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Finally taken the plunge and bought my first 2 HAED charts: Angel at Dawn http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index. ... ts_id=5629" target="_blank and Born of the Stars http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index. ... ts_id=1612" target="_blank

I'm planning on using 16 or 18 count aida, at least for the first one, as I don't feel ready yet to start on 25c.

Very excited and am planning on tackling the angel first.

Was also wondering what people's personal preference is when working with 16/18 ct aida - do you stitch with 1 strand or 2? Which do you feel gives a better end result.

My current Charlie's Ark project involves 16c and uses both 1 and 2 strand sections. At the moment I prefer 1 strand as I can get a neater stitch but I'm worried that the density of the final design.

Lovely choices! Looking forward to seeing your progress with these.

On anything less than 22 count fabric, I would definitely say you would need 2 strands. However, I can always recommend taking a small scrap of the fabric you're going to use and experimenting with 1 strand or 2 strands or whatever to see which you're personally most happy with.

Ooh, that white tiger is gorgeous!

Have you thought of using 20ct aida? Still easier to work on than evenweave over one, but quite fine (I use it for some of my Madonnas). You can get it from 123 Stitch in America, or Willow Fabrics in the UK (I've linked to the actual pages containing the 20ct aida; 123 Stitch is right down the bottom of the page).

When stitching the Madonnas I use the equivalent of two strands for half cross stitch. I've also done a miniatuure landscape on 20ct and used 1 strand full cross stitch, but that does give a sort of soft, water-colour type coverage. 2 strands full cross stitch should give nice plump full coverage.

Good luck on your first HAED!

Mabel Figworthy wrote:Ooh, that white tiger is gorgeous!

Have you thought of using 20ct aida? Still easier to work on than evenweave over one, but quite fine (I use it for some of my Madonnas). You can get it from 123 Stitch in America, or Willow Fabrics in the UK (I've linked to the actual pages containing the 20ct aida; 123 Stitch is right down the bottom of the page).

When stitching the Madonnas I use the equivalent of two strands for half cross stitch. I've also done a miniatuure landscape on 20ct and used 1 strand full cross stitch, but that does give a sort of soft, water-colour type coverage. 2 strands full cross stitch should give nice plump full coverage.

Good luck on your first HAED!

No I hadn't thought of using 20ct as I checked with Michelle at HAED and she recommended 16 or 18. TBH as long as its aida I'm happy as I just find it easier to stitch on at the mo.

I was thinking about getting some scraps of material and just trying some gauges to see what I like the look of. I'm wanting to start the angel in the next couple of weeks as I need to get my stash ready and be close to finishing my Charlie's Ark.

Thanks for the advice - as usual it really helps

I'm doing my first ever HAED on 18ct at the moment, using 2 strands. I've actually found, with the darker colours, that the coverage isn't brilliant so would definitely not advise using one strand.

Your choices are beautiful .... but have a lot of dark areas – have you considered buying a darker fabric (as opposed to white) to stitch on, which might help with any coverage issues?

ali-cat wrote:I'm doing my first ever HAED on 18ct at the moment, using 2 strands. I've actually found, with the darker colours, that the coverage isn't brilliant so would definitely not advise using one strand.

Your choices are beautiful .... but have a lot of dark areas – have you considered buying a darker fabric (as opposed to white) to stitch on, which might help with any coverage issues?

How dark would you recommend? Oatmeal/wheat maybe???

Both great designs! But both have pretty light areas, so a very dark fabric may not be a good idea, as it would give a murky look, I think, to the light areas. But maybe a mid-blue would work for the white tigers, since blue enhances whiteness to some degree...? And possibly a pinkish shade for the angel...?

Both patterns are amazing!!!!! Can't wait for some updates!!!!!

Both designs you chose are very nice!! When I stitch on 16 or 18 count aida I always use 2 strands. I like the coverage better than using 1 strand.

What lovely choices! Especially the latter
I prefer 2 strands when working on either fabrc count
Faith

I think Fljotsdale's suggestions are perfect!!

Fljotsdale wrote: I think, to the light areas. But maybe a mid-blue would work for the white tigers, since blue enhances whiteness to some degree...? And possibly a pinkish shade for the angel...?

Please don't get me wrong. You may be very happy with white (especially if you decide to use 20ct). It was only a thought as it's something that bugs me when I think the coverage is looking a little 'thin'. On 14ct I nearly always use three strands of black, which ends up using so much thread and I find is more difficult to stitch with.

Oh lovely charts, look forward to seeing SALs for both of these.

Lovely, can't wait to see these grow

These are both stunning designs and I am really looking forward to seeing them grow