Copy of `The Happy Cross Stitcher - Cross stitch terms`

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The Happy Cross Stitcher - Cross stitch terms Category: Hobbies and Crafts Date & country: 05/08/2015, USA Words: 140

Zweigart
A manufacturer of some cross stitch fabrics.

X
Used on patterns to indicate a single cross stitch.

White Work
Stitching white floss on white fabric to add delicate and faint patterns to a designs.

Whip Stitch
This stitch is also referred to as an overcast stitch. Used to keep edges of fabric from fraying and to hold two or more pieces of material together.

WIP
work in progress

XS, xstitch or x-stitch
Terminology that is also used to refer to cross stitching.

Yarn
Used on larger count fabric sometimes in place of floss, or for teaching methods.

Weft Thread
Threads that run perpendicular to the selvage.

Waste Knot
A knot that is placed in the thread and then cut off later after the floss has been secured with stitching.

Waste Canvas
This material is attached to fabric that is not normally used for cross stitching, then removed when the stitching is complete.

Warp Threads
On fabric, the warp threads run parallel to the selvage.

Wadding
Also referred to as batting, it is used for stuffing pillows or cushions. It can also be placed behind framed designs to give them depth.

Tweeding
Blending two colors of floss for shading purposes. Also referred to as blending floss, blended needle or blended stitch.

UFO
unfinished object

Unbleached Thread
These are un-dyed threads.

Unpick
A term used when you have to undo stitches made in mistake.

Variegated Thread
Refers to thread that changes color from dark to light or from light to dark throughout the thread.

Tweeding
using single strands of different colours instead of two strands of the same colour to stitch.

Thread Organizer
An organizer to keep your thread or floss organized.

Thimble
Plastic or metal caps that are placed over the middle finger when stitching. This prevents the tip of your finger from getting sore during sewing.

Threader
Used to thread a needle.

Three Quarter Stitch
This stitch is a combination of a half-stitch and a quarter-stitch.

Tea Dying Fabric
Giving material an ages looking using tea.

Stash
your collection of stitching stuff

Tapestry Needle
These are the typical needles used in cross stitching. They have a blunt tip and this makes it easy to slide through the holes in the material.

Tapestry
see Needlepoint

Tension
This refers to the tightness of the stitches and also the tightness of the fabric inside a hoop.

Stamped Cross Stitch
A design is printed on the cross stitch fabric and the pattern is sewn over with floss.

Stranded Cotton
Another term for floss, which comes in skeins.

Stab Method
This is the method that is used by beginners in cross stitching, where they stab the fabric with a threaded needle.

Stitching over 2
this term refers to how many holes you miss after bringing your needle up through a hole until the needle and thread goes back down again.

Skein
Floss that is packaged together with a paper tube is called a skein. The color, brand and number should be written on the label.

Scissors
The two types of scissors used in cross stitching are embroidery and fabric scissors.

Sewing Method
This involves only working on the front side of the fabric, while pushing the needle through to the back of the material and then back up to the front in one steady motion.

Selvage
The band of different textured material on the edge of the fabric.

Seam Allowance
This is the distance between the outside edge and the stitching.

Reversible Cross Stitching
Stitching so that the back of the piece is almost identical to the front side.

Running Stitch
Much like basting these stitches are long and large. Used them to divide up projects into manageable sections.

Sampler
Heirlooms that are created with themes, such as letters or alphabets.

Railroading
Separating the threads as you are stitching so that they lay nice and flat on the fabric. This is generally done with two strands of floss.

Quarter Stitch
One quarter of the square is stitched. This would be half of a half stitch, so the square is poked in the middle of the square.

Printed Cross Stitch
A piece that has part of the design printed on the fabric. This section is left alone and generally not stitched.

Ply
Term used or each of the individual threads that make up a strand of floss. The chart for a project should indicate the number of plies used for each of the stitches.

Pattern
The charted pattern used for the project.

Perforated Paper
Thin card that is punched with holes. It can be purchased in 14 count and is best used with three threads.

Organizer
Used to manage your floss and other types help you protect your needles.

Overcast Stitch
A whip stitch that is placed around the edges of your material to keep it from fraying.

Over Two Threads
This stitch is used to make partial stitches, such as quarter and three-quarter stitches, easier to accomplish.

Over-dyed Threads
These threads are over-dyed with other colors, which produces a unique look.

No Count Cross Stitch
Just as the name indicates, these kits are printed so that it eliminates the need to count the threads.

Needle Organizer
Used to protect and store needles for stitching.

Needles
Generally a needle with a blunt tip and a large eye is best for cross stitching. These are usually tapestry needles in sizes 24 or 26.

Needlepoint
or Tapestry is a form of embroidery where wool or yarn is stitched through mesh canvas.

