How to Cross Stitch for Christmas
The most special gifts we receive at Christmas are those that are homemade. If you are handy with a needle, you might try creating some cross stitch decorations for friends and family. Cross stitch patterns can be found online or at most craft or hobby stores. Choose small Christmas patterns to create ornaments that your friends and family will cherish and use each year.
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Things You'll Need
- Cross stitch pattern
- 18 or 20 count Aida cross stitch fabric
- Masking tape
- Small embroidery hoop
- Embroidery floss
- Embroidery needles
- Scissors
- Mild detergent
- Iron
- Pencil
- Felt
- Craft glue
- Wooden drapery rings with screw eyes attached
- Gold braid
- Narrow ribbon
Instructions
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1
Select a small Christmas cross stitch pattern that will fit within your drapery ring.
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Use 18 or 20 count Aida cross stitch fabric. Cut a square of fabric large enough to accommodate your design, allowing extra fabric to fit your small embroidery hoop. Tape the edges of the fabric with masking tape to prevent fraying.
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3
Center the fabric in the embroidery hoop. Tighten the hoop.
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4
Stitch your design.
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Wash the finished piece in cool water and mild detergent. Dry flat. Iron the fabric.
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6
Lay the cross stitched fabric on a flat surface.
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Place a wooden curtain ring, with a screw eye (eyelet) attached, on top of the fabric, centering the design within the ring. Position the ring so the metal eyelet is at the top. Wooden curtain rings with eyelets can be purchased from stores that sell curtain rods and drapery hardware.
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Trace around the ring with a pencil.
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Cut the circle out along the pencil line. Cut a circle of felt that is slightly larger than your cross stitched circle.
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Glue the cross stitched circle to the felt with craft glue. Set aside until the glue is dry. The fabric will be slightly stiff at this point.
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Apply craft glue along the back side of the curtain ring.
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Place the cross stitched design onto the back of the ring with the design centered in the ring. Press the felt down securely onto the curtain ring.
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Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
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Apply a length of gold braid to the back of the decoration, covering the edges of the felt.
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Attach a narrow ribbon through the metal eyelet at the top of the curtain ring to hang the ornament on the tree.
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Write your name and date on the back of the felt with a fine tip permanent marker.
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Tips & Warnings
Wooden curtain rings with eyelets attached can be purchased from stores that sell curtain rods and drapery hardware.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit embroidery image by Kostyantyn Ivanyshen from Fotolia.com
