So I just ordered my first HAED and the chart recommends using 25 count fabric and stitching over one. I've only ever used 18 count aida and I don't know anything about other fabrics. I went to several shops around town and none of them carried a big enough piece of 25 count anything, so I assume I'll have to order it online.

But what do you guys recommend I use, since this will be my first non-aida project? Laguna, linen, monaco...I don't know the difference! And it seems like non-aida is so much more expensive than aida, I'm tempted to just scrap it and do the HAED on 18 or 20 count aida but I know that will require a bigger piece and more floss and...ERGH. Just don't know which direction to go in. Help?

Fabric type is a very personal choice. I'm not sure how large your HAED will be - but I did one 300 x 400 stitches and picked up a piece of evenweave from Michaels - there was even some fabric to spare. It was the first time I worked with that type of fabric and it was fine, served it's purpose, but meh - not my first choice.

I have another HAED on the go that is quite a bit larger and I went to my local needlework shop and had them cut a custom size piece of Lugana. I find the Lugana much softer - nicer to touch. So far, I have stitched about 3 pages of the design. I probably won't really decide what I think of the fabric until I get much further along.

I have also worked with linen - and once I got the hang of it (stitching 2 x 2), I really liked it.

Perhaps you could get some samples of different fabrics just to test out what you think you would really like to work with.

I recommend getting samples of different fabrics and sizes and test. HAEDs are a long commitment and I've heard of so many that spend months on it and then decide to scrap it and restart due to fabric woes.

Test, test, test and then test some more, and pick the count you feel most comfortable with and will have the most joy stitching. Remember the HAEDS look amazing on many different counts so if 18 ct Aida is your thing, you'll just have a bigger project.

If you have joined the HAED BB there is a topic there showing coverage on many different fabric ct and number of strands combos, which should help give you an idea, although tension varies with each stitcher so again, testing is the number one tip.

Yup! Test, test, test. So much depends on personal taste. I like working on linen (don't mind the slubs), and my HAED is on 25ct Belfast. Next time, though, I think I'll switch to lugana, simply because it tends to be a bit less wobbly (does that make sense?).

The BB at HAED is the place to get expert opinion.

Thank you all so much for the tips! We only have one local needlework shop around (along with the requisite Benjamin Moore's and Michaels'), and I went there thinking SURELY they'll have someone who can help me pick a fabric. But they don't carry ANY cross stitch supplies! No fabric, no hoops/qsnaps/frames, no DMC and no size 28 needles! I was like...then what are you here for, LOL!

Can I ask where you all get your samples? Do your local shops sell them?

I don't know about those in the US, but here in the UK is a company that offers a linen/even weave sample pack and they send world wide but I don't know about postage costs etc

It was cross stitch heaven

http://www.cross-stitch-heaven.co.uk/evenweavelinen-sample-pack-4497-p.asp

I am almost finished my first HAED and have used 18-count aida. Previously I'd never worked on anything smaller than 16, but bought a kit with 18 and it looked really small to me.

The overall project is pretty big, but I've felt that for all the work that goes into the HAED designs it should be! I haven't lost any of the detail or anything.

I have had to buy a couple more skeins of thread though, as I have run out of the colours that are used the most. But it hasn't been too bad.

The only downside is that up close the stitches are very big - although when it is hanging on a wall, the further you stand away from it the better it looks. (this may be the case with every count though). I am contemplating 25-count for my next project, only because it is even bigger and will be about the same size as this one even at 25 count.

Our Micheal's is mostly useless, although I did stop in at an outlet-mall Michael's this weekend, and they had all of the aidas and one 28-count monaco fabric (it was scary looking. I am going to wait until I can see a 25-count piece up close and personal before I decide). Go with what you are most comfortable with, the worst case is that you might have to grab a bit more thread later on.

Here is a picture of my 18-count Aida HAED:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr287/heathermarierose/DSCN1727.jpg

I had exactly the same situaition.....the only thing I ever used was 14 count aida. I ordered a large HEAD (love that website) pattern and did the math to figure out what size I needed....I then ordered the 14 count aida cloth from dick blick art supplies, they sell it by the yard....price was VERY reasonable and it shipped quickly. I have now been working on my HEAD pattern for 1 year and it is beautiful if I do say so myself. The only issue I have is my pattern has some galaic wording on it and because I changed the recommended usage of fabric to 14 count it seems to be a bit distorted. Not a big enough deal for me not to finish it. Once it is done I dont think anyone will notice the distortion but me. Next time I think I will try 16 count or 18 count or even brave trying evenweave.