In the world of cross-stitch embroidery, each needle and thread plays its role in creating amazing works of art. One of the most crucial aspects that determine the final result of our work is the material on which the picture is embroidered. Therefore, choosing the canvas requires careful consideration.
What is the Purpose of the Canvas?
The canvas is a special mesh foundation for cross-stitch embroidery. The interweaving of threads forms clearly defined squares, ensuring ease of cross-stitching and the clarity of the finished embroidery.
Once upon a time, craftswomen made fabric for embroidery by pulling threads from the fabric at an equal distance, creating a material suitable for embroidered designs. Now, there's no need for that, as manufacturers produce different types of canvas that are easy and convenient to embroider on.
When choosing a canvas, consider the design of the picture, as well as the threads and needles you will use for embroidery.
The main criteria for selecting canvas are count, color, and composition.
What is Count?
Count is an indicator that denotes the density of threads in the fabric. It plays a crucial role in choosing a canvas for cross-stitch embroidery. The higher the count value, the higher the fabric density, and consequently, the smaller the stitches in the embroidery.
The choice of count depends on the preferences of the embroidery artist and the nature of the future embroidery. For larger and more visible projects, a canvas with a lower count is often used, whereas for finer and more detailed work, a higher count is chosen.
When choosing the count, also consider the type of threads and the size of the needle to ensure harmony in your embroidery project.
Aida
What is Aida? Aida is a fabric with a clearly defined square weave, making it an ideal choice for cross-stitch embroidery. The grid of uniform squares facilitates counting and orientation, which is especially important for those who are just beginning their journey into the world of needlecraft.
Aida's Advantages:
- Thanks to clear counting interweaving, working with Aida becomes understandable and convenient.
- Each square on Aida is of the same size, ensuring uniformity and clarity of stitches.
- Aida is made of natural cotton, which is always valuable and relevant.
- Aida is quite rigid, and some manufacturers additionally increase the fabric's rigidity with a special impregnation. This ensures even tension of the floss, prevents distortion of the pattern, and avoids fabric shrinkage.
Even-Weave Canvas
Even-weave significantly differs from Aida in the weaving of threads. While Aida's threads create clear squares with their interweaving, even-weave is a dense and smooth fabric made from linen, cotton, or blended threads.
Note that even-weave is much more elastic than Aida, so when placing the fabric in hoops, pay attention to the fractional thread.
Working with even-weave canvas is more challenging than with Aida. Therefore, if you are a beginner in embroidery, it's better to start your creativity with Aida.
But, of course, even-weave canvas has its advantages:
- It allows you to independently choose the size and shape of the stitches, regardless of thread weaving.
- For complex patterns with many small details and tiny stitches, even-weave is suitable. Aida is not suitable for such schemes.
- Excellent for embroidery projects with many decorative stitches.
Plastic Canvas
Plastic canvas, as the name suggests, is made of flexible and durable plastic. This base has holes forming squares, making it convenient to lay threads.
Advantages of Plastic Canvas:
- Plastic canvas is resistant to wear, making it an ideal choice for durable projects.
- Easy processing and material flexibility allow creating shapes and designs unavailable to other types of canvas.
- Plastic canvas is suitable for all skill levels, especially for those who are just starting their journey into the world of embroidery.
When working with plastic canvas, be careful not to bend it, as it may crack and break. Plastic canvas is used for embroidering various items that need to maintain their shape, such as souvenirs, toys, volumetric figures, keychain charms, and much more.
Soluble Canvas
Soluble canvas is a base that, as the name suggests, dissolves upon Contact with water. This makes it an ideal choice for projects where you don't want to see traces of the canvas after completing the embroidery. Such canvas is indispensable for embroidery on clothing, tablecloths, and other textiles.
If you aspire to unique ideas, soluble canvas provides many creative opportunities.
How to Choose Canvas?
Whether the canvas is suitable for your project depends on many factors, but the right choice ensures excellent results and joy in creativity.
If you don't know which canvas to choose and are afraid of making a mistake, pay attention to ready-made embroidery kits. Such kits contain everything you need – canvas, threads, needle, pattern, and a photo of the finished work. All components are carefully selected.
By buying an Embroidery kit, you can be confident that you will receive a finished embroidered picture of the best quality. And you can choose such a Embroidery kit in our store.