Aida? Evenweave? Linen? All?

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:41 pm

What fabrics do other stitchers like to work on -- and do you have one particular favourite or does it depend on what you're stitching?

I like Aida for bookmarks and some cards because it's nice and stiff and with a bit of Vilene on the back it doesn't fray (I've even used it to make a sort of puzzle game with -- nine 'cards' which you have to fit into a square with all the sides matching up -- and you can actually play with it).

If the background has to be sort of not too noticeable I like evenweave; have just discovered Jobelan and like it very much, nice and smooth, and nice to have something in 32ct even though there aren't that many colours as the 28ct.

(by the way, in old cross stitch magazines I've several times come across a jobelan zipped bag, like a make-up bag -- are these still around?)

Linen is good because it comes in nice small counts -- when my local needlework shop closed several years ago (sob) I managed to pick up a big piece of 36ct antique white linen which is lovely to work on, especially as it doesn't have too much of a slub (that unevenness being the one thing I don't really like about linen).

Evenweave and linen also of course for miniature work over one thread. I've not been further than 36ct so far, but I have a piece of 40ct waiting for me...

I would also one day like to stitch on silk gauze, but gosh it's expensive!

Looking forward to reading what others use and why.

Jilly · Post by **Jilly** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:53 pm

It does depend on the project, I tend to use Aida or evenweave, but, If the project has fractional stitches I will always go for evenweave.
I just experimented with an Afghan cushion square, very nice to work on

hada56 · Post by **hada56** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:05 pm

hello and welcome! I loved the peacock, the colours are gorgeous. you've done such lovely work.
I tend to use just 14 ct aida, which is what I'm able to get where I live, although I've done a couple of projects on 16 ct, which turned out gorgeous, but were a strain in my eyesight, sad to say. I'm wanting to do something on linen, but afraid I won't be able to finish it because of it.
Hope you make lots of friends and jon us often.
(you can see my work if you click on the link, below, thanks!)

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:33 pm

I tend to us the aida cloth in the 14 count size I like it alot and I just don't understand why aida is considered rough. Just my personal opinion mind you. I have used 16 ct also with out much trouble and been as amall as 22 count to make the picture fit in the square that is needed ie the picture I did of my dad that is a part of my mom's quilt.

I have never had a desire to do linen or eavenweave. If I want a smooth finish then I choose a cotten fabric and use the waste canvas. I have a load of colors to pick from and the size can be anything I want from 7 to 22.

I have a gallery on webshots that you can look at what I have done in the last few years. I have not got picture of everything as a couple of gifts were finished and sent off with out a camera handy. But the majority are there.

mauveme · Post by **mauveme** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:28 pm

I tend to stick with aida (mainly cause I have so much of the darn stuff). But after trying evenweave, I love it, especially for fractional stitches and it makes the stitching really stand alone. I have tried linen, not too bad to stitch on but I really dont like the unevenness of it, and the slubs. I have heard that Joblean is easier so I have been thinking about ordering some.
I find that aida is best for bookmarks too, more body. And I like aida for 3D stitching, especially biscornu. It all has its place, and makes life interesting. You can sitich something on aida and have a different effect using evenweave.

mags · Post by **mags** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:33 pm

So far I have stuck to 14# Aida because I can see this without any problems. However, having spoken to my optician I plan to get some over the counter reading glasses so that I can do some finer work. So.... watch this space

~threadbear~ · Post by **~threadbear~** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:21 pm

I've only ever used Aida, 14 count and 16 I think. Oh, and something called Fiddlers cloth that was evenweave but very stiff. It was lovely to stitch on!

I do plan eventually to try other fabrics, but for the moment I am happy with the aida and keen to try more colours in it and see what effect that can have.

wendywombat · Post by **wendywombat** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:05 am

I am using more and more evenweave these days. Aida is great for 'quick' cards and if the whole of the fabric is covered with stitches but I like to see the fabric around the edge of the design too.
If I can't find the right colour in my Stash then I've been known to dye it myself. I've 'dunked' in cold tea as well as splashed very dilute water colour on the fabric. I then let it dry then rinse and rinse to make sure that there's no residue to spoil the threads when I wash again at the end of the project! No problems so far!!

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:43 am

I typically use linen but have been stretching out a bit into other things since my LNS has nice small pieces precut and in so many delicious colors.

I'm pretty much 28 or 32 count but have done a petit point on silk. You can get nice kreinik kits with everything for not too expensive to give it a try.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:51 pm

I use Aida, linen or evenweaves for my projects depending on what I'm doing. Since I love to do hardanger, I use 22ct for some things, but have recently discovered Quaker cloth and lugana. They are pliable enough to pull some of the stitches which need to be open, such as algerian eye or cable stitches, easily. And the finish is good. Aida, though, is certainly a useful, all-purpose fabric, and it does come in lots of colours and counts.
Currently I'm working on a bellpull which is on 36ct Edinburgh linen and it's a delight to stitch. Not slubby at all.

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:57 pm

I has only ever used aida

PaulaH · Post by **PaulaH** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:45 pm

I tend to stick to aida - 14, 16 - I did a photochart on 18 and that nearly finished me off!

I have used evenweave (my stitching friend Debs calls it 'evil-weave'!) a couple of times, mainly for Lizzie*Kate designs, it was OK but it does fray quite easily - or is that me?

Paula xx

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:18 pm

I use fray check or have them serged to keep the fraying under control. There is some but nothing terrible.

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:25 am

lacemaker2004 wrote:have them serged to keep the fraying under control.

Could you tell me what 'serging' is? As English is not my native language I do lack some of the more specialist terms in the stitching vocabulary, I'm afraid!

sammy_v · Post by **sammy_v** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:04 pm

I mainly stitch on adia but i do want to try new fabric but abit weary of doing so.

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:58 am

A serger machine is very much like a sewing machine. It is used to finish the edges of a piece of cloth. It is sorta like a zigzag stitch.

If you google serger it will come up with loads of sites.

lacemaker2004 · Post by **lacemaker2004** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:00 am

Many of the places will serge the fabric for you. I've been going to speak to my local dry cleaner/tailor to see if she'll do the serging for me.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:17 am

Masking tape.

That's how I hold my edges. Ain't elegant, but it works a treat!

wendywombat · Post by **wendywombat** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:53 am

I wizz round with the zig-zag stitch on the machine. Used to use tape but ended up pulling the fabric out!

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:41 pm

I do the same thing Wendy. I used the masking tape when first going but found it either pulled the thread or left a sticky mess on the edge.