Buying Fabrics for Cross Stitch: Some Tips
I have a collection of odd pieces of fabric that I’ve bought over recent years. I’ve just started to organise them so that I can find exactly what I want whenever I want it. One thing that has crossed my mind is that I have not always been good at buying fabric in the most sensible and cost-effective way. So I’ve done some research into this, and have come up with the following tips to share with you to prevent frustration and expensive mistakes:
1. Consider buying fabric in bulk with friends and then sharing it between you. Fabric can be costly, especially if you buy it by the width, so sharing the cost of a bulk buy can prove to be economical.
2. Unless you have specific ideas for making cards, bookmarks etc., be wary of buying off-cuts at reduced prices. It can be tempting to choose a ‘bargain’ that you never use.
3. Check any material that you buy from shops carefully. Note any flaws. Some rustic materials such as linen have natural imperfections, and these can, where necessary, be covered by stitches. Inspect the material nevertheless.
4. Ensure that the material that you buy has no dirty marks, especially along the creases. (I once discovered a spilled coffee stain on some fabric that I bought.)
5. Ensure that the shop worker cuts your fabric carefully long the line of the thread. If she does not, you will have to pull a thread out and cut again to straighten it, which may waste material. Remember also that when you are cutting a large piece of fabric into smaller sections, to cut along a thread line – and to leave the selvedge (closed off) edge at the sides of the embroidery.
6. Beware of the temptation of buying attractively coloured fabrics. Bear in mind that the fabric is the background, and that your design should stand out from it. Dark fabrics can be more difficult to stitch on, and you may need to place a white piece of fabric or lap-light underneath the fabric, when you are stitching, in order to see what you are doing.
7. If the fabric that you buy has creases in it, don’t be put off from buying it. Just iron it carefully between damp towels to remove the creases before you begin stitching. Some stitchers recommend placing a piece of string underneath the crease and ironing on it in (under a towel) order to press out the crease.
Good luck with your fabric purchases, and do share any tips that you have with us.
Happy Stitching!
Iona
