Mid-Century Style Cross Stitch Patterns

When I was looking for pattern for my recent post on retro style cross stitch patterns (which you should definitely check out if you missed it because there’s some cute stuff in there!), I came across Etsy seller Mid-Century Maude and decided I needed to do a whole post on these fun retro designs.

Maude focuses on 1950s-style home decor, from kitchy cross stitch to custom wooden signs for your beach house, lake house or cocktail space, and super cute and stylish retro-modern style travel and art posters.

But of course what we’re most interested in here is the cross stitch patterns. As of this writing Maude has more than 20, mostly involving animals like cats, dogs and birds. There are also fun designs for your retro cocktail bar/rumpus room, like this vintage cocktail sampler.

One of my favorites is the teapot pattern, which features three tea kettles in the perfect harvest gold, avocado green and rusty orange to evoke the mid-century era. Add in some atomic-era stars and you’ve got the perfect retro touch for your MCM kitchen or dining room.

Since we’re headed into the holiday season I also wanted to point out this super cute retro reindeer Christmas cross stitch pattern. As shown it was worked on 22 count fabric, so it fits in a 4-inch hoop, but you can use 14 or whatever count fabric you have handy and just know that it will make a corresponding larger design. It is 68 by 65 stitches and looks like about seven colors. It uses full stitches, 3/4 stitches and back stitches.

Need to know about partial cross stitches? Here’s a guide to help you out, with a great little chart showing all the options.

Check out all of Mid-Century Maude’s cross stitch designs and other goodies, and let me know what your favorite is.

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Cross Stitch Patterns Inspired by the Beach

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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