20 Count Vintage Country Mocha Aida Cloth Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x21 in by Zweigart 3326/3009

Stitch on Vintage Country Mocha, a 20 count Aida cloth by Zweigart: a cloudy, hand-dyed look mocha Aida with marbled light and dark patches for an aged, antique feel. 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: 20 count is an extra fine Aida for miniatures, ornaments and detailed designs, a finer scale than most kits use. This shade suits primitive, country and seasonal samplers.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Aida, 100% cotton, 20 count (8 squares per cm), in Vintage Country Mocha. 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 26 or 28 tapestry needle, using one strand 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 53 cm (19 x 21 in). Stitched one cross per block with a 2 in margin all round, it fits a design of about 295 x 335 stitches. Large enough for a framed picture, or cut it down for cards, bookmarks and ornaments.