10 Ways: Stitching Dies

Hi! Today I am sharing 10 ways (and LOADS of examples) to use stitching dies. I enjoy stitching/sewing on paper and created lots of examples for you. Lila even helped again!

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Multiple stores are also linked in the parentheses following the product name. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you. I appreciate your support.]

Lila and I have such fun using stitching dies in many ways! Please know I am not an expert and forgive me if I use the wrong terms, etc. Just consider this a paper crafter’s version of embroidery/stitching/sewing on paper. 🙂

Because of the number of cards we did, I am going to keep the text of this post minimal. I really just share the supplies used for each. I do have the cards broken down here by the type of stitch or technique. All stitching was done on Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Cardstock (SSS | AZ).

Here are 10 ways to use stitching dies…

#1: STEM STITCH

The first way to use stitching dies is with a stem stitch. I really like this one because the floss looks twisted and as if it was floating on the paper.

I Think You’re Wonderful Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I also added a silver glitter heart that I found in my scrap die cut bowl.

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Some Kind of Wonderful Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

YOU Are Fantastic Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

It’s hard to believe that die is a rainbow…

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#2: CHAIN STITCH

A chain stitch is another way to get a unique look with lots of dimension.

The Good Stuff Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

So Sorry and Happy Mail Cards:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I like that this rainbow can work for many occasions…

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#3: BACK STITCH

The back stitch is what most people do when stitching on paper. When you have a complicated stitching die, such as a word for shape with lots of twists and turns, the back stitch is your best option.

Hello You Are Loved Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Heart Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Heart Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Big Hello Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#4: RUNNING STITCH

A double running stitch gives results similar to a back stitch, but it very simple… and great for kids and newbies!

Hello Clouds Card by Lila McGuire:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Thanks Card by Lila McGuire:

Your Kindness Card by Lila McGuire:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Heart Card by Lila McGuire:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#5: BACK STEM STITCH

I noticed that when you do the stem stitch I mention above, the back looks perfect! So sometimes I use that side instead.

Heart of God Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Here you can see how clean the stitches on the left card (back of stem stitch) are in comparison to a regular back stitch (on the right).

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#6: OTHER STITCHES

You can also get creative with other stitches. You can do anything!

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Cuter Than Email Card by Lila McGuire:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#7: STITCH OVER TEXTURE

It is also fun to add texture to a background before using a stitching die. This is best done with embossing folders.

Brighten My Day Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

It is hard to see, but I added Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pens to the stem stitch for sparkle…

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#8: STITCH OVER STAMPING

You can also stamp before using a stitching die.

You Are Loved Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I did use the back side of a stem stitch on this one.

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Happy Mail Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Hello Citrus Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#9: PATTERN PLACEMENT

Instead of stitching with a stitching die, you can use the holes as a guide to create a pattern with gems or other small embellishments.

The World Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire InkStitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

#10: COLOR SEE-THRU

Finally, you can put pops of color behind the die cut holes instead of adding stitching.

Hello Card:

Stitching Dies Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I apologize for the crazy number of cards. We had such fun! Thanks for stopping by.

RELATED VIDEOS

Want to learn more about stitching on cards? Check out these videos:

SUPPLIES

Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except the products with asterisks which were received from the company with no expectation. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.

