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Has Social Media Improved Cross Stitch? 19 Nov 3:00 AM (5 days ago)

You can walk into pretty much any craft shop today and you’ll find something to do with cross stitch. From kits and patterns to threads and notions, cross stitch has managed to become so intertwined with craft that it’s a byword for the cute craft astetic. And in no part as social media flown under the radar while this happened; instead being the bastion for all things craft in our modern times. But has social media and cross stitch been a good relationship? And more importantly, has social media improved cross stitch for the better?

The Good Old Days?

If you told me when I started cross stitching that it would not only be a common craft, but a social media darling, I would have laughed at you. I remember when I had no where to show my stitching, taking to the fringes edges of the web to find cross stitch forums that would fit a niche that it felt like only I had.
But it was those forums that build the original; cross stitch craze, perfectly timed so that cross stitch history and a global recession hit a sweet spot in time. Those forums grew, moved platforms, and now social media groups on the likes of Facebook hold up to two million global members.
And channels like YouTube now host cross stitch guides and tips to help new stitchers or advanced stitchers alike. And that’s nothing to say of the massive followings FlossTubers get.
But was it actually better ‘back in the day’?

I’m definitely not one to harp back to yesteryears, but I do wonder just how much cross stitch has changed thanks to its social media overlords…

 

 

Accessibility

The first arguably positive outcome is that of simply being more accessible. From tutorials and guides everywhere, to groups of like minded cross stitchers on Reddit offering advice, someone can now hear about French Knots, watch a video and learn how to do them perfectly every time all within an evening. For someone who may have puzzled over shading, or learning how to dither, these techniques are now just a simple search away.

But with this comes pressure too. The ever present pressure to be perfect.
Social media thrives on visual perfection, and small and simple projects can seem insignificant in the face of mammoth epic cross stitches or walls of professional looking photo-ready masterpieces. I’ve even caught myself hesitating before posting a project, wondering if it’s good enough. I still don’t post to Reddit on projects I see as ‘failures’.

Looking for guides?
Explore all our cross stitch guides to master everything from basics to advanced techniques:

Energy

But with this level of access and scrutiny also comes passion.
Once where there was a massive barrier to entry, social media now blasts funny and creative cross stitch in the face of the younger audience, through clever ideas or memes. These new stitchers are the life blood of cross stitch, but at the same time, this also draws away from the traditions.
Long gone are the days when every one stitched a home sweet home sampler, now small snappy designs and eye catching whit is rewarded. Traditional larger works are overlooked, with many designs now being made for the camera or a quick buck on sites like Etsy rather than the passion for the craft.

Cross Stitch Mistakes

But despite this shift, the new social audience is also more accepting, and honest, about cross stitch mistakes.
I remember when people would chastise others for having a messy back, or gate off basic information as a ‘need to know’. But now people proudly show off their messy backs knowing that they’ll do better next time, wearing it as a badge of honour instead of shame.
Sure, beginners can feel that they’re falling short when others show fantastic firsts, but there are just as many people honest about accidentally using Aida instead of waste canvas or stitching with a full skein instead of 2 threads, and there are always those seasoned stitchers ready and waiting in the wings to offer free support and a kind word.

 

The Rise Of The Cross Stitch Designer

But the biggest win in my mind is that of the designer. Where patterns could only be sought from craft shops or niche cross stitch magazines, pattern generation and design has truly been delivered into the hands of the every day stitcher.
Yes, this may now be in the process of loss, thanks to AI in cross stitch, but designers like myself have a place we can turn our passion into a business. An opportunity where a simple quick click will lead to a sale.
But so can that quick click also lead to a poor choice. AI slop or pattern mill designs and copyright infringed works still plague places like Temu.

Conclusion

So whilst there are negatives to all of these, I have to admit, the positives are hard to ignore. Social media kept the craft not only alive, but relevant and constantly changing. Once where people asked is cross stitch dead? now people talk about sarky stitches, in-jokes, and playful designs. All side by side with traditional works and the slower rhythm of cross stitch.

For me, undoubtably I can see social media has changed cross stitch. And I think for the better.
It’s opened doors, created new friendships, new businesses, and taught thousands a new craft that helps with mental health. But it has also created new pressures, commercial motives that wear people out, and unfair comparisons to masters in the craft.

But cross stitch has, and always will be, one of community. Those negatives are always heavily outweighed by the passion of seasoned stitchers, but the love for the craft, and the busy, diverse and imperfect little community we have.
The hobby no longer hides in the background, and we can proudly say we cross stitch, supported by cross stitchers everywhere.

I don’t think social media has saved or ruined cross stitch. Instead I think it amplified it. It took a simple hobby where with a needle and thread you can stitch a design into being, and allowed others to see the pleasure in that too.

A quiet afternoon with some aida and needle still feels the same, even if now the whole world can watch too.

Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan

References

1. Thiriez. Thiriez Museum. Publish Date: 23-08-07. Access Date: 09-08-25.

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7 Unique Cross Stitch Ideas: From Monograms to Maps 12 Nov 3:03 AM (12 days ago)

Cross stitch patterns and designs tend to be fairly basic with little to make them different from each other, but there are some truly unique cross sttich ideas out there, and you’re only a needle a way!

