them all together on a large piece of blanket, making a beautiful patchwork of cross stitch patterns.
2. Make a table cloth.
Floral or border cross stitch designs are great for table runners. Forget about buying a commercial table cloth. Show off to your guests by making one of your own!
3. Coasters
Another favorite for guests are coasters. Cross stitch at least 6 patterns of the same theme and add lace around them to transform them into little girly coasters or simply use no-fray Aida to have ready made coasters after you are done stitching them.
4. Cushion covers
Although there are plenty of ready made stitch-able cushion covers, you don't have to use that to make great cross stitch cushions. If you have plain cushion covers in hand, you can simply sew your cross stitch designs on them.
5. Wallpaper border
This is an interesting one. You can cross stitch floral designs or alphabets on long strips of Aida and then glue it around a plain wall to liven up your baby's room. It's an alternative to putting up wallpaper and definitely would be something your baby would love to touch when he starts experimenting on textures.
6. Pencil case or purse
This is not a hard project to do. All you need is stitch on a bigger piece of Aida and only half of it so that when you later fold it, the design is nicely centered on one half. Of course this is entirely up to you. You can even arrange it that there are two designs at both sides. Then simple sew up the corners and add a zipper to the top. And you've got yourself a nice hand made purse or pencil case!
7. Head band
If you have a small rectangle cross stitch pattern done, consider making it into a head band. You only need to attach a short piece of elastic band to connect your cross stitch ends. And then it's perfect to hold your hair back!
Get more ideas at our site below with our stitch-able crafts!
Hamidah Gul is a freelance published author who usually writes horror and comedy. Her stories have been published in US and UK, both online and in print. The most recent publication is the US printed book, Diabolic Tales II. She was featured in Diabolic Tales I as well. Her other love aside from writing is cross stitching. She loves creating her own work of arts as well as sharing this love with others through her personal online at http://www.theartofstitch.com
Aside from this, she also shares her guide and updates on both writing and cross stitching in her blog - http://www.theartofstitch.com/blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hamidah_Gul
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