How to Stitch your Fox Tapestry Design
Fox Tapestry Designs use charts rather than printed canvas as these are much more accurate. In addition to your chart, each tapestry kit will include wool, needles and canvas so you can get started straight away.
Its best to use a frame to stitch your design as this will help prevent it from being stretched out of shape. There are a variety of tapestry frames on the market and you should choose a style which you like and which feels comfortable. Some people prefer to use a stand and others simply to lay the frame across their lap. Whichever you choose, make sure that you are always sitting comfortably, in plenty of light and that your back is well supported.
Preparing the Canvas
First prepare your canvas by taping masking tape around the edges. This prevents the canvas from fraying while you are working on it and always stops the wool (and clothing!) catching on the edges.
If you are a beginner (and even if you're not!) it's a good idea to start from the centre of your canvas and work outwards. To find the centre, first fold your tapestry canvas in half, and then in half again. Using some contrasting sewing thread, run a thread along the fold lines you have created (see Figure 1). You now have your centre point.
Next, find the centre point of the design you are working from. Again, it's a good idea to work on the smaller elements first, and then fill in the background. By finding the centre point, you can work out roughly the position of each element. Using a charted design rather than one printed on the canvas gives you a lot more precision with stitching as the chart shows you exactly where to place each stitch. If it helps, you can even mark up the canvas using a soft pencil (this won't show through) just to give you some idea of what goes where.
Stitching Your Design
Fox Tapestry Designs can be completed using the simple, traditional stitch called 'half cross stitch'. Thread your needle with the wool, bring the needle up from the back of the canvas and then down through the hole diagonally across to the row above (see Figure 2). You should work from left to right, but this depends on whether you are right or left handed! I work from right to left and it suits me fine. Simply work in a way which looks neat and which is comfortable for you. Half Cross Stitch gives a very neat back but it is important to try and secure the threads as you go as lots of loose threads on the back might pull through when you stitch. When you start, try and catch in the thread in the first few stitches. When you have completed a little more of the tapestry, simply start each new thread by running it through one or two stitches on the reverse. From time to time, check you have no loose threads as these can come loose on your completed tapestry and spoil your hard work.
Making up Your Tapestry
When you have completed your tapestry, remove from the frame. You may find that despite using a frame, your tapestry has 'warped' a little. Don't worry, you can easily fix this. Simply use a damp cloth (a clean tea towel is ideal) and a warm iron and press your work, gently pushing the tapestry back into shape. If your work is very warped, you may need to 'stretch' it back into shape. Mark out on a piece of wood or an old wooden tray the correct shape (masking tape is good for this), then wet the canvas thoroughly and pin it to the right shape with drawing pins or similar. If you do this, be very careful that you don't pull it completely out of shape and make sure you leave it to dry for at least 48 hours - preferably a few days - to mould back into shape.
If you are stitching a cushion cover, you can back it with the fabric of your choice, insert a cushion pad (if appropriate) and voila! You have completed an original Fox Tapestry Design. Don't forget to save the extra wool - if an accident happens you can then use the oddments to repair any damage. Why not pop some strands of wool inside the cover with the cushion pad, then you always know where you can find a quick fix should any disasters occur.
If you have any problems with stitching the designs please do not hesitate to drop me an email.
Best Wishes and Happy Stitching!
Fox Tapestry Designs use charts rather than printed canvas as these are much more accurate. In addition to your chart, each tapestry kit will include wool, needles and canvas so you can get started straight away.
Its best to use a frame to stitch your design as this will help prevent it from being stretched out of shape. There are a variety of tapestry frames on the market and you should choose a style which you like and which feels comfortable. Some people prefer to use a stand and others simply to lay the frame across their lap. Whichever you choose, make sure that you are always sitting comfortably, in plenty of light and that your back is well supported.
Preparing the Canvas
First prepare your canvas by taping masking tape around the edges. This prevents the canvas from fraying while you are working on it and always stops the wool (and clothing!) catching on the edges.
If you are a beginner (and even if you're not!) it's a good idea to start from the centre of your canvas and work outwards. To find the centre, first fold your tapestry canvas in half, and then in half again. Using some contrasting sewing thread, run a thread along the fold lines you have created (see Figure 1). You now have your centre point.
Next, find the centre point of the design you are working from. Again, it's a good idea to work on the smaller elements first, and then fill in the background. By finding the centre point, you can work out roughly the position of each element. Using a charted design rather than one printed on the canvas gives you a lot more precision with stitching as the chart shows you exactly where to place each stitch. If it helps, you can even mark up the canvas using a soft pencil (this won't show through) just to give you some idea of what goes where.
Stitching Your Design
Fox Tapestry Designs can be completed using the simple, traditional stitch called 'half cross stitch'. Thread your needle with the wool, bring the needle up from the back of the canvas and then down through the hole diagonally across to the row above (see Figure 2). You should work from left to right, but this depends on whether you are right or left handed! I work from right to left and it suits me fine. Simply work in a way which looks neat and which is comfortable for you. Half Cross Stitch gives a very neat back but it is important to try and secure the threads as you go as lots of loose threads on the back might pull through when you stitch. When you start, try and catch in the thread in the first few stitches. When you have completed a little more of the tapestry, simply start each new thread by running it through one or two stitches on the reverse. From time to time, check you have no loose threads as these can come loose on your completed tapestry and spoil your hard work.
Making up Your Tapestry
When you have completed your tapestry, remove from the frame. You may find that despite using a frame, your tapestry has 'warped' a little. Don't worry, you can easily fix this. Simply use a damp cloth (a clean tea towel is ideal) and a warm iron and press your work, gently pushing the tapestry back into shape. If your work is very warped, you may need to 'stretch' it back into shape. Mark out on a piece of wood or an old wooden tray the correct shape (masking tape is good for this), then wet the canvas thoroughly and pin it to the right shape with drawing pins or similar. If you do this, be very careful that you don't pull it completely out of shape and make sure you leave it to dry for at least 48 hours - preferably a few days - to mould back into shape.
If you are stitching a cushion cover, you can back it with the fabric of your choice, insert a cushion pad (if appropriate) and voila! You have completed an original Fox Tapestry Design. Don't forget to save the extra wool - if an accident happens you can then use the oddments to repair any damage. Why not pop some strands of wool inside the cover with the cushion pad, then you always know where you can find a quick fix should any disasters occur.
If you have any problems with stitching the designs please do not hesitate to drop me an email.
Best Wishes and Happy Stitching!