This quick and easy finish technique can be used for any ornament.
Do you love to stitch ornaments but they somehow end up in a shoebox waiting to be finished? Here’s an easy and inexpensive way to rescue those lovelies!
After a quick wash and press, the first step is to measure the stitched area. This project measures 2.25” x 2.75”.
Measure!
Next, decide how much space to leave around the edges. For this project, I decide to add 1/4” on all sides to keep the ornament small yet leaving some “white space” so the design can breathe. So I add 1/2” to both measurements.
2.25 + .5 = 2.75
2.75 + .5 = 3.25
I’ll cut the backing board 2.75” x 3.25”.
You can get acid free cardboard at any good comic book store.
I love the acid free cardboard you can buy at comic book stores. Comic book collectors use “Magazine Boards” to store their treasured comic books. You can get a pack of 100 sheets (8.5” x 11”) for under $10 . . . plenty to share with stitchy friends! Check your local area for comic book stores. I was surprised to learn Winston-Salem has two. You can also buy acid free magazine/comic board online at Amazon.
While I’m at it, I’ll also cut a piece of cardboard to be covered in the blue accent fabric. I want just a hint of the blue fabric to show around the edges . . . about 1/8” . . . so I’ll cut the second piece 3” x 3.5” and the blue fabric is cut with an extra inch all the way around, 5” x 5.5”.
Using a good fabric glue (I like Aleene’s) glue the four sides of the stitchery to the smaller board, leaving the corners free. We’ll miter them in a moment. Good old fashioned spring-loaded clothes pins makes the work easier.
Center the stitched fabric carefully then glue to the back of the cardboard.
Use clothes pins to hold the fabric in place as it dries.
After the sides are dry, add glue on either side of each corner and under each corner flap. Manipulate the corner fabric until it is lying flat. You can cut away some of the excess but take care not to trim so much that it ravels. Use the clothes pins to hold it flat until it dries.
Add glue to the corners.
Fold the corner fabric to lie flat.
Put those clothes pins to use again.
Meanwhile, glue the accent fabric in place. I used a little glue on what will become the back to hold the fabric in place while I trimmed the corners. This cotton fabric is more tightly woven than cross stitch fabric and will not ravel as easily. Make sure the corners are neat as this is actually the front of the project.
Trim the corners of the blue fabric at a 45 degree angle ¼” to ½” from the cardboard.
Make neat corners since this will become the front of the ornament.
Be sure to add a hanger before you put it all together. Ribbon, cord, or pearl cotton all make good ornament hangers. Finally, glue the two pieces together and hold firm with those clothes pins again until it is dry.
It’s important to remember to add a ribbon or cord hanger.
Hold the two pieces together while the glue dries.
Quick and easy finish!
DONE!
This is the basic process. Embellishments like bows, buttons, and charms can easily be added. A twisted cord around the cross stitch will add an extra touch, too.
If you would like to stitch this snowflake design, download the file: Snowflake_2015
Merry Christmas!
