Creative Ways to Display Embroidery & Display Your Needlework

We recently received a question from a reader about Creative Ways to Display Embroidery to finish completed embroidery pieces. This is a question we frequently receive after a fellow stitch laments, ‘I just don’t have enough wall space!’ So we decided to investigate this issue today and perhaps offer a few solutions.

When we first looked into the issue, a quick online search yielded a plethora of interesting embroidery ideas, but that doesn’t really address the issue. There are many unusual projects that we can embroider, but the problem often arises when we finish a project that we adore but don’t know what to do with it.

It could be a beautiful thread-painted flower, a cross-stitch sampler, or a cute little stump work insect that tested all of our skills but is now finished. Of course, the first instinct is to send it to the framer and hang it. But which one? And will the rest of the family appreciate yet another framed piece taking up that last section of empty wall space at the far end of the corridor? Fortunately, there are alternatives ways to display embroidery Display and Needlework.

specifically designed as stitching accessories

To begin, consider the size, dimensions, types of materials used, and how fragile they may be. Small, fragile finishes, such as stump work, could fit neatly inside the lid of a box. You don’t even need to spend money on a purpose-built wooden box. There are numerous books and videos available that will teach you how to make your own boxes to mount your piece on. Boxes can be used for all types of embroidery, including thread painting cross stitch, goldwork, and Hardanger, and they are also very useful!

There are several options for mounting larger pieces in furniture. Hazel Blomkamp is well-known for not wanting to clutter up her walls, so many of her projects are mounted as stools or fir screens, or made into trays or cushions. One of the unfortunate aspects of displaying completed projects on the wall is that the number of people who will ever see your beautiful work is limited. Especially if the only available wall space is in the house’s back room, where visitors rarely go. Visible solutions may be needed.

We’ve discovered that many surfaces and counted projects look great made into tote bags as long as they’re stitched in washable threads and don’t have too many extra embellishments. What could be better than carrying around your completed workaround? The number of comments you’ll get when you’re out and about with your tote will far outnumber any you might get from people inadvertently stumbling into the back room while looking for the restroom!

If everything else fails and framing is the only option, we know of one incredibly prolific stitch who has turned her home into a kind of art gallery, with a regular rotation system. On rotation day, all of the current pieces are removed and stored, and the next rotation is introduced. That way, you can enjoy all of your completed pieces at some point and never get tired of looking at your walls.

Although we regret that the trend for tea towels, doilies, tablecloths, and matching serviettes has faded, it isn’t always possible to direct your heart toward projects that are intended to be functional. We all love patterns that are specifically designed for stitching accessories, baby blankets, or evening bags, but what about those that appear to be designed to be framed and hung on the wall?

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The solution is Creative ways to display embroidery

Before you even gather your best threads for embroidery , consider what possibilities the perfect pattern might hold for completion. Instead of using the required ground fabric, why not stitch it onto the back of a jacket? Maybe you could change the size or a portion of the design so that it fits perfectly in the lid of that box you’ve had for ages? Or how about designing a quilt with your embroidery as the focal point? The options are limitless.

So you’ve done it! You’ve decided on a style, colors, and materials. You’ve meticulously stitched your final piece together. Congrats! But there’s one thing you might not have considered: how you’ll display your amazing piece of embroidered art. Rather than providing a definitive answer, as I frequently do in my how-to articles, my goal here today is to provide you with some options and ideas to consider. I prefer this method because I believe it fosters the creative process that is essential to any embroidery project. I’ll be sharing some ideas for display tools as well as layouts, so I hope you find something useful for your piece.

Let’s get started Creative ways to display embroidery

Let’s start by deciding which tool you want to use. You might prefer to think of this as a frame, but as you go through the list, you’ll see why I chose this more generic term.

An Embroidery Hoop

I’m fairly certain that this is the most common way to display embroidery art – in a hoop. I’m fairly certain that this is the most common ways to display embroidery art for people to – in a hoop.. It could be in the same working hoop that you use to hold your piece while you work on it, or it could be in a display hoop. I’ve written more about the differences between these types of hoops here, so I won’t go into all the juicy details here, but whichever you choose, a hoop is always a good choice. They’re visually simple, quick to customize, and simple to hang. They’re also great propped up against other decorative trinkets or books.

A Display Banner

This is an excellent option for anyone who doesn’t like the round frame of their hoop or who wants to reuse their hoop for a future project. Banners give your piece a sleek look, and I especially like how it shows off a little more of your backing fabric than a hoop. Depending on your design, this extra fabric can add a nice bit of breathing space around your stitches, enhancing their visibility.

One thing you must ensure is that your display hoop is large enough to hold the entire design!

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A Picture Frame

Now, here’s why I didn’t want to call these display ‘tools’ frames earlier: I wanted to include proper picture frames as an option! Choosing this approach opens up a whole new world of design possibilities and can propel your embroidery art to new heights. I love the idea of being able to match your frame to the vibe of your piece – it could be intricate, vintage for a more gothic-inspired design or bright and bold for a more pop art approach. It’s a very adaptable ways to display embroidery artwork.

A Decorative Patch

If you’ve read a few of my other blog posts, you’ve probably seen me mention embroidering on clothes a few times already! I just think it’s a great way to put your craft skills to use by customizing old items and giving them new life. While you can always sew directly onto your clothes, patches are another option!

