Cross Stitch Samplers
Cross Stitch Samplers Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
Counted cross stitch samplers have been a popular method of stitching for centuries creating a family heirloom. They are an important part of a family history. Young girls would stitch them to practice their skill in stitching. If ever you see an antique sampler it is amazing how these girls managed to stitch such detailed items. The designs were created by themselves or with parental or governess tuition. Samplers would be the first step to learning embroidery and improving their skills.
They would use silk thread even today we talk about embroidery silks however in this modern age we no longer use silk but cotton or rayon threads.
They would also be a way of learning the alphabet and numbers. Usually in a traditional sampler there is the alphabet and numbers some have both this depends on the size of the sampler. Some have a poem or a saying. Most important is the date.
Traditionally the motifs on a sampler have a meaning for example
Bee diligence
Butterfly playfulness
Heart love
Each time you see an antique sampler take a look at the motifs used and they will tell a story of the life of that person.
Today the sampler has not changed a great deal in how they are stitched. The difference is they are mass produced in kit form with a rainbow of colours and a variety of designs. They are stitched on fabric counts from even-weave to 14 count. They are still a very popular way to commemorate special occasions. Wedding,births,new home to name a few but still creating family heirloom which will be around for generations to come. Using a kit is a very convenient way of producing your own sampler.
Making your own sampler with a choice of motifs and the positioning of them is as much fun as the stitching. Samplers are normally symmetrical and look balanced when finished. Designing your makes it personal to you and your family.
Jean Leeming is a keen cross stitch enthusiast. She writes articles on all aspects of Cross Stitch and also runs a website: Needlework Magic where she sells a wide range of Cross Stitch Kits which are very competitively priced.
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Brynwood Needlework Cross Stitch Cht - Geranium Sampler
$6.00 |
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Sampler and Antique Needlework Vol II RARE
$23.38 |
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Cross Stitch & Needlework February 1997 Magazine Girls Learning Sampler ++++++
$0.99 |
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Welcome Sampler Pineapple Cross-stitch Needlework Pattern Leaflet
$7.99 |
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Bucilla Needlework Kit #8754 Happiness is Catching Sampler 16x20" Belgian Linen
$19.99 |
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Sampler Needlework ¼ yrd 14-Count Ivory Cross-Stitch USA Made
$8.99 |
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Sampler & Antique Needlework Quartley - Fall 2008 - magazine
$3.25 |
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Sampler Needlework ¼ yd 14-count Tan Cross-Stitch Aida USA Made
$8.99 |
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"VIRTUE SAMPLER"- NEW - LITTLE HOUSE NEEDLEWORK
$7.85 |
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DANISH NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER ON LINEN CROSS STITCH FLOWER THREADS COMPLETED 1973
$31.93 |
StitchX Designs — Pets! Bundle! Limited Time
StitchX Designs Pets! Bundle! Limited Time Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
For a limited time! StitchX Cross Stitch Designs presents —- PETS! Bundle
Here’s your chance to get TEN of our most popular patterns for only $7 - that’s a tiny 70 cents per pattern!
These patterns are on sale individually at XstitchPatterns.com at the regular price of $2.95 each, so this bundle is an amazing savings for you.
Here are the specifications for each pattern:
Angel Baby
Stitch Count – 100×112
Art Deco Bird #1
Stitch Count – 121×160
Art Deco Bird #2
Stitch Count -80×124
Art Deco Bird #3
Stitch Count -100×93
Fancy Fish
Stitch Count -84×66
Halloween Kitty
Stitch Count -81×84
Happy Kitten
Stitch Count -99×85
Mimi Kitty and Birdhouses
Stitch Count -90×91
Mimi Kitty with Chick
Stitch Count -71×81
Mischief
Stitch Count – 81×105
To purchase, click the LIMITED TIME banner above or the Add to Cart button below.
Proceed through checkout and you will immediately receive a download link in your email box.
Simply follow the link to download your product. It’s that easy!
