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 Military X-Stitch.Com  - 224 Rhode Island Blvd Portsmouth RI 02871

     This page last updated  Friday, May 02, 2008

Military X-Stitch.com

 Navy

Cross stitch           

Counted

Cross-Stitch
Text Box: Basic Counted Cross Stitch Instructions

 

 1. Copy your chart or graph  first, so you can highlight what you have stitched as you go.

 

 2. Fabric: as a rule add at least 6 inches on each side to the size of your pattern. (example, for an 8 x 10 pattern you will need 14 x 16 inches of fabric).

 

 3. Find the center of your fabric by folding it in half, then half again.

 

 4. Arrows mark the center of the pattern.  Match the center square of the pattern with the center of your fabric.

 

 5. Start stitching in this square or count up or out to a more convenient square to start.  Secure thread by holding an inch of it behind the fabric until you have stitched over it to hold it in place.

 

 Whole stitches are made by doing half of the stitches for an entire row then going back to complete the other half of the stitch.  (Be sure all your stitches lie in the same direction, bottom stitches in one direction and top stitches in the opposite direction).

 

 Half stitches are made by just doing half of the stitch and can lie in either direction.  These are represented in the pattern by a smaller symbol in one corner of a square.

Sometimes a quarter stitch or 3/4 stitch will cover an area better than just the half stitch. Our patterns give you the option to choose, therefore these are also represented by a smaller symbol in half a square.

 

 The outline is done with a Backstitch. Bring needle up at one point, go down one stitch behind it, come up a stitch ahead, and go down at the starting point.

 

 Long stitches are a different form of backstitch. Come up at one point, cross over as many  stitches as it takes before going down at second point to make a straight line. Best not to use this if stitching on wearable items.

 

For best results:

1.       Run your finished work under water.

2.       Roll in a towel and pat out excess moisture.

3.    Lay on a clean towel to dry.

4     Iron on back.

5.    You are ready to frame it!

This applies to Wild Blue Yonder© fabric also.