How To Make A Cross Stitch Bookmark – Simple, Fantastic Finish!
There’s nothing better than turning a cross stitch design into a functional item. I’ll show you how to make a cross stitch bookmark in this tutorial. This method is simple, prevents fraying from occurring, and adds a nice, clean finish.
Cross Stitch Bookmark Tutorial
Materials Needed
I recommend stitching the design you want to use for the bookmark before you cut or assemble the fabric. That way, you can cover the back of the stitches for a neat finish. Doing it in this order also allows you to place the fabric in a hoop or frame while you stitch, which will be way easier on your hands.
You’ll want to use a cross stitch design with finished dimensions around 2 x 7 or 3 x 8 inches. For this tutorial, I used my goose bookmark pattern.
You’ll also need:
- iron
- cotton quilting fabric
- scissors
- sewing pins
- cutting mat or ruler for measuring
- embroidery needle
- embroidery floss (choose a similar color as the background fabric or edge of cross stitch design)
Trim The Fabric
Press the bookmark to remove any wrinkles or creases in the fabric.
Then, cut out the fabric around the finished design, leaving a ½ inch margin along each side of the design. Cut the backing fabric the same size as the cross stitch fabric.
Cut out small squares along the corners to remove some of the bulk around the corners. Leave a little bit of fabric uncut near the design’s stitches. If you’re using Aida, I like to leave at least one thread intact beside the design. Repeat for the backing fabric.
Press The Edges
Fold and press the edges to the back of the cross stitch design, leaving 1-2 threads/blocks of Aida along the edge of the design.
Double-check that the folds are even and folded straight along the grainline of the fabric.
Place the folded sides together and pin them in place.
Grab an embroidery needle and two strands of floss. Next, we’ll secure the two layers together using a back stitch.
- Tie a knot at the end of the thread. First, go down through the backing fabric only with a needle and thread to hide the knot.
- Then come up through both layers of the fabric along the edge of the design.
- Skip backward across 2 or 3 stitches and make a stitch, pulling the thread through to the back.
- Skip ahead 2-3 stitches and come up with the needle and thread.
- Skip backward across 2 or 3 stitches and make another stitch. (The ends of this stitch and the first stitch should share the same hole.)
- Repeat these steps all the way around the border of the design to secure the fabric in place. When you’re finished, secure the thread with a knot!
It’s really that simple! You can, of course, add more frills to your bookmark. Add some lace along the edge, or check out this post to learn how to add decorative bullion knot edges.
If you found this tutorial helpful, I think you’ll love this post with a bunch of ideas for finishing cross stitch projects.
Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.
