Get Inspired by Different Ways to Finish Cross Stitch

I think a lot of us our guilty of finishing cross stitch patterns in a similar way over and over. (At least I know I am, when I even manage to finish things!) For me that’s usually displaying bigger projects in a hoop or a basic frame (I’ve even been known to make my own frames) and smaller projects get turned into bookmarks.

I’ve made an effort to try to do some different things with cross stitch this year, from magnets to patches, but I still fall back on the basics most of the time.

That’s why I loved that cube cross stitch finish I shared recently. It’s such an easy way to give your cross stitch project a different look, and make it something that’s easy to display on a desk or shelf instead of hanging on a wall. Which makes it that much easier when you’re talking seasonal stuff, because you don’t necessarily have to find something else to take its place when the season is done.

If you’re looking for more ideas of fun ways to finish cross stitch projects, the blog at Fat Quarter Shop has got you covered. These ideas are great for displaying projects in your home or even turning your cross stitch projects into gift ideas.

You can head to the blog for more details, as they mostly have to do with using different kinds of specialty frames, but here’s the high-level summary:

use a shaped frame and mount your finished cross stitch on a couple of layers of fabric or scrapbook paper to give it more depth and size
display your cross stitch on the top of a wooden box — bonus points if the stitching is related to what will be stored in the box
upcycle an old frame or give a thrift store frame a shabby chic twist
use a little tart pan or baking dish (or a frame that looks like one) to make a little ornament
check out all the cool themed frames that people make and tie you stitching to the theme

That last one is the one that’s shown above. They have this cool house frame that goes with a monthly theme. You could also just stitch a Christmas village or other little scene that stays in there all year. Check out all the details at Fat Quarter Shop.

Have you ever done something creative to frame or display your cross stitch? I’d love to hear about it.

Hanukkah is a great reason to pull out your cross stitch fabric and thread and stitch up some fun seasonal cross stitch patterns.

If you have trouble spelling Hanukkah (I know I do!) you’ll want to stitch up the How Do You Spell… project from SKB Cross Stitch Design. This one includes a bunch of different ways to spell the holiday, along with some symbols like a dreidel and menorah. (Technically I think all the ways to spell it are “correct.”) The pattern includes full, fractional and bask titches, and measures 8.5 by 7 inches, or 21.6 by 17.8 cm. It has the date for 2004/5785 but you can easily change the year or leave that part off.

Another project with some fun word play is the Words to Live By chart from Sam Brie Stitches. This one includes Hanukkah related symbols and word presented crossword puzzle style, which is fun to stitch and to display. The design uses 10 colors and measures 74 by 103 stitches. It’s shown worked on 18 count fabric.

I may have shared these before, but the Hanukkah patterns from the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery are so cute they’re definitely worth sharing again. Happy Hanukkah features a menorah, dreidels, gelt, stars and candles, and it fits in a 6-inch hoop. At 75 by 75 stitches, it comes out to 5.4 inches/13.4 cm on 14 count Aida or 28 count linen. They also have this cute little dreidel stamp cross stitch pattern, which is 39 by 49 stitches, or 2.8 by 3.5 inches (about 7 by 9 cm) on 14 count Aida or 28 count linen.

Works By ABC has a lot of great patterns for Hanukkah, but here are just a couple to get you started. The Rules for Dreidel design is fun for kids and adults and shows the different sides of the dreidel and what it means when you land on them. The stitch count is 62 by 94 and its shown worked on 32 count linen. It calls for three colors. I also like this menorah one, which measures 44 by 49 stitches and uses two colors along with coordinating seed beads. On 32 count linen as shown (equivalent to 16 count Aida) it measures 2.75 by 3.1 inches, or almost 7 by 7.8 cm.

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