Things You Didn’t Know You Could Cross Stitch On

I like using cross stitch in unusual ways. I’ve used it to make magnets and patches, bookmarks (OK, that one isn’t that weird) and I want to add it to clothing directly sometime I just haven’t figured out the right project for it yet.

But there are a lot of different things we can do with cross stitch beyond the canvas. Anything with holes can be used to cross stitch, from wooden pieces that are made for stitching to colanders, chain link fences and more.

If you want to get inspired to look at your cross stitch in a whole new way, spend some time browsing this collection of unconventional upcycled embroidery and cross stitch projects from Sadie Seasongoods.

You’ll find cross stitch on chairs, stitching on tennis racquets, mesh pencil holders and candle cups, a burlap bag and more. There are even ideas for stitching on things that don’t already have holes like this cool cork trivet cross stitch project from Dukes & Duchesses. (She suggests an awl or drill bit to make the holes in the cork that you’ll need.)

This collection of projects is so fun — even if they aren’t all cross stitch, but we like embroidery, too — you’re sure to get inspired to start looking at your cross stitch a whole new way (I originally typed that “hole new way,” which I guess is appropriate, too!).

Head to Sadie Seasongoods to see the full collection of ideas. The one shown here is hers, a project involving Christmas themed cross stitch done on vintage tennis racquets, which are easy to find in thrift stores if you don’t already have a collection in your garage.

Anything here catch your eye? Or have you already undertaken an unconventional cross stitch project in the past? Either way I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sadie Seasongoods]

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Cross Stitching on Plastic Canvas

Non Stop Stitch is an Etsy shop based in Ukraine with a dizzying quantity and variety of cross stitch patterns.

They tend to the cute/whimsical and colorful, with lots of flowers, animals, fantasy designs and some classic Ukraine inspired motifs.

How about this super sweet Ukrainian boy and girl design? With folk inspired clothing and adorable animals, these characters can be stitched together on one piece or separately. The images were designed by Nadiia Nagorna. The boy measures 50 by 96 and uses 22 colors and blends, while the girl is 62 by 94 stitches and uses 27 colors and blends.

Both projects involve full and half cross stitches, as well as backstitch and French knots. They are classified as intermediate patterns.

The largest category on the site is Christmas patterns, with more than 200 options, ranging from cute animals to ornaments, Santas, snowmen and more. There are also plenty of patterns for both Easter and Halloween if you like seasonal stitches.

In addition you’ll find lots of animal designs, from bears and foxes to cats and dogs, mice and elephants, birds, bunnies and bugs. And extensive flowers and plants section includes pretty bouquet cross stitch patterns, stitched wreaths and seasonal scenes, as well as food cross stitch patterns, like a swag of chili peppers, mushrooms on a postage stamp, persimmons and cherries.

The fantasy and magic category leans heavy on whimsy with cute dragons, a one-eyed monster with dragonfly wings, a mermaid listening to music, and a green bearded river spirit covered in lily pads.

And that’s not even to mention other sections like food and drinks, houses and landscapes, lighthouses, people/babies/dolls and more. There’s so much to choose from there’s no way to really categorize it all, so why don’t you head over to Non Stop Stitch and do some scrolling. I’d love to hear if you make one of their patterns!

[Photo: Non Stop Stitch]

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