cross stitch designs & finishing “recipes”

Author: Kimberley Eklund

  • One Day At A Time by Stitching With the Housewives | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    One Day At A Time by Stitching With the Housewives | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    One Day At A Time designed by Stitching With The Housewives
    Stitch Count: 56 x 42
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: DMC 347, DMC 470, DMC 676, DMC 761, DMC 844, DMC 932, DMC 3328, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Mat Board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Daisy Design in Coral from the Farmer’s Daughter Collection
    Trim: Trim Bundles by Celebrate It from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    This chart was an instant must stitch for me upon release! The sentiment has been especially meaningful as of late and I wanted a pretty finish that was also clean and simple! It now lives on my night stand as a daily reminder to myself! I think it is so special that we can create something with our own hands, from scratch, that has so much meaning and will last a lifetime or more!

  • Merry Cactus by Cross Stitch Kim | Freebie Design

    Merry Cactus by Cross Stitch Kim | Freebie Design

    As a special thank you for your support please feel free to enjoy this sweet little chart I have designed. I wanted to make a cute little chart for “Christmas in July” that combined my love of cross stitch with my “country girl” lifestyle! I’ve been carrying this idea for awhile and finally decided to give it a shot. Everyone in this community has been so supportive and I wanted to share a little love back to you! The chart is an image you can save onto your device or print.

    The Cross Stitch

    Merry Cactus designed by Cross Stitch Kim
    Stitch Count: 55 x 61
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: DMC 05, DMC 08, DMC 347, DMC 469, DMC 471, DMC 597, DMC 729, DMC 841, DMC 844, DMC 921

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for back: Lori Holt’s Holly Design in Lettuce from the Hometown Holiday collection
    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Trim: 3/8″ red ribbon by Celebrate it and Natural Jute Twine by Ashland, both from Michaels
    Trinket: Creatology bells from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    I hope you like this little ornament! I had zero plans on getting into the design side of cross stitch but this idea kept scratching at me, and I finally just jumped in and tried! It was so much fun to design, colour, stitch, and finish! It also may have opened up a new door for me, as more design ideas have been pouring in. I’ve been tinkering around in a design program and having even more fun, stay tuned for more to come!

  • Canadian Sampler by Erin Elizabeth Designs | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    Canadian Sampler by Erin Elizabeth Designs | Mounted Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Canadian Sampler designed by Erin Elizabeth Designs
    If you love this design she also has an American one called Red, White & Blue Sampler
    Stitch Count: 167 x 118
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for floss. DMC 310, DMC 317, DMC 320, DMC 321, DMC 435, DMC 815, DMC 3866, and DMC B5200

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Dots Design in Schoolhouse from the Autumn collection
    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Mounting piece: 14″ x 9″ white tray by Celebrate It! from Michaels 
    Trim: 1/2″ white rick rack from my local quilting shop

    My Thoughts

    With Canada Day just around the corner I was eager to get this lovely piece finished up and on display! Canadian Sampler is designed by the talented Erin Elizabeth Designs who is a fellow Canadian and to whom I am honoured to model stitch for!
    I scooped up this little tray from the Canada Day collection at Michael’s for 1/2 price with this finish idea in mind. I laced the cross stitch piece before mounting it to the fabric covered board and adding the white rick rack for a little extra texture and interest! I love how it turned out, it will be a piece I keep out most of the year!

  • Season of Growth by Little House Needleworks | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Season of Growth by Little House Needleworks | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Season of Growth designed by Little House Needleworks
    Stitch Count: 77 x 77
    Fabric: 32 count Arrowroot Linen by Roxy Floss Company
    Thread: My own Roxy Floss Company conversion: Raspberry Puree, The Final Moss, Turf, Erie-sponsible, Just Navy, Betty White, Double Double, Muddy Trail

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for the back: Lori Holt’s Vintage Design in Denim from the Farmer’s Daughter collection
    Pillow Stuffing: Poly-fil Premium Fiber Fill
    Patch on back: Merino wool blend felt from the Spring Vacation collection by Over The River Felt
    Trim: 3/8″ white rick rack from my local quilt shop

