10 cross stitch borders to frame your patterns perfectly
There are many ways to finish your cross stitch, such as converting it into a cushion, framing it or using magnetic hangers to mount it on the wall. If you’ve picked a chart without a border within the design, you may want to add one for a finishing touch.
While most designs don’t require a border as the main design already stands out, sometimes adding detailed touches to the edges of a simple design can turn it from plain to grand.
Adding a stitched border will not only make your stitches shine but also bring a touch of needlework flair to simple canvases.
If the pattern you’re working on doesn’t include a border or corner flourish but you want to add one, it’s best to work on a larger piece of aida to make sure you have room for it. Ideally, you’ll plan it out before you start, but sometimes inspiration comes along the way. It can help to print out a PDF chart or photocopy a magazine or printed chart (for your personal use only) and judge the best way to align the sections.
It can also be handy to sketch out your plan on plain grid paper to ensure your designs will be beautifully matched. Whatever you choose, sometimes the finer details all fall into place with something as simple as a border or decorative corner.
Border patterns can look great on their own too! Try stitching onto aida band and making a celebratory cake wrap, stitching rows of different patterns to create a large design in a sampler style.
In this article, you'll find 10 of our favourite border and corner designs that pack a punch. Choose from a range of florals to ornate and intricate designs, you might even want to opt for some geometric shapes.
Whatever you’re working on, there's sure to be something in this curated collection that'll give your project a stellar finishing touch.
10 free cross stitch borders
1. Ancient floral borders
The perfect all-rounder, you can never go wrong with a floral border. This border collection from DMC features a selection of ancient-style floral borders in green hues and dazzlingly bright colours for a splash of sunshine.
Not only will this look oh-sew-stunning when framing a sampler, but it’s a nice way to decorate your canvas totes with some flower power.
You can download the free chart as a PDF from the DMC website.
2. Borders Cross Stitch Chart book
Filled to the brim with 300 border motifs ranging in styles, designs and colours, if you're an avid cross stitcher, this is a book to add to your bookshelf!
Explore Maria Diaz’s vast selection and decorate your samplers in ornate style. This book is also great value for money, only retailing at £9.15 from Amazon.
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3. Flower and vines border
Add a spring to your project’s step with a delicately detailed floral and vine border. This would look fabulous on stitching for the kitchen, such as on the front of aprons or when you’re labelling your herb garden. It'll also add a lovely pop of colour to the centrepiece of the design.
This pattern is available on Cyber Stitchers for free.
4. 150 basic borders
When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a PDF document with a plethora of borders and corner flourishes to choose from.
If you’re either an inexperienced stitcher or just want something with a little less flourish, these patterns are simple in shape and easy to follow so you can get those borders done in no time.
Visit Zahara’s Etsy to download this £9.49 PDF chart.
5. Handy borders and repeats
We’ve put together an easy-to-download and printable set of designs from The World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 214. Rhona Norrie has designed a full set of decorative and themed borders and corners and we’ve picked out some favourites.
Download the FREE printable PDF chart and start embellishing your projects!
6. Seven sunflower surrounds
We love these creative sunflower designs by FloReen Studio on Etsy. This downloadable PDF includes a selection of different designs and sizes that will be perfect for framing lots of projects or for gluing onto a photo frame. You can also easily substitute the colours for different shades to suit your pattern.
Visit FloReen Studio on Etsy to download this £3.33 PDF chart.
7. Durene Jones pretty pouch
We love this pretty nature-inspired design that can be used as a pencil case or makeup pouch and you’ll find the chart on Durene Jones’ Etsy store. You can stitch the full design for this project or use the rows of chart to frame or embellish other designs.
Visit Durene Jones’ Etsy store to download the ‘In the Garden Pouch’ PDF pattern for £5.00.
8. Crafty Christmas borders
It’s never too early to start thinking about our Christmas projects. After all, we want them done in time to spread some festive cheer!
Designed in traditional red thread stitched on white, these patterns capture the classic spirit of Christmas. You could always adapt this design for more festive colours, such as greens or golds, to immerse yourself in the essence of the festive season.
Get started on Craft with Cartwright’s free pattern available on their website.
9. Borders cross stitch booklet
Discover a range of borders spanning across 40 pages in DMC’s Borders booklet. This book is packed with creative choices for all of your projects. Add blooming bouquets or traditionally ornate designs to frame your centrepiece and make it stand out.
This booklet costs £6.40 from DMC’s website.
10. Beautiful borders & corners
With this inspiring selection from The World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 264, you’ll have plenty of ways to border your stitching.
Amanda Gregory has designed a full set of decorative and themed borders and corners, including roses, butterflies and a Celtic knot design. Download the printable PDF chart and start getting creative with your frames and finishes!
Free cross stitch borders to frame your work
These border patterns come in a variety of shapes, colours and styles, but they’re all designs that will get you excited when you stylise your projects.
Borders are fantastic for making the main focus of your design pop, but you can also use them to decorate tote bags and the hemming of aprons. You could even turn these borders into details on plain cushion covers! Whatever you choose, these borders are going to brighten your work.
Go mini with small cross stitch patterns
If you’re either in a time crunch and need to get a quick stitch in, or just want something charmingly cute to stitch, our handy small cross stitch patterns might just tickle your fancy!
