cross stitch designs & finishing “recipes”

Author: Kimberley Eklund

  • Hope Anchors the Soul by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Hope Anchors the Soul by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Hope Anchors the Soul designed by Primrose Cottage Stitches
    Stitch Count: 75 x 31
    Fabric: 32 count Antique White Belfast Linen by Zweigart
    Thread: DMC 3722 (converted to a colour I had in stash)

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric: Front; Lori Holt’s Bandana design in Tea Rose from the Farmer’s Daughter Collection
    Back; Lori Holt’s Vintage design in Coral 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: Trim from a 1 yard Trim Bundle by Celebrate it (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    Hope Anchors the Soul is a special design from Primrose Cottage Stitches, proceeds going to help one of the Primrose Cottage family members that are going through cancer treatment. You can’t help but love this design, there is so much meaning behind it!
    I stitched mine, from start to finish, on Easter Sunday with a special helper, my 7 year old niece. She put in several stitches and asked if she could make the very last one…of course, I said yes! I love that I can share my love of cross stitch with the next generation!

  • Waddle’s Strawberries by Teresa Kogut | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Waddle’s Strawberries by Teresa Kogut | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Waddle’s Strawberries designed by Teresa Kogut
    part of Teresa Kogut’s Patreon/March 2026 Ornament
    Stitch Count: 90 x 90
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions
    DMC 22, DMC 356, DMC 503, DMC 738, DMC 3011, DMC 3064, DMC 3371, DMC 3776, DMC 3866

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: 6″ wood rounds from Amazon
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Vintage Design in Coral from the Farmer’s Daughter Collection
    Trim: Edge trim; Muted Meadow Easter Trim Bundle by Celebrate it (Michaels)
    Bow and hanger; Easter Trim Bundle by Celebrate it (Michaels)

    My Thoughts

    Waddle’s Strawberries is THE cutest design! I love to cross stitch, and every stitch is fun…but this was seriously so much fun to stitch! Pure joy! I was nervous to finish it because I love it so much, and wanted to do it justice. All the pieces came together so perfectly, all from stash! The trim around the edge really ties it all together. I highly recommend stashing all of Michaels trim bundles when you can, they are so valuable to have on hand.

  • Light the Way by Hands on Design | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Light the Way by Hands on Design | Ornament Cross Stitch Finish

    Light the Way (Merry Moments Collection) designed by Hands on Design
    part of Hands on Designs Patreon Ornament Club
    Stitch Count: 58 x 47
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions
    DMC 08, DMC 347, DMC 471, DMC 645, DMC 676, DMC 729, DMC 816, DMC 937, DMC 3865

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Generic mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Backing Fabric: Lori Holt’s Holly Design in Lettuce from the Hometown Holiday Collection
    Trim: Ashland Christmas Gold/Natural Twine from Michaels and Celebrate it Christmas Ribbon (cording) from Michaels
    Jingle Ball: Creatology bells from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    Light the Way is the second ornament in Hand’s on Designs patreon club! You get the beautiful design plus the complete step by step of how to finish the ornament by Cathy! She has me loving the backs of my finishes almost as much as the fronts, I have learned so much from this club already! Just like the first ornament, I am using materials from my own stash to finish with, and I am loving the learning and creative challenge!

  • Spring Blessings by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Spring Blessings by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Spring Blessings designed by Primrose Cottage Stitches
    Stitch Count: 73 x 52
    Fabric: 32 count Light Blue Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions or changes
    DMC 210, DMC 553, DMC 580, DMC 744, DMC 3021, DMC B5200

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for back: Lori Holt’s Lillian design in Lettuce 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: Pink trim is from the Celebrate it Easter Trim Bundle from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    Spring Blessings is the March free stitch of the month from Primrose Cottage stitches via their newsletter. It is now available on their website. Such a sweet design with the sheep and purple flowers, adorable!
    I ventured way outside my comfort zone and did a shaped pillow…I am a rookie sewer, still learning the ropes of using a sewing machine, but I am so happy I went for it. It’s not perfect, but that is what this is all about; learning, growing, and trying new things!
    I also went “big” on the trim, with those fluffy pom poms, maybe a little over powering on this little pillow. I am still not sure I love them, but there has been lots of positive feedback, thank you for that!

  • Betsy’s Easter Basket by Pansy Patch Quilt’s and Stitchery | Hybrid Framed Finish

    Betsy’s Easter Basket by Pansy Patch Quilt’s and Stitchery | Hybrid Framed Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Betsy’s Easter Basket by Pansy Patch Quilts and Stitchery
    Stitch Count: 103 x 104
    Fabric: 32 count Antique White Belfast Linen by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC floss; DMC 598, DMC 680, DMC 732, DMC 816, DMC 3053, DMC 3064, DMC 3820, DMC 3832, DMC 3862
    Changes; DMC 761 (to replace 3329 on the chart, 3329 was retired several years ago)
    I also, accidentally swapped the two greens, DMC 3053 and DMC 732, for each other on the chart. So the dark green is where the light green is, and vice versa. Once I realized what I did, I decided to just roll with it!

