14 Count Vintage Cream Aida Cloth Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x21 in by Zweigart 3706/1019

Stitch on Vintage Cream, a 14 count Aida cloth by Zweigart: a cream Aida with cloudy, hand-dyed style mottling 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: 14 count Aida is the most popular cross stitch fabric and the standard for most kits. The clear blocks make counting easy, so it is ideal for beginners, children and bold designs. This shade suits primitive, country and seasonal samplers.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Aida, 100% cotton, 14 count (5.4 squares per cm), in Vintage Cream. 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 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 53 cm (19 x 21 in). Stitched one cross per block with a 2 in margin all round, it fits a design of about 205 x 235 stitches. Pair it with a chart and floss for a ready-to-start stitching gift.