Add a DIY Cross Stitch design to a shirt or sweater! An easy DIY craft tutorial idea with a modern cross stitching pattern included!
Have you noticed that Cross Stitching is coming back? I used to Cross Stitch a lot when I was younger, but I hadn't in ages. That is until I got the idea for this super cute Cross Stitch Sweater.
Supplies Used to Make a Cross Stitched Sweater
Some links may be on similar items when exact items couldn't be found online.
How to Make a Cross Stitch Sweater
I dug into all of my old Cross Stitch supplies and found some Tear Away Waste Canvas and 3 colors that would go well together. I love it when I already have everything in my stash that I need.
The pattern for the Arrows I got from Storypiece.
The first step is to pin the waste canvas to the front of the sweater. I wanted to make sure that it was secure and wouldn't move around so I used a lot of safety pins. Be very careful not to snag the sweater.
Then begin stitching. I wanted the X's to be bigger than the canvas, so my X's actually covered 4 holes on the canvas. I like to stitch in rows, so this is the first line of stitches in the first row.
Then I went back with the other stitch, making the X.
Here is the first Arrow, it already looks so cool!
The middle arrow I changed directions from the pattern, so they didn't all face the same direction.
The last step takes a little bit of patience. The waste canvas comes apart pretty easily, it just takes time. It helps to get the canvas wet and it comes apart even easier. To remove the waste canvas, pull one string out at a time. I found it easier to carefully cut between the arrows and only work on one arrow at a time.
Yay, it is all Done! Only a little wet. So I let it dry overnight.
The next day it was all ready to wear!
I have gotten so many compliments on my Cross Stitch Sweater! I absolutely love how it turned out!
What Cross Stitch Pattern would you sew on the front of your sweater? Share and leave a comment below!
Katie Adams
Creator at The Crafty Blog Stalker
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Amy @ Homey Oh My!
This is MAD cute, Katie! Love all the colors you used!
Audrey B.
Looks cool! I think I would go mad pulling out the threads though... 🙂
girlathomeblog
Oh wow! Seriously cute! I would love to try this for me and even my two girls!
Gracie Lathrop
love this!! I've been wanting to dig up my cross stitching stuff too and this may just be the perfect project! Thank you so much for sharing at Making Monday!
Aida Arain
Katie,
What an adorable sweater! I had no idea that they made tear away canvas. I was just thinking about doing a similar sweater/shirt for my daughter, and your idea to use the tear away canvas is so perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Storypiece
Wow! I am hugely honored. This is a fabulous look and I'm so humbled that my little pattern inspired it. I love that you mixed up the direction of the arrows too.
I have noticed that cross-stitch and needle work is making a comeback. I'm so thrilled! I have very fond memories of stitching with my mom and visiting needlepoint stores with her on the weekends. I love that it's gaining a new life and that it's definitely not a grandma hobby anymore. 🙂
Thanks again, Katie!
Amber L.
That is so cool! I never knew that they made tear away canvas. Your sweater turned out awesome!!!
Katie @ Creatively Living
That turned out sooo cool! I love it. Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!
Ginger Bergemann
I HAVE noticed more cross stich projects lately. I guess I need to pull out my old stuff. Love the arrows on the sweater. I found you via Artsy Corner.
Carly Porter
This is such a cute sweater! I haven't cross stitched in 15 years. But I'm thinking about pulling it out for this.
Jeanette@CraftyInCrosby
Wow! I love this! I used to cross stitch all the time, but haven't done it in years. My daughter would love this!
Stephanie @ Swoodson Says
What a fun idea! I've never seen/used that canvas before so I wouldn't have thought to try this.
Nici @ Posed Perfection
This is such a cute idea! Pinning! Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Nici
Alison Agnew
Such a fun idea! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Emily Thompson
super cute! I haven't used tear away in years!!Hi! Just stopping by to let you know you have been featured at Nap-Time reations. I've got some fabulous fabric themes features this week. So glad to have you part of the group. I've spread the word {and tagged you} around my social media. Would love if you could help to spread the word as well. Thanks and see you at the party next week! Emily
Without Directions
That is a super cute idea! thank you for sharing such a fun idea.
Unknown
Perfect idea for those of us who desire to be crafty but suffer from a creativity deficiency;) Could you explain why you use the waste canvas? My daughter and I are new to cross stitching - why can't I stitch directly onto the sweater surface? Thank you in advance for helping!
Jessica Anderson
This is so cute! I love hand stitching of any kind. I've never seen that tear away canvas before, but I'm going to have to be on the lookout for it next time I go to the craft store.
Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims
Thanks so much for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, I featured this on my blog tonight! Come stop by and grab a featured button!
Kali DAhle
Adorable! I love taking clearance items and making them special! Hmm, now what should I cross stitch...
Kimberly
This looks incredible! I'm loving it. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for taking the time to party with us. We hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn't be a party without you! Lou Lou Girls
Vivian
This is awesome! I'm glad I found your site. I just bought a package of tear away waste canvas at a thrift store and was looking for ideas to use it. I didn't even know it existed. You just gave me a great idea. Thank you!
Katie
You are welcome Vivian! I would love tos ee what you come up with.
Roseann Hampton
I used to cross stitch all the time but haven't in a long time! Might have to take it up again!
Katie
That was the same with me Roseann! It was fun to get back into it again.
Kim~madeinaday
Super cute sweater! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Have a great week!
Kim
Katie
Thank you Kim! It was fun to do a little cross stitch since had been so long!
Katie
Thank you, Kim! I am so glad you like this DIY fashion.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
Super cool! I've never heard of waste canvas but will be adding it to my list for my next trip to the craft store. Pinning. Visiting from Welcome Home Wednesday party.
Katie
Thank you Victoria! I'm glad I could introduce you to a cool new product!
Heidi
This is so cute! Love arrows and the cross stitch design really makes it unique! Thanks for sharing on Funtastic Friday!
Katie
Thanks Heidi! It was really a fun project to make and I love wearing it too.
nicogs97
Cool idea
Katie
Thank you! It was a lot of fun to make and I get compliments on it every time I wear it!
joie
hi I wanted to know if you sent emails to your boxes. till we can follow you.
Katie
Thanks Joie! Yes, I do have a newsletter. Go here to sign up: https://madmimi.com/signups/188482/join It goes out every week on Wednesday.
Hannah
Katie, hands down for this post, this is such a wonderful idea, i have many plain blouse and i dont wear them because they are plain but cross stitching on them will help me to wear them. Thanks for such a beautiful idea. I will subscribe to your blog for more posts like this in my inbox.
Katie
I am so glad you love this idea Hannah! You should post pictures, I'd love to see what you made!