SAEDNEWS: Cross-stitching is an embroidery style where squares are filled with X-shaped stitches, unlike tapestry which uses single stitches. Stay with Saed News to explore this art.
Cross-stitching is a very beautiful art, similar to embroidery and tapestry work, which is performed on a special mesh-like fabric using cross-shaped stitches. Like many other handicrafts, cross-stitching has recently undergone major transformations and experienced a revival. It is a simple yet elegant and admirable skill, through which—with precision, taste, and passion—one can create impressive and artistic works.
If the fabric is coarse linen, the stitches are usually made by counting the threads of the weave. In this case, each square of the pattern corresponds to one cross-stitch on the fabric, and in this way, the entire design is transferred. (This is essentially hand embroidery.) If the fabric is checkered, a cross-stitch is made inside each square corresponding to the design pattern.
Usually, every cross-stitch design is presented in the form of a grid-like chart to make it clearer to follow. Each colored square represents a full stitch in a single color.
The Romans referred to embroidery as “painting with a needle.” However, it was the Babylonians who gave this art the name “cross-stitch.” Embroidery is one of the oldest handicrafts, dating back more than two thousand years.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a significant number of ancient tombs and cemeteries were discovered in Egypt along old trade routes. Archaeological excavations revealed a considerable number of embroidered textiles, though sadly most of these valuable works disintegrated upon exposure to air.
Very few embroidered works remain from before the 14th century, but ancient wall paintings, sculptures, and jewelry suggest that humans were familiar with embroidery from very early times.
Cross-stitching originally began with sewing strips of cow gut onto animal skins, but over time it evolved into a colorful and refined craft. Different cultures and ethnic groups developed their own distinctive styles, using cross-stitch to decorate clothing and household items. This art was widely used in the decoration of royal garments and ceremonial festivities, while also reflecting the beliefs, traditions, and identities of different peoples.
Nomadic tribes in India and Pakistan, for instance, became renowned for their exquisite and colorful cross-stitched bags, often designed with clever hidden pockets. In western Pakistan and Thailand, cross-stitching is traditionally used to decorate garment trimmings, typically stitched in bold red and pink threads on black fabric.
Chinese cross-stitching has always been admired. However, it remains unclear whether this art originated in China or Iran. Evidence suggests that Iranians may have an older history in this craft. Most likely, Iranians, Greeks, and Egyptians transmitted this art to the Far East via the Silk Road, which undoubtedly played a vital role in spreading embroidery across Europe and Asia. Over time, cross-stitching spread worldwide, from Spain to China.
During the Middle Ages, embroidery became an important element in church decorations and aristocratic households. From the 12th to the 14th centuries, English church embroidery gained fame throughout Europe. By the early 16th century, with the rise in popularity of embroidery threads, this art entered a new era and was widely practiced. Cross-stitch and embroidery designs began to appear on furniture, bedspreads, curtains, wall hangings, and clothing in many European homes, usually stitched on canvas and linen fabrics.
Embroidery floss (cross-stitch threads or DMC threads)
Design pattern
White cross-stitch fabric
Needle
Scissors
Embroidery hoop
Chart or template
Before starting, carefully read the instructions for each design. They explain how to mark the fabric, where to begin, and how to follow the chart. Each colored square represents a cross-stitch on the fabric, and the guide also specifies the number of fabric threads to be covered by each stitch to ensure correct proportions.
Mark the center of both the pattern and the fabric, then begin stitching outward. A cross-stitch is made by bringing the needle up through point 1, inserting it at point 2 diagonally, then bringing it out at point 3, and finally inserting it again at point 4—thus forming a cross. You may stitch each cross one by one or work in rows for efficiency.
Important Tip: Do not tie a knot at the end of your thread when starting. Knots can create bumps in the finished work or loosen the stitches. Instead, secure the thread with a few small stitches underneath an already stitched area. At the end, weave the remaining thread under the back of a few stitches before trimming it.
Cross-stitching is not only an ancient handicraft but also an endlessly creative and rewarding form of art. With patience, precision, and passion, you can bring stunning and meaningful designs to life.
