Diamond Bookmark

What you will learn

• Repeating a motif
• Long straight borders
• Finishing edges

Materials and tools

• 14-count Aida, 3 by 6 in (8 by 15 cm), or a pre-made Aida bookmark blank
• Tapestry needle size 24
• Floss: blue DMC 798, lavender DMC 210, pink DMC 3326
• Embroidery scissors
• Felt and fabric glue or sewing thread for the backing

Pattern chart

1. Cut the Aida at least 2 in (5 cm) larger than the design on every side. Fold it in half both ways and pinch to find the centre.
2. Find the centre of the chart using the arrows on its top and left edges.
3. Thread the needle with 2 strands and start with a loop start or by holding the tail under your first stitches.
4. Begin at the centre and work outward, one colour at a time. Count carefully from stitches you have already made.
5. Stitch the centre diamonds first, working from the middle of the strip outward to each end.
6. Count carefully from the diamonds to the border, then stitch the border as one continuous line.
7. Trim the Aida to four squares beyond the border. Pull out the two outermost threads on each side to make a short fringe, or fold the margin back.
8. Cut felt to the size of the border and glue or whipstitch it to the back to cover the thread ends.
9. Check the chart for missed squares. Finish all ends under the backs of stitches.
10. Wash, dry and press face down on a towel.

Tips for a neat result

• Every top leg must slant the same way across the whole piece.
• Tick off rows on a printed copy of the chart as you finish them.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• All crosses have the top leg slanting the same way.
• The stitch count matches the chart.
• The back is flat with no long carried threads.