Cross Stitch: performance equipment for beginners (photo)

February 24, 2017 handmadebase

Content

Popular embroidery techniques
- Simple cross
Video: how to embroider crosses
Video: how to embroider the Bulgarian half-cross
- rice seam
Video: rice stitch
Additional equipment
Video: half-cross stitch and gobelin stitch

Many needlewomen, even having been doing embroidery for many years, have no idea how diverse it can be. And the point is not at all in different pictures and patterns, which is quite obvious. Just
is not limited to one technique.In fact, there are more than a hundred of them. Of course, it’s impossible to master everything, and it’s not necessary. However, by skillfully using and combining them, you can achieve amazing results. Such work can no longer be classified as simple, but it is worth it. Having learned
and other techniques, you will be able to surprise even experienced craftsmen with your work.

Popular embroidery techniques

Among all those available, the following cross stitch techniques can be noted:

a simple cross;
direct cross;
Prolong the cross;
Bulgarian cross;
Rice seam;
Italian cross;
goat;
star;
Rhodes seam.

Also for decoration and finishing of the finished
, petit and backstitch stitch. Separate lessons will be given for them.
Of course, it is not possible to use all this in one work.even for safety reasons. However, a combination of 2-3 different types in one picture is quite possible. In addition, many of them are used for DIY embroidery of napkins, towels and dresses.
Simple cross Perhaps this is a technique thatfamiliar to all. That's it mean when they talk about cross stitch. First of all, it is popular because of the fact that it is easy to learn and it can help to embroider almost anything. However, it has its drawbacks. When inept embroidery works produced flat. In addition, to emphasize the delicate features and contour shapes using other techniques - stitch "back needle", for example.
So, how is simple cross stitch done?In this technique, 2 slanted stitches are made in such a way that they represent the crossing of two threads. That is, you first need to bring the floss thread from the upper right corner to the lower left, and then from the upper left to the lower right. There are many techniques for embroidering with a simple cross. But mainly two are used - by color and “parking”. It is through her example that everything about embroidery is explained.

Scheme for making a simple cross
Scheme for making a simple cross

Video: how to embroider crosses

Straight cross
Straight crossUnlike the previous techniqueThis cross stitch pattern represents the intersection of two straight lines. It is performed as follows. First, a horizontal stitch is made from left to right, and then a vertical stitch from top to bottom. If everything is done correctly, then on the reverse side there will be a series of oblique lines parallel to each other, similar to a goose step. This embroidery technology is very easy to master, and therefore can be recommended
.The straight cross can be used either independently or in combination with other techniques. In folk art, such embroidery is most typical for the Scandinavian and Germanic tribes. She decorated clothes, towels, tablecloths and much more.
Elongated cross This technique is very similar to embroiderywith a simple cross. Unlike the last stitches are vertical weave 2-3 and horizontal - only one. The result is elongated in cross height. There are several varieties of it. The most popular among them - is an elongated cross stitching and Hungarian cross. Now you can learn all about the embroidery of these crosses.

Elongated cross
Extended Hungarian cross First performedexactly the same, only adding a short horizontal stitch. But the Hungarian cross is a little more difficult to embroider, especially for beginners. To perform this, it is very important that the floss thread lies flat and does not twist. You need to embroider from left to right. From the lower left corner, bring out the floss thread for 2-4 weaves of canvas. Then make a straight stitch as usual. And from the lower right corner, complete the cross in such a way that the thread is exactly in the middle of the previous cross, and so on. The result is that the crosses overlap one another.
Typically, an elongated cross and its varieties are used to decorate finished cross stitch.
Bulgarian Bulgarian cross cross, in fact,It is a combination of simple and direct cross. However, it looks more embroidery and bulk air. Therefore, this technique is usually used for decoration cushions, curtains and scenery. For some, it even becomes a hobby. The folk art is often found in the southern Slavs, not only the Bulgarians.
Embroidering a classic Bulgarian crossstarts with diagonal stitches and then vertical and horizontal stitches are placed on top. In this case, each element is embroidered separately. The work is quite labor-intensive, but once you follow the advice, do it, and this technique will be used much more often.

Bulgarian cross
Bulgarian half-cross In addition, there is alsovertical Bulgarian cross, where, on the contrary, embroidery is first done with a straight cross, and then with a simple one. There is also a Bulgarian half-cross, which is similar in appearance. However, its embroidery is done completely differently. All stitches are made from the same center in a circle. You can see what the technique for doing it looks like in the following video.