Why Unique Cross Stitch Projects Stand Out

Cross stitch forums, blogs and flosstubes are all filled to the brim with completed cross stitches. Sure, there are some regular repeat patterns, like our epic Pokemon patterns, but stores like Etsy are filled with new designs and designers coming out hourly. Its frankly, hard to keep up with.

But whatever pattern you pick, its probably a flat, pixelated design. It isn’t massively different from the other patterns. So when a truly unique cross stitch design comes up, it stands out from the crowd.
So we’ve put together a list of some of the most unique cross stitch design ideas to get your mind working, and make your next project stand out!

Monograms and Personalized Designs

We stard with some classic ideas. I know that seems like an oxymoron, but a classic cross stitch pattern can be turned into something unique easily. In fact, we recently went over the different ways you can make personalized cross stitch gifts. From adding text, to personal bookmarks, there are a bunch of ways you can turn a traditional stitching project into something extra special.

Our personal pick is creating a cross stitch portrait, a truly personal gift, but easy thanks to things like Stitch People’s book, offering a way to easily create a custom design.
If this is your first foray into cross stitch designing, I would definately recommend!

 

Everyday Objects as Cross Stitch Designs

Pivoting slightly away from personalised or even custom cross stitch designs, a unique design might be as simple as how you use a pattern.

You can combine cross stitch and inteior design, or simply cross stitch onto objects and create unique finished pieces, without having to think about making your own designs.
Some of the best ideas we’ve seen is taking a slice of an existing pattern to make a bookmark, or repeat a pattern on a very long peice of fabric like the star wars saga cross stitch, or turning a larger pattern into a tiny cross stitch masterpeice.

 

Maps and Geography in Cross Stitch

Next we’re going to look at maps. This is in the title, so shouldn’t suprise you that we’ve included it, but some of the most unique cross stitch designs we’ve seen in the last two decades have been maps.

You can make a city map, a road map, a country with a heart on it, a star chart, or even make a world map and slowly fill it out as you explore the world. When it comes to maps, there really aren’t many things you can’t stitch. We’ve even rounded up some of the best video game and pop culture maps on a previous post, so you can get your geek on too.

Try combining this with a meaningful thing and it becomes even better too. The place you first met, maybe the journey you took on a roadtrip, or just a hilarious Strava map…

 

Pop Culture and Modern References

We’ll quickly pass over this one, but I personally love pop culture and video games, its what I’ve been cross stitching for the last 20 years afterall, but there are some truly unique ways of recreating in-jokes, memes and the best moments.
Think Homer Simpson disapearing into a bush, Ross from Friends telling Rachael to ‘Pivot!’ the couch, or just a classic cross stitch sampler based on your prefered show or movie.

Check out our list of great pop culture cross stitch for more!

Functional and Interactive Cross Stitch

If you’re looking for a real challenge though, how about making something a little more functional, or interactive?

There are a few ways to do this too. From adding in electronics into cross stitch like the amazing work by Shih Wei Chieh and others, or you can turn the cross stitch into a 3D item using plastic canvas, or something even more complicated if you have a 3D printer!

There really is no end to the positibilies here either. You can add lights, add sound, make it move with mini motors, turn it into a phone case, make an ornament and more.
Its time to think beyond the flat cross stitch design and start looking at 3D unique cross stitch instead!

 

Mixing Techniques and Materials

To wrap up, we have one more crazy idea that might just make the most unique idea yet.
By changing up techniques or materials you can make something super clever.

Printed Aida

Firstly, have you heard about printed aida?
DMC have their own printed aida range, but you can also print on aida at home to create some truly unique fabrics. By making your background printed instead of stitches (or nothing at all) you can elevate your work to a unique new level.

Different Fabrics & Stitches

Secondly, what about mixing up things a little bit?
Instead of stitch on just aida, try stitching on other cross stitch fabric types, or say ‘hell to it’ and stitch on something that isn’t fabric at all!

But it doesn’t have to stop there; you could incorporate more backstitch, or add in loads of french knots (if you’re crazy) or just add in other embroidery stitches!

 

Inspiration for Your Next Unique Cross Stitch

Hopefully the above give you some form of inspiration for your next cross stitch project. From thinking in 3D to just stitching a joke, there are always ways to make a unique cross stitch. Try combining a few ideas to make something really unique!
 
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I design a custom cross stitch map?

After working out what type of cross stitch map you want, you should be able to add your map into a cross stitch pattern application and you’ll get a custom pattern.

What are easy ways to personalize a cross stitch pattern?

You can personalize your cross stitch patterns in many ways, from adding text, changing colors and stitching personal designs.

Can I add names or dates to an existing cross stitch chart?

Yes, and this is a great way to personalize a cross stitch project. Find a free cross stitch alphabet pattern and simply add text to your pattern.

The post 7 Unique Cross Stitch Ideas: From Monograms to Maps appeared first on Lord Libidan.