5 Ways to Finish a Small Cross Stitch: Ornaments and More

A small cross stitch is done in an evening, and then it sits in a drawer. Finishing it takes less time than you think. These five methods suit motifs around 35 stitches across, like the free Halloween and Christmas patterns, which come out about 2.5 inches wide on 14-count Aida.

Before any of them, press the piece: face down on a folded towel, with a warm iron on the back. The towel stops the stitches from being flattened. Our washing and ironing guide has the details.

1. A felt-backed ornament

The classic finish for tree ornaments and trick-or-treat baskets.

You need: felt in a matching color, fabric glue, ribbon, sharp scissors.

1. Trim the Aida about 1/4 inch outside the design, following its outline or cutting a circle or square.
2. Cut a piece of felt a little bigger than the trimmed Aida.
3. Fold a 6-inch piece of ribbon into a loop and glue its ends to the felt at the top.
4. Spread a thin layer of glue on the back of the Aida, staying away from the edges, and press it onto the felt.
5. When dry, trim the felt to leave a narrow border all round.

For a sturdier ornament, glue a piece of card between the Aida and the felt, or stitch around the edge with a running stitch in a contrasting thread.

2. A greeting card

Craft shops sell three-panel aperture cards with a window cut in the middle panel. Choose a window slightly bigger than your design.

1. Trim the Aida so it is about 1/2 inch bigger than the window on every side.
2. Put double-sided tape around the window on the inside.
3. Center the stitching in the window and press it onto the tape.
4. Fold the left panel over the back of the fabric and stick it down.

A single bat, ghost or bell fits a small card well. Write your message before you tape the stitching in.

3. A bookmark

Stitch two or three small motifs in a row on a strip of Aida, or stitch one at the top. Then:

1. Trim the strip to about 2 by 7 inches.
2. Glue or iron it onto a slightly bigger strip of felt or card.
3. Add a tassel through a hole at the top, or leave it plain.

The candy and lollipop patterns make a fun trick-or-treat bookmark together.

4. A hoop display

The easiest finish of all: leave the stitching in a small wooden hoop.

1. Center the design in a 4 or 5-inch hoop and tighten it.
2. Trim the fabric at the back to about 1 inch outside the hoop.
3. Sew a running stitch around the edge of the fabric, pull it tight to gather the fabric behind the hoop, and tie off.
4. To hide the back, glue a circle of felt over it.

Hang it from the hoop's screw with a ribbon.

5. A fridge magnet

Small motifs make good magnets. Trim and back the stitching as for an ornament, using stiff card between the Aida and the felt, then glue a flat craft magnet to the felt. Skip the ribbon.

Which finish for which pattern?

Pattern size	Good finishes
Up to 2 inches	Magnet, card, bookmark
2 to 3 inches	Ornament, card, small hoop
3 to 5 inches	Hoop, cushion front, framed

Every pattern page lists the finished size on 14, 16 and 18-count Aida, so you can choose the finish before you start. For more ideas of what to stitch, see our Halloween ideas or browse the free patterns.