Cross-Stitch

Charts, patterns and everything needlepoint

Summer’s Not Over! There’s Still Time to Stitch These Fun Projects

by

I’ve been saving these cute patterns from Pickle Barrel Designs for a while but since there’s not much summer left now is the perfect time to share and stitch them up.

This four-piece set of summer-inspired designs includes a hammock, beach chair, sand castle and sailboat, to remind us of all the summery things we wish we were doing right now.

She stitched them as a set of pillows but they’d be cute as wall hangings as well. The set of four is $10 and is available on Etsy.

[Photo: Pickle Barrel Designs.]

Have you read?

Designer Spotlight: Living on the Rainbow

Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish yourself as a cross stitch designer. Most designers do holiday designs, they often do florals, have text designs that are a little snarky. But if you can find a niche you love and people can come to know you for it, that’s a great strategy. 

I don’t know if the designer behind Living on the Rainbow originally set out to do really cool three dimensional cross stitch patterns, but that’s a lot of what’s available in their shop and I think it’s super fun. 

There is, for example, a whole set of Christmas village patterns that are assembled in a circle and topped with fabric that makes them look sort of like carousels. There are three dimensional mushroom houses, tiny stitched books, and spring themed designs including 3D eggs, teapots and bird houses. 

Some of my favorites are the tiny campers, like this Gothic caravan that looks like something Beetlejuice himself would ride around in. The cross stitch portion features Gothic windows on the sides and back, a striped top and vampire fangs on the front. It’s finished with button wheels, bats and bat wings in the photos, but you can add whatever accessories you like to bring your caravan to life. 

It’s shown on 18 count fabric and comes out to about 1.8 by 2 inches, or 4.5 by 5.5 cm. It’s stitched in three pieces that are assembled and stuffed, and the pattern includes instructions for how to do that. It’s meant to be a pincushion but would be delightful as an ornament as well. 

There are also designs that are assembled as cubes, some of which are seasonal while others have themes like different crafts. There’s also a stunning section of Alice in Wonderland patterns you’ll want to check out. 

In addition to the dimensional designs, there are some more conventional Halloween patterns, a series of mini ghosts, Christmas themed patterns that look like envelopes, and a few Christmas patterns, too. 

Do yourself a favor and go check out Living on the Rainbow. Even if you never stitch any of the projects (though I’d love to know if you do!) they’re sure to make you smile. 

[Photo: Living on the Rainbow]