aida cloth australia
Aida Cloth Australia
Choosing a fabric for a cross stitch project can seem overwhelming. There are several types of fabrics suitable for cross stitch, and each has its own unique texture, feel, fiber content, and color range. In this article, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of the main types of fabric Aida, linen, and even weave so you can choose with confidence.
Aida cross stitch fabric
Aida fabric is one of the most widely used cross stitch fabrics. Made from 100% cotton, Aida is an especially good choice for beginners as the wide, open weave makes the holes easy to see. Aida was created specifically for cross stitch in the late 1800s or early 1900s by the Rosenzweig company in Germany. Rosenzweig remains today one of the largest manufacturers of Aida. Other manufacturers include Winchell (Permian) and Charles Craft. There are also a number of small independent manufacturers who hand die Aida.
Aida is available in different numbers of fabrics. The count of a fabric is the number of holes per inch, which in turn determines the number of stitches per inch.Aida is also available in a 6 stitch version called Herta which is perfect for teaching kids to sew or for big 'big stitch' projects.Fiddler's fabric is similar to Aida in its weave, but it is made of 50% cotton, 42% polyester and 8% silk. It comes in 14, 16, and 18 counts and is popular for its rustic oatmeal coloring.
Aida is usually sewn over one and can be sewn with or without a hoop. It is available in a range of colors including hand dyed and fancyprint styles. Aida is starched so she is quite steep. Winchell makes a 100% cotton Aida version called Country French which has a softer feel. It's a good choice if you don't like the stiffness of regular Aida.As to how to pronounce Aida, it's a long-standing debate. Most pronounce but some say like the Verdi opera. Either works!
BENEFITS: Easily available and comes in many colors and numbers. Easy to sew, so it is perfect for beginner and novice dressmakers.
CONS: Due to its large open weave, Aida has a coarser finish than linen or even weave (but it's a look a lot of people love). This is not a great choice for more advanced models that use split stitches like 1/4 or 3/4 stitches.
Even weave cross stitch fabric
There was a time when same weave referred to a fabric that had the same number of warp and weft stitches per inch. This is desirable for cross stitch because uniform weaving means uniform (i.e. square) holes for sewing. Today, almost all cross stitch fabrics have a uniform weave, and the very term weaving has come to refer to the uniform, or even the fibers that make up the fabric. This means the fibers are all the same width so you don't have to deal with subs or other inconsistencies. Even weave has a higher thread count than Aida and is typically found in 25, 28, and 32 stitches. Like linen, the uniform weave is usually sewn over two, although like linen, it can be sewn over one. Even weave fabrics are generally cotton / rayon blends. Rosenzweig produces a 52% cotton / 48% rayon uniform weave called Ugandan, while Winchell makes a 51% cotton / 49% rayon version called Job elan.
BENEFITS: With its seamless texture, Uniform Weave is a great fabric to use when learning to sew more than two. Ideal for advanced designs with split stitches.
CONS: More refined in appearance than Aida, but even less than linen. Some uniform weave fabrics may be stiff. Not as widely available as flax or Aida.
Linen cross stitch fabric
Linen is the choice of many experienced cross pointers for its soft hand and higher thread count. Linen is a natural fabric woven from flax fibers. Generally, it is more expensive than cotton fabric like Aida.Linen can have natural irregularities such as sparks and threads that vary in thickness throughout the weaving of the fabric. These irregularities can make linen more difficult to sew, but they also add character to the fabric and provide a more traditional finish. The weaving of various types of linen also varies. Some are woven with thicker fibers, which makes it more dense. Others are woven more loosely with larger spaces between the fibers. Linen is typically double stitched and is available in a wide range of threads, the most common being 28 and 32 threads. The number of threads can go up to 40 and even 50! There is also a wide range of colors to choose from, including hand-dyed prints and fancy prints. Linen can be sewn with or without a hoop.
ADVANTAGES: Widely available in a range of numbers and colors. Feels good in the hand. Has a durable and elegant finish. Ideal for advanced designs with split stitches.
CONS: Inconsistencies in the fabric can make linen more difficult to sew.
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