Going Back to Embroidery Basics

Much as I love cross stitch, I really like using embroidery as a gateway to getting people interested in stitching because it is more free-form and there’s not really a “right” way to do it.

I’ve been writing a lot about embroidery lately over on my blog, Our Daily Craft, and I thought I would share in particular my post about running stitch and back stitch.

These stitches are the foundation of embroidery, and they’re great to add to cross-stitch projects, too, if you want to outline something, put your initials in the corner, add a word, or lots of other reasons.

You can read my tutorials on these stitches at the link above. If you’re not so much of a word person, I also made videos of running stitch:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzOSUDS_NXI&w=600&h=480]

and back stitch:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ufih5gD2Zg&w=600&h=480]

[Photo: Our Daily Craft.]

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31+ Cross Stitch Ideas For Teacher Appreciation Gifts

If you’re a fan of detailed and colorful cross stitch patterns, Design for Cross Stitch might have a pattern you want to try. This Etsy shop is based in Spain and has more than 50 designs with a focus on animals, holidays and landscapes.

I’m just going to start with the first pattern that caught my eye when I visited the site, which is this Sakura by the Lake project. This pattern is 200 by 200 stitches and the whole background is stitched, so it’s definitely not for a beginner, but it’s stunning and would be amazing to make for someone who loves Japan. Despite the detail it only uses 24 colors. Worked on 14 count fabric it will measure 14.64 inches, or 37.19 cm.

There are a few other landscape designs, including a canal in Venice and a few cabins in the woods.

The shop also has some cute animal cross stitch, with big, round faces and often holding a warm beverage. Holiday projects focus on Christmas and Halloween. Most of the patterns have a cute, chibi-like feel, but there are some that are more detailed and realistic as well. Take for examples the flower patterns, which are full of details and soft colors.

You’ll also find some fun bookmark cross stitch patterns with a watercolor feel, as well as some that look kind of like paint pouring turned into stitches.

If this sort of stuff sounds like fun to you, check out their Etsy store at Design for Cross Stitch.

Do you have a favorite cross stitch designer who I haven’t featured yet? Let me know in the comments or share more about them by clicking on “suggest a DIY” at the center top of the page and let me know the details. I’d love to share the designers you’re enjoying with a wider audience.

[Photo: Design for Cross Stitch]

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