How to line your cross stitch embroidery
Lining an embroidery is a great finishing choice if you want a professional finish that will protect the back of your stitching, or when you have a small amount of hem allowance left. It is also an excellent choice when an embroidery has metallic threads as it will help protect the delicate metallic threads on the back side of the embroidery. You can add decorative trim to the ends (or the entire perimeter) or create a fringe by looping 6-inch lengths of extra threads or floss into each end of the embroidery with a large needle or small crochet hook.
Step One
Pull a thread 1.5 inches away from your stitches on all four sides of your embroidery. Trim your embroidery along the pulled thread channel. Lay your trimmed embroidery on top of your lining fabric and cut your lining fabric the same size as your embroidery.
Step Two
Prepare your embroidery: press 1” of your embroidery to the wrong side on all four sides. At each corner, open out the hem, fold the point of the hem towards the embroidery until the fold lines match up both horizontally and vertically, and press this diagonal line. Now fold each side of the hem back into place creating a mitered corner.
Prepare your lining the exact same way as for your embroidery, pressing 1-1/8” to the wrong side (note: this will make your lining a little smaller than your embroidery on the wrong side which creates a cleaner finish).
Step Three
Lay your embroidery right side face down on a flat surface and place your lining on top, wrong sides together. Your lining will be slightly smaller than the embroidery. Pin at each side to hold lining in place.
Step Four
Whip stitch your lining to your embroidery on the back side of your embroidery.
At the corners, stitch the miter of your embroidery fabric closed to secure it:
Adding trim (optional): if you would like to add trim to your embroidery, turn your embroidery right side up and lay trim at either end. Fold raw edges of trim in at each side, and then stitch your trim to your embroidery using small running stitches or whip stitches.
Give your embroidery a final press to set the lining. Admire your beautiful handwork!
