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Try a new embroidery stitch and make your own Christmas tree baubles too with our step by step guide to how to work woven cross stitch. We’ll talk you through how to learn the stitch then turn your work into me-made tree decorations. Before you begin, if you’re new to embroidery, try our guides for beginners to learn the ropes…
- Embroidery for beginners
- What do you need to start embroidery?
- List of embroidery stitches (and how to work them)
Woven cross stitch embroidery design
To make this project, you’ll need to download our Free woven cross stitch embroidery pattern
You will need
-
Felt
20x30cm (8x12in) -
Linen fabric
14x14cm (5½in) -
Stranded cotton
2 shades - Iron-on interfacing
-
Sequins
(Gold) - Polyester fibrefill
- Basic sewing kit
- Thread
Method
How to work woven cross stitch
1
Form a standard cross stitch, starting at the bottom left and making the first line, then coming up at the bottom right and making the second line. Come up again at the first starting point on the bottom left, then go back down at the top right.
2
Bring the needle up again at the bottom right. Weave the needle over the second angled stitch and under the first angled stitch. Go down at the top left to complete the stitch.
Making the bauble
1
Press iron-on interfacing to the back of the linen and mark the large pattern in the center. Embroider the woven cross stitches with six strands of stranded cotton. At each of the dots, come through the fabric with six strands of stranded cotton, thread a sequin onto the needle and thread, then stitch a French knot to secure. Cut the embroidered linen to 4.5x12cm (17⁄8x4¾in).
2
Cut two matching 4.5x12cm (17⁄8x4¾in) pieces of felt.
3
Sew the two felt pieces to the top and bottom of the linen right sides (RS) together.
4
Cut the joined pieces into a circle using the template. Stitch a line of running stitch on the felt near the two seams with six strands of stranded cotton to neaten. Cut a second circle from felt for the backing.
5
Sew the two circles together with RS facing, leaving a 5cm (2in) turning gap. Trim the seam allowance to reduce bulk, then turn the bauble RS out. Stuff the bauble.
6
Fold the seam allowance to the inside and slip stitch the opening closed.
7
To add a hanging loop, thread a needle with metallic gold thread and then take a stitch through the top back of the bauble. Make sure it’s centered. Tie the ends of the thread together about 8cm (31⁄8in) from the bauble and trim the excess thread.
8
To make the smaller bauble, stitch the small pattern on felt, but instead of sewing and turning it RS out, hand-stitch the two layers wrong sides facing with running stitch.
