Christmas Tree Stitched Wheels A6 Card

Ten stitched partial or complete “wheel” motifs in four rows 

create the Christmas tree silhouette with simple cross-stitched trunk. 

Stitching holes allow for 3-ply floss stitches to be added 

as “spokes” through center holes. 

Optionally add colored jewels or studs to cover centers.  

“Print & cut” front panel includes printed words “MERRY CHRISTMAS” 

across bottom. Middle overlay creates a narrow contrast border. 

Card measures approx. 4.63” wide x 6.25” tall when folded. 

Pattern and quantity of stitches is simple enough 

for children to help stitch. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A side fold card base

B offset accent panel

C front "print & cut" front panel with stitching holes

D tree shape with star overlay

2. Follow basic "print & cut" instructions to prepare

and print the white cardstock panel page, then . . .

. . . position the page on the cutting sheet . . . 

. . . and cut the front panel shape with the "MERRY 

CHRISTMAS' printed words.

3. Prepare the stitching hole punched shapes by

using a tool (such as this un-bent paper clip)

to push through all "chad" cut outs that may still

be attached or in pre-cut positions. Brush off

all "crumbs" possible.

4. Position and attach the star overlay.

5. Position and carefully align the tree shape

on the front of front panel so that all the stitching holes

align as exactly as possible. Use the punch-out tool

to help with alignment, if necessary, then attach in place.

To assist the shapes to attach well and remain flat

and not warp or curl during the liquid adhesive

drying process, press flat on a flat work surface using

a heavy flat weigh such as this large, thick book volume,

possibly with something heavy on top.

6. Select the 6-ply embroidery floss color for the wheel

tree accents.

Then separate out three plies and line up the lead ends,

straighten out the lengths so there will be no tangling.

Thread lead ends through eye of blunt-tip tapestry

needle size 24 or equivalent.

7. Determine where you will begin stitching;

sample project begins at top wheel.

Use a small strip of cello tape to secure the tail ends

near beginning point. 

8. Insert the needle through the first hole to begin

the first wheel unit. Suggested starting point is

top wheel lower left outer hole.

Pull thread all the way through

leaving no slack. 

9. Insert needle down through center wheel hole.

10. Continue the stitching UP through the next up adjacent

stitching hole, and down through the center hole,

and repeat until all stitches in top wheel are complete,

as shown here. Thread ends on backside.

11. Move downward to the closest unstitched wheel

and continue to stitch. When floss length is completely

used, finish with needle on backside, trim ends to

.75"-1" and secure with small cello tape strip.

12. Re thread another set of 3 strands of floss,

and tape ends near re-start position.

13. Continue to complete the wheels stitches.

14. NOTE that there are two stitching holes

that are shared by the adjacent wheels

on second, third and fourth rows.

15. As stitching is completed to mid-point of

bottom row, move down to complete the trunk

cross stitches: first complete the slant stitches

in one direction across top row, then work back

across row to complete the slant stitches of same row.

16. Complete the trunk cross stitches, then . . .

. . . move back up to complete the final wheels.

When stitching is complete, finish with the needle

and floss on the backside, tape off and trim floss.

17. Position and attach stitched panel securely

on accent panel with narrow margin exposed

all around.

18. Position and attach the front panel assembly

onto the front panel of card base with even margin

exposed all around.