HAED tips

[nettie]

I am preparing my QS HAED to start work on once my two baby samplers are done and I have the recommended 25ct Lugana but am not sure about the way I should stitch.

I have seen in the other HAED topics that some do a full cross stitch and some do tent stitch. I bought my HAED from Polstitches and the fabric from them too but they sent me a piece twice the size needed. I have cut this in half and done an outline for the design area and I still have four inches around that for framing. I ended up with an odd scrap of fabric so with a scrap of black thread I tried both types of stitching. My OH looked and said the full stitches were better coverage and I tend to agree but it was difficult to stitch that way. It doesn't helping I was using a size 24 needle so will go and buy a size 28 as recommended.

So other HAED stitchers what are your thoughts on this?

[Serinde]

I must say I'm still dithering about which stitch to use on the Belfast linen I intend to use. I've done a little sample of full cross and tent and can't see much difference in the coverage, although the texture of the piece is very different. Using a small needle is a definite help.

Full stitches are almost impossible to frog, and the work will be that much slower, of course. (Not like Sarah, whizzing along! ).

[Becca]

If you're not happy about the 25 count you might be better off using a different fabric. I tried full crosses both with 2 strands and 1 strand on 25 count and i found the 2 strands too hard to stitch and the 1 strand didn't cover enough. So i've gone for 28 count with one strand and found it is perfect - easy to stitch and great coverage.

A lot of people use tent stitch because it is a lot quicker, but i decided to go with the full crosses because i think it looks a lot better, as with the tent stitches you get fabric showing through.

[nettie]

I quite like the fabric I find it easier to see than 28ct. I've been thinking about it overnight and I will probably go for the full cross stitch and work it very carefully so i don't need to frog. I'm itching to start it to the point I checked how many of the threads I have and I have about three quarters so could easily make a good start but I have to finish something first or OH and mum will go nuts at me!

I do agree with you about coverage I tried black as I have black in the picture and thought if the tent stitch doesn't cover enough for me that will be the best test!

Thank you for your thoughts so far!

[Jenny-M]

I am using full cross stitch in two strands, It does get tough in places to push the needle through(resulting in a couple of broken needle eyes ) and the progress is slow but well worth it in my opinion, the coverage is fantastic and im so pleased I went with it!!

Maybe try testing in a couple of different colours,it might make a difference because there is so much conffetti stitches, there wont be big blocks of colour so the coverage seems better if you know what I mean?

Just make sure your 100% happy with whatever you decide....I should imagine not being happy with it halfway through would be very disheartening on a project this size!!

[Fibreartist]

Sorry what is OH?
I would definitely grid for a HAED. Also when I did my first HAED I tested all the options on a scrap fabric. On 25ct over one I would tent stitch 2 threads over one. OR cross stitch one thread over one.