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As Mr TSK will attest, I love a card. Whether it's for my birthday, Valentines Day, Mother's Day or Christmas, my favourite thing to receive is a cute card with a lovely message inside, and on the odd occasion I get a handmade card it makes me feel super special! So I thought, for someone special (obviously not telling you who as they may see this!) I'd make a cross stitch card using one of our bauble patterns and let you see how I do it, so that once you've made your baubles you can reuse the pattern for cards!
For this example I've re-stitched the Angel Of The North bauble pattern from the Newcastle And Gateshead Baubles kit, but any of the bauble patterns would work! I'm also starting from a point where I already have the stitched item as this isn't a how to cross stitch blog, you will find that info here.
By the way, before we begin, if you need to stock up on some more threads and fabric you can do that here.
OK, let's get started!
1. (optional) Wash your completed stitched picture
I actually haven't washed mine this time (as you can see from the hoop wrinkle!) because it was fine and (more truthfully) I was pushed for time, but if you want to wash yours feel free! You can see how I wash and iron my completed stitches HERE if you need some tips.
2. Gather your materials
Alongside your stitched picture you will need...
A trifold aperture card suited to your project (with envelope obviously). As the bauble pattern I'm using is a circle with a 3 inch diameter, I used a card with a circle aperture slightly larger (3.75 inches) than the design. Unfortunately I can't give you the link for the ones I have as I bought them literally years ago from a company that no longer exists, but there are lots out there! Lakeside Needlecraft have a huge selection here!
Your favourite fabric scissors
Double sided tape (narrower than the space around the aperture, mine is this 15mm wide tape from Hobbycraft)
(Optional - a ruler)
3. cut your fabric to size
Your fabric needs to be larger than the aperture but smaller than the size of the card, and square in shape. I have left a border of 1 inch from the stitching here.
4. attach the fabric to the card
Add double sided tape to the inside of the card around the aperture but don't take the non-stick top layer off the tape just yet. The top and bottom bits of tape should be the long ones and the sides short ones. Mine are 5 inches and 3.75 inches respectively. I use a ruler for measuring and cutting the tape but you don't have to!
Line up your design facing down on the card so that it's central to the aperture and straight (we'll have no leaning tower of Gateshead here!). Hold in place and pick up to check the front before carefully putting back down.
While still holding in place, carefully lift one side of the fabric so you can remove the non-stick part from the tape of that side (I did the right first as I'm right handed). then carefully lower the fabric down onto the tape and press down the length of the tape.
Check positioning from the front again.
Repeat the process with the other side then with the top and bottom. As you lower the fabric, gently pull the fabric to create a little tension and prevent any saggy pictures!
5. prep the card for closing
Still with the card facing down, apply double sided tape around the outside of the LEFT part of the card as close to the edge as possible. This will make for a neat finish.
Remove all the top non-stick layers from the double sided tape.
6. close the card
Fold the left side of the card onto the middle portion and gently press down so the tape is stuck all the way around.
Now all that's left is to write a lovely message inside for your loved one!
If you have any further questions, please send me a message
and I will be happy to help!
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