Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Answers

What is the difference between the various types of needlework kits?

Counted Cross Stitch
Using a simple cross stitch on an even weave ground fabric, a design is stitched onto a blank piece of fabric with stranded cotton thread, working from a graph. Each thread colour is depicted on the graph with a different symbol.
Printed Counted Cross Stitch
The design is printed onto the fabric in full colour, and using a graph you stitch only selected areas of the design.
Stamped Cross Stitch
The design is marked with crosses on a light coloured fabric which is usually a polycotton blend. You stitch over the crosses with a simple cross stitch, using a graph to differentiate the colours.
Needlepoint/Tapestry
Needlepoint and Tapestry are one and the same, and the terms simply refer to embroidery on canvas. Our needlepoint kits generally involve only a few simple embroidery stitches worked on a canvas on which the design is printed in full colour. Occasionally a kit may not have pre-printed canvas and is counted from a graph. Needlepoint may be worked with wool, acrylic yarn or stranded cotton thread.
Long Stitch
This is a quick craft in which the design is printed in outline on canvas. Using long parallel stitches you fill in the spaces with wool or acrylic yarn.
Latch Hook
Worked on large mesh canvas (usually 3 to 5 holes to the inch) with a latch hook. In most kits the design is printed in colour on the cavans, but occasionally it is counted from a graph. Kits include pre-cut yarn, either acrylic or wool.
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What kinds of fabrics are used in cross stitch?

All counted needlework is worked on an evenweave fabric. An evenweave fabric has evenly spaced horizontal and vertical threads.
Aida Fabric is an evenweave ideal for counted cross stitch. This firm cotton fabric is woven to produce blocks of threads with holes between, and it is worked with one stitch over one square. Our kits usually use 14-, 16- or 18 count Aida.
Linen may have a weave that is either even or uneven, however, linens in our kits Will always be an evenweave. Like Aida they have evenly spaced threads, but these threads might not all be the same thickness. This natural fibre is softer than Aida and is harder to work with. The count is higher, usually between 18- and 36-count, and stitching is worked across two holes.
Evenweave Sometimes we may describe a fabric as “evenweave”. This describes a fabric that is much softer than Aida, and is often a blend of fibres. It is generally a higher count from 28-count, and like linens worked across two threads.
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What do you mean when you talk about the “count” or “mesh” of a fabric or canvas?

The thread count refers to the number of holes per inch of the fabric. Many of our kits use 14-count fabric, which is the most popular. Aida fabrics come in 14- 16-t and 18-count, and occasionally 11-count (great for stitchers with failing eyesight!). Linen and evenweave fabrics are finer counts – usually 28-, 32- or 36-count. With these fabrics projects are almost always stitched over two holes. This means that a 36-count linen would be equivalent to using an 18-count Aida.
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Can I get a different count or colour of fabric with my kit?

Our kits come packaged with chart, fabric and thread and it is not possible to substitute another colour or count of fabric. If you decide to buy a kit and use another fabric anyway, take care if you change the fabric count. If, for instance, you have purchased a kit with 18-count fabric but have decided you want to substitute your own 14-count, the design size will be larger and the project will require more thread. You may not have sufficient thread in the kit.
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What type and brand of thread is used in your cross stitch kits?

Our needlework kits come from all over the world from many different manufacturers. All use 6-stranded embroidery cotton thread, however, the brands vary. If we know a company always uses a known brand like DMC or Anchor, then it will be noted in the product description.
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Should I wash my needlework? Won't the colour in the thread run?

Here are some tips on caring for your needlework…
  • Naturals oils in your skin will mark fabric, so always wash your hands before you start stitching and wash them regularly while you stitch.
  • Do not bleach or dry clean your finished work.
  • Handwash in lukewarm water with a mild dishwashing detergent. Do not use cleaners intended for fine washables or woollens.
  • Wash the whole fabric, not just soiled areas.
  • Don’t rub or twist the stitching.
  • Rinse with clean, lukewarm water until the water runs clear
  • Don’t wring out the fabric, but roll it in a dry towel to absorb the water
  • Dry flat on a clean towel (preferably white)
  • Iron face down on a towel with the iron on ‘cotton’ setting
  • If the colour runs while you are washing your project, don’t let it dry. Rinse and soak it in cold water, and keep repeating the process until the bleeding has disappeared and the water rinses clear. This process may take a long time.
  • If you notice bleeding on a dry piece of needlework lay it in a sink and just cover it with cold water. Cover it with a layer of ice, and let it soak without scrubbing. Replace the water and ice as required, and be patient, as this process might takes days.
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May I purchase the cross stitch chart on its own, without the fabric and thread?