10 New Patterns – ONE Special Price – Limited Time!
10 New Patterns ONE Special Price Limited Time! Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
Digital Art and Fractal Cross Stitch Patterns are the HOT new thing among cross stitchers!
Here’s your chance to get our TEN newest patterns for only $7 - that’s a tiny 70 cents per pattern!
This bundle will only be available for a limited time (through December 15) so get this while you can.
When they go on sale individually at XstitchPatterns.com, they will be the regular price of $2.95 each, so this bundle is an amazing savings for you.
These patterns are large. Most patterns span 15-30 pages and use many colors of DMC threads for best detail. This full bundle is a huge 247 pages – enough to keep you stitching for a long time.
Here are the specifications for each pattern:
Caramel Swirl
Stitch Count – 299×400
Cosmos
Stitch Count – 200×305
MistleGlow
Stitch Count -252×336
Planetary
Stitch Count -318×450
Proton
Stitch Count -264×350
Purple Passion
Stitch Count -266×350
Red
Stitch Count -232×350
Summer Splash
Stitch Count -203×280
Tiger Art
Stitch Count -229×336
Winter Fire
Stitch Count – 252×336
To purchase, click the LIMITED TIME banner above or the Add to Cart button below.
Proceed through checkout and you will immediately receive a download link in your email box.
Simply follow the link to download your product. It’s that easy!
2 New Free Cross Stitch Patterns
2 New Free Cross Stitch Patterns Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
Bird in the Pines Cross Stitch Pattern - FREE
Visit www.FreeXStitchPatterns.com site!
This pattern is Bird In the Pines and measures about 15″x20″ when stitched on 14 or 28 count fabric.
Click here to go straight to the post page. Enjoy!
And at X StitchPatterns.com, you will find Art Deco Bird #1 free for one week only.
Finished Size:
28 count Lugana or other evenweave: 8.6″x11.4″
Stitch Count: 121×160
DMC Colors: 18
ENJOY!
How much fabric do I need?
How much fabric do I need? Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
A common problem that many stitchers have when starting a new project is trying to figure out how much fabric they will need for their project. If you know the stitch count of your design, it’s not too difficult, but it can be very frustrating for some. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Fabric size calculations:
What is the stitch count of my pattern:
*A*_________x *B*__________
What count is my fabric? If using aida cloth, or stitching “over one”, enter the amount in blank *C*. If using linen or evenweave and stitching “over two”, divide that number by 2. (Example: For 28 count fabric, divide by 2, and enter ‘14’ in blank *C*)
*C*___________
Read the rest of this entry »
Amazing Aida, part III
Amazing Aida, part III Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
For the final part of our Aida article, we’ll talk about when aida is a good fabric choice.
The number ONE reason for using Aida cloth is personal preference! If you like it, use it. 
Stitching should be enjoyable! Stitchers have a variety of reasons for preferring aida cloth, including that it’s easier to see, it’s not as confusing, or that they like the sturdy feel.
Amazing Aida, part II
Amazing Aida, part II Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
In part I of this article, we talked about the different manufacturers, colors and counts of Aida cloth. There are so many different types available, some solid, some heathered, some soft, some not!
Typical aida that most stitchers think of when they talk about “aida cloth” is available in a wide variety of counts/colors/sizes and isn’t hard to find for purchase. This “regular” aida, we’ll call it, is typically 100% cotton and usually has more of a stiff feel to it. Most of the time, as it’s being stitched on, it does loosen up some and become softer. This stiffer texture does make stitching small projects without a hoop much easier for some, but that is mostly personal preference.
Very nice flower pattern!
Very nice flower pattern! Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
With so many flowers blooming this time of year, it seems fitting that we might stitch floral patterns, right? This is a really pretty one that I ran across while browsing Golden Kite’s website. If you haven’t visited there before, they have a wide range of levels of patterns, from starter patterns to really, really large and complex (and beautiful) designs. This is one of their newer releases.
