Saving Money on Cross Stitch

You love cross stitch, but it's starting to get expensive. How can you maintain this hobby without falling into the commercial traps of the cross stitch craze? Here are my tried-and-true tips for stretching your cross stitch supplies and making the most of what you have.

Fabric

After finishing a project, trim any excess fabric. While you need to leave 2-3 inches around your design for framing, anything beyond that can be repurposed. Store these extra pieces for future projects. These fabric scraps can be used creatively to make borders, bookmarks, table runner trimmings, patches for clothes, and more. Your cross stitch project doesn’t have to end when the main piece is done—there’s a lot you can do with the leftovers.

Thread

Leftover thread is perfect for small designs. Don’t worry if the free pattern in your magazine calls for red thread and you only have pink—use what you have! The finished product will still look beautiful, and you'll save money by using your existing supplies.

Needles

Always keep the needles that come with your kits. Even if you get a new needle with each kit, it’s handy to have spares in case you lose one. There’s no need to buy extra needles when you already have plenty on hand!

Say Goodbye to Expensive Organizers

With the variety of high-end cross stitch organizers available, it can be tempting to splurge. However, I’ve found that everyday storage containers often work just as well, if not better.

Cheap plastic drawers from the grocery store make excellent thread organizers. Store your fabrics in a box and keep your current project in a ziplock bag. Being frugal doesn't mean you love cross stitch any less—it just means you’re smart about how you spend your money.

Embrace Creativity Over Cost

Crafting should be about the joy of creating a masterpiece, not the money you spend. With these tips, you can enjoy your cross stitch hobby without breaking the bank.