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I am preparing my QS HAED to start work on once my two baby samplers are done and I have the recommended 25ct Lugana but am not sure about the way I should stitch.

I have seen in the other HAED topics that some do a full cross stitch and some do tent stitch. I bought my HAED from Polstitches and the fabric from them too but they sent me a piece twice the size needed. I have cut this in half and done an outline for the design area and I still have four inches around that for framing. I ended up with an odd scrap of fabric so with a scrap of black thread I tried both types of stitching. My OH looked and said the full stitches were better coverage and I tend to agree but it was difficult to stitch that way. It doesn't helping I was using a size 24 needle so will go and buy a size 28 as recommended.

So other HAED stitchers what are your thoughts on this?

I must say I'm still dithering about which stitch to use on the Belfast linen I intend to use. I've done a little sample of full cross and tent and can't see much difference in the coverage, although the texture of the piece is very different. Using a small needle is a definite help.

Full stitches are almost impossible to frog, and the work will be that much slower, of course. (Not like Sarah, whizzing along! ).

If you're not happy about the 25 count you might be better off using a different fabric. I tried full crosses both with 2 strands and 1 strand on 25 count and i found the 2 strands too hard to stitch and the 1 strand didn't cover enough. So i've gone for 28 count with one strand and found it is perfect - easy to stitch and great coverage.

A lot of people use tent stitch because it is a lot quicker, but i decided to go with the full crosses because i think it looks a lot better, as with the tent stitches you get fabric showing through.

I quite like the fabric I find it easier to see than 28ct. I've been thinking about it overnight and I will probably go for the full cross stitch and work it very carefully so i don't need to frog. I'm itching to start it to the point I checked how many of the threads I have and I have about three quarters so could easily make a good start but I have to finish something first or OH and mum will go nuts at me!

I do agree with you about coverage I tried black as I have black in the picture and thought if the tent stitch doesn't cover enough for me that will be the best test!

Thank you for your thoughts so far!

I am using full cross stitch in two strands, It does get tough in places to push the needle through(resulting in a couple of broken needle eyes ) and the progress is slow but well worth it in my opinion, the coverage is fantastic and im so pleased I went with it!!

Maybe try testing in a couple of different colours,it might make a difference because there is so much conffetti stitches, there wont be big blocks of colour so the coverage seems better if you know what I mean?

Just make sure your 100% happy with whatever you decide....I should imagine not being happy with it halfway through would be very disheartening on a project this size!!

Sorry what is OH?
I would definitely grid for a HAED. Also when I did my first HAED I tested all the options on a scrap fabric. On 25ct over one I would tent stitch 2 threads over one. OR cross stitch one thread over one.