Cross Stitch Tutorial & Patterns

Cross-stitching is a wonderful activity when you want to stab something a thousand times and not get arrested for it. It’s also a great activity for self-care as it can be a wonderful meditation to take time with each stitch and see an accomplishment of a row, a color, or a full design project.

Cross-stitching is also a great Netflix & Stitch activity for when you really don’t want to watch what someone else in the house is watching but you are still there in the same room with them for, you know, quality time.

New to cross-stitching? Watch Leah’s fun tutorial on the Nickel Plate Arts Facebook Page.

A great place to start is this black cat pattern. It takes about 40 minutes to complete. You can change the color and even add patches like your favorite feline. This is one is black because 1) that’s the way the pattern from Oomanoot was and 2) Leah has an all-black cat named Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Materials needed:

• Aida – 14 count. Available at Joann Fabrics
• Embroidery floss – black (DMC 310) or colors of your choice. Variety pack available at Joann Fabrics 
• Tapestry needle – any needle will work but one with a blunt tip and a big eye is best. Available at Joann Fabrics
• Scissors
• Pattern

Because of COVID-19 we’ve looked at places that will ship to you without too much delay and or have pick up available.

• Cleopatra pattern – Feminist Icon Cross-Stitch (book) by Anna Fleiss & Lauren Mancuso. Available at Target
• Rosie pattern – Feminist Icon Cross-Stitch (book) by Anna Fleiss & Lauren Mancuso. Available at Target
• Frida pattern – Feminist Icon Cross-Stitch (book) by Anna Fleiss & Lauren Mancuso. Available at Target
• Make Herstory pattern – Feminist Icon Cross-Stitch (book) by Anna Fleiss & Lauren Mancuso. Available at Target
• He’s Dead Jim pattern –  Star Trek Cross Stitch (book) by John Lohman. Available at Amazon
• Nevertheless pattern – Leah’s pattern
• Empowered Women pattern – Leah’s pattern
• Star Trek mini projects – Star Trek Cross Stitch (book) by John Lohman. Available at Amazon
• Baby Yoda pattern – by Caitlin Girot Available free on her website
• Sister Rosetta pattern – Leah’s pattern
• My Gals pattern – Leah’s pattern inspired by Hidden Figures
• I Like Big Books pattern – Leah’s pattern
• Film Pioneers pattern – Leah’s pattern. Available on a variety of merch in our Red Bubble shop

Because of COVID-19 we’ve looked at places that will ship to you without too much delay and or have pick up available.

You might also be interested in this oldie post about 10 Funny Cross Stitch Projects you can make or buy.