I Love My Home State Cross Stitch Project
I’m an avid cross stitcher – if that is the correct term for it – and I can spend hours just making little tiny x- marks with thread and watching movies. The idea for this project was inspired by a cross stitch project I completed last year of a full USA Map project featured in Country Living magazine.
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I Love My Home State Cross Stitch Project
For this project, you will need:
- 4″ Wooden Embroidery Hoop to frame the pattern
- Cross Stitch embroidery hoop to stitch the pattern
- DMC thread colors as shown on the pattern
- Scissors
- 16 Count Aida Cloth
- Printer and paper
- Modge Podge
- Various scrap pieces of fabric in any color or pattern you choose
For starters, I searched online and found a few maps of the United States. This was a little tricky because I had to print out a copy, scan it back into my computer, and have it enlarged to get the states I needed to a bigger size for the project. You may have to do something similar or may be able to print it out at the correct size the first time. As long as it fits within the 4″ embroidery hoop, you should be okay.
I have actually lived in three states, so I decided to make a project for all three. I was born and raised in North Carolina. The military moved us to Texas for a few years, but we decided to settle in the mountains of Tennessee, where we have lived for 16 years now.
For each state-shaped cutout, I decided to use solid fabric that I already had in my stash. Whatever style or pattern of fabric you use for this project is totally up to you. Then, you just pin each state pattern to the fabric and cut out each little state.
I stitched the pattern below on the Aida cloth using two strands of thread to make the I Heart symbol. I created this pattern on a free online cross-stitch pattern creator called Stitch Fiddle.
After stitching three sets of this pattern, I attached the state cutouts with Modge Podge to the Aida cloth and centered each stitched pattern below. I allowed this to dry overnight.
The next step I added was necessary because my choice of woven fabric was fraying around the edges. I added the detail of a very primitive-looking stitch around each state cutout, resembling old quilt stitches. It’s not fancy, but it holds the fabric in place.
The final steps were to frame each pattern with the 4″ wood embroidery hoops and cut away the excess Aida cloth from the back. I hung these in my craft room along with Country Living Magazine’s Cross-Stitch Pattern of all the states, which I completed last year. (You can find this pattern on their website for free.)
“Seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands”
1 Thessalonians 4:11
More posts to visit and enjoy:
Finishing What I Started – Cross Stitch Project Out of the Craft Room
Weekend Roundup – Winter Themed Cross Stitch Projects
Cute idea for gifts. I have done cross stitch projects when I was a kid but haven’t tried them recently.Your project is giving me the inspiration to try again. #HomeMattersParty
Glad to hear that Sahana. I wish I had more time to relax and enjoy it most days.
What a cute idea for a cross stitch project. These would make great gifts, too. #HomeMattersParty
Those are cute! I’d never heard of stitchfiddle before…very cool. Thanks for linking up at the Home Matters Link Party! #HomeMattersParty
I love these and you have my home state-Texas!
Thanks Lynn. I only lived in Texas for three years but it certainly leaves a lasting impression. I need to go back and visit.
How cute are these! Thanks for sharing for #iDIYed that!
These are so sweet, and how fun to make these for gifts! This would be fun for my Mom and Dad who have lived in over nine states! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Thanks Chloe
These are so cute! I love them too! Pinned to share. Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up with us for Brag About It this week
Thanks Laurie!