 Smyrna cross stitch
 Schachbrettstich
 Diagonal fern stitch
 from needlework ideas
No. 163
Magic Canvas  from needlework ideas
No. 109
Magic Canvas
 from needlework ideas
No. 102
Magic Canvas
| Needlepoint offers a tremendous scope of stitches and techniques, and special surface textures can be created with diverse filling or ground stitches. The stitches should completely cover the canvas. Fabric types: There is plain mono canvas, double-mesh canvas and interlock mono canvas. All canvas types have a very open weave and stiff sizing. The type of canvas you select depends upon the intended use of the finished piece as well as the type of embroidery and yarn used. Even-weave fabric is also often referred to as embroidery canvas. Recommended fabrics: The most important tapestry canvas is 1231 PENELOPE. A double-mesh, 10-gauge canvas that works well with tapestry yarn. 500 STRAMIN is available in the widest range of gauges, from 6 to 20. Available in 60 cm width, this embroidery canvas is popular for cushions and smaller projects. All of the SUDAN-STRAMIN types 1210/185, 1201/210, 1204/240 are suitable for grospoint cross stitch. The mono canvas types 9281 ROYAL CANVAS and 604 ZWEIGART-TWIST (interlock mono canvas) are best suited for Bargello and novelty ground stitches, as they are available in several gauges. 1010 CAMILLA was and still is used by children for learning needlepoint.
Embroidery thread: The weight or thickness of the yarn used must always match the gauge of the canvas. Wool is generally used on coarser canvas types. For tapestry there are special tapestry yarns and for fine canvases, even for petitpoint, divided embroidery floss is used. Try out the yarns for Go background areas first on an extra piece of canvas. All types of yarns can be used for this.
Special canvas types: 9614 MAGIC CANVAS is an interlock mono canvas available in many colours. Because this canvas is coloured, one of the cardinal needlepoint rules can be ignored, i.e. the canvas need not be fully covered by embroidery, as the transparent open mesh has its own special effect.
MAGIC CANVAS is also suitable for traditional needlepoint. You just don't have to be quite so careful that every single bit of canvas is covered by embroidery. WASTE CANVAS is a tool that helps you embroider cross stitch motifs and patterns onto fabrics not suitable for counted embroidery. Cut out a piece of 500 STRAMIN somewhat larger than the motif and baste it onto a T-shirt or jeans, for example. Embroider through both layers. When finished, dampen the embroidery and pull out the canvas threads one at a time. |
