There are many different cross stitch fabrics available to choose from. You have aida cloth, afghan cloth, linen, perforated paper, waste canvas and specialty fabrics. With all these choices, it can be hard to decide which one to use. However, each one has it's own qualities and advantages. Once you know the qualities of each fabric, it is a simple matter of matching up your project with the qualities you need. Here's a brief description of each type and the advantages of each one so that you can decide what fabric is ideal for your next cross stitch project.
Aida Cloth
Aida cloth is well known because of the tiny holes in the cloth, set in a grid pattern. It comes in a variety of sizes. The size determines how far apart the holes are spaced. The smaller the number, the farther apart the holes are; the larger the number, the closer together the holes are. Aida cloth with a smaller number size is easier to work with, but larger number sizes allow for more detailed designs. Aida cloth also comes in a variety of colours, including solids, prints and hand dyed. Advantage: It's easy to use. Simply place your needle in the holes and you're almost guaranteed to have perfect little "x's" in your stitching each time!
Afghan Cloth
Afghan cloth is a very large piece of aida cloth, but it is softer than aida cloth. It's the size of a small afghan or throw. Sometimes the edges are finished for you, but sometimes you have to finish the edges yourself. As well, it can have a design or pattern that clearly breaks the cloth up into little squares. The idea is that you will stitch a different design on each square. Advantage: Works great to show off a collection or series of patterns, such as different flowers.
Linen
Linen has a basket weave appearance and the grid lines of the cloth are not as easy to notice as with aida cloth. This appearance also makes the cloth harder to produce even stitches and is generally used more by experienced stitchers than beginners. When stitching, you will usually stitch over two squares, rather than creating an "x" for each square. Advantage: Great for detailed designs and to give an "old fashion" appearance to a cross stitch project.
Perforated Paper
Perforated paper was popular during the Victorian era by people who could not afford linen cloth. It was mostly used to make bookmarks or bible verses to hang on the wall. Today it is still very popular for bookmarks, ornaments or simple patterns. Advantage: It's stiffer than cloth and is ideal for projects that you don't want to bend easily.
Specialty
These fabrics take a new twist on aida cloth. They all have aida cloth for the stitching area, plus regular fabric. They come in many different shapes and styles, including hand towels, baby bibs, jar lid covers and more. Advantage: You don't have to worry about finishing your project. Simply stitch the design and you are done!
Waste Canvas
Sometimes you want to cross stitch a design on a shirt, tote bag or other object. It can be hard to get all your "x's" to line up properly or to know where to place them without a grid to follow. That's where waste canvas comes in. Simply baste it over the area you want to cross stitch and then stitch away like normal. Once you're done stitching, simply moisten the waste canvas and pull it out, strand by strand. Make sure to soak your threads before using them in order to set the colours of the thread before stitching. Advantage: By using waste canvas, you can cross stitch a design on almost anything!
