Oh Christmas Tree

A scrappy WIP upcycling project

Do you have a secret stash of offcuts of linens, of bright finishing fabrics and little scraps of trim? Do you also have a pile of half-finished stitches that you know you’ll never complete? I have both, I must admit, and I love using them to create stitched collages. It’s a wonderfully freeing way to create a quick and easy gift and to play around with colour. Most importantly, it’s part of my commitment to zero-waste sewing. I love to make every scrap count.

This project is a little different from my usual cross-stitch patterns, as it’s not a formal pattern, but rather a method that you can use to create your own, personalised piece. At the latest Stitching in the Mountains Retreat, I taught a class based on this project and was so delighted to see the clever stitchers make the piece their own. It’s so fun to grab some scraps and quickly create something new and beautiful out of them.

The pattern contains clear written instructions and a couple of diagrams, as well as the colour cover, that serves as a reference. I’ve used it to decorate an upcycled cotton calico gift bag, but you could easily make it on a fabric piece that you then lace and frame. My pattern also includes tips on choosing fabric pieces and colours and on the simple stitches I’ve used.

The pattern is available now from my Etsy store (as an exclusive) in both hard-copy and PDF, and I have some full kits as well. And if you’re a visual person and would like to take a class, I’ll be teaching it at the upcoming Great Australian Shindig online cross-stitch extravaganza on 26-27th January 2025. This first-time event is being organised by the ever-wonderful Lisa from Paddock Lane Designs, and you can purchase tickets HERE.

You can also see this design in my latest Flosstube and purchase it in my Etsy store. I’ll be back with more about the Shindig soon!