How Do I: Choose Fabric?

[BahamaDip]

Hey guys,

Ok I read in all the books and all the articles about what fabric to  get for embroidery. I have a problem though, I live on a small island in The Bahamas with 1 fabric store and they have no linen. None. Nada. Zilch. The horror! Shipping is also out of the question, as we have to pay a 75% customs fee. So a 10 dollar yard of fabric becomes 20 by the time I get it out of customs and service fees. So what is a good alternative? I see in some of the photos here that people look like they're sewing on a fabric that looks like a cross-stitch fabric. Is that ok for free-form embroidery? I am teaching myself so I know nothing about the different styles, I tend to just draw a design and go for it.

Any tips or hints?

The attached picture is the style I use. It is on basic linen I think, I had to get a friend visiting the states buy me some.

I appreciate this!

Sincerely,

Bahama Mama

[sharonb]

For freeform embroidery can you get anything like quilters cotton? Something not too thick? Or what we call in Australia homespun cotton? Dress fabrics that of natural fiber can often be used too. You can stitch on just about anything but the grid of cross stitch can hold you back as it can constrain you. 

[BahamaDip]

@Sharonb, thanks for the help! I'll look for something like this next time I go shopping. Unfortunately, broadcloth is the most popular fabric in that awful store:(

[Nicola Thomson]

if you are doing freeform then you can use anything...I often use needlepoint canvas because it has some stiffness without using a hoop.

I have been known to use a piece of old bed sheet!!

[Margaret]

I do feel for you it must be rotten not to be able to buy fabric. I moan here in England when all I have to do is either go to one of the stitching shows or on line but usually I just pick up the phone and order from a company called sew it all but as you say it is not in the Bahamas.I have used calico and do practise pieces on old sheets have also used lighwieght upholstery fabrics and curtaining.Counted fabric can be used for freestyle embroidery at a pinch but it needs to be a fine count, would not use it  unless desperte. Sorry  short of jumping on a plane and bringing you some fabric I cannot be of much help. Getting friends to bring fabric in when they have been off the island seems to be the best plan.This is one of the penalties of living on a beautiful island instead of in England where we have such a lot of rotten weather.

[Elaine Wilding]

I do a lot of crazy quilting and sometimes I to use old clothes also to get different textured in my work. But to thick of fabric as Nicola said can cause problems in stitching. The thrift stores some times have clothes, laces and ect. for a cheap price I don't know if they have thrift store there or not but if they do have a look. Good luck with your search. Hugs Elaine

[Nicola Thomson]

Yes Elaine canvas is thick, depends how fine you want the work to be, although 22 count canvas is like a starched linen

[Elaine Wilding]

The clothes I find In thrift stores are brocades ect. which stitch very nice. Brocades add alot of texture without the heaviness. I have never used the fabric you are talking about Nicola  as I am a crazy quilter and I love fabric. I use that fabric for counted cross stitch and I have never painted it. But I love the way you at looking at materials so freeing. Sometimes I will let the design of the fabric dictate the composition of my stitching.