Aida Cloth

Aida cloth is an open weave, even-weave fabric traditionally used for cross-stitch embroidery. This cotton fabric has a natural grid that facilitates cross-stitching and enough natural stiffness that the crafter does not need to use an embroidery hoop. more...

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Characteristics

Aida cloth is manufactured with various size spaces or holes between the warp and weft to accommodate different thicknesses of yarn or thread. These are described in count. For example, 10-count aida cloth has 10 holes per linear inch. Typical sizes are 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 18 count. Traditional colours are white, ecru, or shades of tan and brown, although brighter colors are also available. Aida cloth is sold in precut sheets or in bolts of 40" - 60" width.

Aida cloth has a tendency to fray and often needs hemming before use. It should never be laundered prior to craft work and tends to contract 1/2" to 1/4" when the finished item is washed in soap and water. Hand washing improves the appearance of finished cross-stitching because Aida cloth naturally contracts in specific areas where it is embroidered.

Pronunciation

The consensus from various discussions on rec.crafts.textiles.needlework is that there are two ways to pronounce the word "Aida": either /ɑˈidə/, as in the opera by Verdi, or /ˈeɪdə/. There seems to be no official guide to which pronunciation to choose. Since the name change occurred around the same time as Verdi's opera was first performed, there has been some speculation that the cloth was renamed after the opera to take advantage of the opera's publicity.

Notes

Read more at Wikipedia.org