Block Weave Cross Stitch Fabrics

Cross stitch fabrics can be divided into three main catagories: block weave fabrics, cotton evenweave fabrics and evenweave linen fabric. This section describes block weave fabrics, including aida cloth.

Aida Fabrics

Block weave fabrics, including Aida are by far the most popular fabrics for cross stitch. Aida cloth was invented in 1890 by the Zweigart company, who saw the need for an easy-to-stitch fabric for counted work. By combining threads together in groups, with large holes at regular intervals they opened up cross stitch to a much larger worldwide audience.

These cotton fabrics are categorised by the number of holes per inch of fabric. The common sizes of aida are illustrated below. The illustrations are to scale, showing a one inch width of fabric, so that you can clearly see the difference between the different fabric thread counts.

6 Count Binca

This Binca fabric has just 6 holes per inch and it is therefore very easy to count the stitches. Working on this produces six large stitches per inch and so it is very popular in schools.

11 Count Aida

11 holes per inch aida is the next step up for children, after they have mastered cross stitching on Binca. It is also suitable for beginners and adults whose eyesight is not quite so good.

14 Count Aida

This is the most popular fabric worldwide for cross stitching. The 14 holes per inch cotton fabric is ideal for many counted cross stitch projects and is used by both beginners and experienced cross stitchers. It is commonly available in a large range of colours.

16 Count Aida

This 16 count aida offers a good balance for stitchers who require a finer looking finished cross stitch, but which is still easy to see.

18 Count Aida

The finest commonly used aida. If you want to produce a finely detailed piece, this is the aida to use.

For information on the other types of cross stitch fabric please click either Evenweave Linen or Cotton Evenweave fabric.

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