Patterns to Use as Filler in Cross Stitch Projects

The other day I came across this post from Koekoek that has to do with a world map pattern of theirs (they also have individual countries if you’d rather). The idea is that you can fill in countries as you visit them, or just fill in different patterns to make a colorful map.

To help people wanting to fill in their maps in different ways, they posted a collection of 10 filler cross stitch patterns. These designs include things like diagonal lines, evenly spaced single stitches, checkerboards and rectangles that can help you fill a lot of space without just making a solid color or stripes.

It struck me that these design ideas would be fun to incorporate into other cross stitch projects, too.

For example you could use any of them to make a background around a cross stitch motif to make the pattern a little more dramatic or just to draw in more color.

You could use them to fill large letters, say if you were doing a monogram or an initial letter pattern for a baby’s room or a wedding.

If you stitch people in your projects you could add these designs to clothing to make them more interesting.

You could just practice these filler stitches to get used to reading and following cross stitch patterns and turn them into bookmarks, coasters or other little projects.

I’m sure there are other ways you could use them as well, and if you have some in mind I’d love to hear them.

I think this just goes to show that if you’re creative you can pull elements from different patterns and projects and use them in different ways than originally intended but still to great effect.

You can check out all of the patterns at the post on Koekoek, and maybe they’ll inspire you to try adding filler to a project you’re working on!

[Photo: Koekoek]

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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