Charts are not available on their own unless stated in the catalogue.
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I often have trouble sorting threads. Do you have any helpful hints?

Our kits come from many different manufacturers and threads may be prepared in various ways. Some kits have the thread already sorted onto cards, so most of the work is already done for you. Even in this instance though, we recommend you carefully match up you cards with your legend before you start, and make sure you are absolutely sure which thread relates to which symbol. If it isn’t already printed on the cards, we suggest you draw the symbol on yourself.
If your kit includes the thread in bundles, here’s how we recommend you approach sorting:
  • Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before you begin.
  • Don’t untie all the bundles at once. Sort one hank at a time.
  • Extract the obvious threads first e.g. black and white
  • Sort into groups of main colours i.e. find all the blues, all the greens, all the reds etc
  • Within each colour group, sort from darkest to lightest. Then match them up with the colour descriptions. A process of elimination often works best.
  • Look for clues on the legend. For instance, some manufacturers list how many lengths of each colour they have provided.
  • When you have successfully identified a colour tie it on a thread card or wind it onto a bobbin and label it clearly.
  • Don’t start stitching until you are satisfied your threads are properly sorted.
  • Never despair. You can always call us for advice.
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Can I order products from old catalogues?

It is unlikely that we still have stock of items from very old catalogues unless they have appeared again in a recent publication. It is always worth calling a customer service operator on 1300 361 126, however, and asking them to check.
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How can I prevent my threads from twisting, tangling and fraying?

We recommend that that you separate your thread into individual strands and re-combine it before threading your needle. This is called “stripping” thread. Your thread will twist less and your stitches will lie flatter. Also you should let your needle dangle every so often to untwist the thread. We also suggest you don’t use long pieces of thread, because the more often you pull it through your fabric, the more likely it is to fray. The recommended length is 45 centimetres. In most kits, the thread will come in 90 cm lengths, so you just need to cut it in half. (Don’t be tempted to use very short lengths of thread, however, because you waste about 6cm at each end of a piece of thread. If you do this, you may run out of thread before your design is finished.) Metallic threads are more likely to fray and should be cut shorter than cotton.
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What type of needle should I use?

Cross stitch should be worked with a #22, #24, #26 or #28 tapestry needle. The higher the number the smaller the needle. These needles have blunt points and larger eyes than an ordinary sewing needle. The blunt end prevents the needle from piercing the fabric. A general rule of thumb is that you should use a #22 needle for 14-count fabric or less, and a #24 or #26 for 16 to 18-count. A 328 is for finer fabrics like linen and evenweave
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When I order on the web why isn't there a space to put in my VIP number?   

If you have ordered on the Web before you will just have to enter your email address and password but if it is your first time ordering on Web even though you are a current customer you will have to click (I don't have an account) and fill in your details.  Unfortunately there is no space for the VIP number at this stage but your details will link up in the system to your VIP number.
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What do I do if I run out of thread before my project is finished?

Kits should include more than enough thread to complete the project, however, sometimes errors are made in the manufacturing process and some colours are short. Stitchers sometimes run out of thread because they have cut the threads too short or they have used more strands than recommended. If you have run out of thread in a kit purchased from The Fox Collection, telephone us and we will request additional threads from the manufacturer. Generally there is no charge for this, unless you are requesting a full set of threads because you want to use more than the recommended number of strands. Before you call make a note of the thread numbers and descriptions from the legend and try to estimate how many lengths you need of each colour. Please note that it generally takes 3 to 4 weeks to procure extra threads from manufacturers.
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How many strands of thread should I use?

If you buy a kit, you should use the number of strands recommended in the instructions, otherwise you may risk running short of thread. Generally though, the number of strands is a matter of individual choice. On 14-count fabric, two strands are usually recommended, however, many stitchers like to use three strands for denser coverage. Three strands on 18-count, will probably be too heavy, so two strands are probably best, but it is a personal choice. If you want to experiment with coverage, try out various strands on a test piece of fabric, and decide what suits your taste.
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