Need help with fabric selection

[carmonli]

Hi everyone,

I haven't done cross stitch in several years, but have recently been bitten by the bug and am about to plunge into my first big (300x400 stitches), complicated project (a fractal dreamcatcher that I bought on Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/listing/96469710/co ... ch-pattern). I'm debating between Aida and evenweave and while I'm leaning towards one of them, I'd like some advice before I spend so much time on a project.

14 count Aida/28 count evenweave would be just a bit too big. I'm thinking possibly 16 or 18 count (or equivalent).

In favor of Aida:

The project is all full cross stitches (no blank fabric in the middle), with no partials and no backstitching.

It's been a while since I've stitched and I don't want to get overwhelmed and frustrated.

My eyes are getting older and it would be easier to see the holes in Aida.

In favor of evenweave:

While currently my plan is to make the finished work into a pillow, I might change my mind by the time I finish it some years down the road and I guess evenweave would look nicer if framed.

So... what do you experienced stitchers think? Is the possibility of wanting to frame it in the future enough of a reason to use evenweave? And how high of a count would you choose - 16 or 18?

Thanks!

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

What a gorgeous pattern! IMHO - firstly do what is best for you! As this is a full coverage full cross stitch design there is no reason to choose evenweave over aida as no fabric would be showing if you frame it - your piece will look gorgeous when finished regardless of what fabric you choose to stitch it on. Personally if I was going to make a pillow out of a design I would choose evenweave as I prefer the drape of it and the softer texture over aida. However the most important thing is that you enjoy what you stitch - so I would choose a fabric that your EYES will be most happy with! I would recommend doing some test stitches on 16 and 18 count aida so see what you like the best. I'm currently stitching on 18ct aida which I find great to stitch on (but my favourite is 28ct stitched over 1 for full coverage designs so I'm not much help really!).

I hope once you start you will share your progress with us!

[karen4bells]

That is a truly beautiful design and I hope you will have a lot of fun stitching it!!
Mrs Milkybar Kid gave excellent advice!!

[Nachstenliebe]

that is an awesome design. Personally, When doing big projects like this I stick with aida.. it's cheaper, and with the full coverage of stitching you can't really tell what it was stitched on.. I leave evenweave for designs that the fabric will be showing in the pieces and then use a very high count like 28-32 so that you really can't see the holes so much..
Faith

[Serinde]

What a gorgeous design!

I'd probably go with Aida, for all the reasons you mention. Presumably if you make it into a pillow, you'll back it with other materials anyway, and the aida won't show at all. Ditto for framing -- you would probably frame it along the same lines as the design on Etsy -- no Aida showing.

You MUST put up a SAL, however!

[carmonli]

OK then, it looks like Aida is the winner!

Now is the question of count - 16 or 18?

The stitched area for 16 ct will be almost 19" x 25". For 18 ct - almost 17" by (just over) 22".

The 18 ct would end up plenty big enough, in my opinion. My only consideration is being able to "see" the holes easily. I'm pretty nearsighted and wear glasses all the time. I know myself well enough to know that I probably wouldn't use a magnifier (if I had one, which I don't...). Do you find 18 ct too small to work comfortably?

I don't live in the US and so I don't have access to actually seeing these fabrics in person at all - that's why I'm relying on the advice of you kind folk.

It will take me a while to order and get everything set up, but for sure I'll keep you all posted.. eventually...

By the way, Serinde - I love your user name. I know where it comes from - I'm a fan too

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Whereabouts are you in the world Carmonli?

[carmonli]

I live in Israel.

[geekishly]

Lovely design!



This is stitched on 18 ct and each of those gridded squares a little more than a half inch, so the image is close to the actual size (at least on my monitor. it might be bigger or smaller depending on your display settings). Thought I'd link this so you could have a better idea of what 18 ct looks like before you decide to order it.

[Rose]

18 count is not terrible to work with but you will need good light when you are working with it, as the holes are small but not invisible. Once you get started with the project it should get easy to follow the lines.

[Serinde]

The holes in 18ct Aida are, obviously, close together, but perfectly easy to see for relatively young eyes without a magnifying glass. And it's a whole lot easier than 36ct linen! Of course, you could always take off your glasses... (being nearsighted myself, it really does help!)

By the way, Serinde - I love your user name. I know where it comes from - I'm a fan too

Giving myself airs, I think!

[Lessa54]

I'm horribly short sighted and a permanent wearer of glasses for even the most basic things but haven't had a problem with 18ct aida. Like you, I'm not one to use a magnifier either Also, you really do get used to a fabric as you do a project, so even if it's a bit slow at first, you'll probably find that you adapt to it as you carry on.

[Angel]

What a gorgeous design!!!

I almost always take my glasses off to stitch. I'm also nearsighted, but my last project was on 18ct and was pretty darn big, and I found that my eyes tended to get tired after looking at it for too long. 16ct is deffinately easier on the eyes.

[carmonli]

I've ordered the fabric and remaining floss that I couldn't find in my old stash... hopefully just a few days now!

[Squirrel]

Looking forward to see your progress on this fabulous one. That is a really beautiful design.