STITCHING OVER 1 THREAD WITH EVENWEAVE FABRIC

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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.

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mgrurbbg

Excellent tips!  It took me forever to learn #4 -- paying attention to whether the vertical or horizontal thread was "on top" so I didn't have slipping stitches (this can happen when stitching over 2 as well). It's especially important for confetti stitches.

Elizabethdx

Thank you for asking the time to share these tips, #4 especially. I can’t guess how long it would have taken me to figure that out!

PinsAndNeedles

thank you so much for this. I'm new to cross stitch and love one over one. will be giving this a try.

sasita

❤️ ¡Gracias por compartir!        

htsear13

Thanks you very much for the sharing!

MBRM

Muy útiles los consejos, gracias

sue123smith

thank you, lots of great info!

betty69

#Thank you for the sharring

zhenfuoO

Thank you  very much

Rcorvin

Thank you for sharing

esterparonetto

Thank you very much!