Poll - Stamped vs Counted Cross Stitch
Monday July 13, 2009
I hadn't done stamped Cross Stitch in decades, but recently I did two small projects. They will be gifts for my niece and nephew who will be visiting soon (so I don't want to go into much detail since my niece might read this). At first, I was frustrated. I kept forgetting the needle was sharp. I had to focus to keep my stitches somewhat the same size. I couldn't change the pattern much because it was pre-printed on the fabric.
By the time I was going well on the second one, though, I was getting into the rhythm of doing a stamped project and I even ordered a larger kit to work on!
I started out on stamped projects - I still have the first one I ever did hanging in my craft room. But Counted Cross Stitch will always be my first love. What about you? Which do you prefer? Vote in the poll and let us know. Use the comments section below to expand on your opinion.
By the time I was going well on the second one, though, I was getting into the rhythm of doing a stamped project and I even ordered a larger kit to work on!
I started out on stamped projects - I still have the first one I ever did hanging in my craft room. But Counted Cross Stitch will always be my first love. What about you? Which do you prefer? Vote in the poll and let us know. Use the comments section below to expand on your opinion.
I love counted cross stitch.
No matter who does it, stamped alwasy looks like crap.
I’ve done one stamped cross stitch and it was difficult to keep the stitches looking even, not pulling too tightly on the fabric and trying to make all the corners look neat where the threads met. No matter how pretty the picture, if it say stamped cross stitch, I leave it alone.
irene
I have one Thomas Kincaid kit that i received as a gift that is stamped. I’ve never started it because it wasn’t counted, but maybe I’ll give it a shot. (The colors are gorgeous in it)
Stamped cross stitch always seems like cheating somehow. I haven’t done one in years, but I always steer clear of them.
For those of us beginners, could you explain why you all seem to prefer counted vs. stamped? I would have thought that having stamped material would be easier, for beginners at least… thanks, arke
I used to always do stamped until Oct of 1990 I first tried counted and love it-I’ve never did stamped again. One of the reasons, it is hard to cover up the print-at least I think so.
To Loretta
On you Thomas Kincaid stamped cross stitch. You can still do the picture on your on cloth following the graph. I do i
Arke Lopez:
Yes stamped is easier, but personally, I don’t see any correlation between counted and stamped. If a person can do regular embroidery they can do stamped although not everyone is capable of doing counted.
The main problem with stamped is that it IS stamped. There is no way it can be stamped perfectly with the grain of the fabric, so the stitches do not look uniform. Since there are no holes you use a sharp needle which can separate threads (including the stitching threads) which also causes uneven work.
The main problem is that it is impossible to cover up every stamped line. Some do wash out, but with washing you run the risk of the fabric shrinking or wrinkling beyond use.
Counted is the way to go! When I started stitching, I took one look at a counted kit and couldn’t figure out where to start, so I got a stamped. I was told by a friend that if I ever tried counted, I would never go back. And, she wss right! I realize now that you can start whereever is comfortable for you, center (more or less, unless there is a border. That gets done first. I agree with the other posters-stamped just does not work. The stitches don’t line up with the weave of the cloth and usually shows after you’re done. Besides, I like to see the picture grow from blank cloth to something really beautiful. Nancy A
I haven’t stitched a stamped kit in years, mostly because I didn’t like the lines that still showed on the fabric after I finished stitching. Lately, I’ve been thinking about stitching a holiday tablecloth, and I’ve seen some pretty stamped kits. I thought about buying one, but I was wondering if the stamped lines would wash out if I washed the tablecloth after I was done stitching it. In a previous comment, csdiva said some lines do wash out and she worries about wrinkles (would I have to iron the tablecloth every time I wash it? I don’t have that kind of time!) Has anyone stitched a stamped tablecloth kit? Can you tell me how it worked for you?
Hi Wendy,
I started with stamped project ab/ 37 yrs ago[i was a baby LOL...] that was a home sweet home sampler for my folks and its still hanging by their front door. I dont even cringe bec/ it turned out quite nice and i did several of these type before trying ccs..
I have done at least a dozen or more stamped projects…WRT tablecloth –ab/ 5 yrs ago–and it turned out beautifully,[ but i do prefer ccs...] the problem i had with it is that it got soiled before i was completely finished and w/o thinking, duh, i washed it [gentle) but all the remaining stitch stamping did wash out!! I did other stamped and they DO wash out but here is a caution– someone said no matter what they always look like crap– i dont agree but ive seen many that do.. the problem is that some stamped projects do not evenly stamp– i found that when that happens, knowing the stamping will wash out, i just made it the even way i know and it turns out fine…I prefer the stamped kits that call for some satin stitch, daisy, french knots.. which i have done some table runners,napkins. This table cloth is completely cross stitches, tho and i get compliments… i do choose my own colors..and give a light hand to the pull of the stitch,i have to keep my hoop taut but the pull almost tight, but not quite..
Maybe it depends on the manufacturer but i have never had a problem w/ stamping remaining after washing. Also mine and other stamped items are made perm press, i never needed to iron my tablecloth..
The thing i do like ab stamped is that they are quicker, inch by inch for me… I do think there are kits that turn out to look like crap….but it depends– you know i notice that the ones that are too busy in detail are more difficult to make look pretty– IOW, say a large group of flowers w/ no spacing in between.. when there has been a part i dont lke i skip it as it does wash out…i would say to any beginner go for it.
Its those Vogart tracing pens that dont wash out for me…but those blue lines will disappear on the stamped goods, in my experience..
I enjoy stitching both counted and stamped. Yes, I agree sometimes the stamping is not good, but I adjust for that. I have many pillowcases and a couple of tablecloths along with christmas stockings and pictures that are stamped with a varied medley of stitches. I find that stamped sometimes gives me a break that I need. I also have many, many counted projects and love doing them too. So I go both ways and will not ever stop doing either one!
Counted Cross Stich is the way to go. I too started out on stamped cloth and found it boring. The fun to me is to have choices. You can alternate whatever on counted cross stich.
Do you know where I can find stamped cross stitch Christian bookmarks? I would like to give them to middle school girls in our Sunday School. Bible verses would be great! Thanks for your help
Counted cross stitch is the most desirable in appearance and perfection, but, no count cross stitch comes close. The reason I am pro-no count cross stitch is that when you get older, and enjoy needlecrafts, the no-count cross stitch leaves room for errors to compensate for in the design. I feel they should come out with more no-count designs for these customers.