    My Thoughts

    I am officially entering my over-dyed floss era. I recently took the leap and tried out some hand-dyed floss from Roxy Floss Co, and I was instantly hooked. Get ready to see a lot of fun colour conversions on older charts from some of my favourite designers…just like Season of Growth by Little House Needleworks. Believe it or not, this design is 20 years old….timeless (in my opinion)!
    I took a few creative liberties, mainly the colour conversion, but I also chose not to stitch the green within the blueberry baskets, giving those blueberries some breathing room since I was using such rich colours!
    The original design was made into a pillow, and taking that lead I too decided it needed to be a pillow, one of my favourite ways to finish!

  • Homestead Sampler Series: Summer by Starry Night Studios | Flat Cross Stitch Finish

    Homestead Sampler Series: Summer by Starry Night Studios | Flat Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Homestead Sampler Series: Summer designed by Starry Night Studios
    Stitch Count: 69 x 69
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Chose my own colours (some were the same as called for). DMC 08, DMC 347, DMC 469, DMC 676, DMC 729, DMC 930, DMC 931, DMC 3328, and DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Somime white mat board
    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Vintage Design in denim from the Farmer’s Daughter collection
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Trim: 3/8″ white rick rack from my local quilting store and 3/4″ red satin ribbon CelebrateIt Ribbon bundle (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    You may know Alissa from Starry Night Studios…she does custom cross stitch finishing and also makes and sells beautiful finishing boards. I have admired and been inspired by her finishing style for years, and I am so excited that she has started to release some of her very own cross stitch designs! This Summer design was a true pleasure to stitch and came together really quick! I tend to suffer from decision fatigue when it comes to choosing how to fully finish my projects…I took Alissa’s own finish of this sweet design as the inspiration, and I am very happy with the results!

  • Token of Love by Teresa Kogut | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Token of Love by Teresa Kogut | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Token of Love designed by Teresa Kogut
    Teresa Kogut’s April 2026 Patreon Tier Four Design
    Stitch Count: 80 x 78
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana
    Thread: DMC 356, DMC 370, DMC 422, DMC 612, DMC 730, DMC 801 (in place of CCW 156), DMC 3031, DMC 3052, DMC 3064, DMC 3768, DMC 3777, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for the back: Lori Holt’s Bandana Design in Tea House from the Farmer’s Daughter Collection
    Pillow Stuffing: Poly-fil Premium Fiber Fill
    Patch on back: Merino wool blend felt from the Spring Vacation collection by Over The River Felt
    Trim: 3/8″ Red Satin Ribbon by Celebrate It from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    I instantly fell in love with this design when it first dropped in Teresa’s Patreon group! I envisioned the finish the entire time I was stitching it but I knew I would be dipping into uncharted territory for myself! This is the first time I have ever done a heart shaped pillow and the first time I have ever done the ribbon ruching technique. I won’t lie, I was pretty nervous when I outlined that heart onto the stitch…I thought for sure I was going to ruin it! One deep breath later I took the leap and absolutely love how it turned out. There were some very helpful video tutorials for the ribbon ruching, but I mostly stuck to the one by Floss Paper Scissor! It’s not technically perfect, but it’s perfect to me and I will treasure it forever!

  • Night Light by Hands on Design | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Night Light by Hands on Design | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Night Light designed by Hands on Design
    Stitch Count: 63 x 70
    Fabric: 32 count Delft Blue Linen by Weeks Dye Works
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions
    DMC 21, DMC 224, DMC 402, DMC 471, DMC 610, DMC 612, DMC 648, DMC 677, DMC 733, DMC 930, DMC 844, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Mat Board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Dainty Design in Lettuce from the Mercantile Collection
    Trim: Edge and hanger trim; Natural Jute Twine by Ashland. Lace ribbon trim:  Muted Meadow Easter Trim Bundle by Celebrate it and Generic Easter Trim Bundle by Celebrate It all from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    I have admired all of Hands on Designs “bugs” but hadn’t stitched one until now! When Night Light, featuring this beautiful firefly released at Nashville Needlework market this year I put it high on my “must stitch” list. It’s a treat for me to stitch on a fun hand dyed fabric, my go to is definitely a tame neutral, but I love and admire all of those beautiful fabric options out there! This was such a fun stitch, Cathy at HOD is a magician with her designs; her colours, creativity, and use of easy specialty stitches come together to make such a beautiful finish!

