PRINTABLE PATTERNS FOR CROSS STITCH AND NEEDLEWORK

Stitching on printed Aida

Like dyed fabrics, printed Aida or linen can add a lot of appeal to your stitching  and create interesting background effects.

Designers love stitching on those fabrics. Here are a couple of ideas using different printed Aida backgrounds as well as some stitching tips.

Printed Aida from the DMC Impressions Needlework fabrics range

Printed floral background

This design by Marie-Anne Réthoret-Mélin is inspired by traditional American quilts. This soft-colored gingham motif gently blends with the floral print in the background, resulting in a very textured effect.

Quilt motif for bathroom door - design by Marie-Anne Réthoret-Mélin


Here is a cute little frog by Chouett'alors, leaping out of an aquatic background. Thanks to the printed fabric, the waterlilies seem to be floating on the water and the blue and green tones of the print add color and cheerfulness Ato the stitching.

Tam's Creations, an expert of Blackwork  contrasts her fine lace-like stitching with the richly printed background fabric, with a beauticul effect.  Try this on your next Blackwork project!


Spring Impressions designs by Tam's Creations



 

Gingham, stripes and heart printed Aida

Pinted in tender pastel colors, almost like wall paper, these backgrounds are ideal for baby and children patterns.

Sweet dreams by Perrette Samouiloff                                                                               

My Baby by Chouett'alors

New Baby (detail) - by Barbara Ana designs 

Stitching tips:

Selecting the right pattern:

Not all patterns are suited for stitching on printed backgrounds. Here are some ideas that would work well on printed fabrics.

- Motifs with large "empty" parts, the print will serve as a "filler"
- Single color motifs, they usually blend well with a multicolor background.
- Silhouette shapes, simple outlines
- Patterns with a lot of text where the print will create an interesting backdrop. 

By contrast, avoid using printed backgrounds for detailed, complex motifs, using many colors.

Number of strands:

When stitching on printed backgrounds, especially 14ct Aida, we suggest using 3 strands instead of two. You will get better floss coverage and you stitching will stand out against the fabric, particularly if you are stitching with light floss colors.
 

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