Why are you stitching here with the beautiful cross stitch project? Frame it and mount it on the wall. It deserves a prize. 😍
What if you don’t know how to frame cross stitch? 😒 it’s no big deal. In fact, there are many methods to do it. But the most common way is,
Frame Cross Stitch
To frame a cross stitch, stretch the fabric over a backing board, secure it with tape or lacing, and place it in a frame with or without glass.
But there is more way to do frame cross stitch. Let me show you.
Key takeaways:
- Washing before framing helps remove oils, dust, and hoop marks for a cleaner finish.
- Photo frames are a classic choice, using foam board or batting for a polished look.
- Foam board framing provides a sturdy, slightly raised effect with wadding and secure pinning.
- Embroidery hoops create an easy, rustic display with fabric glue to prevent fraying.
Table of Contents
Do You Have To Wash Your Cross Stitch Before Framing?
Yes, it’s a good idea to wash your cross stitch before framing, especially if you’ve been handling it a lot. Oils from your hands, dust, or even hoop marks can make the fabric look dull over time.
A gentle hand wash with mild soap and lukewarm water helps brighten the colors and remove any grime.
Just be sure to let it air dry flat and iron it on the back side with a towel over it to avoid crushing the stitches. If your fabric is clean and well-handled, you can skip this step.
Best Frame For Cross Stitch
Before framing cross stitch. Let’s choose the right frame for it 1st. But
Choosing the right frame for your cross stitch is as important as the stitching itself! A good frame enhances your artwork and protects it from dust, wrinkles, and damage. The key is to pick one that complements your design without overpowering it.
Here are a few frames you can use,
- Photo Frame
- Foam Board
- Wood Board
- Mat
- Embroidery Hoop
How To Frame Cross Stitch?
The process is different depending on which frame you are using. Since I don’t know which frame you use, I want to show you the cross stitch on a different frame.
Photo Frame: How To Frame Cross Stitch Picture Frame?
Framing a cross stitch piece isn’t just about making it look good. It’s about giving it the perfect finish while keeping it secure. I love going through the step-by-step process to ensure my stitches are displayed beautifully. Here’s exactly how I do it!
Measuring the Frame Opening
First, I measure the length and width of my frame’s opening. In this case, it’s 4 1/8 inches by 4 1/8 inches.
To centre my cross stitch,
I take my ruler and measure from the farthest stitch on the right, counting the number of empty stitches until I reach 4 1/8 inches. I got 15 open stitches. So, I divide that by two, meaning I’ll mark 7 stitches to the left and 8 to the right using a friction pen.
I repeat the same process for the top and bottom, count the empty stitches, divide by two, and mark the fabric.
Fitting the Project into the Frame
Now, I place my frame over my stitched piece to double-check the alignment. If everything looks centred, I grab my rotary cutter and trim 1 inch away from my marked lines, leaving a margin for later adjustments.
Next,
I measure the frame opening from the back (mine is 4 1/2 inches) and center my stitched piece within that space. I draw new lines around it to ensure extra fabric holds it in place.
Then, I fold the extra fabric along these lines and press it down with a seam roller. I avoid using an iron at this stage since heat can erase my friction pen marks!
Cut The Batting And Add The Embroidery To It
Before placing my piece in the frame,
I cut a 4 1/2-inch square of soft and stable batting. If I want my stitches to pop, I layer two pieces instead of one.
Now comes the final check—
I place everything inside the frame, adjust it to ensure it’s centred, and smooth out any wrinkles. Once I’m happy with its appearance, I press the edges with my iron to make everything crisp.
That’s it! Your project is ready to mount on the wall. You can use this frame for bead cross stitching, too.
Foam Board: How To Frame Cross Stitch With Foam Board?
Before mounting, I made sure my cross stitch piece was washed and ironed and gather cross stitch packs.
