Designer Spotlight: Notforgotten Farm

Notforgotten Farm is an Etsy shop dedicated to primitive needlework patterns and supplies. Based in Virginia, the shop has patterns for counted and uncounted cross stitch, embroidery, punch needle and appliques, as well as a couple of hand-sewing patterns. They also sell wooden notions such as spool caddies and needle boxes, and embroidery hoops.

But we’re here to talk about cross stitch so let’s get into it.

To start with, if you’re wondering at the difference between counted and uncounted cross stitch, an uncounted design is transferred x by x onto the linen or other fabric that you’re going to stitch on. That way when you’re stitching you don’t have to do any counting.

As an example of what the finished project looks likes, check out their Mary’s Wild Ride design. I think it adds a bit to the primitive charm and immediately makes these projects look older than they are because they’re not as even and perfect as projects made with counted cross stitch fabric.

When it comes to counted cross stitch patterns, Notforgotten Farm has a lot of patterns inspired by classic samplers, lots of patterns with animals and rather a witchy vibe. Some patterns are PDFs and some are paper patterns, so keep an eye on that while you are shopping.

For example the project shown above, Tea Time, is a printed pattern. It’s worked on 18 count fabric and is 55 by 70 stitches. There’s something about this lady I really like, and she’d be fun to stitch up and hang in your kitchen.

I also have to share this cat on the moon cross stitch pattern (because you know I love cats!), which is just so funny and I love the way it’s been styled into a bag. (Note this one has text about being a printed pattern but it’s actually digital.)

If you like primitive patterns with Halloween vibes all year long, check out Notforgotten Farm on Etsy!

[Photo: Notforgotten Farm]

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35+ Sunflower Cross Stitch Patterns

When you put all the time and energy you do into making a great cross stitch project, it’s worth taking the time to frame it in a way that will make it look its best.

Often for smaller designs we’ll choose to frame projects in a hoop, which is cute and a fine option, especially for seasonal projects you might want to change out through the year. Others will send their finished projects for professional framing, which is a great option for gifts and heirloom items that need to be preserved, but it can also be quite expensive.

Crewel Ghoul has a great tutorial for a way that you can easily frame your cross stitch projects at home with just a few supplies.

She uses adhesive mounting board (but you can use non-adhesive board if you have some one hand or you need a size that’s not available in an adhesive version) and a few other basic supplies to secure the sides and corners of the cross stitch fabric around the board before putting the design in the frame.

This requires a bit of hand sewing, but we’re cross stitchers so I’m sure we can handle that.

Framing your cross stitch like this gives it a little padding in the frame, which makes it look better than if it were just flat in a frame with no special finishing. It’s also a great idea to use a frame without glass or to leave the glass out of the frame so it doesn’t crush your stitches.

And though this is super secure it’s not 100 percent permanent if you decide you don’t want the project framed in that way any more. Or you can take it out of the frame and the edges are still all nicely finished so you can display it a different way without having to do anything else to it.

Check out the tutorial at Crewel Ghoul.

[Photo: Crewel Ghoul.]

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