*The Stamp Market Dotted Rainbow Die
[ THS | SSS ]
*The Stamp Market Dotted Hello Die
[ THS | SSS ]
The Stamp Market Postcard Die
[ THS | SSS ]
The Stamp Market Stampgram Bundle
[ THS ]
The Stamp Market Stampgram Stamp Set
[ THS | SSS ]
The Stamp Market Citrus Vine Stamp Set
[ THS | SSS ]
The Stamp Market Great Big Greeting…
[ THS | SSS ]
The Stamp Market Great Big Hello Die
[ THS ]
The Stamp Market Please Deliver To…
[ THS | SSS ]
Neat and Tangled Typed Sentiments…
[ SSS | N&T ]
*Concord & 9th Lots To Say Stamp Set
[ SSS | C&9 ]
*Clearly Besotted Simply Said Stamp Set
[ SSS ]
*Waffle Flower Rainbow Bridge Stamp Set
[ SSS ]
*Simon Says Stamp Love Is Stamp
[ SSS ]
Mighty Hands You Stamp Set
[ SSS ]
The Stamp Market Extra Extra Stamp Set
[ THS | SSS ]
The Stamp Market Just Wonderful Stamp…
[ THS | SSS ]
Birch Press Big Lingo You Die
[ SSS ]
*Birch Press Lingo Thanks Stamp Set
[ SSS ]
*My Favorite Things All About You…
[ MFT ]
*My Favorite Things More Essential…
[ SSS | MFT ]
*Paper Smooches Fab Frame Dies
[ PPR | SSS ]
*Lawn Fawn Just Stitching Double…
[ SSS ]
*Pink and Main Reverse Scallap…
[ SSS ]
Echo Park Make A Wish Embossing Folder
[ SSS ]
Hero Arts Shadow Ink
[ SSS | HA ]
WPlus9 Dye Ink
[ WPL ]
Simon Says Stamp Fog Ink
[ SSS ]
Altenew Obsidian Black Ink
[ SSS | ALTN ]
Sponge Daubers
[ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Haberdashery Scissors
[ SSS ]
DMC 6-Ply Floss
[ AMZUS | ETS ]
DMC Pearl Cotton Size 5 Floss
[ ETS ]
DMC Pearl Cotton Size 3 Floss
[ ETS ]
Alternative Floss
[ SSS ]
Needles
[ AMZUS | AMZUS | AMZUS ]
Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Cardstock
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Hero Arts Sand Cardstock
[ SSS | HA ]
Simon Says Stamp Fog Cardstock
[ SSS ]
Carta Bella 12×12 Shimmer Cardstock
[ SSS ]
Gina K Silver Metallic Cardstock
[ GNK ]
Jewel Picker
[ SSS ]
Lucys Cards Jewels
[ SSS ]
Pretty Pink Posh Jewels
[ SSS ]
Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pens
[ SSS ]
Tim Holtz Craft Pick
[ SSS ]
MISTI Stamping Tool
[ SSS ]
Scor-Pal Scoring Board
[ SSS ]
Teflon Bone Folder
[ SSS ]
Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cut Machine
[ SSS | SPL ]
Fiskars Reinforced Paper Trimmer
[ SSS ]
3M Foam Tape
[ SSS ]
Darice Foam Adhesive Strips
[ SSS ]
Lawn Fawn 1/4″ Double Sided Tape
[ SSS ]
Altenew Adhesive
[ SSS | ALTN ]
Gina K Connect Glue
[ SSS | GNK ]
Therm O Web 1/2 Inch Purple Tape
[ SSS ]
Mini White Pom Poms
[ AMZUS ]
15 Stitch Tutorial
[ THS ]


Leave a Comment

148 thoughts on “10 Ways: Stitching Dies”

  1. Like many others here I have experience with cross stitching and embroidery but haven’t thought much about how to combine it with papercraft. I tried briefly to do some machine sewing of my cards but I got way to nervous about what it would do to my machine/future fabric sewing. This is such a great way to combine the two crafts and I love it. It is like watching a crossover event on television lol. I hope to make more and more cards so that I can also share handmade kindness with a wide range of people. Thank you for all your posts and the work you do. -Andrea

  2. What a wonderful way to add interest to a card. And Lila is pretty talented as well. TY for your time in doing this one I enjoyed it all the way to the end.

  3. I love all the cards, especially the ones Lila made. She really takes after her mom! Thanks for sharing your handmade kindness.

  4. Thanks so much Jennifer for the class, on stitching and creating cards at the same time, I enjoyed and learned. Love how your little girl is creating cards by your side. Thanks for sharing your talents with us!! 🙂

  5. You are such an inspiration to all of us. Love these cards and your commitment to Share Handmade Kindness that you spread everywhere.