Here’s what I used for this project:
- Double-sided sticky tape
- A ruler
- Foam board (5mm thick, white)
- Wadding or batting
- Scissors or a rotary cutter
- Pins (any standard ones from a craft store)
Cutting the Cross Stitch Fabric
The first step was measuring my stitched area and adding 1-2 inches on each side. This extra fabric will be wrapped around the board.
So check your measurements before cutting—there’s no going back!
A quick tip: Follow the Aida fabric’s natural grid when cutting to keep the lines perfectly straight.
Cut the Foam Board
Next, I cut my foam board slightly smaller than my cross stitch fabric. This is important because the fabric needs to wrap around the sides of the board.
To ensure I got the perfect fit,
I centred the stitched design on the board and adjusted it until I was happy with how it looked.
Cut My Wadding
I cut my wadding (batting) to the same size as the foam board. Since my light-coloured fabric, I used white wadding to avoid any color showing through.
Attached is The Wadding To The Foam Board
Then,
I attached the wadding to the foam board with double-sided sticky tape and placed it face down onto the back of my cross stitch fabric. This step gives the final piece a soft, slightly raised look. This even works for junimo cross stitch pattern, too.
Pinned Down All Four Edges
After placing my foam board in the center of my fabric, I pinned down all four edges. Then, I wrapped the extra fabric around the board’s edges and secured it at the back. Don’t worry—no one will see the back once it’s mounted!
Adding a Decorative Ribbon
I added a decorative ribbon border to give the piece a polished, finished look. Since this was a Halloween design, I tried several ribbon styles before choosing a black and white cobweb-themed ribbon.
If you want a gathered ribbon effect, choose one with wire edges to shape it easily. I secured my ribbon at the back of the foam board so that just the right amount showed on the front.
Finishing Touches & Mounting
Once the ribbon was in place,
I added a black bow for extra detail (because why not?). Then, I secured the entire cross stitch piece to the backing board using double-sided tape.
You can use a glue gun or superglue for a permanent hold. But if you like swapping out designs for different seasons, Velcro strips work great!
Embroidery Hoop: How To Frame Cross Stitch In An Embroidery Hoop?
This is the easiest way frame you can choose from. And this is also the cheapest one. Here is how you can do it,
Drawing the Cutting Line
First, I flipped my hoop over to the back and drew a rough outline where I’d eventually cut the fabric. I kept my marking about ½ to ¾ of an inch outside the hoop, maintaining an even distance all around.
I used a pencil so the markings wouldn’t be visible from the front. If you’re like me and can’t cut a perfect circle freehand, drawing the line first really helps!
Applying Fabric Glue
Next, I grabbed my fabric glue and applied it all around the pencil line. This step is super important because it helps prevent fraying once I cut the fabric later.
Quick Tip: You could also try using fabric starch, but since Aida cloth already comes slightly starched, you’d probably need more than the standard amount for this method to work.
At first, my fabric glue was a little thick and clumpy (it had been sitting on a shelf for a while).
So, I gave it a good shake to get a better consistency. Then, I applied a generous amount of glue, covering the line fully.
Spreading the Glue for Full Coverage
Now for the messy part! I used my fingers to rub the glue into the fabric, ensuring it soaked through all the way. This step is key because it helps the glue penetrate the fibers, creating a strong, sealed edge.
Once happy with the coverage, I set the piece aside and let it dry for 30 minutes.
Cutting & Finishing the Edges
After drying, I noticed that my old Sew No More fabric glue had slightly yellowed the back of the fabric (probably because it was five years old!). But luckily, the front still looked perfect.
I carefully cut along the pencil line using a pair of embroidery scissors (you can also use fabric scissors). Thanks to the fabric glue, there was no fraying at all!
And just like that, my little sleep emoji cross stitch was finished. I sometimes use it for my needlepoint stitch, too.
I mostly use this to frame wedding cross stitch designs.
Mat: How To Frame Cross Stitch With Mat?
