Types of stitches for cross stitching. Semi-cross stitch master class How to embroider large paintings with a semi-cross

08.03.2020

The technique of "half-cross" is rapidly gaining popularity. Previously, she was remembered when embroidering small elements of the picture in order to give the canvas an additional relief and believability. Now half-cross embroidery is quickly and simply necessary for beginners, because this method is chosen to complete the work as a whole, without thinking about combined seams. The technique refers to the basics of needlework, let's master it.

Modern patterns for embroidery have become detailed and fancy, allowing you to get the result as close as possible to the original image. But the work process has not changed: the craftswoman works with her hands using a needle and thread.

Learning to cross stitch for beginners: basic information

The basic techniques for implementing complex circuits also remain the same:

Cross;
Half cross;
Tapestry stitch.

A half-cross is one diagonal of a cross, half of a cross stitch.

Stitch direction:

From left to right;
From right to left.

Usually the manufacturer indicates the direction of the stitches on the diagram. This is an important recommendation: the logic and meaning of embroidery, its shape and expressiveness depend on the direction.

It is necessary to master the technique of applying a half-cross in any direction. This will allow you not to get confused in the execution of stitches and avoid distortion of the pattern.

For the design of the background of the product, the direction of the stitches is of fundamental importance. Do as you please.

When working on canvas with dense threads, the “half-cross” technique is very similar to tapestry embroidery. Many manufacturers of ready-made sets are trying to achieve a tapestry effect, recommending craftswomen to perform a semi-cross. The embroidered fabric looks bright and expressive, and it is easier to embroider with a semi-cross stitch than with a classic tapestry stitch.

Subtleties of work:

On the “face” of the product, all the flaws in the embroidery are clearly visible. Therefore, do not pay attention to the "wrong side" of the work. She may have faults. Design the front side accurately, get excellent results.
When working with this technique, the thread tends to twist. Let the thread hang freely. Under the weight of the needle, it will quickly unwind.
When embroidering with a semi-cross from the “inside out”, single vertical columns are formed, and not double, as with the “cross” technique. Therefore, the number of stitches should be larger, and the ends of the threads fixed from the wrong side should be longer.
When unrolled, the canvas is deformed at the points of clamping. This may distort the drawing. Remove the base from the frame at every break in work.
If canvas is not being used, do not tighten the half-crosses too much. Holes are formed on the fabric, spoiling the appearance of the product.
The background of the embroidery will shimmer and sparkle if you match the threads of melange shades to a light monochromatic canvas. This interesting effect will revive the dullest canvas.
Now the principle of alternating tapestry technique and half-cross is gaining momentum. The combination looks advantageous when working with diagonal stitches: the embroidery retains its shape, the stitches lay flat, the working thread is used sparingly. It is only necessary to ensure that the rows made by different techniques alternate periodically.

We study a step-by-step guide to embroidery in the technique of "semi-cross" with a photo

Materials for work:

Canvas;
Embroidery needle;
Mouline thread of any color for honing technique.

Procedure:

We choose a simple scheme at will. We stretch the threads into the eye of the needle, connect the ends. The first stitch comes from the lower left corner of the square, in the figure it is marked #1.

We bring the needle to the “inside out”, the end of the thread hangs freely.

Next, we stretch the thread to the upper right corner of the square, as shown in Figure No. 2. This is how the first stitch is laid. The rest is embroidered in the same way, the scheme is shown in the photo. Lay the free end of the thread along the canvas on the wrong side of the work.

We perform a certain number of stitches in the first row, then we make the next column. Even and odd rows alternate until the sketch pattern ends.

How to Create a Half Cross and Tapestry Stitch: Combining Techniques

The seams are similar in execution technique. The "face" of the work looks the same. But on the "wrong side" the difference is clearly visible.

Consider a photo:

The double technique is used to balance the distortions of the embroidery.

Double technique details:

We embroider the first row with a semi-cross. The second row is a tapestry stitch. We stretch the thread from the lower left corner to the upper right. We continue according to the described scheme.

