Beginning Crosstitching, How to Make a Heart Bookmarker

You have probably seen an antique chair or piece of furniture that had been crosstitched, and thought to yourself how beautiful it was. You may have also wished that you were able to accomplish such a work of art. Practice makes perfect, so we will start with something simple to get you on your way.

The materials needed for this project are: aida fabric, cut three inches wide and six inches long, needle, embroidery floss, in red or any color you prefer, scissors, fabric glue or fusible interfacing and small ribbon, cut six inches long.

Prepare your supplies: Find and mark center of material, then separate six strand floss into two strands, thread needle. For this project, you can either place the fabric in a hoop or you can stitch freehand (without a hoop).

Stitch your design, using the instructions below. After you have finished, be sure to clip any stray floss ends. If you wish your project to have frayed ends, remove two or three rows of strands from the top and bottom of the project, if not, fold the top and bottom approximately one-eighth inch towards the back and iron. Fold each of the two sides three-quarters of an inch to the back of the project, making sure your design is centered, if not fold the sides to where the design is centered, then iron. Use the glue or interfacing to hold the flaps down, if you use glue, use a small amount, too much will absorb through the fabric and mar the design. Place the ribbon over the seam to give your project a clean, finished look.

For this project, since directions instead of a pattern will be used, we will work all rows upwards, towards the top of the project. This design will have the hearts on top of each other and not side to side. From the center of the project, count down four rows, this will be row one of this heart.

Row 1: Make one crosstitch. Row 2: Go to the next row up and one block over to the left (diagonally left one block of row 1), and make three crosstitches. Row 3: Go diagonally left one block of row 2 and make five crosstitches. Row 4: Go diagonally left one block of row 3 and make seven crosstitches. Row 5: Go diagonally left one block of row 4 and make nine crosstitches. Row 6: Go diagonally left one block of row 5 and make eleven crosstitches. Row 7: Go to the next row up and make eleven crosstitches, this row will be even with row 6. Row 8: Go to the next row up and one block to the right (diagonally right one block of row 7), make five half stitches, skip one block and make five more. Now cross those stitches to make them crosstitches. Row 9: Go diagonally right of row 8 and make three half stitches, skip three blocks, then make three more half stitches. Cross the stitches and your heart will be complete.

After you have completed the first heart, skip two rows up and make your next heart, making sure the first crosstitch of this heart lines up with the first crosstitch of the last heart. Repeat this process until you have three completed hearts. Now, if you have enough spaces left, you may repeat the process and complete one more heart. To find out if you have enough spaces, make an one-eighth inch mock fold at the top of the fabric, count the rows left over.

Now from the first heart you made, count down thirteen spaces, and follow the directions for making a heart, making sure the first crosstitch of this heart aligns with the others. From the bottom of this heart, repeat this process until you have completed five completed, seven if you added an extra at the top.

This project can be that perfect gift or it may be something you want to keep and treasure.