STITCHING OVER 1 THREAD WITH EVENWEAVE FABRIC

dove

Tips for Over-One Stitching

Cross-Stitch & Needlework, March 2009

Tip #1: A good magnifier is indispensable. Even if you have sharp vision, a strong magnifier, preferably a lighted one, reduces eyestrain and allows you to see each stitch much larger than life. Take frequent breaks to relax your eyes.

Tip #2: Use a hoop or working frame. This allows the fabric to be held squarely and firmly for easier stitching.

Tip #3: When you are just beginning, try using evenweave fabric rather than linen. The irregular threads in linen can often be more difficult to work with until you get the hang of stitching over one.

Tip #4: When stitching over one, the floss can often slip behind the threads if careful attention is not given to how the cross-stitches are formed. There are two common methods of stitching over one. The first is to form each cross-stitch singly based on how the threads of the fabric weave intersect at the point of the stitch. If the horizontal thread of fabric goes over the vertical thread, work the stitch as shown in Diagram A. If the horizontal thread of fabric goes under the vertical thread, work the stitch as shown in Diagram B. The second method of stitching over one is to work a row of continental-style half stitches, then work back and complete the second half of each stitch as shown in Diagram C.

Tip #5: Most cross-stitch designs can be worked over one thread of fabric, with a few adjustments. Because quarter stitches are not possible, either omit them from the design, or convert them to full cross-stitches. Adjust the number of strands used based on the fabric size — most over-one stitching is done using one strand of floss, but work a few test stitches to find the look you want. To determine the final size of the piece, divide the stitch count by the fabric count of the fabric.

Tip #6: When stitching over one with one strand of embroidery floss, try using a single strand of colored
sewing thread to work backstitches.

Stitching Over 1 or 1 x 1

dove

mdbf replied at 2013-4-9 03:53

                               
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gracias por la explicacion

My pleasure.  It will be easy after a couple tries, I'm sure!

dove

PMcOuntry replied at 2013-4-9 02:30

                               
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Nice, thank you.

You're welcome!

dove

Philomena replied at 2013-4-9 08:24

                               
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Thank you dove. When stitching over one, and not doing the moody stitches (continental), I always ma ...

I'm not really sure what you mean.  In the images above, the top stitch is horizontal in A and vertical in B.  Does that match what you mean?

dove

Philomena replied at 2013-4-9 11:22

                               
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dove replied at 2013-4-9 09:06
I'm not really sure what you mean.  In the images above, the top sti ...

No, I understand what you mean.  I have found that the guidelines in the images wrap the threads as you say.  I have also found that after I have worked a number of stitches in an area, it doesn't matter because the weave has been augmented/strengthened.

Talk about clear as mud, I think of it as weaving on weaving!