16 Count Antique White Aida Cloth Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x21 in by Zweigart 3251/101

Stitch on Antique White, a 16 count Aida cloth by Zweigart: a soft antique white Aida, warmer than bright white, for a gentle vintage look. A light, quiet ground lets every colour in the chart read true.

A little stitcher's folklore: samplers often ended with the stitcher's name, age and the year the work was finished, which is why so many antique pieces can be dated exactly.

Why this fabric: 16 count Aida gives a finer, neater finish than 14 count while the holes stay easy to see, and it matches charts written for 32 count linen worked over two. This shade suits heirloom samplers, monograms and classic florals.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Aida, 100% cotton, 16 count (6.4 squares per cm), in Antique White. Not included: chart, floss, needle and hoop, sold separately.

Getting started: overcast or tape the edges, fold to find the centre and stitch one cross over each block with a size 24 or 26 tapestry needle, using two strands of floss. Wash finished work by hand in cool water and press face down on a towel.

Size: 48 x 53 cm (19 x 21 in). Stitched one cross per block with a 2 in margin all round, it fits a design of about 235 x 265 stitches. It is a good piece to keep in the stash or to tuck into a gift for a stitching friend.