Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[sadietoo]

Can anyone out there help me? I'm reasonably experienced cross-stitcher but haven't done a lot on Linen. I made a sampler for my friend's marriage last year which I was really pleased with. I had bought some Belfast Linen to do it on, but found that I couldn't get the crosses square...they were slightly wider than tall working over two and being careful to use the "over thread upright post " method to start. This then quickly distorted the pattern, and so thinking it must be my eyes to blame I bought a new piece of linen (28 ct) and completed the pattern with no probs. I've now got a sampler to start and thought I'd have another go at using the Belfast Linen from my stash....the same thing is happening.. 10 stitches down measures less than 10 stitches down.....with all your experience out there has anyone had the same experience? Any advice?

 

Thanks for reading.

[Bramble]

Hello!

It's ages since I've used Belfast linen, but I really like the look of it. I'm almost thinking that part of the beauty of it is that the stitches don't look "all the same" like they do with aida, they tend to be irregular because of the weave of the fabric. I might be misunderstanding your problem, but I don't think stitches on linen will ever be quite as regimented as they do on aida?

Good luck with it!

[sadietoo]

Thanks for your reply Bramble. My problem was that I couldn't get the pattern to come out square, every time I did it it was oblong. I have no idea why it took me so long, but I finally thought to check the thread count, 27 holes to the inch one way and 33 the other I bought it from Hobby Craft (we don't have a proper local Needlework Store unfortunately) and I'm just posting this in case any one else out there is thinking of starting a Cross Stitch project....Don't buy M C G Linens 32 Count Linen...Having now discovered and googled my problem it seems I am not the only one who has come up against this problem.

[AJuff]

I stitch on linen all the time as I hate Aida fabric. The natural look of linen is wonderful. Stitching two over two is fairly regular and once completed it look fine. Don't worry, be confident and get stitching

[Angie]

I used to use a lot of linen and found i needed to keep a good tension on the hoop and not have a lot of give whilst sewing, also doing petite point over one square needs a good magnifier but excellant results for facial features. Don't over pull on your thread as you sew and count over two of course and it will be fine.

[sadietoo]

Sorry, posted then didn't revisit...thank you all for your comments. I have bought new linen and that has sorted all my problems...so glad it wasn't me....the previous poor quality linen I had bought from hobbycraft was not actually 32 count...it was 28 count across and 36 count down...no wonder I couldn't get my stitches square! I'm now really loving my new project, http://www.patchwork-rabbit.co.uk/acatalog/carriage-house-haunting-mermaid.html and I will post a pic when I get a bit further along. For anyone thinking about ordering from Patchwork Rabbit, I found them very efficient and received the pattern within a few days..so from this limited experience would recommend!

[chickencam]

Glad you got it sorted. My mum loves using Belfast linen and I buy her pretty shades and threads from Sew and Sew, they seem very efficient and have a good range.

[AJuff]

I love the patchwork rabbit:) She has such lovely patterns! She's also has a very good stock of nice linen too.