How To Cover Back Of Cross Stitch
When you finish cross-stitching, you wonder if you should cover it or leave the messy back alone. Most people will opt to leave the messy back exposed due to a lack of better backing options.
Well, the back of your fabric doesn’t have to be messy after your hard work. This post will help you discover the best easy methods for backing.
How To Cover Back Of Cross Stitch?
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One can use many methods to cover a cross-stitched fabric messy back. Some of them might be easy and quick, while some are too tedious; it tempts you to leave the back open.
Four easy methods would end your worries. Let’s check them and start covering the back of your cross stitch.
4 Easy Ways to Cover the Back of Your Cross-Stitch Fabric
If you are a first-time knitter, then here is the secret. Washing your cross-stitched piece makes it look better.
But if you are a regular knitter and are learning this for the first time, then good news! Try it on your next piece, and you will love it.
However, ensure to use lukewarm water and soap when washing your finished cross stitch fabric. After you have washed your finished piece, use a dry towel to squeeze the excess water out.
Then put back your material into the hoop and make sure it’s in the exact position you will like it to be when you hang it.
Moreover, to remove any wrinkles that might form, tighten up the fabric onto the hoop.
1. Use a Felt
Before you start working on your cross stitch’s back, you need to allow the fabric to completely dry. Working on a wet fabric may get it dirty in the process.
You may also realize some wrinkles once you finish and the fabric is now dried up. Once you are all set and ready, you will need felt for the back.
Also, a stiff felt is better for backing than a soft felt. Let’s check out the process.
Step 1: Use the hoop to measure the exact size of felt you will need for the back. Trace and cut it out using a pair of scissors.
You can either use a biro or fabric marker to mark the measurements before cutting the felt piece out. Set aside the back piece for later use.
Step 2: Tighten your fabric on the hoop, and then trim it all around. Besides, make sure you leave a 1-inch long fabric all around the edges.
Step 3: Use a long thread. Most people prefer using one with the same color as the fabric.
After that, sew along the edges and pull the thread on both ends to gather the fabric. Finish with a knot.
Step 4: Place the piece of felt onto the hoop at the back to cover the gathered fabric.
Step 5: Sew the felt backing using the blanket stitch or whipstitch. You can also prefer a combination of both stitches and finish with a knot.
What’s more, a combination of two matching colors will give you additional beauty. To use both stitches, you will need to stitch halfway with one before starting with the next one for the other half.
You can use both whipstitch and blanket stitch to bring out a lovely finishing pattern. But you can also use either of the two.
It will all rely on your preference. Lastly, your finished cross stitch piece is now ready. We know you will love it.
2. Try an Exceed Fabric
When using this method, you need three measurements. It includes the hoop’s diameter, thickness, and radius of the inner hoop.
Step 1: Use a fabric marker or a biro to trace the three measurements on your fabric.
Step 2: After that, secure your fabric on the hoop. Also, make sure you tighten it to avoid any wrinkles and unpleasant looks.
Step3: Use a long-running stitch to sew along the edges. Using the same color of thread as your fabric will make your work look neat.
Step 4: Ensure your stitch goes all around to the starting point.
Pull the thread so it can gather the excess fabric together at the center of the back. Besides, make sure it’s tight.
Step 5: You can make a few more stitches on the same spot to anchor the thread. Finish with a knot.
What do you think of the results? We know it would be lovely.
3. Using Another Fabric
Here are other simple steps to follow for backing your cross stitch. One main thing you will need here is another piece of fabric of the same size and color as the stitched fabric.
Moreover, you will also need a soft felt.
Step 1: Firstly, finish your stitching work. After that, you will need to remove the hoop’s fabric.
Step 2: Use the hoop to trace the size of felt you will need backing. Use the hoop’s outer side to trace to get the correct size.
Step 3: Cut out the piece of felt using a pair of scissors and place it at the fabric back. Secure the felt with a thread.
Nevertheless, make sure the knots are on the fabric side for easier removal later.
Step 4: After that, place another piece of fabric of the same color. Then, secure it back on the hoop.
Step 5: You can now remove the thread you used to secure the felt. Cut off the excess fabric along the edges and leave about an inch long all around.
Step 6: Get a long thread of the same color as your fabric and stitch along the edges. After sewing the starting point, pull the thread to gather the fabric.
Your work is now done and looks neat and superb.
4. Using a Chipboard
They say, save the best method for last. We kept this process which might seem a bit longer because of the extra steps.
However, this method is everyone’s favorite. That’s because its outcome is very eye-catching.
Follow the below step-by-step process and see if you love it as much as others do.
Step1: Secure your finished piece of fabric onto the hoop. Then, trim along the edges.
Moreover, make sure you leave about an inch long exceeding fabric.
Step 2: Use a long thread to sew the edges of the excess fabric. Pull the thread after the needle reaches the start point to gather the fabric and make a knot.
After that, set this aside and prepare a chipboard piece for the back.
Here you will need a piece of chipboard, a fabric, a double-sided tape, a soft felt, scissors, and a utility knife.
Step 3: Trace the inner hoop on your piece of chipboard and then make about 1mm smaller circle inside the circle.
This inner circle will be for the fabric. If your fabric is thicker, like linen, you can use a bigger measurement.
Nevertheless, always make sure you use the correct measurement.
Step 4: Cut out the smaller circle and put the double-sided tape on one side of the smaller chipboard.
Stick the chipboard together with the felt using double-sided tape.
Step 5: Cut the felt along the edge of the chipboard all around. Then, wrap the fabric around the chipboard with the felt side facing the fabric.
Step 6: Use a long thread to sew and gather the fabric edges. Tighten it up and finish with a knot.
Step 7: Cut a part of the thread that gathered the fabric at the back of the hoop to loosen it. Then tuck in the chipboard.
However, do not undo the sewing as it will make the fabric lose at the back. If you do, you will find it difficult to tuck in the chipboard as needed.
Step 8: You can also choose to put a piece of felt before tucking it into the chipboard. Adding a piece of felt will help straighten the front part of your cross-stitch.
What’s more, you can choose to fix the chipboard and your finished fabric together using glue. You may also choose to leave it like that.
But either way, the finishing will still look good. Using glue to stick them together will secure them more.
Your finished piece is now ready and in perfect shape to hang or gift someone.
Why Do I Need to Cover the Back of My Cross-Stitched Fabric?
You will need to cover the back of your cross-stitch embroidery to secure it. After finishing with the cross-stitch, you will notice the back may look terrible.
Thus, to improve the look, you will need to cover it up with artwork. The suggestions discussed above can help with the backing process.
Is It Necessary to Wash a Cross-Stitch Fabric Before Covering the Back?
It is necessary to wash the cross stitch before backing. You will not want to undo all your work and redoing it again.
Also, wash your finished cross stitch to remove the oils and dirt that might transfer during stitching.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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