  6. Oh my goodness…. I volunteer to teach crafting at out local libraries and this year we are doing Christmas in July using the Memory Box Plush Mittens, which you inspired me to take on!!! I just finished making 60 kits for the event so I am ready !! I had never done any stitching prior to doing this and used the running stitch that you had in a previous video but this video is over the top with options. Now I’m going to have to see if any of these new stitches will work on the project, ha ha…. really just an excuse to make more of those fun mittens. Thank you Jennifer for all that you do for the crafting world.
    Loved seeing Lila’s little hands busy working on her crafting and her little wave, so cute!

  7. Thank you Jennifer for sharing your kindness with all of us! I love watching your videos with Lila.

  8. Thank you for all your videos. I am going to give stitching on cards a try. If Lyla can do it I think I should be able to crank out a few. I wish I could visit Lyla’s lemonade stand but I live too far away.

    Share Handmade Kindness.

  9. Jennifer your videos are the best way to enjoy a cuppa they are so relaxing to watch yet so informative. You always share your love and handmade kindness through everything you demonstrate and thanks to Lila for her inspiration as well. I have creative grandchildren that age and it is encouraging to see others creating and keeping them thinking. Thanks for sharing and your knowledge to both of you

  10. Jennifer- a beautiful way to encourage Lila’s creativity to share handmade kindness. Children truly love to create! Lila’s and your stitched creations are colorful and unique and your video is as heartfelt and genuine as always. Beautiful work Lila!
    Linda xo

  11. Great video, I don’t care how long you make them, they are always worth my time. Love all these ways to use these dies, the cards turned out beautiful. Thanks for another fabulous video!
    Share handmade kindness!

  12. Jennifer and Lila,
    This is one of my very favorite videos. Lila’s ideas are exceptional for anyone let alone such a young Girl. Jennifer you have definitely rubbed off on her. I’ll be watching her videos before long. What a talented young daughter. Jennifer this must be so fun for you watching her grow in this way and taking after her Mommy. Lots of love and thank you for always sharing handmade kindness.

    Beverlee

  13. Share Handmade Kindness

    I Have a question. You show 3 dies that can be stitched but mentioned that there will be other companies putting out stitching in the near future. Can you please tell us which companies will be producing these dies, and what they will be producing? This looks like a great way to make cards (I used to embroider and x-stitch a lot) and would love to add this to my card repertoire.
    Thanks so much for the great videos. I love all your videos and try to watch all of them

  14. I cross stitched a lot in my late teens and early twenties. What a wonderful way to incorporate the fun of cross stitching into card making! Thank you and Lila for sharing! It is always good to Share Handmade Kindness!

  15. Share Handmade Kindness. That’s something you do every time you share your creativity with us. I know this video was long but I was sorry to see it end. So many great ideas and techniques! I used to love to embroider. It’s clearly time to reacquaint myself with that pastime but this time I’ll be working on paper. Hopefully I will find it as calming as I used to and as you clearly do now. Thanks for reintroducing me to an old love!

  16. I used to make cards with handmade stitching with embroidery floss using a paper pattern and hand- poking each hole with a special tool. They were beautiful, but took forever! I love your new, updated method.
    SHARE HANDMADE KINDNESS.

  17. Dear Jennifer, I was THRILLED when I saw that you had put up a stitching video. I loved watching it twice and immediately ordered the new dies. I really enjoy making stitching cards and can’t wait to try making some of the outstanding cards you made. I haven’t ever used the #3 yarn which I ordered. All of your videos are an inspiration to me. Please thank Lila for her contributions to the video. She is definitely one crafting young lady. Thanks again for all the new ideas.

  18. Jennifer, I love stitching cards and I was so happy to see some new and creative ways to do what I already love. Please don’t ever go away, I look forward to each post. In my opinion there is no such thing as a JM video!
    Hugs for you, Carole

    1. That should read “In my opinion there is no such thing as a JM video THAT IS TO LONG!
      After I posted there was no way to correct. Hugs again Carole

  19. I think most people watch to the end 🙂 Share Handmade Kindness! I love the Lila is coming up with her own ideas, the shimmer pen over the stitching is gold!!! Love all the cards.