Summer Flowers in a Vase
The stitch count is 300×380, so it’s rather large (about 21 1/2″ x 27″ on 14 or 28 count). There are 200 thread colors used, but also 122 blends to give ultimate detail. Click the image to view more information and to purchase. Oh, and this pattern is downloadable, so you can get it immediately. (Something we all like, right!?!)
Amazing Aida, Part I
Amazing Aida, Part I Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
Aida cloth is probably the most well known of cross stitch fabrics. Most stitchers have used or routinely use this type of fabric, as it’s widely available in most needlework shops, craft chain stores, and discount stores. There are scores of different brands, with each having a slightly different “hand”, or feel. These facts, along with the variety of counts and colors available, make aida cloth very versatile.
The number (and quality) of brands of Aida cloth can be overwhelming. To name a few of the more common brands, there is Zweigart, Permin (also known as Wichelt), and Charles Craft. The latter brand is more well known in craft chain stores and discount stores. It’s usually available in tubes, which prevents fold lines in the fabric, and typically is only available in a few neutral tone shades. Zweigart and Permin aidas are more commonly found in needlework shops and are regarded to be of highest quality by most stitchers. Both manufacturers create a mind-boggling array of colors with descriptive names such as Forest Mist, Jade Stone and Baby Lotion. With so many choices available to today’s stitcher, it’s no wonder that Aida cloth is so popular.
The “count” of Aida cloth refers to how many “blocks” are in a typical inch. For example, if you are stitching on 14 count aida, and you stitch one full inch horizontally (or vertically), you will have 14 “x” stitches per row. The most common counts of Aida cloth are 14, 16, and 18, however there are several other counts worth mentioning. Counts as low as 6 (stitches per inch) can be found as well as as high as 22. Remember, when talking stitch counts, the “lower” number means bigger stitches. With so much variety, how do you know which to use? The biggest factor in deciding is simply personal preference. Eight or 11 count might be ideal for teaching children to stitch. Factors to consider when deciding might be the experience of the stitcher, whether the desired color is available, finished size of the design, and the eyesight/hand-eye coordination of the stitcher.
In Part II, we’ll explore specialty aidas, fiber content, aida “hand” and when to choose/not to choose to stitch on Aida.
Is it evenweave…. or linen…. or ???
Is it evenweave…. or linen…. or ??? Counted Cross Stitch
Counted Cross Stitch
This will be the first in a series of articles de-mystifying the many types of cross stitch fabric available to the stitcher these days. There are oh, so many different fabrics – enough to make one feel dizzy-headed just picking something out for their next project.
First, let’s talk terminology. Most of us are familiar with aida cloth. Some of us started out stitching on it, but then tried other fabrics. Others of us love to stick with the old faithful. In general, aida cloth is considered by most stitchers to have “holes” for stitching, as opposed to more of a woven appearance.
“Evenweave” is a term that can actually have more than one meaning, depending on whom you are talking to. Technically, evenweave refers to a fabric that has the same number of threads horizontally, as vertically. Using this definition, most all cross stitch fabrics would be considered evenweave, even aida. For example, good quality 14 count aida will have 14 squares horizontally, and 14 square vertically. (There are some linen fabrics available that have 36 threads in one direction and 38 in the other. ) Again, with this definition, fabrics ranging from 7 count Klostern, all the way up to 40ct Newcastle linen would be evenweave.
Another school of thought for the word evenweave is a fabric that has smooth, even threads, and that is not Aida cloth. Fabrics that are made with linen fibers have threads that vary in thickness throughout the cloth, and also have “slubs”, which look like tiny little knots or lumps in the fabric. Because of these variations in the cloth, they are not considered evenweave since the threads aren’t smooth and even.
The term linen also can have a couple of different meanings among stitchers. Some refer to linen as any fabric that’s not aida cloth. Others refer to linen as fabrics that are indeed made from true linen threads.
As you can see, just the basic terminology can even be confusing if everyone isn’t on the same page, so to speak. While one stitcher may say “I’d like to use linen for this project”, they may mean a fabric such as Cashel Linen or they may just mean anything other than Aida cloth.