  • Plaid Tidings by Hands on Design | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Plaid Tidings by Hands on Design | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish


    Plaid Tidings (Merry Moments Collection) designed by Hands on Design
    part of Hands on Designs Patreon Ornament Club
    Stitch Count: 51 x 83
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions
    DMC 21, DMC 347, DMC 937, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Generic mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Sestina design in Schoolhouse from the Bee Dots Collection
    Trim: Christmas Gold/Natural Twine by Ashland and 3/8″ Linen Twist Edge Ribbon by Celebrate It from Michaels
    Jingle Ball: Creatology bells from Michaels
    Tag: I used old Close to My Heart cardstock, ink and a stamp all from my stash.

    My Thoughts

    Plaid Tidings is the third ornament in the Merry Moments ornament collection which is part of Hands on Designs patreon ornament club. Each month you get the design, a list of supplies, and step by step real time tutorials on how to finish the ornaments. This seemingly straightforward finish was actually a great learning experience and has boosted my confidence in doing front/back finishes without trim around the edge. I have been trying my best to “use what I have” for finishing supplies and love that I could incorporate some of my old stash of cardmaking/scrapbooking supplies to complete this one! Decorating my tree this Christmas is going to be so much fun!

  • April Cottage of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks | Flat Cross Stitch Finish

    April Cottage of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks | Flat Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    April Cottage of the Month designed by Country Cottage Needleworks
    Stitch Count: 77 x 77
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC; DMC 209, DMC 420, DMC 422, DMC 604, DMC 722, DMC 744, DMC 3031, DMC 3053, DMC 3363, DMC Blanc
    Changes; DMC 208 (instead of DMC 553), DMC 800 (instead of DMC 3840)

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Generic mat board
    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Dainty Design in Lettuce from the Mercantile Collection
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Trim: Both the purple trim and the pink ribbon for the bow are from the Easter Trim Bundle by Celebrate it from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    Another bright and fun Cottage of the Month finish! April follows along with the March design in that I finished it with greens and pinks; I really love how it turned out, especially that bright pink bow! I honestly, really wanted to use a yellow finishing fabric but all of my yellows were on the orange side, so it didn’t look right. Green saved the day, and it works perfectly!
    I love this flat finish version of the Cottage of the Month series with the big fabric border. More impact and more colour to show it off! And, they are perfect squares so they would be easy to pop into a frame if I wanted to change it up!

  • Sweetly Sayin – Stitching by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Sweetly Sayin – Stitching by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Sweetly Sayin’ – Stitching designed by Primrose Cottage Stitches
    April Free Stitch of the month via Primrose Cottage’s Stitching Newsletter
    Stitch Count: 75 x 60
    Fabric: 32 count Platinum Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC floss; DMC 937, DMC 3021, DMC 3822, DMC 3831, DMC 3832, DMC B5200
    Additional colours to customize it: DMC 3810 and DMC 3811

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for the back: Lori Holt’s Sestina Design in Schoolhouse from the Bee Dots Collection
    Pillow Stuffing: Poly-fil Premium Fiber Fill
    Patch on back: Merino wool blend felt from the Spring Vacation collection by Over The River Felt
    Trim: Lady Dot Creates Hand-Dyed 7/32″ Rick Rack in Sea Glass

    My Thoughts

    Sweetly Sayin’ – Stitching is the perfect craft/stitching room piece! It is the April free stitch of the month from Primrose Cottage Stitches, if you missed out, they go up on their website the following month. I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter, so much value for free!!
    I customized this design to match the Stitching Quilt, I used all called for DMC colours and then added the two turquoise colours! It was a lot of fun using my creative brain to pick what parts of the design to change colours! I am so happy with how it turned out!