| Do you enjoy cross stitching? Or do you want to start | | | | 6. Embroidery Hoop or Stand - A plastic or wood |
| and you're not too sure what supplies and tools you | | | | embroidery hoop is helpful to hold the fabric while you |
| need? With all the selection of products out there, it | | | | stitch. Tip: Remove the fabric from the hoop when you |
| can be confusing to choose. To help you out, I've | | | | are not stitching to keep from getting 'hoop marks' on |
| made a list of the top 10 most important tools that | | | | your fabric. |
| every cross stitcher should have. | | | | 7. Lamp - Having good light is essential when you are |
| 1. Fabric - Any fabric can be used for cross stitching, | | | | doing detailed work, such as cross stitching. When |
| but the most common fabric used is Aida cloth. Aida | | | | deciding on which type of lamp to purchase, make |
| cloth is a type of evenweave fabric, which is woven in | | | | sure to look for a lamp that is multi-purpose. Lamps |
| an even manner and forms a grid of squares, so that | | | | can provide much more than just extra light - they can |
| you know exactly where to place your needle. | | | | also have a magnifying lens, adjustable arms to direct |
| 2. Floss - Embroidery floss is a cotton thread used for | | | | the light to where you need it the most, accessory |
| stitching. Floss has 6 strands, but usually you will use | | | | trays to hold all your supplies within easy reach and |
| only 2 strands at a time for stitching and 1 strand for | | | | pattern holders to free your hands. |
| backstitching. Most books and patterns suggest either | | | | 8. Beads and Charms - Embellishments, such as beads |
| DMC or Anchor brands, which are easy to find at your | | | | and charms, might not seem like must have items, but |
| local craft store. | | | | they will add interest and uniqueness to your projects. |
| 3. Needles - A tapestry needle is used when doing | | | | 9. Magnifying Glass - Magnifying glasses make it easier |
| cross stitching. This type of needle has a blunt point | | | | to see your pattern and your stitches as you cross |
| and a large eye. Tapestry needles come in a variety | | | | stitch. Magnifying glasses come in a variety of sizes - |
| of sizes, but a size 24 needle is the most commonly | | | | some you wear around your neck, place on your lap |
| used size for cross stitching. | | | | or can be attached to a stand. If you can, try out the |
| 4. Scissors - A good, sharp pair of scissors will help | | | | magnifying glass in the store to ensure that you will be |
| you to cut fabric straight and to help reduce frayed | | | | comfortable using it. |
| edges. Plus, floss that is cut straight is easier to thread | | | | 10. Storage Organizers - Anyone who has cross |
| through a needle. A good pair of scissors makes | | | | stitched for years can tell you how quickly all the little |
| stitching a lot more fun. | | | | bits, threads, fabrics and patterns can accumulate. |
| 5. Pincushion - Use a pincushion or a needle holder, | | | | Good storage is about more than keeping your |
| such as a magnetic or a small jar, to store your | | | | stitching supplies protected. It's also about keeping |
| needles. Tip: If you have dropped your needle and you | | | | everything well organized so that you are able to see |
| can't find it, use a small magnet to help you find the | | | | what supplies you have at a glance. Knowing what |
| needle. Simply sweep the area with the magnet and | | | | you have and being able to find it easily will make you |
| the needle will stick to the magnet as the magnet | | | | want to do even more cross stitching or other craft |
| passes by the needle. | | | | projects. |