Cross Stitch Stunning Snowflakes

Sometimes it’s hard to find winter cross stitch patterns that aren’t overtly Christmas related, and this one just barely squeaks by but I’m going to allow it because it’s just so pretty I have to share it.

Tinsel Cross Stitch calls this Quaker Christmas #4, which I guess is fine. I think I’d call it something like boho snowflake wall hanging. But whatever you call it, it’s worth taking a closer look.

First off, you’ll notice the large geometric snowflake motifs, as well as smaller snowflake designs. There are lots of little designs stitched into the drops around the bigger snowflakes, including hearts, bows, a deer, a gingerbread man, a rocking horse and a couple of angels (thus my statement that it only just isn’t a Christmas pattern, because there are definitely some Christmas images in here) among other things. It’s almost like an I-spy when you start looking at it you’ll just keep seeing more things.

The design is 220 by 362 stitches, which some out to 15.71 by 25.86 inches, or 39.91 by 65.68 cm on 14 count fabric. It only uses one color but it uses a lot of that one color. I love the white on the dark blue as shown, but if you visit the listing page you’ll see other options including dark blue thread on white, red on white and white on red or green.

I love that this pattern shows using a single color of thread can be really striking where you might think it would be boring. The pattern uses full cross stitches and back stitches.

I also like the idea of taking some of the individual elements out of the pattern to make smaller designs. Just a single snowflake would be pretty in a hoop, or take a section to stitch on a card, pillow or other project.

You can grab a copy of the pattern for yourself from Tinsel Cross Stitch on Etsy.

[Photo: Tinsel Cross Stitch]

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Most of the cross stitch projects I make are pretty small and not something I would consider heirloom quality (though I am working on a big project for my daughter that I hope to have done for her high school graduation in two years that I hope is something she’ll want to keep forever, but that’s another story).

But it is definitely possible to cross stitch projects that will stay around for generations, and one prime example of that is a cross-stitched linen tablecloth.

Linen tablecloths are classic, while stitching one can be a big project, depending on the size of your table, it doesn’t have to be really complicated.

Koekoek has a good, detailed post about figuring out how much linen you would need to make a tablecloth that you can cross stitch and/or embroider on (they also sell tablecloth linen in their shop if you don’t already have some or a linen tablecloth you already use). Of course for a project like this you’d want the best fabric you can find and afford, because you’ll be stitching it for a long time and hopefully using it for years.

The post walks through how to measure your table and determine how much fabric you’ll need including the drop you’ll want and hems. It includes the math for rectangular and square tables as well as circular tables, which helps take the guesswork out of buying fabric. It also talks about preparing the fabric and making mitered corners if you have a square or rectangular table, which will help the tablecloth sit nicely on your table.

The tutorial doesn’t include specific patterns to use for your tablecloth, but it does advise keeping it simple because this is a really big project. You can start with a motif in the center or doing borders, and this is a project you can add to through the years by, say, stitching a symbol for each family member or adding names, wedding dates, etc. and making it a real record of your family.

Would you ever cross stitch a tablecloth or have you done so? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Koekoek]

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