How to Use Sticky Board to Mount Cross Stitch Projects

There are lots of different ways that you can prepare your finished cross stitch for display. You can leave it in the hoop you stitched it in, maybe sewing the edges of the fabric to each other or otherwise securing them on the back side so the edges won’t fray and so they are out of the way.

Small projects can be turned into cards or bookmarks, or mounted in frames made for keychains.

You can turn a project into a pillow, pincushion or ornament by sewing fabric to the back and (probably) adding a bit of stuffing or batting between the layers to give it a bit more dimension or to turn it into a pillow or pincushion.

Of course you can also frame your cross stitch projects, in a picture frame, with a mat or even both.

One way to make that easier to do is by using sticky board (or mounting board) on the back of your project. This is a product you can buy online or in craft stores that’s basically like cardboard but it’s sticky on one side. While it comes in standard sizes you can also cut it with a box cutter or craft knife if you need a smaller size.

Stitched Modern has a great tutorial for using this product to help you frame your cross stitch project. The mounting board holds down the raw edges on the back of the work, giving it a smooth and secure finish without having to do any sewing or other finishing.

The product is also acid free so it won’t harm your project. It’s a great way to frame projects you’re giving as gifts or plan to display long term because the fabric will be extra secure in the frame with this extra bit of support on the back.

Have you ever used this technique? I’d love to hear about it.

[Photo: Stitched Modern]

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What are ORTs and Why Do People Keep Them?

There are so many fun ways you can go when stitching Halloween cross stitch patterns or giving your place a slightly spooky or witchy vibe any time of year. I love the look of little potion bottles, whether they’re real bottles lined up on the mantle or shelf or cross stitched versions like these.

The gorgeous Elixir of Life cross stitch pattern from Makaronka Stitch is decidedly not Halloween in its vibes, so it would be fun to stitch and display any time of year. This is also definitely not a pattern for beginners, as it uses 37 colors and 34 blends to make the beautiful colors. It also uses full and half cross stitches, back stitch and French knots. The design measures 82 by 115 stitches, which comes out to 5.8 by 8.2 inches or 14.88 by 20.86 cm on 14 count fabric.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller but still a lot of fun, check out this set of six potion bottles from MIYA Stitch. I love how each bottle seems to have its own personality, from one with a pumpkin and witch hat to one with crystals, mushrooms, or a butterfly and flower. The patterns are 60 by 88 stitches each. That’s 4.3 by 6.3 inches or 11 by 16 cm on 14 count fabric. The full set uses 26 colors and blends.

Or try this set of five mini potion bottles from Plenty of Strings. I love the colors on these and they’d look great as a set on one piece of fabric or individually stitches as shown. Each one fits in a 3-inch hoop.

These minis from Giselles Cross Stitch are really cute, too, though they are meant to be worked together as one piece. The whole pattern uses 26 colors and measures 93 by 107 stitches, which comes out to 6.6 by 7.6 inches or 16.8 by 19.4 cm on 14 count fabric. They’re perfect on black or a dark blue fabric.

I also like this bigger set of potion bottles from SamXstitch, which is meant to be stitched as a set but you could also work individual bottles in their own frames if you’d rather. The full design uses 10 colors and is 123 by 173 stitches. Taht comes out to 8.78 by 12.36 inches/22.31 by 31.39 cm on 14 count fabric.

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