Okay I lied in my prior post – while I was waiting for a grocery delivery, I grabbed my camera and took some photos of the frame I had chose for A Changed World. No stitching done on this project since last Friday.
Yes it’s sideways but the photo is just to show the frame. It has this great round knobs all the way around it but I think that will complement the stitch.
Here’s what I’ve been stitching on this week – Strawberry House by The Scarlett House.
Judy and I might have been talking the last couple days about different kinds of fabric I might have recently ordered, along with maybe some charts and some floss and ….. well in those conversation she had asked what the largest count Aida I would use one strand of thread on rather than two strands since she normally is a linen stitcher and I stitch on Aida. 22 count, 20 count, and 18 count I use one strand on. I couldn’t remember if I had ever tried 16 count with one stitch. Strawberry house I am doing on 16 count so I decided to do an experiment. Band below the house (I love the band – those colors are so rich) and the house I’m using two strands on. But I decided to change to one strand for the dog (some of you might think that’s a cat but I’m not a cat person and highly allergic to them so I’m calling it a dog whether it really is or not) 🙂 and the pots with strawberry vines growing out of them I’m going to stitch with one strand. Of course the stitching on the dog and pot are not as dense as the house but I think I might use just one strand on 16 count from now on. My preferred stitch count is 18 count for most things but 16 or `14 I could easily do in a car, on a bus, in a train in the rain (okay channeling Dr. Seuss there for a moment) – but you get the idea. 18 count would be a bit too small for me to stitch in a moving vehicle although I don’t need magnification to stitch on it I do need a good light.
And I have to share one interesting piece of Aida I have ordered. See that top piece of Aida – it has that design printed on it. I’ll have to come up with the right patriotic design to stitch under it. Can’t wait to see it in person to decide if it was a good purchase or maybe not so good…..
Now to go open that package with the remaining two frames I ordered that was delivered today. Custom Frame Solutions always packages the frames so well it takes ages to cut through all the tape, cardboard, packing wrap, bubble wrap, shrink wrap, etc. I’m glad they package so carefully but it’s not a quick package to open. The frames in that box are for two of the Amish themed prints I had stitched many years ago.
Justquiltin with Denise Russart 
That is the perfect frame for “A Changed World!” Interesting discussion on how many threads to use on the higher count Aida cloth. I’ve been using 2 on the 18 ct and interesting that some colors it covers well and sometimes not so much. Then again it could be a difference in the DMC floss from 25 years ago and the thread today, if there is a difference. That’s about how long it’s been since I’ve done cross stitch. Glad I kept my supplies! That flag print cloth looks amazing!
Thanks. Yes – I think with all threads, no matter what the type, there will also be those colors that just don’t want to cooperate and show up. I’ using 18 count on a Changed World and only using 1 thread. So many choices in fabrics, threads, how many threads to use, – it boggles the mind. 🙂
Adding to the Aida discussion, is the Aida you use stiff?I purchased some and the color is great, but the three fabric is real stiff. I have also purchased linen that is stiff and hard to work and some that is soft to the touch and much easier to make the sewing type of stitch. The Aida with the flag would look good with some of the patriotic patterns that are out. I will be interested to see what you do with it.
All aida is not created equal and I avoid the brands that are stiff because I don’t like them to work on. I have a couple odd pieces/brands that are stiff and I will maybe try washing those first before I use them to see if that helps otherwise I will just get rid of them since some of them can stand up all on their own. I mostly stitch on hand dyed aida so since it has been dyed it is softer. But hand dyed or not, I generally look for aida that is on a Zwiegart base because I like stitching on those. Wichelt and Charles Craft are a definite no go for me – way too stiff although Wichelt has some fabrics that are a bit softer than their normal line – those have the world Country French in the name.
Picture This Plus is one of my favorite aidas to use.
Yes I plan to put a patriotic stitch on that patriotic printed aida – I’m hoping that fabric is not too stiff.
Thank you so much for the information. I know what to look for now and what to avoid. I am going to try washing mine since I just purchased it.