Use mySewnet™ Cross Stitcher to create traditional cross stitch and other embroidery styles.
One and two-color cross stitch designs, often in red and black or orange and black, are popular in peasant embroidery in Russia, Romania, and many other countries of Eastern Europe. These may be produced using mySewnet™ Cross Stitcher.
This traditional hand cross style, named after the town of Assisi in Italy, may be reproduced using mySewnet™ Cross Stitcher. The design is outlined in black, using double or triple threads. This outline stitch is sometimes called Holbein stitch. The background of the design is worked in single thread cross stitch in a strong color, traditionally china blue, but red may also be used. Full Crosses should be used, with no partial crosses or any of the smaller cross types. A 'reverse' or 'relief' effect is therefore achieved. 1.8mm is a suitable cross size to use for this type of embroidery. This type of cross stitch is traditionally done on fairly loose weave linen or cotton fabric, although it looks equally good on other fabrics. Simple shapes are most suited to this style of cross stitch.
These are backstitch-only styles, generally using only black or red thread. Traditional patterned shapes in backstitch are used to fill areas of the design instead of using conventional crosses. A number of fill patterns are provided that can be used for this style of embroidery. Switch between blackwork and redwork fill simply by changing the color on a fill pattern.
Designs created only in backstitch are often called blackwork. They often use a single color (blackwork or redwork; blackwork was popular in Elizabethan England; redwork is well known in North American folk quilts). mySewnet™ Cross Stitcher includes many beautiful blackwork fill patterns.
Gobelin is placed as parallel vertical or slanted stitches of equal length, and is used to fill areas with a simple stitch pattern. In mySewnet™ Cross Stitcher, use Half Forward or Half Backward Crosses for gobelin slanted at 45 degrees, or use Freehand Backstitch for vertical or near-vertical gobelin stitch.
Rice stitch is a normal cross with a small stitch across each arm of the cross. This gives the appearance of overlapping crosses. To produce this effect, use a large cross size for the design and place the small stitches across the arms with Freehand Backstitch, often in a different color to the main cross.
Use blackwork to create simulated lace resembling heritage styles such as Tenerife lace, Hardanger or Filet-Guipure. Create outlines with backstitch, then fill with blackwork patterns. Stitch the designs on light net fabric (similar to that used for bridal veils) with a heavy water-soluble stabilizer. Then wash the fabric to remove the stabilizer.