Welcome to my sewing world

A cross-stitch sampler is an example of this beguiling craft that has been around for almost as long as cross-stitch itself. It is a decorative piece of work designed to showcase an eye catching variety of motifs, alphabets, and stitches, thereby displaying the stitcher’s skill and creativity. Samplers are “busy” patterns with their variety of colors and elements that, when well designed, blend seamlessly into a common theme.
However, many cross-stitch lovers may like some aspects of some samplers, but they really cannot find one that fits with what they want to do. If you are one of those people, then you might wish to consider making your own cross-stitch sampler. While the task may sound daunting, it’s nowhere near as difficult as it sounds.
Use Pre-Made Samplers
The easiest way to make a sampler your own is to use a pre-designed sampler and just change a couple of elements, such as the colors; whereby you can substitute your own colors for those listed in the pattern. You may also be able to change some wording or small design features.
However, if your need is in the design elements, you can actually use a combination of pre-designed samplers. Do some shopping on the internet and in your local craft store. You can take some of the best aspects of the designs to put them into your own sampler. You can accomplish this task in a variety of ways.
In order to compile your own designs, you can photocopy patterns and then cut and paste them onto a piece of paper, coming up with an accurate count for your pattern. You might need to fill in some blank spaces and make some adjustments. You can also take a piece of graph paper and copy down each design where you want it to create your own set of elements in your cross stitch pattern.
Create Your Own From Scratch
While using other elements in the cross-stitch pattern is one way to go, you can also create your own from scratch. You may decide that you want to draw your own sampler. If you are new to cross-stitch samplers, you might need to do some research first to see how other designers have incorporated elements that you are considering using in your own sampler. One way to get started is to use some graph paper and colored pencils to build your sampler that shows off your own skill and creativity. If you want to become even more advanced in designing your own cross-stitch samplers, you can also purchase programs that allows you to create them using your computer.
Using Computer Programs
Some cross-stitchers want elements of their samplers to come from photos or images that they have sitting around. In the past it would have been challenging to convert those photos to cross-stitch patterns. Today however there are several good software programs available that even match up the colors you are considering with name brands of floss. This makes the process much easier, and does not require the effort of going to the craft store to find your colors. Also, you can size your sampler to fit your needs by seeing how large or small your sampler will be using different cross-stitch fabrics.
These same computer programs that allow you to create cross-stitch patterns also allow you to convert scanned photos and images to patterns you can use in your samplers. However, remember that a sampler is just that: a sampler. You need to show off a little bit of everything you can do, so keep those images a small part of the big picture.
By following the advice given above you’ll soon have a beautiful sampler any stitcher would be proud of. A sampler designed to display your very own creative skills and cross stitch talents.

Everybody would like to leave their loved ones something special when they pass away so cross stitchers and the companies that develop cross stitch designs are now, more than ever, turning to the classics in order to produce a unique and very personal heirloom.

Celebrations cross stitch

Currently there is a wide range of cross-stitch designs available for you to record those special occasions, such as:

the birth of a baby

a wedding

an anniversary

a special birthday.

You can hang these cross stitch pictures on a wall for a life time and not only will they bring back fond memories of the occasion itself; they will bring back equally happy memories of the person who actually did the stitching.

Generally these designs are aimed at intermediate cross stitchers and when framed and placed in a prominent position can be a real conversation piece.

Christmas heirlooms

Cross stitching a beautiful design or a family scene onto a large Christmas stocking can make a great heirloom that will be brought out and cherished every Christmas.

Generation after generation can fill it with sweets and little treats year after year and when the children ask where it came from, it will be fondly remembered as your handy work.

Crossword style heirlooms

You can use all of the names within your family to produce a cross stitch piece in the style of a crossword. Designing the pattern will take some time as you will need to make all of the names fit together. However, when all of the names are stitched in complementary colours and a pretty border design is put around the name crossword, it will be an adorable heirloom that will be forever in the family.

By leaving space around the edges or by spreading the names out you can always add new family members as they arrive so that it is always up-to-date.

Samplers

Samplers come in all shapes and sizes and they can contain pretty much anything you want them to. They are normally quite intricate projects and so are great to stitch as a family heirloom as they will be admired and treasured with each passing generation.

You may wish to cross stitch a family motto or a saying that you are well known for so that the sampler is personal to you and your family.

