14 Count Pale Blue Aida Cloth Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x21 in by Zweigart 3706/5130

Stitch on Pale Blue, a 14 count Aida cloth by Zweigart: a pale blue Aida with a soft, powdery tone. A coloured ground saves stitching a full background and sets the mood of the piece.

A little stitcher's folklore: girls once worked a sampler as a school exercise, stitching alphabets and numbers on linen before they embroidered anything for the house, and many of those samplers survive in museums today.

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 baby samplers, florals and spring designs.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Aida, 100% cotton, 14 count (5.4 squares per cm), in Pale Blue. 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. 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 205 x 235 stitches. Large enough for a framed picture, or cut it down for cards, bookmarks and ornaments.