Painting technique.

The “painting” technique is based on a semi-cross. The painting is unique in that it allows you to “sculpt” a contour sketch from stitches. The stitches go in a continuous chain, folding into a picture.

Embroidery is done in two steps. Interlining stitches indicate the approximate basis of the sketch. Performed by alternating front and back stitches.

Then we fill in the empty spaces of the interlining stitches, putting the “puzzles” of the pattern together.

The painting technique is reminiscent of a “backstitch” stitch or backstitch stitches.

With such a basic seam, many needlewomen begin their skill training. Stitches are laid alternately and without gaps. A seam is used to make contours and small parts of a sketch.

We make with embroidery with beads and the technique of "semi-cross"

For embroidery of paintings with beads, the “monastic” seam is traditionally used. This technique practically repeats the semi-cross embroidery.

We perform the front stitches diagonally, not forgetting to string the beads. On the "wrong side" vertical stitches are obtained.

This technique is quite suitable for beginner craftswomen.

Thus, the "half-cross" technique is the basis of successful needlework. It needs to be mastered.

Video tutorials to help you master the half-cross technique

It seems, no matter how tricky it sounds - "cross-stitch". So, you just need to embroider with a cross - one diagonal, the second diagonal, and you're done! However, in many paintings there are other types of seams that give the picture greater realism and beauty.

Types of seams can be divided into two groups:

Counting - types of seams that are performed by counting the threads of the fabric. Hence the name.
Loose - types of seams that are made along a pre-drawn contour.

Counted seams include: cross, half-cross, 1/4 cross, incomplete cross, Bulgarian cross, counted smooth surface, goat, painting, etc.

Traditional cross

The most commonly used traditional "cross". It is performed with two stitches arranged diagonally crosswise, filling one cell of the canvas. To embroider a horizontal row of crosses, the “Danish method” is used: all stitches are first sewn in one direction, then in the opposite direction, overlapping already made stitches (half-crosses), not forgetting that the top stitches of the cross should always lie in the same direction. With the Danish method, you will also get a beautiful wrong side: in the form of double vertical stitches.

If you need to embroider a vertical row of crosses, then all the lower half-crosses are first made in one direction, for example, up, and then in the opposite direction (down), overlapping the already made stitches. From the inside, a row of vertical stitches is also formed.

Half cross

The simplest type of seam is a half-cross, or 1/2 cross. Unless otherwise stated, the direction of the half-crosses is identical to the direction of the top stitches of traditional crosses. Semi-crosses are embroidered on the same principle as crosses, but in one direction. Usually the background is embroidered with semi-crosses (sky, water, earth, grass, shadows from objects, etc.).

1/4 cross

Fractional crosses, such as 1/4 crosses, are used to create the effect of smooth color transitions and more realistic contours. The 1/4 cross stitch can be done with both half-crosses and crosses and, depending on this, is called Petite-point (petite-point) and Petite-stitch (petite-stitch). The name comes from the French "petite" - "small". Petite-point is a small half-cross. Petite-stitch is a small cross, the size of a quarter of the main cross, i.e. in the usual square of the canvas, not 1 cross is embroidered, but 4 small ones. In the embroidery scheme, 1/4 of the cross is indicated as follows: in one cell, 2 symbolic values \u200b\u200band 1 symbol, but small, in a certain corner are indicated.

Incomplete cross, or 3/4 cross

To make an incomplete cross, you must first make a full diagonal stitch (half-cross), then a half-cross in the other direction, but until the middle of the future incomplete cross. When embroidering a 3/4 cross, the basic rule is observed: the top stitch lies in the same direction as all the others.

On cross stitch patterns, an incomplete cross is indicated in the same way as 1/4 of a cross, i.e. 2 small symbols are indicated in one cell or 1 in some corner. If 2 characters are indicated in the cell, then the full cross consists of 3/4 of the cross and 1/4 of the cross (namely, the petit-point, i.e., a small half-cross).

