Choosing Cross Stitch Fabric: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
- Meemaw
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you're new to cross stitch, one of the first things you'll discover is that there are quite a few fabric options to choose from. The fabric you stitch on affects everything from how easy a pattern is to follow to how your finished project looks when it's hanging on the wall, tucked into a hoop, or given as a gift.
The good news? There isn't one "best" cross stitch fabric.
Some stitchers love the clear grid of Aida cloth. Others prefer the softer look of evenweave or linen. And if you're stitching on a tote bag, quilt block, or piece of clothing, there are fabrics that can help with that too.
Choosing cross stitch fabric doesn't have to be complicated. Once you understand the basics, you'll be able to pick the right fabric for each project with confidence.
Let's take a look at the most common cross stitch fabrics and the pros and cons of each.
Why Fabric Matters in Cross-Stitch
Counted cross stitch relies on a grid. Every stitch is placed according to a chart, and the fabric acts as the foundation for that design.
The fabric you choose affects:
How easy the pattern is to count
The finished size of your project
How much detail you can achieve
The overall look and texture of the finished piece
Whether the project feels relaxing or frustrating to stitch
The same pattern can look surprisingly different when stitched on different fabrics. That's part of the fun of cross stitch!
Aida Cloth: The Most Popular Cross Stitch Fabric
When people think of cross stitch fabric, Aida cloth is usually what comes to mind.
Aida has a clearly visible grid with easy-to-see holes that make counting simple. Each square typically holds one cross stitch, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
You'll commonly find Aida in:
11 count
14 count
16 count
18 count
The fabric count tells you how many stitches fit into one inch. For example, 14-count Aida allows 14 stitches per inch.
Pros of Aida Cloth
Easy to count
Great for beginners
Widely available
Affordable
Easy to find in kits
Stable and easy to handle
Cons of Aida Cloth
Grid holes remain visible in uncovered areas
Can feel stiffer than other fabrics
Fractional stitches can be more difficult
Lower counts may look less refined in highly detailed designs
Best Uses for Aida
Aida is perfect for:
Beginner projects
Samplers
Holiday ornaments
Quotes and sayings
Children's projects
Most counted cross stitch patterns
If you're just learning cross stitch, 14-count Aida is often the easiest place to start.
Evenweave: A Smooth Step Up from Aida
Many stitchers move to evenweave after becoming comfortable with Aida.
Unlike Aida, evenweave doesn't have large visible squares. Instead, the fabric is woven with evenly sized threads running both directions.
Most cross stitch on evenweave is worked "over two," meaning you stitch over two fabric threads horizontally and two vertically.
Common counts include:
25 count
28 count
32 count
A 28-count evenweave stitched over two threads produces the same stitch size as 14-count Aida.
Pros of Evenweave
Smooth appearance
Less visible grid
Great for detailed designs
Easier to work fractional stitches
Available in beautiful colors
Softer drape than Aida
Cons of Evenweave
Requires counting threads
Mistakes can be harder to spot
May feel intimidating at first
Some fabric blends can stretch slightly
Best Uses for Evenweave
Evenweave works beautifully for:
Floral patterns
Samplers
Portraits
Detailed artwork
Projects with lots of backstitching
Many stitchers feel evenweave offers a nice balance between ease of stitching and a polished finished look.
Linen: Beautiful Texture and Timeless Appeal
Linen has been used for embroidery for generations and remains a favorite among experienced stitchers.
Made from flax fibers, linen has natural variations in the threads that create texture and character. Those variations are part of what gives linen its special charm.
Cross stitch on linen is typically worked over two fabric threads.
Popular counts include:
28 count
32 count
36 count
40 count
Pros of Linen
Beautiful natural texture
Elegant appearance
Wonderful for heirloom projects
Excellent for fine detail
Available in many colors and hand-dyed options
Cons of Linen
Uneven threads can make counting harder
Higher counts may strain the eyes
Usually more expensive
Takes time to get comfortable stitching on
Best Uses for Linen
Linen shines in:
Antique-style samplers
Heirloom pieces
Primitive designs
Historic reproductions
Projects where fabric remains visible
Linen can feel challenging at first, but many stitchers fall in love with the warmth and character it brings to a finished project.
Waste Canvas: Adding Cross Stitch to Everyday Fabrics
Sometimes you want to stitch on a tote bag, denim jacket, apron, quilt block, or other fabric that doesn't have an even grid.
That's where waste canvas comes in.
Waste canvas is placed over the fabric you're decorating. After stitching is complete, the canvas threads are removed, leaving your design stitched directly onto the item.
Pros of Waste Canvas
Lets you stitch on clothing and accessories
Great for personalizing gifts
Expands creative possibilities
Works on many types of fabric
Cons of Waste Canvas
Removal can be time-consuming
Must be secured carefully
Thick fabrics can be difficult to stitch through
Not usually recommended for first projects
Best Uses for Waste Canvas
Denim jackets
Tote bags
Sweatshirts
Quilt blocks
Home décor projects
If you've ever wanted to add cross stitch to something you already own, waste canvas is a wonderful option.
