Let's learn how to finish a cross stitch bookmark, using materials you might have already or can source easily from a craft shop.
(Please note: The bookmarks featured in the photos for this tutorial were a class piece from the 2023 Jingle Ball - the have not been released on my website yet, but may be in 2025.)
Materials List
~ Finished stitching (You will need a stitched FRONT piece and a back stitch outline on a BACK piece)
~ Iron (and ironing board)
~ Fabric scissors
~ Embroidery snips
~ Fusible interfacing
~ Sewing needle and matching embroidery floss to hand sew
~ Sz 18 Tapestry Needle (to attach the tassel, if using)
Step 1
Finish all cross stitching and back stitching on FRONT piece.
Step 2
Using the same fabric as FRONT, back stitch the outline only on a matching BACK piece. You can always get creative and add something to the BACK piece, if you like - try a motif from the main design, your initials and/or the date or personalized details!
The FRONT and BACK pieces should be the same size (so if your FRONT piece backstitch outline is 35w x 102h, make the BACK piece outline the same number of stitches).
The back stitch outline will be your sewing line for the assembly.
Step 3
Clean and press your finished stitching.
Step 4
Trim around the edges on FRONT and BACK to 3/8” seam allowance. (See Fig. 1)
Step 5
Cut 2 pieces of medium-weight fusible interfacing to be the same size as the backstitch outline for your FRONT and BACK pieces.
Step 6
Use a hot iron to fuse interfacing on the back side of FRONT and BACK pieces. (See Fig. 2)
Step 7
Place each piece face down on a table, and use your fingers to press back all seam allowances along your back stitching line, on FRONT and BACK pieces. (See Fig. 3)
Step 8
Place FRONT and BACK sides together, with right sides out (so you can see the design and interfacing is on the inside), and use a whipstich the around edges using matching thread. First, use 2 strands of matching floss (or fold s single thread and use the loop method to start). Take a small stitch in the seam allowance of the FRONT piece, and another to make a knot.
Then, run your needle under the first stitch of the back stitch line of the BACK piece, and then run your needle under the back stitch line on the FRONT piece, being careful not to catch the fabric. Keep going in this way until you get all the way around the bookmark. To finish, take a small stitch and make a knot, hiding the tail inside and snip your ends. (See Fig. 4)
Step 9
Attach an embroidery thread tassel, if you'd like, using a Sz 18 Tapestry needle. Learn how to make a tassel here.
Once you have your tassel made, thread both loose ends through your large Tapestry needle. Bring needle through middle of top edge of bookmark, and tie a knot in your thread to secure. To hide the tail, run your needle between the fabric of your bookmark and trim thread. (See Fig. 5)
That’s it, you’re finished!