After you’ve finished your embroidery, cover the back of your piece with a felt backing or another layer of the same fabric you’ve been using. This will ensure that the stitching is extremely secure. After that, simply cut around your design and either stitch it onto your item or use iron-on fusing web. This is possible with both large and small embroideries. It all comes down to your creative vision!

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Layout ways to display embroidery

After we’ve gone over what I’ve dubbed the “tools for displaying your embroidery art,” I thought it might be fun to go over a few layout options. As with the final display framing, I find it useful to consider this before beginning your embroidery. Especially if you’re making something for your own home.

For example, you may want to fill a specific space, which will help you decide what the piece will be and how it will be displayed. Of course, you can always stitch whatever you want and let the piece dictate how it is displayed. There’s nothing wrong with making something because you enjoy it and figuring out the rest later. Again, I’m just providing some creative food for thought!

On Its Own

One option is to display your piece as a solo work of art, allowing it to take center stage. I think banners or picture frames work especially well for this approach, but hoops can also look great.

In A Triptych

I believe embroidery can work well as a set. I’m using my Paisley Skies Embroidery Set as an example, but this look would work with any pieces that have a similar theme throughout. It’s a fun way to group your work and display it in a way that makes a statement in your home.

Part of A Gallery Wall

If you like the maximalist vibe of the triptych but don’t want to go full-on embroidery or don’t have multiple pieces to show off, a gallery wall could be the answer. This is an example where I believe hoops work particularly well – the circular shape adds some interest to your selection by mixing things up among standard rectangle frames. I also like how the texture of an embroidery stands out when placed alongside paintings and photographs.

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Instructions Of Displaying Embroidery 

Cut the Embroidered Fabric to Fit

Place the stretched canvas on the backside of the embroidered fabric that has been carefully pressed. Trim the fabric evenly on all four sides, allowing the excess fabric to wrap around to the back. A 2-inch fabric border is usually sufficient for standard canvases. Thicker canvases necessitate a much wider fabric border.

Start Lacing the Back of the Canvas

2 to 3 yards of strong thread, cut This is much longer than you should normally work with, but it is necessary for this application. Thread the needle and double the thread, finishing with a large knot.

Bring the thread through the fabric beginning in the middle of the sides of the canvas. With an extra stitch, secure the starting point. Lace the back by stitching through the wrapped fabric on two opposite sides, working from the center outward toward the edge. With each stitch, pull the fabric taut. Each stitch should be at least 1/4-inch from the edge of the fabric, but 1/2-inch is preferable.

Secure the Thread Ends With an Extra Stitch

Hold the lacing tight when you reach the end of your thread. Make a small extra stitch to help keep the lacing in place. Then, close to the fabric, tie a large knot and trim the end. Begin a new thread, as in the previous step.

Finish Lacing the Back of the Canvas

Stitch across from top to bottom to pull the two short sides taut when you reach the ends of the long sides. Keep the lacing within the framed open area on the canvas’s back. There should be some slack at the corners.

Tuck One Side of a Corner

Tuck one of the corner fabrics under the folded flap at the top. Use a wooden skewer or similar tool to push the fabric as close to the top edge as possible.

Fold the Corner Under

Fold the top fabric flap under at a 30-degree angle. Pull the corner fabric taut so that there are as few folds on the canvas corner as possible. Fold this piece down again so that it lays flat and the fold is not directly on the canvas’s edge.

Stitch the Folded Corner

Stitch the fold down onto the previously tucked corner, with the corner pulled tight and the fabric folded as neatly as possible. You don’t need many stitches to keep this in place, but you should stitch almost the entire fold. Thread a doubled thread through the needle and knot the end. Keep it handy for after you’ve completed the corner folding. Make a large knot close to the fabric to secure the end.

Finish Folding and Stitching the Corners

At each of the four corners, repeat the folding and stitching process. If you have excess fabric, such as the small triangles visible in the photo above, you can trim it off to reduce bulk.

Trace the Canvas on Felt

You can leave the back of the canvas open and hang it with a sawtooth picture hanger or add a covering to hide the lacing. Place the canvas on a piece of wool-blend felt, about 1/4 inch over the corner of the felt, to make the covering. Trace around the two remaining sides. Make a rectangle out of felt.

Glue the Felt on the Canvas Back

Attach the felt to the back of the canvas with fabric glue. Cut a thin rectangle of felt and glue the ends at the top of the backed canvas to make an easy hanger. Alternatively, you can use a traditional picture hanger, hammering or screwing through the material and into the wooden frame.

Show off Your Embroidered Canvas

Display your finished embroidery on canvas by leaning it against a wall or adding it to a gallery wall! The finished piece looks professional and is a refreshing change from framing in an embroidery hoop or even in a standard frame.

Finally Word of Creative ways to display embroidery Display

Finally, how you display your embroidery art will be determined by the piece in question and your decorating style. But I hope this list gives you some ideas! If you find inspiration from any of these options, please let me know in the comments. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me in your photos so I can see your beautiful artwork. It brings me great joy to see all of your finished pieces lovingly placed in your homes!

Image – Canva, Pinterest