Tear in cross stitch project - Need Help!

[Keekee]

I hope that someone might be able to help me. I am currently working on a counted cross stitch project of the Cappella Sistina on Aida cloth. The project is 350,000 stitches and I'm just over halfway done. My mother was looking at it and decided to stretch it to see what it'll look like stretched. Doing that, she managed to tear a 3" hole where the stitching meets the excess fabric. There are also a few smaller tears along the border where she pulled on it. Can anyone please tell me how I can reinforce the borders so that I can have it properly stretched for framing. The shop where I usually take it for framing say that it can't be stretched in its current condition. I really don't want to continue sewing unless I can find a solution.

Thank you!

[karen4bells]

Hello and welcome to the forum---I don't have any suggestions for you, but hopefully one of our wonderful members will be able to help you resolve this!!

[Allyn]

First of all, let me say . . . OMG! I feel for you. What a horrible thing to have happen. As bad as your mom must feel, I'd say that she did you a big favor in finding out now that the fabric is bad. It is so not her fault that the fabric ripped. Xstitch fabric shouldn't be that fragile that pulling it taut would rip it. If that fabric came in a kit, I'd be writing a nasty email to them.

If it were my project, I'd get another piece of fabric (from a different source) and start over, as heart-breaking as that would be. However, let's see if we can salvage what you've got. The fabric you have is much too fragile on its own, so I might try reinforcing it with another piece of fabric. I'd try some muslin or cotton sheeting cut a little bigger than your existing fabric and fuse it to the back of your project with double-sided fusible interface. The reinforcement fabric doesn't have stitching holes, but it doesn't need to. You'll still follow the holes on the aida; you'll just stitch through the backing fabric almost like using the original fabric as waste canvas but without having to take it out at the end. I'd also 'stitch' the ripped holes closed. Take floss that matches the fabric color and stitch through the backing fabric to close the ripped holes. That might mean stitching around the edges of the 3-inch rip to reinforce it and give it a little stability. It'll be a bit tough pushing the needle through the backing fabric and the interfacing; you might need a thimble.

I'm sure (I hope) other folks will come along with more ideas, but that's what I'd try if you're going to salvage the project.

[Rose]

Allyn has given you a very good suggestion and similar to what I would have suggested. I can not believe that your fabric is acting in this way. Is it a very old project?????? Have you had it setting in your stash for a long while????? That is just so bizarre. I have used aia for years and years and I have never had this happen to any of my projects.


So sorry.....

[Keekee]

Thank you for your responses. I actually just purchased the cloth at Christmas and started the project at the end of January this year. I've been cross stitching for 40 years and this has never happened to me either!

[Allyn]

Thank you for your responses. I actually just purchased the cloth at Christmas and started the project at the end of January this year. I've been cross stitching for 40 years and this has never happened to me either!

If going back to the merchant is an option, I'd definitely do that. You purchased the fabric in December, but you have no idea how long it's been sitting in what kind of conditions before you bought it. I know that doesn't help you save your project; but if the merchant is sincere, she may be mortified to find out she sold rotted fabric and needs to check the rest of her inventory.

Please let us know what you decide to do and the outcome. As a fellow cross stitcher, I empathize with you in your dilemma.

[cairee]

I had to double check that I had read that right. Aida cloth ripped!? I'd call the manufacturer and complain for sure, and never buy that brand again. what Ally suggested about using another fabric to strengthen it is good advice.

[Mystonique]

You could try reinforcing the fabric by attaching new aida at the back and stitching over both pieces together but that won't reinforce the existing stitching and I'm afriad it would only delay the inevitable disintegration as the aida seems to be rotting (can't think why else aida would tear ... unless it's silk?)

I really hope you can find a workable solution.