Many different types of fabrics and stitching surfaces may be used in Cross Stitch embroidery.
1. Aida Fabric
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
Aida fabric is the perfect material for Cross Stitch. Tiny holes in the fabric assist with stitch placement. Many colors of the fabric are available with fabric counts, or squares per inch, ranging from 11 to 18.
DMC Aida Fabric Buy Direct
Charles Craft Aida Fabric Buy Direct
DMC Aida Fabric Buy Direct
Charles Craft Aida Fabric Buy Direct
2. Linen
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
Linen is a specific type of evenweave fabric used for Cross Stitch embroidery. The fabric has the same number of threads per linear inch horizontally and vertically.
DMC Linen Buy Direct
Irish Linen Buy Direct
DMC Linen Buy Direct
Irish Linen Buy Direct
3. Evenweave Fabric
Evenweave Fabric has the same number of threads or from left to right as from top to bottom.4. Plastic Canvas
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
Plastic Canvas is a plastic mesh that resembles needlepoint canvas. Many types of needlecrafts use plastic canvas to create designs, including Cross Stitch. Plastic canvas is available in a wide variety of counts ranging from 7 squares per inch and up.
5. Perforated Paper
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
Perforated Paper is great for 3-D projects, bookmarks, ornaments, and pins because it is easy to cut into specific shapes.
6. Gingham Fabric
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
Gingham fabric is used for Chicken Scratch embroidery, but the squares of gingham fabric also make it an ideal ground fabric for small Cross Stitch projects. Note that on some fabric the fabric blocks may not be perfectly square, so the design may be slightly distorted.
The design shown here is stitched from the free Open Heart pattern.
The design shown here is stitched from the free Open Heart pattern.
7. Waste Canvas
Photo © Connie G. Barwick
Use waste canvas to make non-evenweave fabric stitchable for Cross Stitch.
8. DMC Water Soluable Canvas
This 14-count canvas dissolves completely in warm water. It is one of DMC's latest new products and appears to be easier to use than waste canvas.9. Duck Easy Liner Select Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner
Choose from white, taupe, sage, capri blue, and black. Use a plastic tapestry needle and yarn for your projects. This may sound like an unusual stitching surface, but it can make for some fun projects and would be great for kid's projects.I used this material for my Cross Stitch Coasters. The liner is washable and durable.
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