32 Count Vintage Pink Marble Murano Evenweave Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x27 in by Zweigart 3984/4269

Stitch on Vintage Pink Marble, a 32 count Murano evenweave by Zweigart: a pale pink evenweave with cloudy, hand-dyed style marbling for an aged look. The marbling is printed onto the cloth, so you get the look of hand-dyed fabric with an even, reliable weave.

A little stitcher's folklore: stitchers used to dip new linen in tea or coffee to give a sampler an antique look; a printed vintage fabric gives the same aged effect without any risk of the colour running.

Why this fabric: Murano is Zweigart's 32 count version of Lugana, the same smooth cotton and viscose blend at the scale of Belfast linen. Worked over two it gives 16 stitches per inch, matching 16 count Aida, without the slubs of a true linen. This shade suits primitive, country and seasonal samplers.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Murano, 52% cotton and 48% viscose, 32 count (12.6 threads per cm), in Vintage Pink Marble. Not included: chart, floss, needle and hoop, sold separately.

Getting started: overcast the edges, fold to find the centre and stitch over two threads with a size 26 or 28 tapestry needle, using two strands of floss. The marbling is printed, so each piece varies a little; buy enough for a whole project at once, and test a corner before washing a finished piece.

Size: 48 x 68 cm (19 x 27 in). Worked over two with a 2 in margin all round, it fits a design of about 235 x 360 stitches. Pair it with a chart and floss for a ready-to-start stitching gift.