PATTERN SHOWCASE: RIBBONS & STARS CROSS STITCH

I am back today for another CROSS STITCH PATTERN SHOWCASE. This series has been so much fun to work on around here… it is so exciting to try our hands at a new craft and to learn a whole new way of looking at things. It has been a bit of a learning curve but the thing I have been enjoying the most about cross stitch, is the slower “work it while in my favorite cushy chair” kind of vibe. It is a nice change of pace from quilting although could never replace it in any way… honestly it is just a nice “something a little different”.

This series is being created in collaboration with Susan from The Felted Pear, as she has inspired us to immerse ourselves in all things cross stitch! These brand new patterns are such a fun way to bring a bit of cross stitch into your quilty life without needing a ton of skill or experience!

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CHECK OUT OUR QUILT INSPO

Up today is the RIBBONS AND STARS CROSS STITCH. This one is such a fun interpretation of our RIBBONS AND STARS quilt pattern shown below. It would be just as lovely as cream blocks on a green background… just like the quilt, don’t you think? Or perhaps a red background with cream blocks… although that would be a lot of background to fill in!

Quilt pattern for RIBBONS AND STARS is available via PAPER or PDF.
And I do believe that there are 3 size options in the pattern!

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RIBBONS & STARS CROSS STITCH INFO

Pattern is now available via PAPER or PDF in the shop so come and check it out if you want a bit of cross stitch goodness in your life!

Design is based on a 71 x 71 Grid

• Cross Stitch Fabric Info: We used Carolina Linen from DMC/Charles Craft in Salt.
  • 14 Count = 5 1/8″ x 5 1/8″
  • 16 Count = 4 3/8″ x 4 3/8″
• Floss Info:
  • 2 Skeins Red [DMC 321]
  • 1 Skein Green [DMC 581]
• Frame of Choice
  • We used Americanflat 8″ x 8″ in White
• Setting Fabric of Choice
  • We used BUON NATALE – coming May 2025! [#35407-14]

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CROSS STITCH FINISHING

Today Susan is joining us with some info on how she FINISHED AND FRAMED this particular cross stitch and a way for you to use this method for many future projects as well. The info below is detailed and full of step by step information so feel free to refer back to it once you are in the framing process.

MATERIALS LIST

• (2) sheets of 8×10 self-stick mounting board.  I used the Pres-On brand from Amazon.
• 12” square of quilt cotton [Buon Natale in the image]
• 11 x 20” piece of batting scrap
• Double-sided stick tape.  I used It’s Sew Emma’s ¾” Finishing Tape.
• 8×8” Frame I used the Americanflat 8” x8” Frame in White.
• Rotary Cutter
• Rulers
• Erasable Pen
• Scissors

*for best long term results consider using acid free products.

STEP BY STEP PROCESS FROM SUSAN

• After you have finished your cross-stitch piece, take it to the ironing board and give it a good press.  To help keep your stitches looking full, lay a towel on your ironing board and iron your piece right side down.  Once your piece is free of wrinkles, lay your fabric on your work surface and see if the design appears “wonky” or square.  If it looks like your stitched piece is bowing out to one side or another, take it back to the ironing board and press it while manipulating the fabric to even out the lines of stitching.
• Once you are happy with your stitched piece, determine how much of the cloth you would like to show beyond your design.  I liked the look of approximately a ¼” border around my design, and I counted how many squares on my cloth would make ¼” border and jotted that number down. 
• Then, I turned my Ribbons and Stars cross-stitch cloth right side down, and marked with a Frixion Pen and a ruler a line on the number of squares outside of my finished piece that I had jotted down before.  In my case it was about 4 squares.  Do this for all four sides of your cross-stitch piece.  For best results, go slowly and be sure your lines are marked straight. Once you have your square drawn, measure it with a clear acrylic quilting ruler and jot that number down so you don’t forget it – you will need it later.  
• Trim your stitched cloth leaving about a 1 ½” margin around all sides of your drawn line.
• Using the measurement you jotted down above, cut that measurement out of your Self-Stick Mount Board.  I used an old rotary cutter and pressed down firmly as I was cutting.  From the second sheet of mat board, cut an 8” square.
• Peel off the sticky side of your mat board pieces (I found using a stiletto or seam ripper point helped me get the backing off) and place them sticky side down on the batting.  Trim around your mat board so the batting is flush with the board.  I use my non-fabric rotary cutter for this as well.
• Lay the smaller mat board piece on the back of your stitched piece inside the lines you have drawn, batting side down.  Cut two pieces of double-sided tape, each the length of two opposite sides of the mat board and adhere it to the back of the board (the non-batting side) close to the edge.  Just like with the mat board, get the backing off the tape.
• Carefully fold over the stitched cloth to the back of the mat board keeping your fabric taught, but not pulled so tight as to distort the cloth or the mat board when adhered.  Once both sides are down, repeat the process with the opposite two sides.  You might have to fiddle with your corners a bit, but the goal is to keep the corners as flat and crisp as possible.  Don’t rush this process!
• Repeat the same process with the larger 8” x 8” square and the quilting cotton. 
• On the back of the Ribbons and Stars covered board, put double sided tape along the sides and in the middle.  Place the board in the center of the 8” x 8” mat board that is covered with quilting cotton and give it a firm press.  
• Place your finished piece in your frame, leaving out the glass or plastic covering.

Ta-da!  You are all done!  You now have a fully finished project that is ready to be displayed and enjoyed at a fraction of the cost of custom framing, and are ready to start your next stitch!

Happy Stitching, Susan

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