Bringing Home the Tree Cross Stitch Pattern and How to Frame it Tutorial

Today I want to share my latest 

cross stitch pattern with you...

Bringing Home the Tree

I designed it to go with my quilt

 by the same name

Bringing Home the Tree

And you can find that 

quilt pattern in my book

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

The same amazing company

It's Sew Emma

 who publish my quilting books 

also publish my cross stitch patterns!

They are hosting a Stitch Along 

for Bringing Home the Tree.

CLICK HERE

to read all about it!

Lately I've had a lot of people

 ask me how I frame my cross stitch.

I've posted tutorials and taught this 

 over the years but because 

I'm now designing my own patterns 

I have had a lot of different people

 ask me who are not quilters...

and are new to my blog and so

 I thought this would be 

a great time to show you again!

First of all I use acid free mat board 

and cut it the same size 

as the frame opening...

 then I place a piece of cotton batting 

on that cut the same size.

This frame happens to be an 8" x 10"

 so that's exactly what I cut 

my batting and mat board.

I lightly glue the batting 

in each corner of the mat board using

 Aleene's Glue 

because it's acid free.

You can get the mat board sheets in the 

framing section of places like

 Hobby Lobby, JoAnns or Michaels.

I just use an old rotary cutter blade

 and a quilting ruler to cut mine.

 You could use a craft knife or whatever 

you are most comfortable with.

I use the "lacing method" because I

 prefer not to glue my cross stitch down...

even with acid free glue.

I don't want to damage my piece and

 I also like the freedom of being able

 to change my mind if I want to later

 by "unlacing" my stitch and 

finishing it another way.

I have cross stitched for many years 

and you would be surprised how often

 I have done this with a piece 

after the way that I finished it

 goes out of style or I just 

simply want to refresh it!

I use cotton crochet thread 

because it's strong and I don't have to 

worry about it breaking

 during the lacing process.

I always use a doll needle when

 using cotton crochet thread...

it's long and has a larger eye

 to accomadate the thread.

If you have watched my pin cushion 

tutorials you know that this thread

 and needle are my favorite combo

 when making pincushions as well 

so I always keep both on hand.

You can see how I begin in the photo above..

and you can see why it's called 

"lacing"  because it's pretty much

 like lacing a shoe...

back and forth but with

 thread and needle.

I use a single strand 

and just knot it off when I run out

 and thread my needle again and continue. 

Then I start going the 

other direction like this.

Lacing is wonderful because it

 allows you the freedom of turning 

your piece over and adjusting it 

so that your stitching is centering

 on the front as you go along.

I adjust it simply by pulling 

the cloth and smoothing it with my hands 

on the front as I go along.

Once both sides are laced 

I start on the opposite corners.

Notice how I fold my corners so that 

 they don't show on the sides.

I finish up with the 

last corners and knot off my thread.

This is how the front looks 

and I could even adjust it now 

without un doing the lacing.

The lacing is very forgiving and if

 you have never done it before 

you may be surprised how much 

you can adjust it at this point.

This is another reason why 

I like to lace it.

This method is used by many and

 is also the method that professional 

frame shops frame needlework...

it really works great and 

with awesome results:)

I place it in the frame and just

 use the little metal things 

in the back to keep it in place.

Most frames have a bit of adjustment 

back there too so that your piece can 

slide back and forth if needed.

You can also use glass if it comes with the frame...

I just choose not to because

 I love the look and I like to

 see the texture of the stitching.

Later on down the road 

if you ever feel like you need to 

give it a "dusting"...

there always the vacuum attachment

 that will do the trick!

It looks great in a frame alone

 but you can always add a bow 

or greenery because its Christmas!

Because we are makers we all love to embellish and decorate right?

I've used the same "recipe" that

 most of us use to decorate 

all things like 

 wreaths...gift baskets...

shelves...mantles...tabletops:)

 for the seasons as well as 

embroideries and cross stitches.

The simple recipe is:

 Ribbon + Flowers/Greenery

I like to use several ribbons 

with different textures

 and sizes and colors and I usually 

do the same for the flowers or greenery.

Sometimes depending on the season 

I'll add things like 

acorns..flags...hearts or snowflakes:)

To me when embellishing something 

either large or small...

scale is everything.

To those of you who have been asking me

how to know when how much is too much...

here is my answer:

Do what you think looks cute

 for your own project and trust

 yourself to embellish it how you like.

But here is what I do 

when it comes to embellishing:

I like to use large scaled 

ribbons and things for large items...

like wider ribbons...big flowers etc. 

And smaller scale for

 smaller items like cross stitch

 because I do not want to take away

 from what I am embellishing...

especially when it's needlework.

I want to keep the focus on the stitching 

and the details in the design

 and just embellish it without over doing... 

being careful to keep it in balance.

I hope this answer helps!

Instead of a flower I used a 

snowflake tree ornament...

and used my Farm Girl Vintage 

gingham to cover a button for the center.

I use covered buttons alot as you know

 and I especially like to use them 

for flower centers...

and in this case snowflake centers!

And yes! 

My button now match my nails:)haha

I used a glue gun and glued

 it to the center of the snowflake.

I glued the snowflake to the 

ribbon and then onto the frame.

I just stuck the greenery in there...

 no glue needed...easy peasy.

I had the snowflake ornament already 

but I'm sure you can get one 

at any store during Christmas time.

I got my frame at Hobby Lobby

Here is the price and the SKU number...

use a coupon and it's 

really inexpensive for a frame!

I love how this turned out 

and I can't wait to add it

 to my holiday decor:)

CLICK HERE

if you would like to get a pattern

and then

CLICK HERE

if you would like to join in

 on the stitch along hosted by

Kimberly on her awesome

 Flosstube Channel

Tune in there every Wednesday morning 

for the livestream or watch it later 

because it remains there afterwards as well. 

Happy Stitching!

xx

Lori