Making cross stitch cards

[natc]

Hello everyone!

Ive completed a few small christmas cross stitches and want to make them into cards. Ive got some aperture cards aswell with the envelopes, just wondered if anyone knew of a site or would tell me how to prepare your card to stick the cross stitch to. I know some aperture cards have a card sleeve type thing inside which you can put ya piece and and glue it shut, mine hasnt got those in. Also need to know what glue to use to stick it all together, as you can tell, im new to making cards! (and still a beginner cross stitcher, but trying!)

Thanks in advance

nat

[Wandatoo]

Hi Nat,

I've made lots of cross stitch cards, as you can see in my Gallery here.

I use narrow double-sided tape to attach the cross stitch to the card. I put tape on all four edges of the cross stitch and depending on the size, sometimes I put an extra strip in the middle of the stitching.

I've used bi-fold aperture cards, where the aperture is in the centre section, then you fold the left hand section to cover the back of the cross stitch and tape the sides in place. I've also made many of my own from card stock, as the aperture cards are hard to find here. So I either make my own aperture, or sometimes I fringe the cross stitch a bit and tape it onto the front of the card.

I also use different stickers inside the card, depending on the occasion, and I made up my own stickers on the computer, "Stitched for you by Valerie', which I put on the back. Check my gallery to see examples.

I googled 'cross stitch card' and found a few sites, like this one:
http://crossstitch.about.com/od/tipsfin ... ricblk.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Good luck!

[natc]

Thanks Wandatoo, will check out your gallery. Have seen the site you have linked earlier, it does help, but would be nice for it to show ya an example of the back of the cross stitch to see how they did it...im better with pics ha!

Seen this book which looks like a really good help, im just bidding on ebay for a brand new one, at half the price! So hope to get it, looks like it will be good. I will just do the cards how i think for now and hope for the best! hahaha. I think by doing things how ya want and experimenting with different techniques and materials etc is all part of being crafty! ha.

Thanks again.

x

[natc]

Sorry - forgot to link! http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/2463 ... 26+Hobbies

[Wandatoo]

If you don't get that book, look for "Crafting Cross Stitch Cards" by Sue Cook.

It includes 'How To' and several patterns for various occasions.

Not sure what you mean by showing the back of the cross stitch.

[natc]

Sorry, not a very good explanation i gave, looking back on my post! Im so rubbish at explaining - will try again!

Ive never made a cross stitch card before. Ive got a few finished small christmas cross stitch designs, ready to be put/made into a card. I got some cards and envelopes from hobbycraft AGES agao (!) and have just dug them out. The ones im using are just card folded in 2, one side has a hole for you to attach your design to http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productd ... alogue=-58 just like these on the hobby craft website.....i just really need to know how you attach your cross stitch to them, ive attached my 1st, practice one by gluing the edges of the cross stitch and gluing to the inside. But think it looks a bit.....well, be nice to have something covering, so when the person opens their card, they cant see the back of my cross stitch. And also looks a bit flimpsy, like it could just come off.... Does that make sense? if i didnt have ready made hole, would just put the cross stitch directly onto the card and fringe it also.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Ah, I see! Well, for the very neat finish you want you'd need what is known as a double-fold or three-panel cards -- they have three parts, and the middle part has an aperture in it. You attach your cross stitch to the back of the aperture, then the bit on the left of the aperture bit (looking at it from the back) gets folded over the back of your stitching and stuck down, and then you're left with a double card with the back of your stitching covered. These are more expensive, though, so I tend to get the single fol cards. Read on

If the cards you have consist of only two parts (one with the aperture, one solid), you stick your stitching to the back of the aperture and then do one of two things:

Stick a single card blank to the back of your stitching. This covers the back and leaves you with a double card.
Or: stick the two halves of the card together. This also covers the back of your stitching, but you are left with a "single" card, so you can't write anything inside it. If thats not a problem (and often it isn't) that's by far the easiest solution

It's not easy to describe this so you can "see" it, but do ask if I've been unclear

[mags]

Hi nat

I personally haven't used single fold aperture cards but can I offer the following suggestions.

fray the cross stitch and stick it to inside (ie back of cross stitch to the right hand inside) you would have to make sure the fraying is not visible when the card is closed. Decorate the front of the card with peeloffs or something.
or
stick the front of the cross stitch to the aperture, as you have done (I use either double sided sticky tape or pritstick). Then make an insert with some fairly hefty paper, doubled as the card is and stick the left hand side to cover the back of your cross stitch, maybe decorate the inside to take the eye away from any imperfections.
or
alternatively stick a piece of card, same size as the front, maybe if you want to use up these cards then you could cut them up for this purpose.
or
stick the whole card together, sandwiching the cross stitch, put the greeting on the back, plus a bit of card to make a stand up.

If I think of anything else, will add.
Hope this helps

[natc]

Thanks so much all of you for your inputs! It is quite hard to describe what i was saying, but sounds like you got what i menat so thanks! I only used a pit stik for the one ive tried out on, and its a bit flimsy, so may just stick a piece of card over the back of it like suggested. There seems to be many ways of doing it, and trial and error comes into play, and personal preference i suppose - thanks again everyone - will let you knwo how i get on : )

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes, you soon find a way that works for you! Personally I prefer doublesided tape to glue, if only because it's less messy You have to make sure it's good strong (I mean very sticky) tape though or the cards will "open up" over time.

[natc]

Thanks Mabel. appreciate your help, everyone! Love it on here! xxx

[Wandatoo]

If I use the single fold cards with an aperture, I sometimes use a decorative card stock to cover the back of the cross stitch: Christmas design, etc. Helps to make the inside of the card prettier too.

I agree with Mabel-- double-sided tape works best.

Good luck -- and hope to see some of your cards soon!

[coffee_freak]

I did a tutorial on how I do it..

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564156544BOCZOM

this is my album and if you go picture by picture I don't think you'll need words on how to..if you'd like me to explain further..feel free to ask.

this is just one of the many ways!

[K1nS]

Hello there, you seem to have had alot of good advice above but I just wanted to share what I do about my cross stitch cards. I used to use double sided tape but I found it came loose after a while and seemed to ruin the card, for my 2009 Christmas cards I thought I would try to use normal prit-stick glue and that works a treat. I have only used cards that have the hole pre cut out but you can use any card you like good luck

[natc]

K1nS thanks for that : ) thats what i had done also! Now i know though i need to make my cards more in advance to get the ones i want finished!