Pick the cross-stitch pattern you’d like to use (or draw your own). I picked letters because they’re pretty easy to work with, and they’re nice and graphic. Draw the pattern on grid paper so you can figure out what size each square (or stitch) should be. The simpler the design is, the bigger you can make the overall piece.
Once you have everything sketched, it’s time to do some math. To find the overall dimensions of your cross-stitch, count how many squares tall and wide your design is on the graph paper. Multiply that number by the number of inches you’ve chosen to make each square. (I did 2-inch squares, which are pretty big. If you want to something that’s easier to work with, you could go with 1-inch squares instead.) After you have the image size, add a couple of inches to each of the four sides as a border (I added 5 inches to each side). Now you have your overall dimensions. Use these dimensions for your frame size. Be sure to add a couple of additional inches to each side of the fabric for stretching the canvas to the frame. For example, my overall frame size is 72" w x 34" h, but the piece of fabric I used is 82" w x 44" h.
Make a reverse copy of the pattern you just created. Using a ruler and triangle (or T-square) draw your grid and pattern on the back of your fabric with a pencil. Mark all the X’s from your pattern (since you’re working on the back side of the piece, don’t forget to use the reversed pattern). Use an X-acto knife to poke a tiny hole at the end of each X so that the needle will easily go through the canvas when cross-stitching.
Lay your fabric on the floor, pattern side up. Join the wooden stretchers to make a frame, gently tapping the corners with a hammer if necessary. Lay the frame over the fabric, with the pattern centered. Starting in the center on any side, staple the canvas to the back of the stretcher. Move to the opposite side, pull the canvas taught and staple the middle in place. Repeat with the other two edges. Keep stapling a couple of inches apart, and then staple the opposite side until the whole back is stapled; staples should be about 3 inches apart. At the corners, fold the edges of the canvas neatly and staple to frame. Trim excess fabric, one side at a time.
Using your upholstery needle and yarn, start cross-stitching from the back of the canvas, making X’s with the yarn for each stitch. Make sure to knot each end of the yarn on the backside so that the yarn doesn’t come undone
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