LMF Bernardo

By 'materials' most cross stitchers will be referring to the fabric and threads that they use in their designs. There are a number of different thread types and several types of fabric.

Common types of thread

• Stranded cotton thread -- this is the most common type of embroidery thread and as such is now available in over 400 different colours. This thread is mercerized (it has a glossy sheen) and each thread has six strands that can be separated if the pattern requires it. Using fewer individual strands gives a smooth finish, whereas using more gives a slightly textured feel. Advanced stitchers combine different coloured strands to produce a mottled effect and so give some depth to their work.
• Cotton Perle -- Again this thread is mercerized. It is commonly bought in skeins but popular colours such as black and white can be bought as balls. During the production process the thread is twisted, therefore it cannot be divided into its component strands. Cotton perle is available in several different weights that correspond to normal embroidery silk. So No 3 cotton perle is the equivalent of about 6 strands of silk, whereas No 5 cotton perle is more like 4 strands of silk.
• Silk thread -- Silk thread does have a couple of drawbacks however, including not being color fast and so will bleed if washed, and the color does tend to fade over time, particularly when placed in direct sunlight.
• Marlitt -- This thread is a great substitute for silk as it has the same lustrous shiny appearance; but it is cheaper to buy and is color fast. Like stranded cotton thread, the skeins of marlitt can be divided into single strands so that they can be used in any project.
• Metallic thread -- Up until quite recently metallic thread was combined with other threads, such as stranded cotton, to add a bit of sparkle to a piece of work. However, over the last few years cross stitchers have begun to use metallic thread in its own right. Metallic thread is sold on a spool and is prone to crinkling so care should be taken when using it.

There are numerous other types of threads as well as the ones mentioned above, but they are used less frequently and are beyond the scope of this article.

Common types of fabric

• Aida -- this is a very popular type of fabric and is especially suitable for beginners. It has small, very obvious, blocks of fabric that make it easy to relate to a cross stitch chart. It is available in a range of count sizes including 11, 14, 16, 18 and 22. This means that, for example, that 11 count Aida has 11 stitches per inch whereas 22 count Aida has 22 stitches per inch. The most commonly used count size is 14.
• Canvas -- This is a sturdy fabric that is commonly used to make cushion covers and other items that suffer daily wear and tear. It is normally used in conjunction with thicker threads such as cotton perle or embroidery wool.
• Evenweave -- This is similar to Aida in that it is composed of small squares of fabric over which you place your stitches. The main difference is that it has an equal number of threads per inch in both the horizontal and the vertical directions. Linen is an example of an evenweave fabric.
• Plastic canvas -- These sheets of plastic have the same layout as Aida and so are a great non-fray alternative to the other fabrics. The plastic is very supportive and so it is regularly used to make decorative ornaments like tissue box covers and pretty tops for jewellery boxes.
• Stitching paper -- This is perforated paper that is ideal for certain cross stitch projects such as book marks, greeting cards and other flat surfaces. It is available in a variety of sizes but like the Aida it is most commonly used in the 14 holes per inch. This means that designs normally stitched on Aida can be stitched onto paper as well.

There are several other types of fabric used less frequently that, again, are beyond the scope of this artice.