Elongated cross

Such a cross is made to enrich the embroidery with texture, and it also helps to quickly fill large areas of embroidery. The technique of embroidering this cross is similar to a simple cross, only the cross fills not one cell of the canvas, but two or three cells located vertically.

rice seam

The seam is intended for background coverage, as it quickly fills the area of \u200b\u200bthe fabric. First, a simple large cross is embroidered on 3 or 5 canvas cells. Then the ends of the large crosses are covered with a semi-cross seam, first along the bottom edge, and then along the top. Two shades of color can be used, which will greatly enrich the embroidery.

Bulgarian, or double cross

The cross consists of two crosses, the bottom seam is a simple cross and the top seam is a vertical cross. In general, the seam has the shape of a square and can occupy four cells of the canvas or more.

"Goat"

Represents cross stitches on the front side. At the same time, two parallel rows of stitches should be obtained on the wrong side. When making a “goat” seam, the direction of embroidery should go from bottom to top, i.e. stitches are made from oneself. But the needle, when performing these stitches, should look at the embroiderer, i.e. the tip of the needle is directed all the time towards itself.

"Forward the needle"

The simplest of all types of seams. The most important thing when doing it is that the stitches of the seam should always be the same length. The needle and thread must be passed into the fabric through a strictly defined number of threads (for example, 2 or 4 threads) from right to left, all the way forward from the last stitch.

painting

The seam "painting" is also called Assisi, or a line. This is a double-sided stitch that is embroidered on the basis of the needle-forward stitch.

The “painting” seam is performed in two steps:

First move:
we sew stitches according to the principle of a seam “forward a needle”, moving from left to right.

Second move: turn the embroidery over and go in the opposite direction, filling in the gaps between the front stitches, making punctures in the puncture places of the stitches of the first row. The pattern in this case is the same from the front and from the inside.

The most important rule when making this seam is that its stitches should always be the same length, i.e. capture the same number of threads. Typically, this stitch is used to create an outline around cross stitch or other types of stitches.

In the cross stitch pattern, 3/4 crosses are indicated in the same way as 1/4 crosses, that is, 2 small symbols are indicated in one cell or 1 in some corner. If 2 characters are indicated in the cell, then the full cross consists of 3/4 of the cross and 1/4 of the cross (namely, the petit-point, i.e., a small half-cross). Source: http://nacrestike.ru/publ/vidy_shvov_v_vishivke_krestom/ 5-1-0-2#a5
© nacrestike.ru

tapestry stitch

On the front side, the tapestry seam looks like a half-cross. The difference is hidden on the wrong side: the transition stitch on the wrong side of the tapestry seam is oblique, and not vertical, like a half-cross. The wrong side of such embroidery looks denser than the front. Tapestry sewing does not allow distortions of the fabric when embroidering large-area products. When embroidering with a tapestry stitch, the threads go 1.5-2 times more than when embroidering with a semi-cross.

Free types of seams include: stalk, tambour, looped, backstitch, French knot, etc.

Backstitch (back needle)

"Backstitch" is translated from English as "stitch back". If you perform a backstitch, following its direct name, namely the “back to the needle” seam, then the stitch on the front side will also turn out to be even and beautiful. This method is also good because you can immediately see how the line fits as a whole, that is, sequentially stitch by stitch. If at some point you realize that something is not going the way you would like, you can immediately correct the error.

french knot

The “French knot” appeared not at all in France, but in China. The embroidery technique got its name because of the popularity among needlewomen in France, who gladly used it to decorate clothes. French craftswomen borrowed this technique from the Chinese after they saw it on goods imported by merchants from China.

Depending on the number of threads, the width of the tape, the thread tension, the number of turns around the needle, French knots are obtained in different sizes. The more entanglements, the larger the knot will turn out. In embroidery, the French knot is most often used to give volume to flowers. Depending on the size of the knot, the flowers also turn out to be of different sizes.

How to do a French knot?

