Useful Stitching Information

Tapestry (mostly referred to in the US as Needlepoint) is a form of canvas work. Normally worked in tent stitch (similar to half cross stitch) - the canvas will usually be printed with a colour image of the design but sometimes the design can be followed from a chart.  Stitchers use different coloured wools or thread to cover each area with the corresponding colour on the canvas or chart. The types of stitching and threads used on the canvas make it more durable than surface embroidery or cross stitch. Finished works may be made into cushions or upholstery or may be displayed on the wall, framed or unframed. 

  

Cross-stitch is one of the oldest forms of embroidery and can be found all over the world.  It is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form a picture. Cross-stitch is usually executed on easily countable evenweave fabric known as Aida.  The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This form of cross-stitch is also known as counted cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is stitched on a printed fabric where the stitcher simply stitches over the printed design. 

  

Stumpwork is a style of embroidery where the stitched figures are raised from the surface of the work to form a 3-dimensional effect. Stitches can be worked around pieces of wire to create individual forms such as leaves, insect wings or flower petals. This form is then applied to the main body of work by piercing the background fabric with the wires and securing tightly. Other shapes can be created using padding under the stitches, usually in the form of felt layers sewn one upon the other in increasingly smaller sizes. The felt is then covered with a layer of embroidery stitches.

  

Crewel Embroidery, or Crewelwork, is a decorative form of surface embroidery using wool and a variety of different embroidery stitches to follow a design outline applied to the fabric.  The technique is at least a thousand years old.  It was used in the Bayeux Tapestry, in Jacobean embroidery and in the Quaker tapestry.  *See diagrams of embroidery stitches here*.

 

 

A Biscornu is a small, 8-sided, stuffed ornamental pincushion, usually made out of Aida cloth or linen.  Embroidery or cross-stitch is used to decorate the top and bottom of the cushion.  A button is typically secured in the centre of the cushion to give a small depression on the top.  Beads, tassels and other objects can decorate the biscornu.  They are typically able to fit in the palm of yor hand.  The name is derived from the French adjective, meaning skewed, quirky or irregular. 

 

 

Punchneedle originated in the 18th century and gives beautiful results. Punch needle embroidery requires the use of a small tool similar to a  latch-hook piece. The appearance of the design is formed with small, looped pieces of embroidery thread. This type of craft is a combination of embroidery techniques and latch-hook techniques.  Punch needle embroidery patterns come in miniature to large sizes.