Deciding between cloth sizes?

[Corey.G]

How do you guys do it? Do you factor in the overall size first? Or what you’re most comfortable with?

Going to start my first HAED and it’s the biggest I’ve done so far. It’s about 16” by 20” on 18 count of my other option is 22 count which would make it 14” by 17”. Having a hard time deciding

[rcperryls]

Are you planning on stitching the piece 2 over 1 or 1 over 1 and what fabric are you using? I ask that because depending on the amount of confetti in the design, and an HAED can have a ridiculous amount of confetti which can make getting the needle difficult to getthrough the fabric once you have a lot of stitches done. I would do a test on each size fabric of one 10 x 10 box which has a lot of different colors in it to see which is the most comfortable for you and provides the kind of coverage you want. I have done both 1 over 1 and 2 over 1 on 22 count fabric. My attempts at 2 over 2 on 25 count (which is what I think HAED suggests) were not good. Worked fine when all I was doing was stitching pages of black background, but not once I got into the actual design. Never went back to finish that one. My 2 active pieces now (you don't want to know how many are waiting in the wings as UFOs) I am stitching 1 over 1 on 25 count Lugana. I have stitched 2 over 1 on 25 count doing tent (half cross) stitches. The coverage on Mini-Amethystwas better than it looks in the photo because of the flash light as well as it is an old Photobucket photo. (A lot of us use PostImage now since PB started charging). I would say go to the size fabric you are most comfortable with since it's going to take a while to stitch, even if it a mini or a Quick Stitch. I hope what I've said makes sense. If not, just ask and I'll try to explain better.

Which design are you planning on stitching? Hope you will keep us updated.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Carole has given you lots of advice and as a HAED stitcher she knows what she'd talking about, but I thought I'd answer your question generally (never having been brave enough to start a HAED). Very occasionally I have a fabric that I just want to use and I'll make the design work on it whatever it takes, but mostly I will look at the design and decide which of the thread counts available will give me the size I want while also being comfortable to work. And every now and then I will work something on a very very high or low count just to see what happens

[Corey.G]

Thanks for all the great information. I think I’m going to go with the 22 count. I’m not quite brave enough yet to try linen and this is a good compromise. Just need to figure out if 2 over 1 or 1 over 1. Suggestions?

[rcperryls]

Test a 10 x10 square. That should let you know what the coverage looks like and how easy or difficult it is to get the needle through the back of the stitching. If possible stay away from DMC 310. Black floss seems to me much thinner than the colors so it is deceptive if you have a lot of black stitches in a background. If you want any more detail you can look at my start on the LOTR: the Burden which was that first HAED . The problem arose when I got to more colors amid the black backgrounds. That would be my only word of caution. I think you would be safe stitching 2 over 1 on 22 count, but I'd test it to make sure.

So, which one are you stitching?

Carole

[Corey.G]

I have decided on Merry Christmas To All. My fav holiday is Christmas and I start thinking about it in June. Lol.

[rcperryls]

What fun! I’m working on O Kitten Tree now. Can’t wait to see your progress!

Carole

[fccs]

I have only done one HAED so far, and it was on 22 count. I started it on 25 count and just did not like it for whatever reason. The 22 count was hardanger fabric so there was a bit of slippage behind the threads, but I figured it out (eventually lol). I stitched 1x1 and had no problem with it being too difficult to get the needle through.

Is it weird that I'm really excited for your project?

[Corey.G]

Update that I did a test sample and I like how the 1 strand looks. The 2 strands seem to warp the fabric too much for me. Good thing I have light tension when stitching.

[rcperryls]

Great. I would have hated to hear that you went through what I did. I hope you'll give us updates on the project. Always fun to see another HAED in progress!

Carole

[Corey.G]

Great. I would have hated to hear that you went through what I did. I hope you'll give us updates on the project. Always fun to see another HAED in progress!

Carole

Uh oh. What happened?

[rcperryls]

What I told you before. I stitched 6 pages of mostly black stitches 2 over 2 , but when I started to use more colors, there was so much confetti with so many color changes in small spaces that I couldn’t get the needle through the fabric. That was 2 x 1 on 25 ct. ne er have had the problem with 1 x 1 full crosses or 2 x 1 tent stitches. I have never been able to manage the parking system of threads which is supposed to make it less bulky in the back.

Carole