Fasten the thread from the wrong side of the fabric and bring it to the front side. As close to the fabric as possible, wind the thread around the needle twice (away from you), while pulling the thread taut. Lower the needle near where the thread came to the surface. Pull the thread to the wrong side, carefully pulling it up so that the knot does not crumble.

stalk seam

The stitches must be done from left to right. When performing each new stitch, bring the needle and thread to the front side, stepping back about half the length of the previous stitch. On the wrong side, you should get a seam resembling a "line".

The stalks and veins of leaves, flowers are usually embroidered with a stalk stitch, and the outline of the pattern is also sheathed. They can embroider children's patterns - figures of animals, flowers, etc. With a stalk stitch, you can fill the entire surface of the pattern (if provided for by the embroidery pattern), changing the angle of the stitches.

Chain stitch (chain stitch)

needlewomen use two types of chain stitch. While doing seam first way, having previously secured the working thread from the inside, the needle should be brought to the front side of the base fabric exactly at the beginning of the first row of embroidery, after which you need to freely thread the thread from right to left of the needle, holding the loop formed with your thumb.

After that, the fabric is again pierced at the exit point of the thread of the previous loop, directed along the wrong side, passing through four or five threads of the base fabric, and brought out to the front side of the fabric. The previously formed loop must be left under the needle. The thread released from under the finger should be pulled, thus tightening the loop. A properly executed stitch of the chain stitch has a teardrop shape.

After that, you need to grab the thread again with your thumb, insert the needle at the point of puncture of the fabric and the exit of the working thread, draw it from the inside out in the direction from top to bottom and then bring the thread to the front side. The thread must be slightly pulled, completing the next stitch. Moreover, throughout the row, the thread tension should be the same.

The second way to sew. First you need to draw two stitches "forward the needle." They do this by grabbing two or three threads on the front side of the base fabric and four or five on the wrong side. The length of the “forward needle” stitch is determined by the size of the loops that will need to be sewn. After that, a needle is inserted into the canvas and left on the front side.

Then you need to pick up the first stitch “forward needle” with a needle, without introducing it into the fabric. Next, a working thread is drawn under it and a puncture is made at the beginning of the loop. The thread is pulled, forming a loop, after which the second stitch is laid “forward needle” from the wrong side of the fabric. All utility stitches of the chain must be equal in length to the first and the same.

A needle is inserted under the first loop and the chain is continued, consisting of “forward needle” stitches on the wrong side of the base fabric and loops on the front side.

The article shows only the main types of seams, but not all!

Modern symbolic counting schemes for embroidery

They became more complex, became detailed, detailed, bringing the embroidery as close as possible to the original image from which the diagram is made. New, rational systems for organizing the process allow us to embroider faster, more efficiently, with great pleasure, more complex and beautiful embroideries.

But the principle of hand embroidery has not changed. The embroiderer still has two hands, and the needle and thread is the main working tool.

And basic techniques used when embroidering complex modern counting patterns are:

1. Cross
2. Half cross
3. Tapestry stitch

All kinds of auxiliary curly stitches are also widely used to decorate embroideries and draw small details.

The most popular and used technique is a simple cross.

1. Cross stitch

Complex crosses most commonly used for embroidery simple decorative patterns or small embroideries in folk style.
Because complex crosses, although beautiful in themselves, are poorly suited for a modern scheme. Few people would think of embroidering, for example, a diagram or Bulgarian cross . It is illogical, irrational, and too long and tedious. It is easier, faster, more convenient to embroider with ordinary crosses in one, two, sometimes three threads.

The cross-stitch technique is simple and understandable at first glance even to a schoolboy:

two stitches laid alternately crosswise in the form of a letter X.

The crosses are embroidered closely one to one, and with continuous stitching, four threads of four stitches come out in different directions from one hole in the fabric.

(on the picture)Cross-stitch

1. On Aida block fabric

2. On a fabric of uniform weaving through two warp threads

3. On a fabric of uniform weaving through one warp thread

The top stitches of the cross should be in the same direction, the same on the entire surface of the embroidery.