  20. Hi Jennifer,

    You posted a question on Instagram that asked if anyone wanted to see a video of you and Lila stitching. I said no because I don’t do stitching so I probably wouldn’t watch the entire video. Shortly after, there was a follow up that said I can see who answered no. I was surprised by this, not only because I didn’t think you could see who said no (or why you would care, to be honest) but because that just didn’t feel like something you would say. That post quickly disappeared. Was that you or did someone hack that?

  21. Greetings from Maine
    Love these ideas!
    What a great way to share homemade kindness!
    Would absolutely love to receive a card from you.

  22. Thank you for an awesome video. Actually I look forward to the long ones, because they have so much information and such beautiful sample cards. I love all your ideas for stitching cards. I would have said I didn’t have the patience to stitch, but you made it look so quick and easy, that I think I should at least try it. Lila did an amazing job and her ideas for the clouds and the sparkle stitching were genius. Share handmade kindness.

  23. Share handmade kindness. Thank YOU, Jennifer, for spending your time demonstrating all of these great techniques!

  24. May God richly bless you and your family for all the wonderful ways you Share Handmade Kindness, and inspire the rest of us to do that, too!

  25. You are a gem! You’ve taught Lila to be an amazing crafter and to “share handmade kindness!” I’m hoping Sequoia will be patient enough to try these. . .and I’m patient enough to teach her! Hugz to you both!

  26. I love stitching! Can’t wait to see the new dies you mentioned!
    Share handmade kindness!💕

  27. Your cards are so cute! I haven’t been into stitching, but I think I have to give it a go.
    While watching I remembered that I came across a pack of cards yesterday, that were made by my late aunty. She also did stitching on her cards, but used very thin thread. She was an art teacher and did lots of craft, but never had tools like stamps and die cuts. She was always an inspiration to me.
    Share handmade kindness!

  28. You SOOOOOOOO much! Your ‘how to video’ will definitely improve my stitching – LOL! I always appreciate your videos, but this one is a blessing as I just received my Concord & 9th Sew Pretty die set and have been playing with the stitching. It has been so many years since doing stitching I have forgotten more than I remember about it. Your video is perfect timing to my need!!! Thank you Jennifer!
    Stitch handmade kindness – something you always do!
    Paper Hugs,
    Jan

  29. Share handmade kindness!!
    Love all the cards. I like anything rainbow! LOL
    Looks like Lila is taking after her mother. She is very talented for such a young age.

  30. I was just able to see this video! Fun with stitching! My mom taught me cross stitch when I was young! Share handmade kindness!!!

  31. How wonderful to see how much your daughter enjoys crafting too and comes up with her own unique ideas. There is no such thing as a video being too long, I always watch until the end! Keep up the great work, love all your ideas

  32. How I appreciate your tutorials, I look forward to each one–but I especially have loved your hand-stitching tutorials, and I have found that stitching using the various hand-stitching dies is so relaxing, and I can stitch when I am not well enough to do other card-making activities (I have chronic health issues related to a car accident many years ago). I would absolutely LOVE to learn more basic stitches, and when I last saw briefly some of your hand-stitched pieces, your patterns looked so wonderful! I really enjoy creating my own patterns but I would love learning some more stitches–could you do a tutorial on this, or give some suggestions as to a source for learning more stitches. My Mom is a master cross-stitcher, and previous to watching your introductory video on stitching where you used the Paper Smooches die, I had been searching for years to find a way to incorporate hand-stitching onto cards for my Mom to give to her friends. I was THRILLED when I watched that video and hoped that this would be the answer that I was looking for, and it was! I used the Paper Smooches die as well as the Altenew Pegboard die and the MFT cross-stitch tag and I have the MFT bookmark die–but mainly used the Paper Smooches and Altenew hand-stitching dies, and I created over 50 hand-stitched cards, and gave a large set of 44 cards to my Mom in January, 2019. I spent about 17 months creating these and my Mom loved them. I am just starting to upload these cards on SCS, and I have started to stitch some new cards.

