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.

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.

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!        

betty69

#Thank you for the sharring

xxstitcher

Thanks for sharing!

sandy-0

muy buen consejo!

A'Moose'd

Nice, thank you.

mdbf

gracias por la explicacion

Philomena

Thank you dove. When stitching over one, and not doing the moody stitches (continental), I always make sure that I follow the direction of the top fabric thread - go across if the top thread is horizontal, and go up/down if the top fabric thread is vertical.

dove

Philomena replied at 2013-4-9 08:24
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?

Philomena

dove replied at 2013-4-9 09:06
I'm not really sure what you mean.  In the images above, the top stitch is horizontal in A and ver ..

.

The stitch won't slip when it is wrapped around the fabric thread that is uppermost on the back - that means underneath from the front. So you have to travel in the same direction as the topmost thread. If you wrap it around the top thread, it can slip between the top and bottom thread of the fabric because there is nothing to hold it. This is probably as clear as mud.

dove

Philomena replied at 2013-4-9 11:22
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!

yuzuki

thanks for the tips, I'm preparing to stitch my first haed and, of course, will be over 1, so I'll try my best to follow all the guide.

GrannyNeedle55

Thank you for all these tips.  I love working one over one!

slaho330

I have always wondered how to do this. Thanks!