Sewing order arbitrary, depends on the location of the same symbols on the diagram and on the imagination and logic of the embroiderer: how she will plan her embroidery algorithm.

Usually, the lower halves of a group of crosses are first embroidered one stitch after another, then, as if returning, the upper stitches of these crosses are embroidered.

it's enough just to "turn on" the logic and think in the process of embroidering.
To all lovers old books -
links to textbooks on embroidery of the last century
You can learn a lot from them

The technique of cross-stitching is widely used in a variety of styles and subjects of images. Graceful, watercolor, realistic images embroidered with thin light crosses in one thread on fabrics of uniform weaving are especially good.

With the advent of special “block” fabrics such as AIDA into the arsenal of the embroiderer, the half-cross technique has become very popular and convenient.

2.Semi-cross stitch

Semi-crosses are actively used by designers for embroidering embroidery backgrounds, and often the main pattern itself is also embroidered with semi-crosses in a different number of threads.

On solid Aida, half-crosses lie evenly, beautifully, are embroidered quickly, and with a minimum consumption of threads.

Often, semi-crosses are used in combination with crosses to add volume and expressiveness to embroidery.

Embroider with a semi-cross technically very easy. The stitch name speaks for itself. This is half (one diagonal) of the cross.

Direction of the half cross can be either right-to-left or left-to-right. Usually, the manufacturer of the scheme indicates in the instructions or gives a designation (drawing) in the key of the scheme, according to which it is clear in which direction the semi-crosses are laid when embroidering.

For example, the schemes are designed in such a way that the direction of the half-cross goes in the opposite direction with respect to the top stitch of the cross. And when embroidering Anchor patterns, I also came across recommendations to make the direction of the half-cross the same as the direction of the top stitch of the cross.

It is useful to learn how to embroider half-crosses in both directions, so as not to stray when embroidering.

If the semi-cross does not carry a special design load and is simply used to sew the background, then the direction does not matter, and you can embroider in the way that is more convenient for the embroiderer herself.

When embroidering on Aida in three, four, five and six threads, semi-cross embroidery in its texture and density looks almost like a tapestry.

This is what the pattern maker uses to achieve a tapestry effect in embroidery, and at the same time simplify the embroidery process and save threads.

It takes a third less threads to embroider a half-cross due to the length of the wrong side of the stitch.

tapestry effect when embroidering water with dense semi-crosses on 18 aide in the design Dimensions

Therefore, in modern embroidery, the semi-cross technique is widely used for embroidering designs on Aida with a continuous lining, when the embroidery pattern is made in a dense, “carpet” style.

Semi-cross embroideries in 4, 5, 6 threads on Aida look beautiful, bright, warm, expressive and similar in appearance to tapestries. And embroidering with a half-cross is easier than with a classic tapestry stitch.

3. Embroidery with tapestry stitch (Petit-point)

The history of the popularity of the tapestry stitch originates from the times when there were no various special fabrics for embroidery. Tapestry stitch was embroidered either on simple natural self-woven fabrics or on specially processed nets. And in order to give the future embroidery a tangible volume, weight and density, the tapestry stitch was widely used. The embroidered patterns provided for the complete sewing of the entire surface of the base.

Embroidery-tapestry (and even earlier - woven tapestries) often served as carpets and blankets.

But back to our times and to modern schemes. Now, in the technique of tapestry stitch, traditional manufacturers of tapestry embroidery designs are developing their schemes.

Sets are produced that are completed with special fabrics for embroidering tapestries. The Romanian small tapestry net (10 cells in 1 cm) is popular. It is embroidered on such a fabric with a petit-point (a simple tapestry stitch) in two strands of floss.

Also, for embroidery with a tapestry stitch, specially processed Linen or a special Stramin fabric are used, which are embroidered with wool, Iris or floss threads in 6 additions.

Outwardly with your front stitch tapestry stitch is very similar to a half-cross.

The main visible significant difference is purl part of a stitch.