Soluble Canvas: A Convenient Alternative
Soluble canvas serves a similar purpose to waste canvas but removes a little differently.
After stitching, the canvas washes away according to the manufacturer's instructions, leaving your stitches behind.
Many stitchers find it easier to use than traditional waste canvas for smaller projects.
Pros of Soluble Canvas
Easy removal
Great for small motifs
Excellent for clothing and accessories
Saves time
Cons of Soluble Canvas
Requires water removal
Not suitable for every fabric
Must be handled carefully
Some projects may require testing first
Best Uses for Soluble Canvas
T-shirts
Tote bags
Small decorative motifs
Personalized gifts
Always test your fabric first if you're unsure how it will react to washing.
Perforated Paper: Perfect for Small Decorative Projects
Perforated paper isn't actually fabric, but many cross stitchers enjoy working with it.
It has evenly spaced holes that allow you to create cross stitch designs on a sturdy paper surface.
Pros of Perforated Paper
No hemming required
Easy to cut into shapes
Great for ornaments and gift tags
Holds its shape well
Fun for seasonal projects
Cons of Perforated Paper
Can tear if handled roughly
Not washable
Bends and creases easily
Not ideal for large designs
Best Uses for Perforated Paper
Christmas ornaments
Gift tags
Bookmarks
Small decorative pieces
Greeting cards
If you enjoy quick projects and handmade gifts, perforated paper can be a lot of fun.
Stamped Cross Stitch Fabric
Stamped cross stitch fabric is different from counted cross stitch fabric.
Instead of following a chart and counting stitches, the design is printed directly on the fabric. You simply stitch over the printed markings.
Many stitchers enjoy stamped projects because they feel more relaxed and require less concentration.
Pros of Stamped Cross Stitch
Easy to follow
No counting required
Great for relaxing stitching
Popular for household linens
Cons of Stamped Cross Stitch
Less flexibility in design placement
Printing may not always align perfectly
Less customizable than counted cross stitch
Best Uses for Stamped Cross Stitch
Pillowcases
Towels
Table linens
Baby gifts
Decorative household items
How to Choose the Right Cross Stitch fabric
If you're still wondering which fabric to choose, don't worry. Most stitchers experiment with several types over time before deciding what they enjoy most.
Here are some simple guidelines:
Choose Aida If:
You're a beginner
You want easy counting
You're working from a kit
You want a relaxing project
Choose Evenweave If:
You want a smoother appearance
You're ready to move beyond Aida
Your pattern includes fractional stitches
Choose Linen If:
You love texture
You enjoy heirloom-style projects
You don't mind a bit of extra counting
Choose Waste or Soluble Canvas If:
You're stitching on clothing
You want to decorate bags or accessories
You're personalizing gifts
Choose Perforated Paper If:
You're making ornaments or bookmarks
You want a quick finish
You're creating seasonal decorations
Choose Stamped Fabric If:
You don't enjoy counting
You want a simple, relaxing project
You're stitching household linens
Understanding Fabric Count
Fabric count affects both the finished size of your design and the amount of detail you can achieve.
In general:
Lower counts create larger stitches
Higher counts create smaller stitches
Higher counts allow finer detail
Lower counts are often easier to see
For example, a design that is 140 stitches wide will measure:
About 10 inches wide on 14-count Aida
About 10 inches wide on 28-count evenweave stitched over two threads
Smaller on 18-count Aida
Checking fabric count before starting a project can help prevent surprises later.
A Quick Comparison of Cross Stitch Fabrics
Aida
Best For: Beginners
Main Advantage: Easy counting
Main Drawback: Visible grid
Evenweave
Best For: Detailed projects
Main Advantage: Smooth appearance
Main Drawback: Requires thread counting
Linen
Best For: Heirloom pieces
Main Advantage: Beautiful texture
Main Drawback: Uneven threads
Waste Canvas
Best For: Clothing and accessories
Main Advantage: Creates a removable grid
Main Drawback: Removal takes time
Soluble Canvas
Best For: Small decorative motifs
Main Advantage: Washes away
Main Drawback: Requires water removal
Perforated Paper
Best For: Ornaments and bookmarks
Main Advantage: Easy shaping
Main Drawback: Can tear
Stamped Fabric
Best For: Relaxed stitching
Main Advantage: No counting required
Main Drawback: Less design flexibility
The Fabric Is Part of the Design
One of the joys of cross stitch is discovering how much the fabric contributes to the finished piece.
Aida offers confidence and simplicity. Evenweave provides a softer, more refined look. Linen adds texture and timeless charm. Specialty materials make it possible to stitch on clothing, create ornaments, or explore new creative ideas.
If you're just getting started, I recommend beginning with 14-count Aida. It's easy to find, easy to count, and wonderfully beginner-friendly. As your confidence grows, try evenweave or linen and see what you enjoy most.
There is no perfect fabric for every project. The best cross stitch fabric is simply the one that helps you enjoy the stitching journey and love the finished result.
And really, isn't that what crafting is all about?
A Few Affiliate Links:
some of these are affiliaters for which I make a small commission, but most are not. I wanted to give options for a variety of places to purchase any supplies you may need
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