Glossary

Away Knot
An Away Knot is one of two types of knots used in embroidery that allow you to anchor your embroidery thread without having a permanent knot on the backside of your project.

Back Loop
In crochet, refers to the loop farthest from you on the previous row.

Blending or Tweeding Floss
Blending floss is when the needle is threaded with two colors of floss to give a more subtle color shading. To create unique beautiful designs you can combine strands of different threads. One strand of DMC Light Effects looks beautiful when combined with one strand of DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss. Some designs call for blending your floss. You may also see this referred to as Tweeding.

Cross Stitch
Cross Stitch starts with a simple X shaped stitch that is commonly embroidered with floss. The cross stitch is repeated numerous times to create a design.

Embroidery Floss
Soft, loosely twisted thread, of silk or cotton.

Embroidery Hoops
Embroidery hoops are used to keep your fabric taunt as you stitch. Hoops come in various size and shapes.

Fractional Stitches
Half stitches, quarter stitches and three-quarter stitches are often called fractional stitches because they are divisions of the cross stitch.

Mercerization
A treatment that many floss companies preform during the manufacturing process that gives the threads a lustrous appearance and strengthens them.

Needles
Needles come in various sizes and selecting the needle size depends on thread size and the type of material. Remember the rule, smaller the number size of the needle, the larger the eye and thicker the needle.

Needle Minder
A device to hold your needle while embroidering, as not to leave them in the material and leave unsightly holes.

Selvage
The selvage is the edge on either side of a woven fabric which has been finished in the manufacturing process to prevent the edge of the fabric from unraveling.

Skeins
A loosely coiled length of floss.

Stab and Sew Methods
The "stab" method, is used by most beginning stitchers. The stab method involves moving the hand back and forth from the front of the fabric to the back of the fabric. The needle is "stabbed" into the front of the fabric, left there, and then pulled through from the other side. The stab method is effective when using a hoop or frame. This method of stitching does not distort the fabric and assures that the stitch is placed properly. The sewing method is used by stitchers who prefer to hold the fabric in their hands instead of in a hoop or frame. The needle is inserted into the fabric and pulled up in one continuous sewing motion while the other hand is holding the fabric.

Stamped Cross Stitch
Preprinted design on material.

Stands
Floor and table stands are available in a variety of styles and materials. These stands are a valuable tool because they hold the fabric in place allowing you to keep both hands free for “two handed” stitching. Stands offer various adjustments enabling you to arrange the height and angle of the frame to your liking while making it possible to sit comfortably in your favorite chair.

Stretcher Bars
Stretcher bars serve the same purpose as embroidery hoops and scroll frames. Stretcher bars are joined to make a frame that embroidery fabric is stretched onto and held into place with tacks. They serve the same purpose as embroidery hoops and scroll frames.

Tapestry Needles
Tapestry Needles have blunt, rounded tips with large eyes. The blunt tips are perfect for passing between the fibers in needlepoint canvas, rather than piercing them, as well as aida fabric for counted cross stitch.

Tension
To create smooth uniform stitches it’s important to pull each stitch with the same amount of tension. If the stitch is too loose it will appear limp and if the stitch is pulled to tightly the fabric will distort and the weave of the fabric. Tension is also used to describe the tightness of the fabric in a hoop. The fabric should be tight enough that it does not sag in the middle, but not so tight that it distorts or damages the fabric.

Thread Conditioner – “Thread Heaven”
Thread conditioners such as Thread Heaven cut down on the stress caused by thread drag ; the wear caused by continually pulling a thread through the fabric while stitching . This product is helpful when stitching with metallic and blended specialty fibers.

Water-Soluble Pens and Pencils
Water-soluble pens and pencils are used to transfer a design onto fabric temporarily. The marked lines wash out when the item is laundered or blotted with a damp sponge.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORE TO COME
If you have a another term that should be listed just drop us a note.