If, when embroidering a half-cross, the stitch on the wrong side goes along the shortest distance between the two exit points of the thread on the face (straight short stitch), then when embroidering with petite (tapestry stitch), the wrong side of the stitch goes along the longest distance between the exit points (long diagonal stitch).

When embroidering with a tapestry stitch, our thread, as it were, wraps around, hugs the weaving thread of the fabric, and due to this, the front stitch lies more compactly, accurately, evenly and more beautifully than a half-cross.

With small stitches on a uniform, if the embroiderer does not have the ability to skillfully stack the stitches, controlling the thread tension in the needle, then the half-crosses will not look neat and ugly, unlike the petite stitches, which, due to the longer stitch on the wrong side and a different arrangement of the thread, are better, even if the embroiderer is not very experienced and professional.

The photo shows how the row made with semi-crosses differs, when the rest of the space is sewn up with tapestry stitches.

Therefore, the tapestry stitch (petit-point) is widely used when embroidering designs of detailed fine work on uniformly woven fabrics, when the entire image space is sewn up completely, and a smooth, dense, saturated, uniform surface of the entire embroidery is desired.

Technically embroider with petite not difficult. From the picture it is quite possible to understand the logic of the stitch. At first, when embroidering a tapestry, with each stitch I mentally imagined how the thread lays on the wrong side, and even often turned the embroidery over and looked to see if the wrong stitch was obtained correctly. Yes, and when you inadvertently stray from petit to a half-cross, you immediately feel it, the stitches are not so beautiful, and due to the "basket" weaving of the base fabric, the half-cross stitches constantly strive to fall under the thread of the fabric.

I started embroidering my first tapestry with even rows of the same color. Having embroidered several vertical and horizontal stripes with one thread, I "felt" the stitch and understood the logic of petite in practice, gradually learned to "think with petite".

Further, I embroidered the scattered symbols by color, trying to pre-think the path of each thread so as to embroider, as it were, in zigzags, horizontal rows back and forth. But if the symbols are arranged vertically according to the scheme, I embroidered with a vertical petite.

I did the transitions between the rows as it turned out, but I tried, if possible, so that, moving from row to row, the stitch on the inside went just as diagonally, but I didn’t worry much if I couldn’t do it

Of course, most of the embroidery space is filled with a simple counted cross. However, sometimes there are cases when it is necessary to make not a complete cross, but for example ½ cross, ¾ and so on. It is easy to determine where it is necessary to make ½, and where ¼ of the cross. In this case, two symbols will be located on the diagram in one cell at once.

They are depicted opposite each other. The stitch colors depend on the fill color of the background around this cell. If the background color is yellow on the left and blue on the right, then the incomplete cross on the left will be yellow. The number of stitches will depend on the outline of the pattern.

According to the technique of execution, all incomplete crosses are simple crosses with the absence of any part. Most often they are used to give the picture lightness and smoother contours of the image.

Although canvas is considered the most convenient fabric for cross stitching, it is better to use counted fabrics for embroidery that requires the use of incomplete crosses. The complexity of the execution on the canvas lies in the fact that the needle must be inserted exactly into the middle of the cage. For this, thin needles of number 26 or 28 are suitable. When embroidering on linen, you can get by with a simple needle. It will easily enter the fabric between the fibers, pushing them apart.

When performing a quarter stitch, the needle is removed from the corner and directed to the center.

A three-quarter cross is done a little differently. It starts with a one-quarter stitch, and then tops off with a half cross from corner to corner. True, sometimes, in order to achieve the desired effect from changing colors, it is performed the other way around: first, half a cross is sewn, and then a one-quarter stitch. In this case, the direction of the top stitch may not match the direction of the whole work.

Despite the fact that in most situations with the definition of color everything is more or less clear, there are cases when the decision to embroider a particular stitch in a certain color remains with the craftswoman. In this case, you should pay attention to several points.

The first of these may be the presence of a reverse seam, passing exactly in the middle of the cell. In this case, only stitches in one fourth of the cage are sewn, and the stitch from corner to corner is sewn with a reverse seam.

