Super-size your cross stitch: tips from the experts!
Go big with your stitching and ditch the 14-count aida in favour of wood, metal and more! We've talked to three designers to find out how they supersize their cross stitch to make amazing, large-scale designs.
How did you get into cross stitch?
'I first learnt to cross stitch when I was little,' says Danielle Thompson (a cross stitch designer, blogger and creator). 'It wasn’t until I finished college that I really started crafting, doing cross stitch, embroidery and crochet, thanks to inspiration from super-cool designers, like the guys at Sublime Stitching.
'Once I saw all these quirky ideas during the indie art movement, I was hooked! I’m personally very interested in ways to put your own twist on home decor, and large-scale cross-stitch presents so many opportunities for this.'
What super-sized cross stitch project have you been working on?
'I adore vintage needlepoint patterns, and you can pretty much take any needlepoint design and translate that into a chart. I love the textural quality of the stitches, and I especially love the look of the thick yarn it uses. It feels so tactile, and there are so many fantastic colours available.'
'I’d been planning my pegboard wall art (above) for months, and had been inspired by some large scale cross stitch projects I’d come across on the internet.
I knew I wanted to do a wall hanging with yarn, and I chose to work on the pegboard as I loved the idea of how simple it would be to stitch on, since the holes and grid are already there for you.
I love that you can take cross stitch beyond typical applications such as hanging in an embroidery hoop.'
Where do you find inspiration for your large cross stitch projects?
'You can pretty much take any pixel art and create a large-scale cross stitch from it – it’s just squares you translate into stitches. I’ve seen lots more ideas online and on Pinterest – it’s just hard to make time for all the things I’d like to design!'
What inspired you to move away from small-scale cross stitch?
'Before I started my giant cross stitch projects, I’d never stitched before, but in 2005, I was working on an ecological design project using factory waste, which led me to visit a felt manufacturer where I found some beautiful off-cuts,' explains product designer Charlotte Lancelot.
'One in particular was a long section, 20cm (8in) wide, with holes. I wanted to design a product with this material, so I started to fix the path together with cross stitches.
The oversizing of embroidery really highlights the beauty of the technique, and I like that it highlights how long it takes to make a product by hand.'
Why do you love super-sized cross stitch?
'Through giant cross stitch, people can rediscover a craft they always knew in a different form. The material and the reference of our past generations are really reassuring, and I think it’s important to have an emotional attachment to our living space by working with textiles like these.'
Designer and creator of Stedi, Eline Kirsanova says 'My grandmother was a great embroiderer, and she first taught me how to stitch. I still have many of the items she made, and I love seeing the passion and hard work that goes into handmade cross stitched items.'
'Unconventional materials really draw me to them, as I love to combine different styles, materials and objects.
I enjoy decorating items in new ways, and wood especially has always been one of my great loves, so I started adding cross stitch to hangers, shelves and racks.
My shop, Stedi, is full of my unique designs, and I even make items to order.'
'Once you get the hang of stitching on a large scale, the sky’s the limit. I would highly recommend that any stitcher try it, as the results are just so exciting! You can add needlework to anything as long as you use the right tools, and I truly enjoy creating it.'
Go super size with your cross stitch
Thanks to all these designers for their handy tips and words of wisdom. Make it your goal this year to try giant cross stitch, and you'll discover the world's your oyster! Cross stitch onto wood, clothing, metal and more.
Learn how to cross stitch on clothing
Not sure where to start? Follow our how to cross stitch on clothes and tote bags tutorial and give your pieces a cross stitch makeover.
