HAED - to tent or not to tent/fabric choices

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

I know that these two issues have been talked to death on this forum, but I (and I expect other first timer HAEDers) would really appreciate any comments (for or against!) tent stitching on HAED and the best (or indeed worst!) fabric.

I did my homework - I got some fabric samples and have been stitching away little squares this afternoon, but am still stuck!! I discounted the use of linen, as much as I love stitching on it I personally felt that I couldn't use it for an HAED due to the uneven slub and I was worried that this would affect the overall design. I knew I wouldn't be able to stitch 1 over 1 on 28ct Jobelan - tooooo tiny for me! It would have been good if I could use linen or Jobelan as this is what my stash is primarily made up of - typical! I also discounted the DMC magic guide 25ct, its made up into 20x20 blocks (for stitching over 2) and although it would be easy enough to grid them up as 10x10 the red gridding is over 2 threads of fabric and I was worried I would forget which red strand was my starting point for the grid.

My choice is now one of three:22ct Hardanger 1 over 1, 25ct evenweave 1 over 1 OR 2 over one tent stitch. I found 2 over 1 full crosses was too bulky for my stitching on both these counts of fabric.

One part of me is thinking go with tent stitch, you can loop start and techinically you will be able to stitch up the design faster - the other part of me thinks that tent stitching is cheating and just isn't cross stitch!

I'd be interested if anyone could think of something I haven't thought of to help me decide which option is best! Also I know that some of you serial HAEDers use different counts and thread combinations for different designs, I'd be interested to know what the thought process behind this is.

Sorry for the long post - I just want to get this right, and any input would be helpful

[rcperryls]

Ditto


Carole

[LauraR]

personally I use 2 over 1 on aida if its 18ct or lower. 22ct can get away with 1 over 1. on any e/weave 1 over 1. I dont tent i use full x's. I prefer the coverage of an x to /.
Ive used 25ct lugana, 18ct aida,16ct aida and im doing one one 14ct aida atm. I prefer aida as its easier on my eyes.

[LadyS]

I'm gathering materials to start my first HAED and that's exactly my debate as well. cross stitch or tent stitches. I never worked with tent stitches (as in the continental stitch), only half stitches, so I dunno how easy would be to adapt, but if it is, then I'm thinking it's a faster way to work, especially with being able to loop start.

I know Sarah does tent stitches on her HAED, and her work looks fantastic, and that is tempting me to do the same, but I'm still waiting on some 25ct Lugana to arrive so I can test it out (only have Aida at home right now).

[crystalangel]

hi,i also tent stitch haeds using 25 count lugana,i have seen a lot of peoples wips on their bulletin board and they look very nice and it is so much quicker,i think you will be happy with the result if you decide to do it

[socialsue]

I have two fabrics with HAED designs.... one is 25ct one over one and that is hard on my eyes so I decided to switch to 28ct Lagana 2 over 2 and it is huge. I have done tent stitch but decided against it. I am still on page one on both of these projects though! LOL

socialsue

[Parksfarm]

My first HAED is my Faerie Bride piece and it is 1 over 1 full crosses on 28 count evenweave. My other two that I started later are 2 over 1 tent stitch on 28 count evenweave. I do think I will probably stick with tent stitches on future projects - once they are all filled in, you really can't tell the aren't full crosses... It definitely goes faster

[LadyS]

Would regular half stitches work for the HAEDS or does it have to be continental tent stitches? (as in, the way the back turns out)

[franacropan]

I use a lighted magnifier, the type you look though, for stitching on 28 count one over one. A year or so ago I was hardly stitching because it was a struggle to see even 16 count but when I eventually had room to set my magnifying lamp up I fell in love with stitching again because I could see what I was doing! I love the look of 28 count one over one and so I love my magnifying lamp.
I have experimented with tent stitch but I just prefer full crosses. Tent was certainly quicker though and no doubt I will experiment again in the future.

[Parksfarm]

Would regular half stitches work for the HAEDS or does it have to be continental tent stitches? (as in, the way the back turns out)

I tried continental stitch on a SK but abandoned it because at least for me, it was really thick... The two I have that I'm tenting now are just half crosses and I still think the coverage is fine. I really don't care what the back looks like as long as the front looks good and the coverage is good! That's why you'll never see me posting pics on the Show Your Backside thread, lol!!

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Well I have decided to go with 2 over 1 tent stitch on 25ct Lugana for my first HAED QS Believe. That way if I like the coverage and the overall look of the piece then I will also use it for my other larger HAEDs.

Just got accepted onto the HAED BB so I expect I will spend the rest of this very miserable and drizzly Sunday on this board and that one...... and possibly fitting in a bit of stitching as after all that's what its all about !

[toni99]

I really don't care what the back looks like as long as the front looks good and the coverage is good! That's why you'll never see me posting pics on the Show Your Backside thread, lol!!

Same here Dana! I never care how my back looks like as long as my front looks fine. And I never show my back otherwise people will have a heart attack

[Parksfarm]