After many months (or years...) of stitching cross after cross, your most intricate and detailed pattern to date has come alive in front of you. But now what? Put in the drawer and move onto another cross stitch kit? The creativity of good crafting doesn't have to stop at completion, because you can always add on a new project! In this blog we want to give you a few ideas of how to put those painstakingly completed pieces to stunning use:
Framed and Hanging Displays
This is perhaps the most commonly used ways to integrate a newly stitched design into your house, however, we're not ones to shy away from the norm. Just like any family photo, certificate or painting, framing a cross stitch is a commemoration of your hard work and your love of needlecraft. You can also reverse things and have a go at fashioning a frame out of the cross-stitched pattern. But beyond a nice border, you can also suspend the canvas as a banner, either with pins or cleverly clipped onto a coat hanger.
Cushions and Pillows
The harsh texture of cross stitch may not make it the most comfortable thing to lie on, but the ease at which the fabric can be wrapped around wools means they're the perfect covering for a throw pillow or couch cushion. As we've mentioned before in our blog, there's plenty of kits designed as cushions right from the get go, but with the right amount of knowledge and materials you can turn any completed masterpiece into a moveable living room or bedroom fixture.
Jewellery and Accessories
Now we're talking! Rings, necklaces, bracelets...there are many wonderful body worn items that can be fashioned from just a simple bit of stitching. Perhaps a little more involved than the previous finishers, if you really want to get your craft on then learning how to affix your cross stitch to a
hand bag, T-shirt or a jacket makes for a fun project and the making of an even better gift.
Fridge magnets, keyrings, coasters etc.
Making your completed canvas portable is a great idea, but what could be even better is scattering your work around the home as useful, attractive items for all your household and guests to see. By filling up a room with lampshades, tablecloths and, of course,
fantastic pot pouri bags of your own threading, you can theme out your house in the most traditional way possible, and impress all with your ingenuity and needlecraft skills.
Bookmarks and Bookcovers
It's a love and pride of reading that gives this decorative concept it's own section. Whilst we do offer numerous
cross stitch kits to make bookmarks from the startup, there's nothing to stop you making your own if a long discarded pattern fits the size. Likewise, as a great home-made present idea of World Book Day, why create a cross stitched notebook, diary or hardback cover for the avid biblio worm in your life.
If you've had a go at one of these ideas, got a favourite step-by-step to recommend or pictures of finished creations, as always we'd love for you to share it with us. Pop a link in the comment box below, or post it at our Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages.
