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.

I was recently approached by Alyssa, the cross stitcher behind the Etsy shop Stitchonomy, to take a look at her cross stitch pattern subscription club, known as The Pattern Club.

I took a look around and there’s a lot of cute stuff and fun options you’ll want to check out, especially if you love themed patterns that are small, easy to stitch and fun to combine.

The Pattern Club combines cross stitching with a social network. When you open the site you’ll see a news feed and have the ability to share updates much like you would on Facebook. You can see who is online, have buddies and post your own updates and photos. The community aspect is a little sparse right now but that should only grow.

The stitch along hub is the place to find the most recent patterns and information on the current stitchalong. As of this writing the Book Lover’s stitchalong was happening, with little designs like Peter Rabbit, a skull for Hamlet and keys for Jane Eyre as well as authors including Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.

Other pattern collections include European designs, Halloween, ocean life, an allotment garden and more. Alyssa tells me there’s a new theme every month that either she picks or members in the community suggest. You can stitch just the patterns you want or put them together to make a larger collage.

The Stitchanomini vault gives you access to all of the previous patterns, and new patterns are released daily through the stitchalong. You can download individual patterns (most of them are 19 by 19 stitches) as PDFs or Pattern Keeper files. The PDFs include a color and black and white chart as well as a floss list.

Another cool thing you can do is build your own pattern collages from all of the squares that have been released. The collage configurator allows you to add patterns of your choosing to a grid ranging from 2×2 patterns up to 4×4. You can scroll through all the current patterns or search by theme and size to make a project that suits your needs. (Above is an example I made kind of at random but you get the idea.)

If you want to check it out, you can grab a three-day free trial and see all the pattern options. Membership is $7.99 a month, or if you pay for a year at a time you’ll get two months free. In addition to the patterns in the club, members receive discounts on patterns and supplies purchased through the shop within the club. Annual members get access to three paid/retired stitchalongs and lifetime members receive all retired patterns.

If you check it out I’d love to hear what you think!

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