Cross Stitch Tip - Adding a Simple Border to a Cross Stitch Design

Tigger submitted this tip about using a border to secure the edge of the Aida fabric with a border. She writes:

Use ordinarycross stitchesall around your fabric as close to the edge as possible before you start the project. Be sure to allow room for your work.

For a small design just do one line all the way round. For larger designs add more lines ofcross stitch patterns. When adding more lines, use more than just one color, picking up colors from theCross Stitch kitsyou are stitching. Try to pick colors that will not take your eyes away from the finished piece of work.

Adding these borders has the added benefit of stopping the material on the edge of your work from fraying too much. I find this very helpful because when I first learned to Cross Stitch I was instructed to fold the edge of the Aida fabric over and secure it by back stitch which is a pain when you're tying to stitch. The thread catches on the corners and the back stitches are a pain in rear end to take out when the project is complete. The cross stitched border is both effective and practical.

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