Video: how to embroider the Bulgarian half-cross

Rice seam
Rice stitch This style is usually used to embroiderlarge geometric shapes, edging on dresses, blouses and skirts. You can also use it to make an original embroidered frame on your painting with your own hands. At first glance, the rice stitch seems difficult, but in fact it is suitable even for beginners. It consists of a simple cross and a half-cross superimposed on each other. The technique for performing it can be seen more clearly in the video.
Its embroidery is performed in 2 steps.First, simple crosses of large sizes are made (at least 4 weaves of thread). Then the risks are embroidered with a half cross, across the lines of the lower cross. By the way, that’s why it’s called rice. It looks very impressive if floss threads of one color are taken for the lower cross, and another color for the upper cross, 2 shades lighter or darker.

Video: rice stitch

Italian cross
Italian crossOf all those presented, this isthe most difficult embroidery technique. That is why it is extremely rarely used and is used mainly for decorating small products (napkins, waffle towels, etc.). The Italian cross is performed in 6 steps: first, a simple cross is embroidered with floss threads, then a straight cross, and now only vertical and horizontal stitches in a circle.
Of course, the Italian cross is not suitable forbeginners, since it will be difficult for them to do something like this with their own hands. This cross stitch technique requires maximum concentration and patience.
"Goat"
“Goat” But the “goat”, unlike the previous oneone of the simplest seams that you can do yourself. Those who are tired of struggling with uneven cross stitch will really enjoy embroidering it. After all, the “goat” is an uneven cross.
First, a long stitch is made for 3-4crossing the thread from the lower left corner to the upper right, and then the needle is brought out so that the intersection is narrower at the top than at the bottom. And at the end the same long stitch is performed. Then everything is repeated until the cross stitch is completed. You can watch the video in more detail.
“Goat” is used only for decorating finished cross stitch. It is also sometimes called Russian or Witch.
"Star"
"Star"This technique, although not oneone of the most popular, but can be useful when cross stitching of stars is required. After all, it got its name because it is very similar to them. Doing it yourself is reminiscent of Bulgarian cross stitch. But unlike it, another small diagonal stitch is made in the middle, and the lower straight cross is made a little larger than the other stitches.
Since the star seam is a very voluminous seam,It is also used to add depth and texture to thread embroidery. But this does not limit the scope of its application. Using the “star” you can create an interesting edging on towels, tablecloths and napkins.
Rhodes seam Perhaps the easiest seamwhich will create a three-dimensional embroidery thread. Although at first glance it looks difficult to perform. But not even cross stitching. For it is sufficient to perform 8 stitches inclined so that the center was in the same place. Rhodes seam is very easy to do at any countable fabrics, other than the popular canvas Aida. This is due to the fact that it is too tough for him.
This technique is great for beginnerscraftswomen who need to create three-dimensional embroidery, but it is still difficult to master other techniques. For example, if the description says “make a star or a sun,” you can use the Rhodian stitch. It looks especially impressive if you embroider it with metallic or lurex threads.

Rhodes seam
Rhodes seam
Rhodes seam Of course, to tell everything aboutcross stitch and all available techniques, a large book is not enough. However, if you manage to master at least 5 of them, you can already consider yourself a high-class needlewoman. After all, cross stitch using different seams looks much more expensive. Moreover, no one can say about it that such work is for beginners. For some gifted needlewomen, their hobby becomes a source of income.

Additional equipment

Back stitch, however, even simple embroiderycross sometimes requires the use of additional techniques that are not directly related to it. So, often the instructions indicate “make a backstitch” or a half-cross stitch, but there is no explanation as to how they are performed. In addition, cross stitch is often combined with tapestry.
The simplest thing is the “back needle” seam.In order to learn how to do it, you don’t even need to take special lessons. It's simple. These are vertical stitches that are performed from right to left, while it goes in the opposite direction. That's why it has such a name. It also has another name - backstitch.
As the name suggests, half cross is halffrom an ordinary cross. Actually, this is how it is embroidered: Just make one slanted stitch. On the reverse side there will be vertical stitches parallel to each other.
very similar to it, but unlike the half-cross, there will be inclined stitches on both the front and back sides.

Both techniques are used when you need to create halftones or achieve a translucent effect. Thus, thread embroidery of clouds, shadows, reflections in a mirror, and the like is performed.
When they want to know everything about embroidery, even withoutThey suspect how much there is to take in. After all, this handicraft is one of the oldest in the world. Having learned the first lessons and techniques, you should not strive to use everything at once. Do-it-yourself works, even with a minimum of colors and threads, look impressive. Also, do not forget that this hobby requires a special approach to safety. After all, needles and scissors are used for embroidery.
And one last thing.It is better to master only one technique perfectly than to try to learn everything about embroidery and not finish a single piece. You shouldn’t turn your hobby into a race for quality and quantity. A painting made by yourself can decorate your home for many years, and no one will notice minor flaws in it. Unfortunately, many people learn these lessons only after several dozen embroidered works.