Needlework Frames
These frames are used in place of an embroidery hoop to secure your piece while working.

Natural Light Lamps
These are used to assist you during the cross stitching process.

Metallic Thread
Used to add shine and sparkle to a design. It knots easily and should be used in shorter lengths.

Mercerized Cotton
Specialized cotton treated with sodium hydroxide to shrink the material.

Mounting Board
Also referred to as a backing board. Stiff acid free cardboard used to mount finished project before framing.

Magnifying Lamps
These are used as a visual aide while cross stitching.

Loop Method
This is a way of securing the floss when beginning the project with a new piece of thread.

Lugana Fabric
Made from cotton and viscose. Count is from 20, 25, 28 to 32.

Masking Tape
Used by some on the edges of fabric to keep it from fraying.

Linen
made from 100% linen thread, woven using a single thread similar to evenweave, however, linen has a natural uneven slub which can be tricky to stitch over, this gives it a traditional appearance.

Linda
A material that is similar to linen in appearance. It has a high fabric count.

Kit
everything you need to complete a design in one pack, usually made up of stranded cotton or thread, needle, fabric, chart and instructions.

Knots
This is a frequent and common problem in cross stitching. Try not to cut your floss too long to avoid these in your project.

Linen
Material created from flax, it has a higher stitch count and is usually worked over two threads.

Jobelan
This Evenweave material is made of cotton and man-made material. It is softer than linen and is ideal for table cloths.

Key
Also referred to as the color key, it indicates the color number, name and symbol used for that color on the pattern.

Kits
Packaged together items needed to complete a pattern. It generally contains fabric, floss, needle, chart, instructions and a color picture of the finished project.

In-the-hand
This refers to the method of cross stitching without an embroidery hoop.

Iron on Vilene
Material that is used to back a finished design. Not only does it keep the edges from fraying, but makes the piece easier to mount and frame.

Jobelan
a popular evenweave fabric made from 51% cotton and 49% modal, it has a slight sheen and is softer than aida and evenweave.

Instructions
Written directions on how to accomplish the particular project.

Hardanger Fabric
One of the Evenweave fabrics that are made from cotton.

Half Cross Stitch
This is half a stitch and is generally depicted on the cross stitching chart.

Half Cross Stitch
sometimes called tent stitch, a diagonal stitch used to define shading /

Hoop
Is also known as an embroidery hoop, these are used to keep your material stretched and in place during cross stitching.

Holbein Stitch
Also known as the double running stitch. This is stitching a row of running stitches in a set direction and coming back in the opposite directions to fill in the gaps.

Fractional stitches
quarter or three-quarter stitches enable more detail, such as curves, within a design. Quarter stitch is literally half a half stitch, three-quarter stitch is a full half stitch and a quarter stitch which form a T shape.

Graph Paper
A type of paper that has squares covering the page. This can be used to design your own cross stitching charts.

Gridding
Marking off sections of your material avoid misplaced stitches.

Fractional Stitches
Fractional stitches that are used to round off corners to give the design contours.

French Knot
a small knot used to define small details in cross stitch such as eyes, nose, buttons etc.

French Knot
This tiny knot gives a piece depth and interest. It is generally used to make the center of flowers or eyes.

Fray Check
A liquid product used to keep material from fraying.

Floss Bobbin
Used to organize and store cross stitch floss.

Floss
A cotton thread that is purchased in skeins of six strands that are loosely twisted together. Each one is coded with a specific color number that is used to identify a certain color on a cross stitching chart.

Floss
the American and Canadian term for stranded cotton

Flexi Hoop
Made out of plastic they are similar to embroidery hoops. They can be purchased in oval, round our square shapes.

Floss Organizer
Used to organize your floss. They are made out of a firm material with holes to organize you threads.

Evenweave
a fabric woven with a single thread and made from cotton or a cotton mix. It is mostly worked over two threads but can be worked over one thread for very fine designs.

Fabric Stabilizer
Material that is ironed on or sewn on to material to support the cross stitching.

Fabric Count
The number of holes or threads in one linear inch. Evenweave can be purchased in 24, 26, 27, 28, 30 or 32, while Aida fabric can be purchased in 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

Fabric
material used for needlework

Even weave or Even-weave fabric
As the name indicates this is an evenly woven fabric. It has the same number of threads per inch in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.

Embellishments
Various items can be used to enhance your pieces, such as beads, sequins, etc.

Embellished Cross Stitch
some of the design is printed, usually the background, you only sew the main features and add highlights.

Embellished Cross Stitch
Fabric that has the main design already printed and all that is needed is a little stitching.

Ecru Fabric
A light grayish-yellow brown fabric that is different in color from beige.