Reach the end of your hand cross stitch project. Great! Wow, it looks so beautiful too. 😍
But what now? Should you leave it as it is?
Of course not. 😒 you must end it so the pattern you work hard for stays intake. But as soon as I said this, one of my students stood up and asked me ‘how to end cross stitch’
I then said there are 4 methods to end cross stitch. But a basic way to,
Finish a cross stitch
To end a cross stitch by hand, weave the thread under a few stitches on the back, then trim the excess.
Then she asked, ‘How to finish a cross stitch project in a hoop? Which method works there?’ Hearing her questions, I decided to talk in detail.
At a glance:
- 4 Easy Methods to End Cross Stitch – Weaving Ends In, Waste-Away Thread, Pin Stitch, and Loop Stitch.
- Weaving Ends In – This can be done from the back (traditional method) or front
- Waste-Away Thread – Secure thread by stitching over a loose tail to lock it in place.
- Pin Stitch – Nearly invisible and ideal for isolated stitches or high-contrast areas.
- Loop Stitch – This creates a neat finish but works best when combined with another securing method.
Table of Contents
How To End Cross Stitch?
Honestly, there are many ways to end cross stitch. But I think this 4 way is the easiest one. Those methods are,
- Weaving Ends In
- Waist Away Thread
- Pin Stitch
- Loop Stitch
Weaving Ends In
There is also 2 ways to do this method.
- Weaving in Ends from the Back
- Weaving in Ends from the Front
Weaving in Ends from the Back
Waving in ends from the back answers your How to finish a cross stitch without a hoop questions.
Once you’ve completed your final stitch, don’t just cut the thread yet. Flip your fabric so the back side is facing you.
Slide your needle under 3–4 stitches on the back of the fabric. This secures the thread without adding extra bulk.
Cut the thread as close to the fabric as possible without damaging the stitches. This prevents loose ends from getting caught or tangled. The thread is now secured, and the back remains tidy. I use this method for French knots in cross stitching.
This ending method works with all types of cross stitches.
Weaving in Ends from the Front
This method is useful when your hoop or frame is fixed in a stand. Cause it’s difficult to turn your work over.
Before cutting, bring the needle up to the front of the fabric.
Run the needle underneath 3–4 stitches on the front. It’s like choosing stitches that are the same or a very similar color so the thread blends in. This is also helpful for finishing cross stitches quickly.
Cut the thread as close as possible without snipping any stitches. The thread is neatly secured without flipping the fabric. It keeps your stitching process uninterrupted.
So whenever you wander around,
How to finish a cross stitch project in a hoop
Weave the ends using the front method to finish a cross stitch project in a hoop. Or you can use this method for any kind of cross stitch method.
Waist Away Thread
Let’s talk about the waste-away thread method.
Once I’ve finished my stitches, I park the waste-away thread in an area where I know I’ll stitch over it later. This means I leave a short tail of thread hanging in place. As I continue stitching, whether with a different color or even the same color,
I stitch over the loose thread on the back. This secures it in place without any extra effort.
When I reach the tail’s end, I simply clip it close to the fabric and toss the excess away. That’s it! The thread is locked in, and there’s no need for knots or weaving.
Remember one thing,
Maintain the color contrast. If my waste-away thread is black and I’m stitching over it with a pale blue. I might see a faint shadow of the black thread under the lighter stitches.
To avoid this, I use a similar color or position the waste-away thread carefully. This trick is perfect for the counted cross stitch method.
Cross Stitch Pin Stitch Finish
Pin stitch to end cross stitch is one of my favorites. Once you’ve finished your stitch. Follow the fabric’s weave and bring the needle up in the correct spot.
If the weave is vertical, bring the needle:
- Up at the top
- Down in the middle
- Up at the bottom
- Down in the middle again
Bring the needle up again without turning the fabric and clip the thread close to the fabric without damaging any stitches. This will create a perfect cross stitch ending thread pin stitch.
This method is excellent for securing isolated stitches or high-contrast colors where other methods might leave visible tails. That’s how to end cross stitch with thread.
My Personal Tricks To End Cross Stitch Combining The Pin Stitch With The Waste-Away Thread Method
Sometimes, I mix the pin stitch with the waste-away thread technique. Instead of placing the pin stitch directly under the last stitch.
I place it 1 inch away from it. Then, as I continue stitching, I cover the tail on the back, securing the thread even more.
However,
This requires careful planning. You must ensure that the pin stitch is positioned where you will stitch over it. Otherwise, it will remain visible in the final design. Also, avoid ending a dark thread in an area where you’ll be stitching with light-coloured thread, as the contrast may show through.
Loop Stitch
The loop stitch method is another way to secure your thread when finishing a cross-stitch project.
As you stitch the last leg of your final cross-stitch, instead of finishing in the opposite corner.
Bring your needle back through the first hole, creating a loop on the back.
Bring your needle up through the opposite corner.
Then, pass it through the loop before tightening it. Pull the thread gently until the loop disappears underneath the fabric.
This method creates a neat and discreet finish, but it’s not always secure enough. Since the loop stitch doesn’t provide strong tension, combining it with other finishing methods is the best.
If you are confused, use the cross stitch time calculator. You will know the exact number of stitches you need to do.
How To Finish A Cross Stitch For Framing?
After that, she also asked about when I was doing the stitch in a frame. How do you close the end of a stitch, then? Well,
When I finish a cross-stitch project, I take a few extra steps to ensure it looks perfect in a frame. Here’s how I do it:
Trim & Center the Design
Before cutting, I always leave about 2 inches of extra fabric around the stitched area. Then, I carefully find the centre.
of my design and make sure it’s perfectly aligned for framing.
Mount on a Backing
I use an acid-free foam board to keep my fabric taut and wrinkle-free. Depending on the project, I either:
- Lace the fabric at the back by stitching a zigzag pattern across with strong thread.
- Or, if I’m in a rush, I’ll use pins or acid-free tape to hold it in place temporarily.
Now, I place my mounted fabric into a frame that complements the design. If I use glass, I ensure it’s non-glare or UV-protected to prevent fading. I also secure the back with a dust cover to keep it clean.
That’s it. Your project is secure. You can try it with embroidery vs cross stitch too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Secure The Ends Of Cross Stitch?
To secure the ends of a cross-stitch thread, weave it under 3–4 stitches on the back, use a pin stitch, or try the waste knot method. Trim the excess thread close to the fabric without cutting your stitches to keep the back neat and secure.
Can I End A Cross Stitch Without Turning My Hoop?
Yes! You can weave the thread from the front by sliding it under existing stitches. This is useful if your fabric is in a stand and flipping it over is inconvenient.
What Is The Pin Stitch Method For Ending A Thread?
The pin stitch is a nearly invisible way to anchor your thread. You stitch into the fabric following the weave pattern, creating a small, secure hold that disappears under your stitches.
Should I Cut The Thread Close To The Fabric?
Yes, but carefully! Trim the thread as close as possible without snipping any stitches to prevent loose tails from showing or unravelling.
Now It’s Your Turn To End Your Cross Stitch
So that’s how to end cross stitch. That’s all the 4 methods I use to end cross stitch. Which one do you think is the easy one?
Which one will you use to secure the cross for the next sewing project?
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