28 ct evenweave help

[meliebean]

Hello ladies! I was hoping you would be able to help me! I have been stitching for well over 15 years now, but always on aida fabric. I recently purchased my first HAED chart and after some debate I decided to try evenweave instead. I purchased a 28 ct at michaels because that was all they had available. I need all of the tips you can give me. Also I wanted to do the small stitches since HAED are so delicate and finely detailed, so that is over just one thread correct? How many strands of floss do I use? Can I still use 2 or am I better off using 1? And how exactly do I do a grid on it? I have never done one even on my aida cloth so I am unsure how to use it? I looked at michaels for something to write on the fabric with that would wash out but they didnt have any in, can I just use a regular pencil? or can I do a loose stitch on the fabric to do it (I would end up taking it off).
Thank you!!

[Rose]

I am not a big help with evenweave because I prefer Aida fabric. But the most important thing I can say is DO NOT USE PENCIL for marking. It does not come out and there is always a shadow of it on the fabric.

I am currently working on 28 count and I am working 1 over 1 full stitches. It is very good cover age but getting the needle to slide under the stitches on the back can be a chore. I am using a size 28 needle so it is the smallest that I can find in tapestry needles.

That is all I know.

[NeedleAndFork]

My HAED is also on 28 count bought at Michaels and I think it's the perfect size fabric to use on a HAED. Definately only use 1 strand of floss if you're going to do full crosses - if you decide to tent stitch it rather than full cross, you might be able to use 2. I'd suggest picking a part of the pattern that is heavy in confetti and trying it out along the edge of the fabric to get an idea of which you prefer. Also try out an area that uses a lot of black if your pattern has it - some people say that DMC's 310 black doesn't give as good coverage as other colors do, and they prefer to substitute Anchor's black instead. I didn't have that problem, and it may be that it's not an issue on 28 count but might be fore 25 count, or it might just be that my tension makes it ok. I'd recommend trying it out yourself to be sure.

As for gridding, I would suggest sewing the grid on using a monofilament thread - not floss or a sewing thread beccause you can pierce them with your needle and they end up stitched into your work. Some people use a fine fishing line (test it against the fabric first to make sure that it doesn't rub off and leave a mark) and others use a mettalic sewing thread - I think the brand name is Sulky? (someone correct me if I"m wrong please?) You could either sew the entire piece with the gridding still in, or remove the grid one square at a time as you work so that it is out of the way. I gridded mine in sewing thread because I didn't know better when I started, so I"m doing that, removing the grdding in the area I'm working in, using the rest of the grids in the area as a guide.

If you haven't tried parking yet, I would suggest at least giving that a shot too. Some poeple swear by it while others think it's the devils spawn.. and those who do like it all have their own way of doing it based on what feels right for them.

[meliebean]

I have a jewelry wire from when I got married last month that is pretty much a fishing wire just more expensive lol. I am ordering some 18 ct aida just in case I find the even weave isnt too my liking. I am just worried I am going to spend more time focusing on where the stitch goes (or messing up where it goes) with the even weave since aida is so much more obvious. I also read that you shouldnt use a hoop with even weave? I love hoops because I love the tension I get, the sound when stitching on taught fabric is a great sound to me lol

Thanks!

[richardandtracy]

I was going to use 18ct Aida for my next project, but on reflection 28ct black evenweave with 2 over 1 tent stitches may be best (advice taken from above!).
It's something I must get right on pain of pain, as it's going to be a picture of the boss taken while we were on honeymoon 23 years ago. This is the colour reduced picture I'm going to use for the chart:

100 colours in that picture, 450 x 312 stitches. Won't even need a full skein of the most commonly used colour if done at 28 ct. Sounds good to me.

Regards,

Richard.

[meliebean]

A tent stitch is the half cross stitch? I have never heard of that before. Up close does it look odd or does it look like a regular X would look up close since it is such a tight weave? DTMS?

[richardandtracy]

Take a look here at one of Oriattait's posts that uses both...
http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... 10&start=3
It's quite, quite remarkable. Looks more like someone has sketched the picture with tiny short lines.

Regards,

Richard.

[rcperryls]

There are so many options that it can put you in a real . I am one who prefers evenweave for most all my stitching and have used 18,22, 25, 28 and 32 ct depending on the projects. I personally find that I get the best coverage and the easiest stitching (getting the needle in and out of the fabric) is either 28 ct tent stitching 2 threads over 1, or 25 ct regular cross 1 over 1. I'm sure using 1 strand doing a full cross on 28ct would be fine also, just slower than tenting. I hated doing full crosses on 25 ct with two threads when I got to some very heavy confetti on one project. I had tested it only using one color and didn't realize how hard it would become to pull the needle through the fabric (my first HAED) and started over. So make sure that you test test test what you choose. It is more than worth the time it will take. And then enjoy the process. Looking forward to lots of updates!

Carole

[Serinde]

A tent stitch is the half cross stitch? I have never heard of that before. Up close does it look odd or does it look like a regular X would look up close since it is such a tight weave? DTMS?

Yes... and no... Tent stitch is called continental stitch in the US (if that's where you are). Half cross goes from left to right, and uses relatively little thread. Continental (tent) stitch goes from right to left, leaving a well covered back. It's often used in canvas work for that reason, but it's an equally good embroidery stitch. See here for the difference.

[Mrs Milkybar Kid]

Here is an example of a HAED mini stitched on 28ct 2 over 1 continental tent stitch if it helps:

HAED Mini Unleash the Butterflies Complete by Mrs Milkybar Kid, on Flickr
But the only way of knowing for sure that it is something that will work for you is to do some test stitching .

[meliebean]

Thank you! I started yesterday afternoon trying the tent stitch and its so weird not doing a 'regular; stitch. I cant wait to see how it looks once I get more done. The only thing that drives me nuts is, I am worried about ruining the fabric if I do my hoop as taught as I usually do, the evenweave seems so fragile!

[Serinde]

Evenweave isn't fragile, believe me! But you can pull it out of shape, so watch your tension. Gently does it.

Can't wait to see how you are getting on. We love to see your work as you go on, so we can cheer!

[meliebean]

Ive only got a couple blocks done but once I get a little more done this week I will post some pictures!