Using linen for the first time

[Oiralinde]

I have never tried cross stitching on linen before. I have only ever used 11 and 14 count Aida. My mother in law (who introduced ms to cross stitching) never uses linen and told me to stay away from it, lol. I am just looking for tips. I am worried about getting lost and not being able to count properly. I have been stitching about 2 1/2 years now, but I don't have a ton of confidence in larger or more complicated projects yet.

[Mabel Figworthy]

First thing to remember -- linen isn't dangerous , and anyone can learn to stitch on it.
Second thing to remember -- not everyone actually WANTS to stitch on it.

Linen is an evenweave, which means that unlike aida you will usually make your crosses over two threads instead of over one block. Once you've got into a routine with that, it is no more difficult -- perhaps just requires a tiny bit more concentration.

Linen is also a naturally uneven material -- it has slubs (thicker bits in the thread) and there can be quite a difference in thickness from one thread to the next, so your crosses may come out in different sizes. If that is going to bother you (and I know it annoys some people beyond bearing) simply use a cotton or cotton-mix evenweave, which are much more regular

HTH!

[Serinde]

Linen and evenweaves in general are a delight on which to stitch once you get the hang of going over 2 fabric threads. There's a wide range of colours and materials/fabric mixes. It does tend to fray, however, more than Aida, so you might want to stabilise the edges somehow: oversew then, or (as I do) resort to masking tape.

Enjoy!

[Wandatoo]

There are some great websites with information about stitching on linen.

This one http://www.gloria-pat.com/resources/basics_linen.html in particular gives a lot of good tips, including where to start your first stitch, and why.

The author also has a booklet called Linen Stitches if you really want to get into linen!

[Vega]

I've stitched on linen, but prefer even-weave. The unevenness drives me crazy! But I do think linen gives a lovely finish to a piece.

[wendywombat]

All I can add to the advice above is to try a simple small project first and see.

I hated linen when I first used it, but I had an exceptionally slubby piece AND a very complicated pattern!!
So I put linen aside for a while and used evenweave, just to get used to the technique on stitching over 2 threads. Now I love it but only use it for special pieces.

Have you thought of using Quaker cloth? It's a mix of cotton and linen, lovely and soft to work with without the slubs!!

[Kute Kitty]

I absolutely love linen! It's not right for everyone, or for every cross stitch, but for some stitches it really adds to the whole feel of the piece. I have a sampler on the wall above my bed which is the first big thing I did on linen, and I can't imagine having it on any other type of fabric. The unevenness doesn't bother me - I haven't even noticed any of my stitches being uneven (on the other hand this is, to date, the only big thing I've done on linen and a lot of the background is unstitched so perhaps it evened itself out in a way) - and I think it really adds interest, and a feel of something slightly different. I would say give evenweave a try first, to get used to stitching over two (which I found really strange at first, and would have struggled if I'd gone straight from aida to linen), but just jump in and give it a go! If you're not keen on trying something really big, try a card or something first. You'll get the feel of it, and you'll see quickly how different it looks to using aida.

Now if only it wasn't so expensive...

[dominique66]

linen is beautiful and most of my friends who stitch in france use it.... Here, none of the ladies in my stitching group like it . I do but I sometimes find it hard on my eyes because of it being uneven.....
good luck!

[Oiralinde]

I am planning on doing my sister's wedding record using maybe linen or evenweave. I designed it and there is a LOT of empty space, and I don't think it will look nice on aida. Luckily it is an easy job, so I can practice a few small projects first to try it out. Here is the design, what do you think? Linen or evenweave? I am going to be stamping a design along the outside of the marquee. It will break up the whiteness of the background.
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8792 ... mpler1.jpg

[Mystonique]

Everything that needs to be said has been I think but I agree wholeheartedly with the lot!

Choose a small project and give it a go. I think linen is a little more versatile because it is over 2 (you can literally do a quarter stitch or half half and you can hardanger holes into it to create nice effects.

But it is not for the fastidiously even at heart.

[Vega]

You could also go with a hand dyed evenweave or linen to give back round color. I've heard wonderful things about this place: http://www.silkweaverfabrics.com/home/" target="_blank but have yet to get $$ to order from them myself. Yes, I am an enabler or stitchy stash lol

[koko]

I love working on linen, especially for an heirloom type project like a wedding sampler. I think the linen just gives the project that extra "something" that makes it special

I was nervous before trying linen, but once I started, I will never go back to Aida. I love linen and other evenweaves, and it really is not too difficult to stitch over 2 as long as you have good lighting and magnifiers if you need it

I have used Silkweaver's hand-dyed linen and evenweave and while I love the colors and the quality of their products, I have to say their service has gone downhill since they were bought out by Zweigart. They still have the same lovely products, but shipping time is very slow (it took me 5 months to get one of my orders!) and response to questions / issues is almost non-existent. If you want to try hand-dyed fabrics I would suggest Picture This Plus, you can buy direct from them or through 123 stitch. Their fabrics are gorgeous and it only took me 2 weeks to get my custom order! I am stitching my current piece "All We Are Saying" on their fabric & I love it!