And it even took less than a year!
I know it’s small. The thing is, cross-stitch takes forever. Every one of those stitches is an even little x (at least, as even as I can make it with my deteriorating eyesight; I need glasses and don’t yet have them), so each one takes several seconds to complete, and when you have around 200 stitches in an inch of fabric (and sometimes considerably more) and a design of a foot square–that’s approximately 55 hours according to my rough calculations.
Yes, to embroider a little decorative bit. I know. It isn’t a wise time investment. But it is fun, and it made this pretty little picture.
I had a lot of fun modifying the pattern (originally from The Cross Stitcher magazine). They called for a regular cream aida, replaced with this hand-dyed and nicely variegated tea-colour. They also called for standard DMC floss colours, which I completely ignored and just used whatever silk and/or variegated cotton flosses I had on hand that were similar in colour.
I’d picked up some Madeira silk flosses a couple of years ago for the stash and, if you think you may ever be in the mood for embroidery with silk flosses, let me warn you: those little packages are very clever and cute but they don’t hold a lot of thread. I ran out of both the bright blue in the border, and the teal in the letters, partway through. The blue I was able to replace online; the teal I replaced with a similar colour from another company. You can totally see the difference in the picture, but I tell myself it’s not as obvious in real life.
Now I have a question for you:
In the pattern, there are a number of single-x bits I haven’t stitched in, because I wanted to replace them either with small sparkly beads or with single-x stitches in a sparkly floss. Which do you think I should go with? Beads, or floss?
Also, the pattern recommends making this up into a cushion. I’m not convinced that’s the way to go. For one thing, this is destined for a home with small animals and children in it. For another, most of the flosses I used are silk flosses; I’m not 100% sure that the colours are wash-fast (they’re supposed to be, but you never know) and I’m also not sure if it’s the kind of thing I’d keep on my couch, under the circumstances.
The other option is framing it. Definitely safer, not as touchable.
What do you think?
Zoopolis 
I like the idea of beads, but if you’re going to use those, then framing is probably the way to go.
thanks, Julia. 🙂 Yeah, good point.
Great design. Enough of an “edge” to look modern. I’d frame it. Cross stitch is a heck of a lot of work and you want to preserve it (I used to do it in high school; my eyes would not allow it now.) All those little loops would be very tempting for your pup, I would imagine.
I have an embroidered pillow on my couch with a lot of straight stitches that have been unstitched, thanks to a Simba adopting the cushion as his own personal couch pillow.
Because, you know, just because you’re a 7lb dog covered in several inches of soft fur all over, doesn’t mean you don’t need to add a nice little mattress on top of the couch to rest your weary bones on.
But regardless, good point.
its so beautiful!! the colors you used are amazing. it looks so fresh.
Thanks, Britney. 🙂
you are welcome, andrea!