How To Cross Stitch On Linen

Embroidery is the art of stitching that can make any fabric look amazingly aesthetic. Today, you can do embroidery on different fabrics, irrespective of their strength. That’s where you need to brainstorm the right stitches to use. If you are already acquainted with the stitching world, you would know the relevance of cross stitch. It is a form of thread embroidery that people have been using for ages. Cross stitching is the best way to embroider if you are a beginner. It is simply making X-shaped stitches on the fabric that you can even make on Aida or linen. Yes, soft fabrics like linen can beautifully adorn these stitches.

Today, we are discussing cross stitches on linen fabric. If you are a beginner, you are going to learn a lot from this article. Keep scrolling to get the details.

How To Cross Stitch On Linen?

First, you need to learn how to read a cross-stitch chart. It tells you all the possible colors and patterns you need to make on the fabric. Now you need to prepare your fabric by taping or sewing the edges. Start from the center of your fabric and place an embroidery hoop or frame to tighten the area. Select your thread and start making X-shaped stitches. Start from the back and make single cross stitches all along with the markings of the cross-stitch chart.

Step-By-Step Guide To Make Cross Stitches On Linen

People have started using embroidery stitches on every fabric. If you want to deck up your linen fabric, the best way to do so is with cross stitches. It is by far the best way to embroider your linen fabric. These cross stitches are the perfect amalgamation of modern and traditional designs. If you are a beginner, you can buy cross stitch kits that are readily available in the markets today.

Follow these quick steps to create cross stitches on your linen fabrics:

Step 1: Cross Stitch Chart

It is the holy grail for people new to the cross-stitch. It tells you everything about the stitches, including where to begin, where to end, what colors to use, and so on. The grids illustrated on the charts represent the cross stitches you create on the fabric. The cross-stitch chart includes colors and symbols placed in squares. You can use this chart as a map to complete your cross stitch project. Place the chart right at the center of the fabric when you start stitching.

Step 2: Seal The Edges

You would not want your linen to pucker all the way when you are making the stitches. To avoid this, you need to tap or sew the edges before beginning. It is a common thing you need to do that will prevent unnecessary fraying. People generally use zig-zag stitches to seal the edges, but to make the process a lot easier, you can use fabric tapes as well. These tapes are called masking tapes that you need to attach on the edges and avoid sewing.

Step 3: Place a Hoop Or Frame

Once you have prepared the fabric for stitching, you need to look for the linen center where you need to cross-stitch. Pinch at the center and create a cross mark on it or make a small stitch. Now take an embroidery hoop or frame to secure the center. Loosen the screw on the hoop and separate it to make room for the fabric. Lay your linen flat on the table and make sure the hoop is right at the center. Now tighten the fabric to make sure you get a sturdier surface to work on your stitches.

Step 4: Thread Your Needle

Choosing the needle is yet another crucial step you need to overcome. Generally, a round-end tapestry needle is used for embroidery purposes. Buy an embroidery thread and preferred colored floss for stitches. Cut 18 inches of your embroidery floss and thread it into the needle before you start stitching. Make sure the thread is not long enough to end up in knots when you are stitching. Lumps in your stitches will not give you the desired result you need. Hence, avoid making a knot at the end; you can stitch on the tail to secure it.

Step 5: Making Cross Stitches

Cross stitches are generally made in rows starting from left to right. You can seek help from the stitching chart and understand the right way to go about it. Start from the rear side of the fabric and take the needle to the front, leaving an inch of thread at the back. Cross the needle from a hole diagonally from the stitch you started with. Hold the thread from the back, and make sure it doesn’t slip away. Now repeat the same step by crossing the needle from a different hole created from the previous stitch. This way, you will get a cross-stitch on the top of the fabric. Start with making individual crosses and then make a series. When you complete three stitches, secure the thread from behind.

Tips and Tricks To Keep Handy

Cross stitches are easier when you know the right tricks. It can get trickier on fabrics like linen if you are not familiar with it. However, you can become really comfortable with cross stitches once you practice them on a regular basis. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you along the way to get your stitches the right way-:

1. The right tension is the trick to get the best stitches. You need to aim for easy tension. Try not to pull the thread too tight or too loose, creating an unhelpful situation for you. The stitches must be flat against the fabric without pulling it.
2. Making long jumps on the stitches to get it over with will never get you anywhere. Never take long leaps because what you do at the back will reflect on the front. When you are moving to a different area after making stitches, try breaking the thread and start afresh.
3. Being organized is the key to becoming an expert in your stitches. Before sitting to create cross stitches, make sure you have all the supplies in place, and you don’t need to look for stuff while stitching. Buy everything and arrange them accordingly.
4. It is quite natural for your thread to get twisted. Give your needle and thread some time to hand freely and unwind to avoid such situations.
5. Cross stitch is easy when you get the hang of it. Don’t stress about it; use it as a way of relieving stress and enjoying your “ME” time. Get into the details and explore the fun that lies in making these stitches on your linen fabric.

How To Care For Your Linen After Making The Stitches?

The finished project must be hand washed in cold water. Make sure to use light detergent for cleaning. It would be better to first soak your linen in soapy water and gently rinse it. Too much detergent might ruin the fabric.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of Cross Stitching On Linen?

Here are a few pros and cons that will help you understand more about this stitch.

Pros:

• Cross stitches are easier to do than any other embroidery stitches. You would not need to do any splitting in the middle.
• Being a softer fabric, linen is quite easy to use than any other fabric.
• Cross stitching gives an elegant and delicate finish to your linen. Hence, cross-stitching is best for it.

Cons:

• The softness can make it trickier for you to make closely knitted stitches.
• If you don’t secure the edges, they will fray all over, creating an awkward situation for you.
• You need to be very careful while stitching that can make your process slower than usual.