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Stitch Manual

 Cross stitch

fig 1		 
fig 2
Cross Stitch is made in two stages. Having identified your starting point (this need not be the middle), start from the back and leave about an inch. Do not knot the thread. Following the sequence on fig 1 come up and through from bottom left to top right and back straight down until you have as shown. At the end of the row turn back, crossing the stitches in sequence. (fig.2) This should produce a neat stitch.
You may jump across between stitches as the chart directs but must ensure that you do not jump over areas that are not going to be sewn.

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Back stitch
back stitch

Back stitch is usually shown as a solid or dotted line. It is a stitch formed by a straight line from one hole to another, sometimes diagonally. Take the needle up 1 hole beyond where you are and bring it back to go down again, making a continuous line. The underside will have twice as much thread as the top. Always move in short stitches the same size as the cross stitch. Longer lengths look uneven and can loosen with time. Back stitch is used to outline designs or to add extra detail. You should complete the cross stitches before adding back stitch.

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Part stitches
Three quarter stitches

Part stitches are incomplete crosses either three quarter or quarter of a full cross. In practice it is usually better to have two three quarter sttitches rather than a three quarter and a quarter stitch as the smaller stitch will almost disapear.
Three quarter stitches are made by stitching half a cross and then stopping the second half of the stitch at the middle.(see diagram) When using Aida fabric make a hole in the centre of the woven block. When the chart show two three quarter stitches together, work them sharing the same centre hole. The finished stitches should fill the same space as one full cross stitch.

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French Knots
French knot

French knots are shown as a black dot. Bring the needle out one thread to the right of where you want the knot to lie. Holding the needle in your right hand and the thread in your left, twist the thread twice around the needle. Insert the needle into the fabric one thread to the left and gently tighten the twists around the needle. Pull the needle through the fabric until the knot sits neatly. Hold the knot down and finish pulling out the needle.

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This instruction manual is produced by Stitch Pics for personal use. It may be copied and distributed freely for no personal gain. Stitch Pics can take no responsibility for any errors caused by use or misunderstanding of these instructions.

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