Halloween Cross Stitch Canvases

Earlier this year we posted some cross stitch art – and I was intrigued. I wanted to try my own but never got around to it, and then the thoughts of what to do for Halloween projects started. And I knew. I knew I needed to make my own Halloween cross stitch wall art. So I did. As you can see, my choices were a spider and a skull, and I’m very happy with how they turned out. I want to do about 100 more cross stitch canvases, they are that fun. Do you want to make some of your own? I totally understand . . . and here’s how.

Gather These Supplies

Canvas of any size

Acrylic paint of your choice – I used FolkArt Citrus Green and Pure Black

Poke-y tool – I know, technical. I used a tool made for poking holes into clay beads

Foam core board or something to put down below your canvas while you punch

Embroidery thread in colors of your choice

Needle

Cross-stitch pattern that fits inside the frame of your canvas – I used this spider and made my own skull pattern

Tape

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Your first step is to print out the pattern to fit on the inside back of your canvas and tape it in there. Here’s why I did it on the inside. Because if I did it on the front of the canvas, when I punched, the canvas stretched into the frame. So I solved that problem by flipping over the canvas, inserting the pattern into the back of the canvas and laying down a piece of foam core. Then I used my tool to punch the pattern into the canvas. No stretchy stretchy!

I did the same with my skull pattern. Don’t forget to get all of the corners.

Paint both canvases in the color of your choice and let dry. You are now ready to stitch.

I used black thread for the spider. I didn’t separate the threads like you do in regular cross stitch – I used the embroidery thread just as it came.

Start cross stitching, leaving some length on the back to glue down the ends. It’s pretty easy and you don’t have to be as neat as regular cross stitching (shhh).

You may or may not decide to finish on your balcony. With an assistant in tow.

It’s easy to finish – just cut the ends off and glue down with a hot glue gun.

I’m pleased with the finished product and already have them hanging in my loft. Now I’m wondering what other Halloween characters I can do? Or Christmas?