Introduction to Dolls House Scale Needlework Materials
Miniature cross stitch and needlepoint (petitpoint) can be worked on several fabrics for good results in miniature. Fabric counts need to be at least 20 stitches per inch, with finer, more detailed projects requiring finer fabrics. Evenweave fabrics are preferable as they have very regular spacing.
To determine what size a piece will be when worked on a particular count of fabric, use the the stitching guide from About.com's Cross Stitch guide.
Fabric Hand or Drape
The stiffness of the backing fabric for the project must also be considered when choosing a fabric. Some fabrics are stiff due to a filler or starch which can be washed out to change the fabric's hand or drape. Other fabrics will be made of stiffer fibers. Finer silk gauze fabric is suitable for all purposes, especially for more accurate scale needlework for upholstery or cushions. Heavier/stiffer fabrics may only be useful for rugs or items which will not need to bend. Realistic cushions are far easier to achieve using silk gauze as a backing fabric, rather than stiffer linens. Beginners may want to start working with a silk gauze between 34 and 40 count which can be mounted in a simple cardboard frame.
For simple cross stitch or needlework patterns 22 -40 count fabric is suggested as a minimum.
Commonly Used Fabrics
Some suggested fabrics for miniature needlework:
- Lugana an evenweave blended cotton and viscose fabric available in several colors in 20, 25, 28 and 32 count (threads per inch)
- Even Weave Linen (often produced by Zwiegart) is suitable for miniature needlework in 28, 32, 35, 40, and 55 count fabrics. 55 count Kingston is the finest linen evenweave produced by Zweigart in cream or white. DMC also produce linen in various thread counts (Buy Direct)
- Silk Gauze is available in from 24 to over 100 count. This fine fabric is best for detailed petitpoint and is wonderful for petitpoint dolls house cushions in 34 count or finer fabric.
Needles
For work this fine, sharps needles are suggested for above 54 count silk. #10 crewel needles will work for up to 54 count.
Threads
- Cotton Embroidery Floss (DMC, Anchor) is suitable for fine work on fabric up to 40 count. At higher fabric counts, silk thread is preferable.
- Silk Thread for fine work must be floss or twisted continuous filament. Spun thread is made of short fibers which cannot be split. For very fine work, Mulberry 140/3 silk can be used at 3 ply for # 60 silk gauze, or split into 1 ply for # 112 and 2 ply for #72Gauze. Piper 90 floss silk works for # 60 - #72 gauze. Soie de Paris is suitable for cross stitch over two threads on 36 count fabric when used as a single strand floss. Soie Gobelin will work as a single cross stitch on this count of fabric.
The Cross Stitch Guide has a number of thread conversion charts if you need to work out color equivalents between suppliers Floss Conversion Charts
]Scale Needlework
If you want to work in scale for dolls house needlework, the Guild of Miniature Needle Arts point out that the minimum for a stitched carpet in 1:12 scale is 60 count fabric, which is the scale equivalent of 5hpi rug canvas. To achieve scale stitching for seat covers and embroidery at the equivalent of 10hpi you would need 120 count silk gauze. Their recommendation is to use silk gauze at #72 and # 84 to achieve close to scale work. For these silk gauze counts they recommend size 13 beading needles for #72 and size 15 for #84 and upwards. For ease of use they suggest cutting them 1/3 shorter in length and resharpening them to a blunted tapestry point, polished with silver polish.
