Embroidery vs. Cross Stitch vs. Needlepoint

I like to use the terms fiber arts, needlework, or canvas work, as the broad descriptor for multiple types of crafts including needlepoint, cross stitch, and embroidery. There can be a lot of similarities between the way all of these crafts looks, but the materials are going to be the easiest way to tell the difference.

Caterpillar Cross Stitch puts it perfectly "Embroidery is simply defined as the art of decorating fabric using a needle and thread." With that definition embroidery, cross stich, and needlepoint could all fall under the same umbrella, so how do you tell them apart?

Embroidery tends to be more free form - there are countless embroidery stitches and techniques. Using a sharp needle and a variety or materials from threads to beads, embroidery is adding embellishments to a piece of fabric. Embroidered fabric can be both the finished product or cut out and appliqued to another fabric. Machine embrodiery is also common, using sharp needles to personalize and decorate a wide range of fabric items.

Cross stitch varies from embroidery by both the materials and the stitches. As the name suggests, cross stitch designs are comprised of 2 diagonal tent stitches creating an "x". Cross stitch uses a blunt tapestry needle on and even weave clothe suggest as Aida fabric.

Needlepoint and embrodiery are actually the most similar with the main difference being the materials. Needlepoint uses a stiff woven canvas - its defining characteristic. Similar to cross stitch, needlepoint uses a blunt tapestry needle but like in embrodiery the stitch options are endless.

If you find yourself interested in any of these fiber arts, I encourage you to give them a try! And try multiple! Experience with any of these crafts will make learning another even easier!