GETTING STARTED

How old should I be?

What type of canvas should I use?
The choice of canvas is up to the stitcher. A suggestion of canvas type will be included with each project. Younger children may benefit more from using plastic canvas because of its stiffness. Mono canvas, 14 count, which comes in white and tan, is the canvas of choice for the projects, because it is not too small of a count size to frustrate children. Some projects may also be done on evenweave fabric, like Aida cloth, which is typically thought of as cross-stitch fabric.

How do I prepare the canvas?
Canvas or evenweave fabric, except plastic canvas, will unravel if the cut edges are not prepared correctly. The easiest way to prepare canvas is to tape all raw edges with masking tape. Evenweave fabric can be prepared by applying a commercial product that prevents fraying along all cut edges, or sewing a zig-zag stitch along all cut edges.

Do I need stretcher bars?
The projects presented in ANG KIDS are meant to be small enough that children can easily hold the canvas in their hands. As long as you don't fold, roll or crumple the canvas while holding it, stretcher bars are not necessary. If, however, this is not possible, light weight wooden stretcher bars can be purchased at needlework shops or craft stores. The size of the canvas must be increased by 4 inches in width and length to accomodate the stretcher bars. The canvas can be mounted to the stretcher bars with thumb tacks, upholstery tacks or heavy staples.

Plastic canvas does not need to be mounted on stretcher bars.

Evenweave fabric can be held in the hand; some folding or rolling is OK here, or a cross-stitch hoop can be used to hold the fabric taut.

Do I have to use the threads listed in the project?
No. The projects offered on ANG KIDS are small and don't require a large amount of any one kind of thread. Therefore, any left-over threads of different colors or types that you may have on hand may be substituted. The only thing that you need to be careful of is that the thread you use covers the canvas. If the thread is too thin, perhaps using 2 plies in the same needle will provide better coverage than just one strand.

How do I thread a needle?
Many times threading a needle can be difficult if the thread is heavy. Take an index card and cut a piece out that is just smaller than the width of the eye of the needle and several inches long. Fold the paper in half, parallel to the short edge. Place an end of the thread inside the folded card.

Slip the folded side of the card with the thread inside through the eye of the needle and pull it all the way through, making sure not to pull out the thread.

Remove the card from around the thread; the needle is now threaded.

What is a waste knot?
Tie a knot in the end of the thread. Starting from the top of the canvas, plunge the needle through the canvas away from your starting point. Begin stitching, covering the thread on the back of the canvas that is attached to the waste knot.

Once the thread is covered by half a dozen stitches or more, you may cut away the excess thread to remove the knot from your piece.

How do I end a thread?
On the back of the canvas, run your needle and thread underneath the threads of a half dozen or so stitches to anchor the thread and then cut away any excess.