    I was even able to find the same Day Spring bag with the little pouches in that same wonderful print to keep my supplies especially when I am going out somewhere so that I can take my hand-stitching with me, I love that bag and pouches!!! I owe it all to you that I was able to make a set of cards that my Mom truly loved, previous cards I had made for her didn’t really excite her and I wanted to really make an effort to create something that she would love to give to her crafty friends, as well as other friends and family. Originally, I planned to make about 12 cards for her, and to give them to her plus a birthday card for her 80th birthday, but I was only able to give to her a hand-stitched birthday card about 4 months after you debuted that PS hand-stitching die tutorial, but about a year later, I was able to present to her that set of 44 hand-stitched cards in A2 and A7 sizes. Probably the biggest card set I will ever make and certainly the one that I put the most effort into, but I am so glad that I did this for my Mom, and I have told her that I will gladly make more of these cards should she want more or hand-stitched cards with different sentiments, etc, my pleasure. I didn’t expect to find that I so love hand-stitching and that it would help to distract me from the severe chronic pain that I deal with almost constantly. I have loved making cards, but now I truly enjoy the process, and I look forward to being able to create more patterns so that I can make more cards.

    My goal right now is to make some hand-stitched cards to have myself to give to family and friends, and I just made one for my nephew’s 18th birthday last week–and I think that he was intrigued that I had used something very different on this card for him. I was hoping to start my own blog in the past year, but an accidental fall while on vacation with my sister and 2 cousins resulted in breaking my wrist, surgery, and an extended period of rehab and home exercises for the better part of a year, and now I am just getting back into crafting again–why I didn’t upload the photos of the 50+ hand-stitched cards before, plus I had hoped to upload them on my blog, but hopefully I will be able to start my blog within the next few months. I am saving my favorites of this set of hand-stitched cards for a bit later on SCS,, but I have uploaded 12 plus about 3 others, and I am having SO much fun stitching, who knew that it could be SO much fun!!!

    ALL thanks to you, Jennifer, and I needed to thank you so much for giving me a way to pay tribute to my Mom by making the giant set of hand-stitched cards that have really made her very happy to give these cards to her friends, especially her crafty friends, and also I need to thank you most sincerely for giving me a great hobby that I can take on the go, and I can enjoy anywhere, including on days when I am not able to get out of bed, often I can still stitch and that is a great encouragement to me. I have let others know that it was because of you and your tutorials on hand-stitching that introduced me to stitching on cardstock so that anyone who might also be interested can watch the tutorials and be as inspired as I was and continue to be especially regarding hand-stitching.

    I know that this is a difficult time for you and your family after the loss of your beloved mother-in-law, and please know that I am praying for all of you at this very sad time. God walks with us when we go through very challenging circumstances, and He has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that gives me great comfort. I hope that you and your family will be able to grieve and over time to heal together.

    I apologize for the long length of this note, but I needed to thank you for giving me such a wonderful hobby within papercrafting, one that I never thought that I would enjoy so much myself. I had watched my Mom first do needlepoint for years, then she started cross-stitching and she found her real passion, although she has created using various crafting mediums at a very high level. Yet cross-stitch continues to be her favorite, and to be able to create cards that I can see that she loves means a lot to me, for previously when I would make a card for her, I did not get the impression that it meant all that much to her. But spending that time to learn stitches and to figure out patterns and color combinations to form my own basic patterns, she saw that I really put great effort and even passion into this project for her and I think that it touched her heart. I wanted to create my very best for her, and what I created at that time was my very best. Hopefully I will continue to improve stitching, as I have also found that I really love creating patterns. Any assistance to help me find a way to learn more basic stitches would be so very appreciated.

    Again, I am so sorry that this note is so long. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers as you all navigate a new path without your mother-in-law right now. But what a blessed hope we have that we will see our loved ones in Christ again someday. Please stay safe and healthy–you and all of your family at this very unusual and challenging time, I live in Canada, but I spent 5 years living in the US when working on my masters and then on the doctoral program in music performance before I became a university professor and returned to Canada to begin my career. I loved my time in the US, and made some wonderful friends at U of MD and at my wonderful church, and maintain some great friendships from both to this day which means a lot to me.

    Blessings and my best wishes, and again, my thanks, Jennifer,

    Joanne Lowe

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