    The Finish

    Frame: 8×8 White Shadow Box by Studio Decor from Michales (3 pack)
    Mounting Board: Generic mat board
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Quilting Design in Raindrop from the Farmer’s Daughter Collection

    My Thoughts

    I love Pansy Patch’s designs for their beautiful use of colours, even when you choose the suggested DMC floss instead of the over-dyed, they are beautiful! I also love the primitive look, mixed with a modern touch, it feels whimsical and eclectic. The only thing I would change with my finish is to have made extra sure I entered it properly in the frame…I can’t believe I did that, haha! Perfectly imperfect, it makes me happy nonetheless!

  • Hello Spring by Shannon Christine Designs | Flat Cross Stitch Finish

    Hello Spring by Shannon Christine Designs | Flat Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Hello Spring designed by Shannon Christine Designs
    Stitch Count: 78 x 100
    Fabric: 16 count Black Aida by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC; DMC 209, DMC 210, DMC 211, DMC 335, DMC 434, DMC 436, DMC 470, DMC 471, DMC 472, DMC 721, DMC 722, DMC 738, DMC 742, DMC 743, DMC 745, DMC 899, DMC 958, DMC 964, DMC 3326, DMC 3814, DMC 3825, DMC B5200

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Generic mat board
    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Sestina Design in Raindrop from the Bee Dots Collection
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Trim: Pink trim for bow is from the Celebrate it Easter Trim Bundle and the Purple trim is Celebrate it Easter Rick Rack, both from Michaels.

    My Thoughts

    I stitched Hello Spring in 2023 and it sat in my “to be fully finished” pile until this year! I have quite a few more where that came from, which is actually exciting, can’t wait to finish them all! I love this pattern for all of the bright colours, perfect for a black background. Shannon’s designs tend to call for more colours than some, but the end result is worth the extra effort! This turned out so cute with the pink bow and purple rick rack!

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

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

    The Cross Stitch

    March 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 435, DMC 744, DMC 3031, DMC 3347, DMC 3348, DMC Blanc
    Changes; DMC 3708 (instead of DMC 957)

    The Finish

    Mounting Board: Generic mat board
    Cotton Fabric: Lori Holt’s Lillian Design in Lettuce from the Bee Dots Collection
    Batting: 80/20 Cotton Poly Batting
    Trim: Pink trim is from the Celebrate it Easter Trim Bundle and the white satin ribbon is from a unnamed Celebrate it 1 yard Trim Bundle from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    I began stitching the Cottage of the Month series, I think, back in 2024 with the fall months. I had a simple finishing plan for all of them back then, but my skill set has improved and I really love this flat finish (still a simple finish, just cuter), so going forward I hope to finish them all similar to this!
    I absolutely love this series, being a newer cross stitcher (made my first stitch in 2022), I was introduced to these a little later in the game, but they are such a classic design that works with my farmhouse-y vibes that I couldn’t resist stitching them. March is adorable with its mix of greens and pinks!

  • St. Patrick’s Day Quaker by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    St. Patrick’s Day Quaker by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    St. Patrick’s Day Quaker designed by Primrose Cottage Stitches
    Stitch Count: 79 x 80
    Fabric: 32 count Antique White Belfast Linen by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions or changes
    DMC 728, DMC 783, DMC 3362, DMC 3364, DMC 3799

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric for back: Lori Holt’s Butterfield design in Lettuce from the Hometown 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 Rick Rack in Olive Branch

    My Thoughts

    Lindsey from Primrose Cottage Stitches does such an amazing job designing these small Quaker designs! No doubt, they are also super fun to stitch. The variety of colour in the St. Patrick’s Day Quaker is a fun twist, and don’t ask me to pick a favourite motif. So happy to have this one finished and part of my March decor!

  • Lucky by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Lucky by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Lucky designed by Primrose Cottage Stitches
    Stitch Count: 65 x 34
    Fabric: 32 count Vintage Country Mocha Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions or changes
    DMC 783, DMC 844, DMC 3364, DMC 3820, DMC B5200

    The Finish

    Cotton Fabric: Front: Lori Holt’s Perennial design in Lettuce from the Autumn Collection
    Back: Lori Holt’s Butterfield design in Lettuce from the Hometown 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: The trim is from the Fall Trim Bundle from Michaels

    My Thoughts

    Lucky was the January 2026 free stitch of the month for Primrose Cottage Stitches’ newsletter subscribers (now available on their website). I am a sucker for St. Patricks Day, a nod to my Irish roots; and also a sucker for sheep, a nod to my Nana who raised sheep and used the wool for a variety of fibre arts! So, this design was a must stitch for me! I absolutely love how it turned out, and still stands as my favourite pillow finish. Proof that a stitch can be little and still have a big impact!

     

  • Stitching Quilt by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    Stitching Quilt by Primrose Cottage Stitches | Pillow Cross Stitch Finish

    The Cross Stitch

    Stitching Quilt designed by Primrose Cottage Stitches
    Stitch Count: 73 x 73
    Fabric: 32 count Platinum Lugana by Zweigart
    Thread: Called for DMC cotton floss/no conversions or changes
    DMC 471, DMC 645, DMC 783, DMC 3712, DMC 3810, DMC 3811, DMC 3831, DMC B5200

    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

    This quilt inspired design was so much fun to stitch up! I am a huge fan of the colour combination, they just pop and make for a bright and cheery look! The Stitching Quilt pillow lives in my craft room amongst all my stitchy paraphernalia, I move it around a lot, it’s the perfect size to tuck in wherever I need a fun pop of colour and whimsy!