How to Select and Prepare Materials for a Cross-Stitch Project

Choose a cross-stitch project, then follow these instructions when selecting and preparing the necessary materials.

Things You'll Need

• Cross-stitch Charts
• Cross-stitch Fabrics
• Cross-stitch Kits
• Embroidery Floss
• Embroidery Frames
• Embroidery Hoops
• Narrow Masking Tape
• Tapestry Needles
• Distilled Waters
• Scissors
• Several Glass Containers

Instructions

Select Materials

1. Select a cross-stitch kit and make sure that all items listed on kit label are included. If any items are missing, return kit to place of purchase or contact manufacturer.

2. Or select a cross-stitch chart and purchase the items indicated on the chart. These items will include cross-stitch fabric, embroidery floss and a tapestry needle.

3. Purchase the size and quantity of items indicated on the cross-stitch chart, but the colors in which you work your design are up to you.

4. Purchase a No. 22 tapestry needle for fabric that is 14 count (14 squares per inch) or less, No. 24 for 16 count, and No. 26 for 18 count. The larger the size No., the smaller the needle. The size needed should be listed on your chart.

5. Choose an embroidery hoop or frame appropriate to the size of your cross-stitch piece. Either will help keep your work taut and your stitches even.

6. Select and purchase small, embroidery scissors or use any sharp pair of scissors for cutting thread.

Prepare Materials

1. Unwrap and prewash dark-colored embroidery floss if you are not certain of its colorfastness. Most readily available commercial brands of floss do not need to be prewashed.

2. Prewash embroidery floss by immersing individual skeins in separate glass containers of distilled water - at room temperature. Move floss around in water. If color bleeds into water, remove skein and repeat process with fresh water until color no longer bleeds. Remove floss from water and allow to dry.

3. Separate embroidery floss by color number. If embroidery floss comes from a kit, separate floss by color code indicated in kit instructions.

4. Cut cross-stitch fabric to appropriate size, if necessary.

5. Find center of cross-stitch fabric by folding fabric in half sideways then by folding in half again lengthwise. The point at which all fold lines meet in the center is where you will begin to stitch.

6. Mark center of fabric with a pin or piece of floss until you are ready to begin stitching.

Tips & Warnings

• The terms "floss" and "thread" are interchangeable.

• Make sure you use a tapestry needle, not a sewing needle. The eye of a tapestry needle is large enough to accomodate the embroidery floss and the end is blunt. The sharp end of a sewing needle may damage the fabric threads.

• Embroidery hoops are inexpensive and come in plastic or wood. Embroidery frames allow you to view your entire piece at once and cause less distortion of fabric.

• If you choose to work with an embroidery hoop, wooden hoops hold fabric tighter. Place a strip of tissue paper between hoop and fabric to prevent wood from staining the project.

• Prewash one skein of floss at a time. If prewash water stays clear, you don't need to prewash the remaining skeins of that color.

• Prevent cross-stitch fabric from fraying by wrapping edges with narrow masking tape.