If you have read more than one post from me you will know that one of my favorite hobbies is cross stitching. The more complex the pattern the more I love it! But it is also nice to complete a project in just an afternoon like I did with these custom cross stitch locket inserts.
I decided to make a one of a kind gift for a close friend for her birthday out of custom cross stitch patterns I created. She loves all things Disney so I made her a cross stitch pendant necklace to wear on her upcoming trips. Home made gifts for birthdays and Christmas are a tradition with us, so this one was perfect.
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Custom Cross Stitch Locket Necklace
For this project you will need:
- Locket (I purchased mine at Michaels Craft Store
- 18″ Chain
- 22 Count Aida Cloth
- DMC Embroidery Thread in various colors
- Cross Stitch Needle
- Scissors
The first thing I had to find was a locket or pendant that I could insert the fabric into. I was lucky to find this version from Bead Landing at Michael’s for only $4.99. (Of course I used a coupon for this.) I was also able to find a chain in a 3-pack for only $3.99.
I knew what type of cross stitch pattern I wanted to put in the locket, and an extensive search on Pinterest uncovered many free and great ideas, but none that would fit in the locket even using 22-count cloth.
The only thing left to do was to create my own.
I first created the patterns on graft paper but then switched to an online program called StitchFiddle.com to create the patterns for free. Love that!
Color Charts and Patterns:
Pumpkin: 742 Orange, 703 Green (for leaf), 610 Brown (for stem), 310 Black(for ears)
Mickey: 666 Red, 310 Black, White (for buttons)
Harry Potter Glasses: 310 Black, 973 Gold (for lightning bolt)
Now that the charm “insert” bug had caught on for me, I also decided to make a couple of Harry Potter themed inserts for her locket as well. The first one, the Harry Potter glasses and lighting bolt scar were so easy to create on the online StitchFiddle software. Definitely not trying to steal from someone else as in I don’t think my design is an exact replica of someone else’s, but if it is, it was not intentional.
A search on Pinterest found this wonderful site by Alicia Sivert and you can find her post on her custom designed Hogwart’s House buttons here. You will have to translate her site to be able to actually read it, but the patterns are pretty self explanatory. Thanks Alicia for offering such a great project!
These Mini-Hogwart’s House Buttons fit perfectly in the locket.
I used the small round cut photo that came with the locket as a template to cut these out to the right size. The locket is actually two sided but the Aida fabric was too thick to use two of the inserts at the same time.
I hope you enjoy these and please visit Alicia’s site for even more great Harry Potter themed cross stitch patterns.
“If you…who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your fathers in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11
How fun! It’s a great craft! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
Donna,
That’s so cute and original! really awesome that you supplied some patterns! Thanks for sharing ! #HomeMattersParty
Jeannee
Thanks Jeannee. I haven’t made one for myself yet but do have the locket already. Just add it to my list of things to get done. LOL
What an adorable necklace. Would make such a nice gift! #homemattersparty
Thanks Michelle.
These are sooo cute! I used to cross stitch all of the time-this brings back fond memories. #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Lynnn. I have enjoyed cross stitch for a long time, just don’t make as much time for it as I should to unwind.
These are SO cute! What a fun idea. #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Sara!
What a sweet idea for Christmas gifts to give to your friends! Fabulous project!!
Thanks Sam. We are planning on meeting up in January at the Harry Potter Celebration at Universal Studios and I need to make one for myself too.
SO cute! 🙂
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