There are two types of cross stitches, counted cross stitch and stamped cross stitch.

•Counted Cross Stitch is the most popular cross-stitch and requires the stitcher to refer to a chart, which indicates where the X's should be placed on the fabric, and what color they should be.

Cards - any of the smaller rectangular or square projects can be made into greeting cards  Fold the unfinished edges over and temporarily pin onto the back side of the project   Fold a piece of card stock in half  (in our diagrams, the orange is the front and the yellow the inside so it's easier to follow along, but cardstock is typically the same color on both sides) Lightly trace your cross stitch project onto the inside the folded cardstock   Try to make sure it's centered   If you'd like to print a title on your card, you can squiggle the project down a bit to leave room Set aside your cross stitch    Use an exacto knife to cut a hole out of your card stock where you traced... just in the half you did your tracing, not through both sides. Unpin the unfinished edges of your cross stitch and flatten back out again   Use double sided tape, masking tape or hot glue to glue your cross stitch inside the folded cardstock "card" so the project is peeking out of the hole you cut.  (This will be the front of your card) Fold a second piece of card stock in half (either the same color or a complimentary color).   Use hot glue or double sided tape to glue it inside the first piece of card stock (so the cross stitch is sandwiched in there) Print a message inside your card and/or on the front!

 

Framed Picture: Any of the projects can be finished this way. The simplest thing is to purchase a picture frame and some matting material.  Use masking tape to attach the project to the matting and then put it in the frame.   For a home made version, we do much the same thing as we do with the greeting cards:   Fold the unfinished edges over and temporarily pin onto the back side of the project   Lightly trace your cross stitch project onto the back of a piece of cardstock, poster board or fun foam which you've cut to the size you want your finished frame to be.    Try to make sure it's centered   Use an exacto knife to cut a hole out of your card stock where you traced    Unpin the unfinished edges of your cross stitch and flatten back out again   Use double sided tape, masking tape or hot glue to glue your cross stitch onto the cardstock so the project is peeking out of the hole you cut.   Use hot glue or double sided tape to glue a second piece over the back of the first (so the cross stitch is sandwiched in there)   You can decorate your frame with puffy paint, sequins, cut outs, etc but try not to make it too "busy"... you want your cross stitch to take center stage!    Hang on the wall or refrigerator.

 

Pillow: Any of the more square shaped projects can be finished this way. When you're finished cross stitching, simply cut out a piece of fabric the same size as your finished cross stitch    Pin the fabric and cross stitch with right sides together    Sew around three sides of the project leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam allowance  (use a sewing machine or hand stitching    Remove your pins    Flip your pillow right sides out     Stuff pillow with pillow stuffing (for small pillows, add a bit of lavender, chamomile, cinnamon or pot pourri to make a smelly pillow for inside a linen cupboard)    Sew up the last side of the pillow    Note:  keep in mind that these are beginner projects... feel free to spice things up by adding borders, ruffles or piping to your pillow if you're at a more advanced level.

2. Keep all tools and implements used on Aida fabric clean. Store scissors, marking pens, needles, and other tools in a safe place and dedicate them to cross stitching.

3. If you use a hoop, clean it with alcohol or mild detergent and allow to completely dry. Frames should be held by the frame and not the fabric. The natural oils from your hands may eventually stain the fabric.

4. To avoid creases, store Aida rolled up or flat instead of folded. A crease may be next to impossible to iron out, and fading may occur along the folds.