Nordic Sweater Stitched Tag Rocker Card

 

Nordic sweater cross stitched tag is 

the focus element of this novel “action” card. 

Six-inch round card base folds down at back 

to make the sawtooth center medallion “stage”

 float within the snowflake ring. 

Stitching diagram is included in cut file. 

Two-layer tag measures approx. 2.8” wide x 3.3” tall, 

can be used independently. 

Select one of the wintry “print & cut” arch sentiments 

to feature at bottom center: “freeze the day”, 

“wooly wishes” or “flurry friends”.  

Companion envelope is available. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A card base with horizontal center perf line

B snowflake ring accent   C ring reinforcement

D ring accent overlay

E center sawtooth circle  F center plain circle

G optional interior sentiment plaque

H words arch tag for front (choose 1 of 3)

I tag front layer ("fringe" cut for bottom edge ribbing)

J tag second layer

K tag buffer layer (to help camouflage stitching depth)

L tag back layer

M printed stitching chart (or refer to on-screen chart)

N dark & light embroidery floss

Sample uses DMC 3768 for blue & 3865 for white

NOTE that the large whole circle that remains when

the snowflake ring is cut can be used to cut

the optional inside sentiment plaque - in fact,

the cut file is set up grouped to cut the two shapes.

2. Prepare the card base shape by bending back

on the center perforation line.

3. Position and attach the reinforcing half ring shape

onto the backside of the snowflake ring, at the upper

half. (This will help the ring stand straight and strong

when the card is folded in "open" position.)

4. Position the snowflake with reinforced half

above the fold of card base, then attach. 

NOTE that the side center pattern repeats are halfway 

onto the folded card, and halfway off.

5. Position and attach the contrast overlay ring.

6. Position and attach the plain center circle on top

of the sawtooth center circle, then . . .

. . . position the circle assembly onto the card base

so that it is centered within the snowflake ring . . .

. . . with a top center point aligned 

with top center repeat, and "valley" between

points aligned with the card base fold.

7. Select a word tag from the three choices, then

use print & cut tools to cut the shape.

Position and attach over the snowflake ring,

centering with the all ring elements. 

Add jewels or studs over end circle cut outs.

8. Position and attach sentiment plaque on

the inside of back circle half.

TAG ASSEMBLY

9. Prepare the stitching shapes by making sure all

the "crumbs" from cut-out circles have been removed.

One way to do this is by fashioning a "tool" by

straightening a standard paperclip, then using end

to poke through holes. Sticky side of tape can also

help to pick up and remove waste pieces.

10. Layer prepared shapes and glue together,

taking care that all cut edges that should align

are as precisely lined up as possible.

To help make sure stitching holes are properly

aligned, use paper clip tool to test significant

edge holes by inserting through.

Place tag front layers assembly on flat surface and

press with heavy flat weight until dry, several

hours or overnight. This will minimize or prevent

curling or warping of shape glued up with 

liquid adhesive.

11. Obtain blunt tip tapestry needles in size 24 or 22.

12. Study this diagram to understand how to form

cross stitches for uniform appearance and tension.

NOTE that the RIGHT SLANT stitches are generally

placed across the row first, followed by the LEFT SLANT

stitches placed coming back across the row.

TAG CROSS STITCHING

9. Prepare to stitch cross stiches by cutting a 30-32 inch

length of 6-ply floss for the footprints (pink). 

Following substeps will describe how to separate single strands

from the 6-ply group to minimize knotting:

A) Separate 2 plies by holding the grouped floss length

somewhat firmly between fingers of offhand, isolating one

ply to pull away, then pulling it gently away from others

while the twists of the group begin to bunch up behind it.

B) Place the two plies side by side and line up the ends.

Holding the ends together,

smooth together to create a loop opposite end. 

C) Thread the ends through

the needle eye. Pull the loop through so that it is

the long end.

10. Study this diagram to understand how to form

cross stitches for uniform appearance and tension.

NOTE that the RIGHT SLANT stitches are generally

placed across the row first, followed by the LEFT SLANT

stitches placed coming back across the row.

11. For this project, begin at the top left hole where 

 the first cross stitch will be created.

Each square on the pattern chart represents 4 holes that

would be needed to create both the right and left slants.

A) Insert the needle with thread UP from backside

in the TOP LEFT HOLE where the first X will be made.

B) Pull the floss through UNTIL about 3-2 inches

of the loop end remains, then insert the needle

diagonally to complete the first right slant stitch.

On the backside of work, insert the needle

through the loop and . . .

. . . pull the loop tight to remove all slack.

This is the "tying on" process.

12. Insert the needle through to front of work, in

the top right hole of the next stitch to right

of first stitch. Complete the second stitch on that row.

Work the remaining right slants across top row.

13. Return back across the row to add the LEFT

slant stitches to complete the cross stitches.

14. Move downward to continue to follow the chart . . .

. . . to complete the next cross stitch row of 

right slant then left slant stitches.

15. Move down to third row and follow the chart,

completing the first "blue" stitch right slant, then

skipping a cross stitch unit, then continue with the next

set of stitches, skipping the "white" stitch near row end,

and completing the single "blue" stitch at end.

Work back across row to complete left slant stitches.

As stitching proceeds, thread length will 

eventually be used up. Before length is 

unmanageably short, pause when the needle is on 

the backside of work as a slant stitch is completed. 

Slip needle under 3-4 stitches on the backside, then . . .

. . . slide the needle off, and trim the tails close

to the surface of the work.

This is the "tying off" procedure.

16. Continue to follow the chart to add cross stitches

as prescribed, selecting the most efficient pathway

you can imagine. The sample project worked across

chest then down left (as viewed) sleeve, tying on

to continue center body, etc. NOTE that there is

a "blank" column of stitching space where the sleeve

is defined and NO stitches are added.

17. When first color (blue) is completed, fill in stitches

in the light color selection. I like working from bottom up

when possible to avoid backtracking to avoid un-doing

stitching at new row beginning. Work until . . .

. . . all stitches are in place and final tie off is complete.

18. On backside, position and attach the edge-frame

buffer layer, then . . .

. . . position and attach solid tag back panel,

matching outer edges and hang hole precisely.

Press under heavy flat weight until dry.

19. Add twine or narrow ribbon tie at top hang hole,

then position and attach in place on front of

center circle assembly. 

Unfold circle base when giving or sending, then

bend top half down to create self-easel to display.