… and of Course There’s Always The Classics

Why not go all out and cross stitch one of the famous classic paintings such as The River by Monet or the Vase with Irises by Van Gogh. There are now hundreds of classics and more modern paintings to choose from and although they do take an experienced stitcher a lot of spare time they are well worth the effort.

You can pick a painting that is particularly special to you and your family and turn it into a work of art of your own making.

New style cross stitch heirlooms

A number of companies today (including Patterns Patch) offer a useful service where you send them a photo of a loved one or a special pet and they produce a counted cross stitch pattern in your specified stitch count so that the finished piece is as big or as small as you want it.

You can then cross stitch the design yourself and recreate the original photo but in the unique craft of cross stitch.

An Heirloom is a wonderful keepsake to pass on to the next generation of your family, and one that you have cross stitched yourself will be infinitely more special and lovingly treasured. It is a way of passing on a legacy and ensuring that you will be remembered always.

A wedding or anniversary is a time to celebrate and be joyful, but it can also be time to get creative and personal with your cross-stitch craft. A wedding is something the bride and groom will want to remember for the rest of their lives, so why not give something that comes from your heart so they can always have that special reminder. You can give them the gift on the wedding day or even years later on a special anniversary.
Make It Personal
When deciding to celebrate weddings and anniversaries in cross-stitch you can enjoy the ease with which you can personalize the craft. It is easy to add dates and names to just about any cross-stitch project. Find a design that represents their wedding day and add simple wording with their names and the date of the wedding. You can also add other information like where they were married or the children they have had over time.
Common Themes
Using the same theme and colors of the wedding is most popular when creating cross-stitch wedding gifts, however you are not limited to those colors or themes. Sometimes you can just use colors found in the home or office. If you are a skilled cross-stitch designer, you might be able to create a copy of the invitation into a cross-stitch design. One great theme for an anniversary gift is a family tree. After a couple has children and grandchildren, a cross-stitched family tree can bring a lot of joy and togetherness to a couple and their family… which of course becomes of an heirloom if so wished.
Project Ideas for Cross-stitched Wedding and Anniversary Gifts:
Framed Art
The family tree gift for an anniversary is a great idea for a framed art cross-stitch project. Offering the couple a piece of art that looks beautiful hung up on a wall is an excellent reminder of their special day.
Photo Album
Oftentimes the bride and groom end up with a lot of photos. You can create a handmade photo album by using your cross-stitched design on the front. This is also a good project for a couple’s anniversary, because they can put pictures they have taken together through the years in the pages of the scrapbook.
Sign-In Book
At the wedding or anniversary party, guests usually sign in on a guestbook. Instead of the couple having to buy a generic book at the store, why not create your own cover for the sign-in book using a personalized cross-stitch design.
Garter
“Something borrowed, something blue, something old, and something new” is an old traditions at weddings. You can create a garter from a cross stitch project making it much more personal to the couple.
Handkerchiefs
Another tradition at weddings is to offer the bride a handkerchief. You can find handkerchiefs to stitch on initials and the date of the wedding. They are also a nice gift to give to the groom.
Headband
Many brides wear a headband at either the ceremony or reception. You can use your cross-stitch skill to create an attractive cover for a headband.
Ring Pillow
The ring-bearer’s pillow is also a fun way to incorporate your cross-stitch ability into a wedding. You can stitch a beautiful wedding design onto the pillow that the ring bearer will use to carry the wedding rings to the altar.
Quilt
If you possess both the ability to cross-stitch and sew, this is an excellent keepsake for a wedding or anniversary gift. You can cross-stitch some squares to use on the quilt to make it personal and cozy.
Wall Hanging
Like the framed art, creating a wall-hanging is a nice way to remember the couple’s special day while having something nice to fill that empty space.
Keepsake Box
Every couple has items from their marriage that they want to keep in a safe place. There are keepsake boxes available that allow you to put your cross-stitch fabric across the top or in a frame on the top. These boxes are particularly useful for storing the smaller items retained from a wedding.
Cross stitching a gift for any anniversary, whether one year or seventy-five, is a great idea. Anniversaries come in many different forms, and there are numerous occasions, other than wedding anniversaries, which you can celebrate that are so special…
Buying your first home, recovering from a life threatening illness or finding remission from illness, becoming a mother, grand parent or a great grand parent, adopting a child, or winning an award through work or lifetime achievement are all days that too often go unnoticed and can warrant a special gift that really comes from the heart; a cross stitched personal piece of art.