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How to pick the perfect shade of Aida

A comparison of white, black, and natural Aida fabric shades

Aida cross stitch fabric comes in a dizzying array of colors, from brights and pastels to novelty prints and subtle neutrals. Choices are great, but sometimes it can be a challenge to pick out just the right fabric for your project.

In this post we compare a range Aida fabric, with a focus on whites, blacks, and natural colors, to make it easier to pick the perfect fabric for your next project. The specific fabrics included here are all manufactured by Zweigart and you can find them in our shop.

True colors

When buying fabric online, it can be hard to know exactly what a color will look like in real life. Different monitors show colors differently, so you're never quite sure what you're going to get. To make matters more challenging, colors can differ between manufacturers, so ivory Aida made by one producer might be different than ivory made by another.

Fortunately, there is an easy way to figure out the true color of cross stitch fabric before you buy. Most Aida manufacturers specify the corresponding DMC thread color that most closely match the fabric color. It's a handy reference that helps you see what the color will actually be.

polka dot Aida fabric for cross stitch and embroidery

Shades of white

When it comes to white Aida fabric, colors run from a bright snowy white to a creamy ivory that verges on beige. The tone you choose depends on the look you're after. Bright white has a clean, modern feel. Ivory is more antiqued and compliments more traditional designs. In the middle is Antique White which is just a bit softer than true white and is a good all-around choice.

Comparing Aida fabric shades - White, Antique White, and Ivory

Shades of black

Black is a striking background for cross stitch, but as with white, there are a range of options. Colors pop on a pure black background, making it a perfect choice for graphic and modern designs. Chalkboard black Aida is more dark gray than black, and is a good choice for designs that feature a lot of white stitches and for trendy chalkboard-inspired designs. Light gray fabric, called Smokey Pearl or sometimes Twilight Blue, is a softer, lighter option.

Comparing Aida fabric shades - Black, Chalkboard Black, and Smokey Pearl

Natural colors

Fiddler's cloth is similar to Aida in that it has an even, open weave with very distinct holes that make it easy to cross stitch on. It comes in natural colors like Oatmeal with subtle flecks and variations similar to a tweed that give it a more rustic or homespun appearance. Lite Oatmeal fiddler's cloth is a favorite of many contemporary designers like Satsuma Street, where it is used in their popular city series. Aida in raw/natural is another more rustic choice.

Comparing Aida Fiddler's Cloth fabric shades - Oatmeal, Lite Oatmeal, and Raw Natural

Looking for Aida for your next project? Check out our full selection of Aida fabric here.

What color Aida fabric to use for cross stitch

20 Responses

Rosemary Reavley

Rosemary Reavley

January 22, 2021

I am wanting to stitch a tan and white King Charles cavalier dog and wondered what colour Aida to use . I will be leaving the surroundings unstitched

Thank you

Rosemary

Heather Leyden

Heather Leyden

November 19, 2020

I am doing a crosstich of a photo of a black and white cat and a white cat together, what color aida should I use, thanks.
Heather.
I wish I could post it on here to show you it.

Donna

Donna

October 27, 2020

Can you please tell me what color Aida cloth is the closest to Cappuccino overdyed linen?
Thank you so much for your help.
Donna

Julie

Julie

October 06, 2020

Hi. I’m wanting to make some Christmas decorations using the DMC navy aida.
Can you recommend a coloured thread that will work best please?

Dani

Dani

June 26, 2020

Hi, I’m looking for a DMC colour to match the antique white aida because the cream colour on my pattern is a bit outdated, can you suggest what will match?

Rocio Aguilar

Rocio Aguilar

May 06, 2020

Mi nombre es rocio Me gustaría comprar tela gracias

Julianne

Julianne

April 21, 2020

why is there blue and white striped Aida cloth? When would I use it? It seems strange to have stripes as the background

Marilyn  LaRocca

Marilyn LaRocca

April 17, 2020

Great article. I am trying to do a “sketch” pattern of a person (the skin is not stitched, just the hair). I want to make the hair blonde (DMC 3822, 3821, maybe some ecru?) but I’m not sure what color of fabric to use so the blonde hair stands out, as this is the main point of the sketch, without making the face look too dark? I wanted to do it on evenweave of 28 or 32 count. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I could also change the hair color, as long as it was still a blonde color. thanks

ericaberryy

ericaberryy

November 05, 2019

Excellent article thank you! very informative .

Josiana Meza

Josiana Meza

August 16, 2018

@GabrielaZola y @CarolinaSan9tisteban Hola chicas hace algun tiempo vengo haciendo cross stitch y yo compro tela aida en el centro de Lima en Jiron Huallaga 649 tienda 125 y 127 en el Sótano … pero solo hay aida blanco, no hay de colores, si desean otros colores pueden pedirlo por medio de esta página :)

Griselda

Griselda

August 03, 2018

Hola soy de Jalisco México, dónde puedo comprar tela Aída de diferentes colores?

Carolina Santisteban tavara

Carolina Santisteban tavara

August 03, 2018

Hola soy de Perú m encanta los colores, donde puedo conseguir o hacer pedidos favor de contestar gracias

Susan (Stitched Modern)

Susan (Stitched Modern)

April 02, 2018

@Peggy – It depends on what type of look you’re going for. You want something that will have enough contrast to show the stitches. You could of course use black or gray Aida, or a fun color like aqua or coral for a high contrast look. If you want something more tone-on-tone, you still probably want to stick with something that is relatively dark. I might go with a raw/natural Aida or linen. You can find all of these choices in the Stitched Modern shop. Just browse the Fabric section from the menu above.

Peggy Browne

Peggy Browne

March 29, 2018

If my cross stitch is going to be mostly white stitching what color Aida would you suggest.

Stitched Modern

Stitched Modern

January 12, 2018

For those of you readers asking where to buy Aida fabric, we offer many different types right here at Stitched Modern! Just click one of the shopping links at the top of the page. We ship internationally.

Stitched Modern

Stitched Modern

January 12, 2018

Hi Deborah, we can do fabric by the yard. I just sent you an email!

Gabriela Zola

Gabriela Zola

January 08, 2018

Soy de Lima Perú y quisiera saber en donde o en que página puedo pedir para comprar la tela Aida, agradezco de antemano su Respuesta

yubin aguilar

yubin aguilar

January 08, 2018

Quiero saber donde puedo adquirir tela aida soy de Venezuela

vrinceanu mirela

vrinceanu mirela

January 01, 2018

As dori sa stiu de unde pot sa cumpar aceste materiale

Deborah Foxworth

Deborah Foxworth

December 31, 2017

Where can i order the material by the yd? I need 14 count antique white. I ll waut to hear from you. Thank you

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