What is the Difference Between Tapestry and Cross Stitch

The main difference between tapestry and cross stitch is that tapestry usually involves tent stitches while cross-stitch involves a stitch with the shape of X.

A tapestry is a form of embroidery design that has been popular over many centuries. They have been commonly used as wall hangings or upholstery fabrics. Cross stitch, on the other hand, is one of the easiest forms of hand embroidery to learn as it only involves one type of stitch. In brief, both these are types of counted thread embroidery.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Tapestry
    – Definition, Features
2. What is Cross Stitch
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Tapestry and Cross Stitch
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cross Stitch, Tapestry

What is Tapestry

Tapestry is a piece of thick woven decorative fabric, the design of which is built up in the course of weaving. The name tapestry has been widely used for almost any heavy material, handwoven, machine woven, or embroidered. However, the technical definition of tapestry includes “heavy, reversible, patterned or figured handwoven textiles, usually in the form of hangings or upholstery fabric”. We sometimes also call tapestry weaving as needlepoint.

Furthermore, tapestry has been popular for centuries and has decorated the homes of noble or wealthy families around the world. Tapestry weaving produces a picture made up in many small areas of colour. The design or subject matter of tapestries may vary; in fact, birds, animals, flowers, human figures, myths, and legends were all popular designs. Most designs completely cover the canvas and include a variety of stitches or patterns. Moreover, it is a form of counted thread embroidery where the thread is worked through a stiff open weave canvas with the use of a tapestry needle.

What is Cross Stitch

Cross stitch is a type of counted thread embroidery that uses X-shaped stitches to create a design or pattern. This is one of the easiest forms of hand embroidery to learn since it only involves one type of stitch. In counted cross stitch, you to count stitches out from the centre of the fabric to get an even final design. This type of cross stitch also requires a cross stitch graph. However, in stamped cross stitch, you can print a pattern on the fabric and use it as a guide to stitch the final design.

In cross-stitch, you have to use fabrics with an even number of threads (both vertically and horizontally) to make sure that your stitches are even. Moreover, fabrics like Jobelan, Lugana, Aida, even weave and waste canvas are ideal for cross-stitching. Cross stitching is generally used to create decorative items like wall hangers, cushions, coasters, and bookmarks.

Difference Between Tapestry and Cross Stitch

Definition

Tapestry is a piece of thick woven decorative fabric, the design of which is built up in the course of weaving while the cross stitch is a type of counted thread embroidery that uses X-shaped stitches to create a design or pattern.

Stitches

While tapestry usually involves tent stitches, cross-stitch involves a stitch with the shape of X.

Uses

Tapestry is commonly used as wall hangings or upholstery fabrics while the cross stitch is used in decorative items like wall hangers, cushions, coasters, and bookmarks.

Conclusion

The main difference between tapestry and cross stitch is that tapestry usually involves tent stitches while cross-stitch involves a stitch with the shape of X. Tapestry is a piece of thick woven decorative fabric, the design of which is built up in the course of weaving while the cross stitch is a type of counted thread embroidery that uses X-shaped stitches to create a design or pattern.

Reference:

1. Fitzgerald, Susan. “A Beginner’s Guide to Cross Stitch.” Stitched Modern, 19 Apr. 2017, Available here.
2. “Tapestry.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 June 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Anoniem, Woudlandschap met Cephalus en Procris, KBS-FRB” By anonymous master – King Baudouin Foundation, photo: Speltdoorn Studio (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1644363” (CC0) via Pixabay

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