An Easy Way to Finish a Cross Stitch or Embroidery Project

Cross stitch projects look really cute if you frame them in their hoops, but how do you do that in a way that looks neat?

I love this tutorial from Little Dorrit & Co. via Sew Mama Sew on how to finish and frame an embroidery project in a hoop.

Though this project shows embroidery stitches worked on fabric, but the same idea can be used for a cross stitch project worked on canvas.

This method uses a couple of pieces of felt to cover up first the back of the stitching and then the edges of the fabric. It’s a really clever way to get a clean finish on the back of your hoop that’s perfect for projects you want to give as gifts or sell.

Have you ever framed your cross stitch projects in a hoop? Did you finish the back in any way? I’d love to know how you did it.

[Photo via Sew Mama Sew.]

Next Pattern:

To Ways to Back a Hoop to Frame Cross Stitch

Cute spooky and fantasy cross stitch patterns is how the designer behind Haunted Frames describes their shop, and I have to agree with them. These designs are cute and Gothic and a little bit spooky all at once. There’s a heavy focus on book themes, which you know I am a fan of, so let’s get into it.

Stopping first in the books section, there are lots of designs that are literally on book shapes, but if you know my love of both books and cats, you’ll know I had to share the Midnight Book Cart cross stitch pattern. As the name suggests it’s a design with a witchy book cart, complete with a spiderweb, bats flying out of a book and what it describes as a ghost cat (though I would have to make a black cat instead of a white one since I have a black cat, and that fits with the vibe).

The design is 65 by 97 stitches and is worked in 17 colors. It’s shown on 16 count fabric, which makes it 4.1 by 6.1 inches, or 10.3 by 15.4 cm.

I also love the winter themed little free library design, which would be perfect to stitch up for the little librarian in your life (or to drop at a neighborhood book space).

Projects with a book theme make up the majority of the patterns that are categorized in this shop, but you’ll want to scroll through all their patterns to see what else is available, since it doesn’t look like everything is in a category. You’ll find castles and dragons, more cats of course, some more obviously Halloween and Christmas themed projects and those that would suit for spooky season or any other time of year.

If cute and dark is your aesthetic, you’ll want to check out all the patterns at www.etsy.com/shop/HauntedFrames, which you can find on Etsy.

[Photo: Haunted Frames]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?