Another popular frame for cross stitch is a mat. I mostly use this frame for embroidery, too. Putting up he work here is so convenient. Here is how you can do it,
Preparing the Mat Board
I use mat board to mount the cross stitch, which I buy in 20×30-inch sheets. I cut it into a 14.5-inch square because the frame opening is 14 inches, leaving a ¼-inch lip all around. This ensures the fabric fits snugly when stretched over the board.
Adding Batting for a Softer Look
I like to place a layer of batting between the mat board and the cross stitch fabric to give it a softer, more professional look.
- The batting I use is a 14-inch square from Fat Quarter Shop.
- I attach it to the mat board with Aleene’s Acid-Free Glue. This glue is great for cross stitch projects!
Lacing the Cross Stitch Fabric
Instead of gluing or taping, I use lacing to stretch and secure the fabric around the mat board.
- I use cotton crochet thread and a long doll needle.
- I start in the middle of one side, taking small stitches across to the opposite side.
- I repeat the process for the other two sides, pulling the fabric taut as I go.
- I check the alignment with a ruler to keep the design centered.
- Finally, I secure the corners diagonally with a few stitches.
Inserting the Cross Stitch into the Frame
This cross stitch is going into a large vintage frame that originally came in white. I painted it using Farm Girl Chalky Chicks Paint in the color Apron Strings, then applied tinted wax to give it a slightly aged look.
Covering the Back for a Clean Finish
The back of the framed piece needs to look neat. So, I cover it with a fabric-wrapped foam core board.
- I use a thin foam board with adhesive backing.
- I wrap it in a fat quarter of my Prim fabric, ensuring the fabric is straight.
- I glue the edges down neatly.
I originally got this adhesive foam board from Hobby Lobby, but you can also find similar materials at Fat Quarter Shop.
Securing Everything in Place
I use glazing points to hold the cross stitch and back cover securely inside the frame.
- These are small, sharp metal points originally meant for securing glass in frames.
- I insert them into the wooden part of the frame using a flathead screwdriver.
- I usually place two on each side to keep everything firmly in place.
That your project is ready to showcase in your wall. You can try frames using all cross stitching methods.
Alternatives To Framing Cross Stitch
I love finding creative ways to finish my cross stitch without using a traditional frame. One of my favorites is the hoop finish,
Where I leave the piece in an embroidery hoop, trim the excess fabric, and secure the back with felt or glue. It’s simple and has a charming, rustic feel.
For something more decorative,
I sometimes go for a wall hanging by attaching the fabric to a wooden dowel with twine, letting it hang freely like a banner. If I’m working on smaller designs, I like making ornaments or magnets by mounting the piece onto wood slices, foam, or felt. It is perfect for gifts or seasonal decor.
I use this for another 5 types of decorative stitches, too. Framing is nice, but I love these alternatives because they let me use and display my work in fun, unexpected ways.
But if you want to skip the frame thing, use a pillow cover. Attach your cross stitch on the pillow cover. Trust me, that’s the most creative use of this stitch.
Loved this detailed method. Well then, you will also love how to outline the cross stitch technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you use a frame when cross stitching?
Not necessarily! While framing is a classic way to finish cross stitch, there are many creative alternatives like hoop finishes, wall hangings, pillows, and even tote bags. It depends on your desired look and how you plan to display or use your piece.
How do I display my cross stitch?
There are many ways to showcase cross stitch! You can frame it with or without glass, mount it in an embroidery hoop, turn it into a wall hanging, or sew it into pillows, ornaments, or even coasters. Consider stitching onto bags, book covers, or clothing if you prefer a practical approach.
Should you frame cross stitch with or without glass?
It depends on personal preference. Glass protects the fabric from dust and dirt but can cause glare and flatten the texture of the stitches. If using glass, consider spacers to prevent the stitches from being pressed. The piece maintains its texture and natural look without glass but may require occasional cleaning.
Now It’s Your Turn
That’s how to frame cross stitch. Altreas, that’s how I like to frame my cross stitch pattern.
Do you have any new Cross stitch framing ideas?
If you do, then share your ideas with sewinginspo. We would like to hear you.
Leave a Reply