Framing Finished Cross stitch?? That is the question

[Former_Member]

Hello new friends.
I just opened my shop and trying to get as much listed as I can. I have several finished cross stitch pictures I would like to list but I am torn between finishing them by framing or making into a pillow or finishing them some other way. I would like to get your thoughts on what would sell better?

[Former_Member]

Hi Tiffany,

I just opened my shop in mid-July and I have quite a few framed cross stitch pictures that I've listed and a few more to post. I couldn't say what's going to sell best: framed or made into something else. I think you have to go with your instincts. Some pieces just demand to be framed, others can be whatever you want them to be.

I'm willing to list my framed pictures and see where it takes me. Wishing you all the best with your shop!

[Former_Member]

My best suggestion is that you think about who the intended audience is for your items. Ask yourself, what would my buyers want more? Every item is different.

I recently opened Threadline, which sells modern cross-stitching designs including finished works and patterns, and I just went through this process. For example, one of my recent products is: https://www.etsy.com/listing/178167623/finished-cross-stitch-framed

My anticipated buyer is someone looking to decorate a home office or exercise room. I expect that they want to put the item on a desk or hang it on the wall to be seen while working out. I don't expect that they would want to have it in a room that has pillows. I chose to frame my finished work because I expect that this will provide the most value (and thus be the most desirable) to buyers.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[WitsEndDesign]

For years I hesitated framing items because a frame style is a personal choice. I have sold several unframed pieces and leave it to the buyer to incorporate it how they choose. With that said I just recently started putting a few pieces in embroidery hoops and will soon be putting a few items in frames. It's a bit of a gamble but it will be interesting to see what happens.