How to Frame Cross Stitch with Lacing

I don’t make a lot of large cross stitch pieces so I don’t have much experience with framing. When I did it as a kid I think we mostly used cardboard and double-stick tape and put the pieces in picture frames. Which I’m sure isn’t the best way to go about it.

I came across this post from Thread Bare that shows how to use the lacing method to help when you are framing larger cross stitch pieces (I’m sure you can use it on small pieces, too.) This method both secures the edges and keeps an even tension on the cross stitch fabric, so that you can easily mount it in a picture frame.

This is a great option for your large pieces that you might consider taking to a custom frame shop, but of course doing it yourself is going to be less expensive. The post says all the materials including the frame cost about $27, and you may already have some of the supplies you need. One thing to note is that it uses what is described as cardboard backing, which in the photos almost looks like posterboard, but it’s important to use something acid free for this purpose if you can find it, since that’s the best option for long-term storage of textiles.

Another good thing about this method, other than being relatively inexpensive, is that because the lacing method just uses thread (albeit heavy-duty thread) if you don’t like the look of it initially you can always pull out the lacing and try again.

The post has a ton of pictures, which should make it possible for you to complete this project on your own. If you do something like this or have another method for securing your cross stitch projects for framing, I would love to hear about it!

[Photo: Thread Bare.]

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35+ Sunflower Cross Stitch Patterns

I love mini cross stitch patterns any time of the year, but they’re especially nice as we head toward the holidays and you might want to make some last-minute gifts. Mini Christmas cross stitch patterns are super cute as ornaments, or you can make them into bookmarks, little pins, add them to napkins, or whatever else you might like to add a bit of cross stitch to.

They’re also great because they’re usually sold as a set so you’re getting a bunch of patterns you can use together or separately all in one.

For example, Cross Stitch by Coconut has a collection of 100 mini holiday cross stitch patterns, which would be so cute stitched as a whole bunch in a sampler style, or as the border of another project, etc. Most of the individual designs are around 20 by 20 stitches and will take less than an hour to stitch up.

If 100 patterns sounds a little overwhelming, try Stitchonomy‘s mini collection, which has 30 tiny designs. I love the variety in this little collection, which has everything from Santa to a mug of hot chocolate, a Christmas pudding and a snow globe. The largest ones in this set are 31 by 31 stitches.

Purple Kitty Yarns has a collection from an old Coats & Clark leaflet designed by Barbara Swanson (and used by permission) that includes a couple of cute borders, ornaments, a wreath and other cute stuff.

These minis from Cross Stitch Inn Shop are meant to be ornaments, but you could use them for other little projects as well. It includes 16 patterns, all of which are smaller than 2 inches. The most complex ones use seven colors, but most only use two or three.

And these cute little projects from X Cross Stitch Pattern X on Etsy are all meant to fit in three-inch hoops. The largest size is around 35 by 35 stitches, and several of these are more winter than Christmas so you can use them as decor even after the season is over.

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