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Do you prefer to stitch on evenweave or aida?

I havent really done much cross stitch recently but provided the design contained only whole stitches then I would use the aida supplied.

There was an elephant design in Cross Stitcher many moon ago. The border is blue flowers with lots of fractional stitches and I will be stitching this design on evenweave in order that my sanity is maintained.

I love the winnine the pooh designs and have lots to do but I am put off by the fractional stitches.

I have been stitching a small tigger bookmark. The fractional stitches seem to be going ok - i guess I will know for sure when I add the black but it doesnt help trying to stitch it on a moving bus so I think my "commute to work kit" will be something that contains whole stitches only.

has anyone got any tips for doing fractionals on aida???

I've only ever used aida, but I got myself a grab bag of mixed aida and even weave and I think I might try the evenweave for the gay wedding sampler I'll be doing for the end of July, as I'm only doing a very small one for that.

FatCat wrote:Do you prefer to stitch on evenweave or aida?

has anyone got any tips for doing fractionals on aida???

I prefer evenweave although I stitch on Aida sometimes.

In terms of fractionals on aida, I'd suggest a sharp needle to pierce the fabric. It's a bit of a faff but fractionals can be done quite effectively on aida.

evenweave every time

crazycat wrote:evenweave every time

Same for me too.

Aida for me, I have tried evenweave and really confuse myself with the counting

I find fractionals no probs on aida, I just push the needle a little harder to pierce the aida block!! A sharp needle would work too, I'm using on of them for the Tatty Teddy backstitch which I'm finding makes it a bit easier!!

I love both.
I thnk they both have their place, although I do tend to prefer a higher count of aida.
I don't mind fractionals on either. Evenweave is definately easier of course, but with the right needle, it's not that much of a pain on aida.

I actually don't use aida but have pretty much used linen for 90% of my projects. I have used evenweaves though more recently and have a bunch in my stash. I really try to match the fabric choice (type and color) to the look I'm trying to achieve. For my mirabilias I tend to like the linens for the elegance they give. Sometimes it's also a matter of what fabric I find the hand-dyed in.

i usually only use aida..but have starting buying and stashing evenweave. will be using it more in the near future..

my advice when doing 3/4 on aida..do the small 1/4 part first w/a VERY sharp needle..then do the 1/2. when the stitch is complete..take the point of your needle and seperate the two strands a bit so it looks fuller..

I'm using more and more evenweaves and linens, but still there are some projects for which Aida is great. As for fractionals, having done a bit on Aida... NEVER AGAIN! why make life more difficult that it needs to be??

I use both depending on the design and also sometimes I want to make the design larger or smaller so this can make a differance. I much prefer to do fractionals on evenweave though and for this reason I think I will be using evenweave more and more.

I find it easier to use aida, because it's easier to count, but if I'm doing anything with fractionals I'll generally go for evenweave! So much easier!

I'm an aida girl
If I had some reading glasses (on the shopping list) I would like to try evenweave.

I've only ever used aida...

I have always used aida as it makes me very comfortable. I have been given a couple pieces of linen they are very smooth but counting the 2 over 2 or the 1 over 2 or whatever it was drove me to pull out my hair I hated it and have the piece in the very bottom of my drawer. If I want a piece on something other then aida I will use waste canvas.

I don't have a problem with fractionals and they are fine never had a problem with them. I am the exact opposite of CF when i am working the 3/4 stitches I do the long stitch first and then the short stich ad I use the short stitch to anchoh the longer stitch. Funny how we stitchers are so very different but still get a wonderful finish.

Rose wrote:when i am working the 3/4 stitches I do the long stitch first and then the short stich and I use the short stitch to anchor the longer stitch.

That's how I was taught to do them too, but I rarely see them like that in magazines and so on in the 'how to' sections.

I do them the same as Rose and Slinky.

aida alll the time

I've tried doing the fractionals both ways and I think I am neater doing the short stitch first and then the long stitch after

minij wrote:I've tried doing the fractionals both ways and I think I am neater doing the short stitch first and then the long stitch after

Me too and they always look fine, suppose its what your used to