25 Count Pacific Metallic Blue Lugana Evenweave Precut Cross Stitch Fabric 19x27 in by Zweigart 3835/6136

Stitch on Pacific Metallic Blue, a 25 count Lugana evenweave by Zweigart: a teal-blue evenweave woven with a metallic thread for a soft shimmer. The metallic thread catches the light, so even simple motifs sparkle.

A little stitcher's folklore: metallic threads were once real gold and silver wrapped around silk and kept for church and court embroidery; a touch of shimmer in the cloth nods to that tradition.

Why this fabric: Lugana is a soft cotton and viscose evenweave with perfectly even threads, so there are no slubs to work around. Worked over two it gives 12.5 stitches per inch, a little larger than 14 count Aida, which makes it a comfortable first step from Aida to evenweave. This shade suits Christmas, wedding and winter designs.

In the pack: one precut piece of Zweigart Lugana, cotton and viscose with a metallic thread, 25 count (10 threads per cm), in Pacific Metallic Blue. 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 24 or 26 tapestry needle, using two strands of floss. Press with a cool iron through a cloth to protect the shimmer.

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 185 x 280 stitches. One piece is plenty for a framed sampler, a pillow front or several small ornaments.