Have you ever found a pattern that you really wanted to stitch, but then got lost in the sea of cross stitch fabric options? With dozens of different colors, fabric types, and counts ranging from 11 to 32, it can be overwhelming to choose the right fabric for your project. But fear not! I have put together a short guide to help you navigate through all of the options and find the perfect fabric for your next cross-stitch project.
Aida Cross Stitch Fabric
Aida is the most commonly used cross stitch fabric and is widely available. It is made from 100% cotton and was designed specifically for cross stitch about a hundred years ago, around the turn of the last century. It was created by a German company called Zweigart which is still one of the largest producers of aida in the world. It’s biggest competitor being WitchIt in the United States. Both companies produce beautiful and top quality fabric so which you use doesn’t make a difference.
Aida is an open weave fabric with evenly spaced holes in it that are easily seen by the stitcher. These holes form little squares which are easy to stitch your X on to. The even spacing means the stitches are a uniform and even size. The size of the spaces between the holes can be larger or smaller depending on the count of the fabric.
The count is defined by the number of squares you can measure in one inch. So 14 count aida has 14 squares (will turn into 14 stitches) per inch.
Aida comes in a nice variety of counts including 8, 11, 14, 16, 18 and 20. 14 is by far the most common and is usually the fabric included in most kits as well. 14 count is a great choice for anyone starting out cross stitching and is readily available and easy to use!
Aida is typically stitched over one which makes it easier to learn on than evenweave or linen fabrics and it has been heavily starched making it relatively stiff to hold. This can make it easier to stitch for hand holding but alternately a hoop or stand can be used as well.
There are two other variations of aida available, 6 count aida is often called Herta and is really large, just perfect for tiny hands learning how to sew! Fiddlers cloth is also very similar to aida but is made with a mix of cotton, silk and polyester rather than 100% cotton. This fabric is often found in a lovely natural oatmeal colour.
Although Aida is the most common of fabrics used by cross stitchers and was designed specifically for cross stitch, it can be chunky and thick feeling. It is not the best choice of fabric if you are completing a larger project, especially one with fractional or specialty stitches or one that is an heirloom piece and requires a more delicate look.
Evenweave Fabric
Evenweave fabric has the same number of stitches vertically and horizontally making the stitches exactly even. The threads in evenweave are also exactly the same thickness making the fabric very even and every inch the same as the previous.
The counts in evenweave are also a little different, instead of counting squares as we do for aida, the threads themselves are counted. Evenweave comes in various counts, 28 and 32 being the most popular.
Another thing that differs between aida and evenweave is the way you stitch it. While aida is stitched over one, evenweave fabrics are stitched over two, so each square is made up of an extra row and column of holes meaning there is also a hole directly in the middle. So on aida you stitch on a hole of 1×1 and on evenweave you stitch on 2×2.
This also means that a pattern worked on evenweave fabric of 28 count (28 threads per inch) works out to be the same finished size as the same pattern worked on 14 count aida. This makes converting your project from aida to evenweave very simple. For individuals who enjoy working on a more delicate and intricate fabric, they can swap out the aida for the equivalent evenweave option.
There are a number of different evenweave fabrics with their own unique characteristics. Jobelan is known for being soft and smooth and is a fabulous material to work with. It is made of 51% cotton and 49% Rayon. Lugana is very similar as well, often used for projects requiring a more delicate finish, such as samplers, heirloom pieces, table cloths and other decorative items. It is made up of 52% cotton and 48% Viscose.
Linen Fabric
Linen is the most unique and challenging of the cross stitch fabric to work with. It is made up of natural fibres meaning they are not always even and the treads can be of different thickness. This means that the stitch count may not be exactly even horizontally and vertically and that there are natural imperfections in the material from the natural fibres. It can give a piece a very natural look to it and is a great choice for heirloom items.
It is stitched over 2 exactly the same as evenweave and the count method used to measure linen is the same as for evenweave as well, so thread count versus square count for aida. However, linen has lovely names associated with the different counts. So Cashel linen is 28 count, Belfast linen is 32 count, Edinburgh linen is 36 count and Newcastle linen is 40 count.
Dyed Cross Stitch Fabric
Whether you are working on aida, evenweave or linen there are sure to be a lot of different colour and pattern choices. These days there are numerous company’s that specialize in producing hand dyed fabrics perfect for any project. The most important thing to remember if you are using a hand-dyed fabric is to follow the manufactures instruction for washing and ironing very carefully! In general I would suggest avoiding washing your project once it is stitched if any specialty dyed materials or threads are used to keep the colours from running.
Final Thoughts
There are a vast array of fabric options available to you, especially with the convenience of online shopping and worldwide shipping. While it is always best to visit a local fabric shop to touch, feel and hold a piece of fabric before purchasing, this may not always be feasible. If you are unable to find a suitable local shop, purchasing from a reputable online store is a viable option. This is especially true if you are looking for cross-stitch products or fabrics that are difficult to find locally.
If you are super brave, maybe you will even give dyeing your own fabric a try to get just that perfect and unique look to your next project. Looking for other ways to get a unique look, try some of these 5 stunning ways to embellish your cross stitch.
So whether you are a beginner looking to learn how to cross stitch for the first time (take a look at our handy guide for beginners) or whether you are an experienced stitcher looking to expand your experience with a difference cross stitch fabric, I hope you have the knowledge to pick a beautiful material for your next project.