Most often, three-quarter stitches are made in the color that is located in the foreground and is part of the main pattern. Here it is better to embroider a pattern with two threads and two needles at once. First, we perform one fourth stitch, its color does not matter. Next, we proceed to the implementation of three quarters. In our case, we do three-quarters twice, and this cross, as it were, rises above the whole work.

In addition to performing crosses in one-fourth or three-quarters, there is a situation where you also need to complete ¼ of the cross. With the definition of their color, everything is much easier. Their color corresponds to the color indicated in the scheme. The direction of the stitch depends on your taste. If in doubt about the correctness of the choice, just look at the direction of the inclination of the main pattern.

A half-cross, or incomplete cross, is used in embroidery by itself or in cross-stitch when embroidering individual elements and filling in the background. Also, the seam is widely used in bead embroidery. Semi-cross bead embroidery is perfect for beginners, as the patterns of such embroidery are simple and understandable even for children. Bead embroidery can be done with a thread of the same color without changing it, as when embroidering pictures with a regular cross.

If you are an adherent of classic thread embroidery, then half-cross embroidery will not be particularly difficult for you. To make a half-cross stitch, simply replace the cross stitch with one stitch, in other words, embroider half a cross, hence the name of this stitch. The semi-cross technique is used to give the work more lightness, tenderness, transparency; the pictures embroidered in this way are somewhat reminiscent of a watercolor drawing.

An important point when working in the semi-cross technique is the method of laying rows. If in the first row the stitches will go from top to bottom, then the next row must be embroidered vice versa, from bottom to top. This is done so that the threads of the wrong side do not sag in the finished work. Also, the semi-cross technique obliges the master to ensure that the direction of the stitches is always the same, since the stitches embroidered “scattered” will certainly be noticeable in the finished work, and the work itself will not look neat.

The semi-cross is very easy to perform and does not require special skills, however, if you have difficulties when working in this technique, you can easily find detailed videos of suitable topics, which describe the embroidery process in this technique step by step and methods for solving problems that arise during embroidery.

Pros and cons

Consider the main advantages of semi-cross stitch embroidery:

The half-cross technique is very simple and easy to understand even for beginners;
This is a very economical type of embroidery, since compared to ordinary cross-stitch embroidery, about two times less threads are spent;
The finished work has the appearance of a watercolor drawing due to its lightness;
Work with the semi-cross technique is embroidered much faster;
Almost all embroidery patterns available on the Internet are created using the semi-cross technique. No need to look for special schemes exclusively for this technique.

The main disadvantage of semi-cross stitching is that sloppy stitches will be immediately noticeable, so try to avoid them during the embroidery process.

A few tips for working in the half-cross technique:

Make sure that the floss does not twist during embroidery, if this happens, let the needle hang freely on the threads so that they unwind back.
The ends of the threads will have to be fixed more carefully and make sure that they are not visible from the front side, since the embroidery is not as dense as when embroidering with a regular cross.
Refuse to use the hoop in such work, as excessive exposure to already finished stitches will stretch or deform them, thereby ruining the work and your mood. If you are not used to working on loose fabric, it is better to use a large frame.
Do not tighten the stitches too much, this can make the rows uneven and ugly stretched holes form at the puncture points.
When embroidering a combination of cross and half cross stitches, make sure that the direction of the half cross stitch matches the direction of the top full cross stitch.
In bead embroidery, a semi-cross is the main type of stitch, this is due to the fact that beads do not require additional color density or filling the base for embroidery. It immediately lays down on the scheme evenly and tightly, bead to bead.

The basic rules for embroidery using the semi-cross technique with beads remain the same:

Follow the direction of the stitch, if the work was embroidered from right to left, then the reverse order will look sloppy.
Do not tighten the stitches, this will deform the material on which you are embroidering, it will be very difficult to correct this even when stretching the finished picture onto the canvas.

For a better understanding of what the finished work in the half-cross technique looks like, we advise you to familiarize yourself with examples of such works in the following photos.