| Fabric | | | | fabric that the thread can pass through easily. |
| As a beginning cross stitcher, it is best to work with | | | | Match the needle to your fabric and embroidery |
| Aida fabric in 11 or 14 count. When starting out, it is | | | | technique. Sharp-tipped crewel or chenille needles |
| important to choose a light colored fabric so the holes | | | | work best for projects requiring you to stitch through |
| will show up more easily. Even experienced cross | | | | the fabric. Blunt-tipped tapestry needles are suitable for |
| stitchers understand the difficulties in using dark fabrics | | | | stitches worked on fabrics with ready-made holes, |
| and only use them when necessary. Whether a | | | | such as Aida for cross-stitch. |
| beginner or experienced stitcher, it is important to look | | | | Scissors |
| for fabric that is rolled, not folded. Folded fabrics can | | | | The most important pair of scissors do not have to be |
| have creases in them that are extremely difficult to | | | | expensive, but they should be sharp enough to cut |
| get out. | | | | through floss without fraying it. A small pair is all |
| Floss | | | | that’s needed for the small snips needed for floss. |
| Embroidery floss, a thread composed of six | | | | The Transportation Security Administration has eased |
| loosely-twisted strands, is generally available in cotton, | | | | restrictions on scissors so metal scissors with pointed |
| silk or rayon. There are several brands of embroidery | | | | tips and blades shorter than four inches are now |
| floss, including DMC, J & P Coats, and Anchor. | | | | allowed, but should be securely wrapped to prevent |
| The biggest consideration when choosing a brand of | | | | injury to inspectors making it possible to take |
| floss is its availability in your area, including the selection | | | | embroidery scissors on the plane. |
| of colors within each brand in the store. Of course, in | | | | If there is a need to cut fabric, it is important to have a |
| these days of ecommerce, brands are available in any | | | | pair of scissors that have not been used for any other |
| color and amount in online stores. | | | | purpose to ensure that the cut is sharp and clean and |
| Once a brand is decided upon, it is very important to | | | | that there is no foreign matter like grease transferred |
| stay with that brand since even a slight color variation | | | | to the fabric. |
| will show up in a project. That being said, it is also very | | | | Embroidery Hoop |
| important to buy more than enough floss in each color | | | | While some stitchers prefer to work their fabric by |
| so a project can be finished without buying more. | | | | hand, many will opt for the help of an embroidery hoop |
| Occasionally a floss maker will need to remake the | | | | to keep the area in which they are working taut. |
| dye for a batch of floss and will make the new batch | | | | Hoops are available in plastic or wood (the vintage |
| with a small square or other symbol next to the | | | | metal hoops with cork insides should definitely be |
| floss’ dye lot number. | | | | avoided!), in many different sizes. Standard, round |
| Needles | | | | lap hoops range from four to twelve inches. |
| A good needle can make the difference between | | | | Floss Organizer |
| enjoying a project and hating it since it is the main tool | | | | While not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to |
| you will be using to do your work. Beyond creating a | | | | have a way to keep track of your floss while working |
| bad experience, poor quality needles can ruin your | | | | on a project. While there are many products available |
| work by causing frayed floss, staining from rusting, and | | | | to purchase, in the beginning it is just as easy to punch |
| pulling. | | | | holes in a sturdy piece of cardboard, write floss |
| Match the needle to your thread size. The correct-size | | | | number by a hole and secure the corresponding floss |
| needle should be only slightly thicker at the eye than | | | | in the hole. |
| the thickness of your thread, making a hole in the | | | | |