19 Best Ways To Get Paid To Cross Stitch In 2024 [+ PRO Tips]

Who doesn’t love to have eye-catching embroidery or cross-stitching on their clothing? Fine cross-stitching can instantly enhance the overall appeal and aesthetics of any fabric as well. But, do you know you can now even get paid to cross stitch?

Yes, if you have the right mastery over cross stitching, it is not even difficult to make around $25 to $40/hour on average as a professional stitcher.

Besides, you can also sell your finished pieces for as high as $100/piece. But not everything is good about this industry.

We have curated a detailed guide to help you have your stepping stone in the cross-stitching industry. So, without any further ado, let’s dive deep into the realm of cross-stitching.

 

 

 

What Is Cross Stitching Actually?

If you want to know how to become a cross stitch designer, you need first to understand what cross stitching actually is.

There is no doubt that stitching and sewing are among the money-making hobbies that pay these days. And if you go for cross stitching, you can bag the higher hourly rate possible as a professional stitcher.

Cross stitching is something where you make thread art and patterns by overlapping stitches while using different threads of various colors. This technique got its name from the shape of the stitch pattern that resembles a cross. And you can create loops with threads to create unique art.

While many people confuse cross stitching with embroidery, it is actually a type of embroidery where you create loops and overlaps to make the final pattern. However, some specialized tools are also needed to make these cross-stitch arts.

 

 

 

6 Most Essential Things For Cross Stitching

Besides having the sorcery in stitching, you also need some specialized tools if you want to get paid to cross-stitch these days.

And here are the six most essential tools you must have before starting any cross-stitch art.

 

1. Needles

Cross-stitch needles or tapestry needles are designed with a bigger eye to make it easy to thread up with thicker cross-stitch threads. They are also blunter than regular sewing needles.

However, you need to buy some high-quality tapestry needles according to the type of fabric and its thread count. Typically, Aida fabric with a count of 6 to 18 is used as the base of any cross-stitch pattern.

However, many people also prefer to cross stitch on more delicate fabrics, such as even weave fabric and Hardanger fabric. And here goes the table to select the right tapestry needle for different fabrics.

Fabric Type	Fabric Thread Count	Cross Stitch Needle Size
Aida Fabric	6 Count	Size 18 Needle
Aida Fabric	8 Count	Size 20 Needle
Aida Fabric	11 Count	Size 22 Needle
Aida Fabric	14 Count	Size 24 Needle
Aida Fabric	16 Count	Size 26 Needle
Aida Fabric	18 Count	Size 28 Needle
Evenweave Fabric	28 Count	Size 24 Needle
Evenweave Fabric	32 Count	Size 26 Needle
Evenweave Fabric	36 Count	Size 28 Needle
Hardanger Fabric	22 Count	Size 26 Needle

 

2. Color Threads

Besides needles, threads are the most important thing needed to make any cross-stitch pattern. And you need to have the correct understanding of different colored threads if you want to get paid to cross stitch.

Typically, cotton threads of 6 to 18 counts are used to make cross-stitch patterns. However, you can even go for higher counts for finer fabrics.

If you want a texture in your cross-stitch art, you can also use pearl cotton threads, which are a bit thicker than regular cotton threads. However, you shouldn’t mix pearl cotton with normal cotton threads.

Besides you can also use rayon floss threads that come in vivid and bright colors. But you do need to have mastery in sewing skills, as rayon floss tangles pretty easily.

 

3. High-Quality Embroidery Scissors

It needed precise clipping and trimming of threads if you want to make eye-catching cross-stitch art. You also need proper trimming of excess threads to give your cross stitch a cleaner and sleeker look.

And to do that, you need to have some high-quality, sharp scissors with you. You can also buy specialized scissors for embroideries.

However, a good pair of small sharp scissors can cost you up to $50. And it can even cost more if you go for a custom-made one. However, you need to keep those scissors sharp while doing your work.

And there are several knife sharpening shops near me available from where you can also sharpen your cross-stitch scissors.

 

4. Needle Minder

You need to pre-thread several cross-stitch needles before you actually start working on your stitching art.

However, an open needle can cause an accident in no time, especially when your full concentration is on your work. A needle minder is something in which you can rest your pre-thread needles safely.

A needle minder can be made of almost any soft material, such as clay or wood. You can also make a needle minder at home by using two pieces of magnets.

You can also use regular sponges as needle minders. And if you work with more than 10 needles at a time, you can buy specialized needle minders from online marketplaces.

 

5. Wooden Hoops

Hoopart is one of the best things to make if you want to get paid to cross stitch. But to create unique hoop art, you do need some high-quality wooden hoops of various sizes.

These hoops will hold your fabric without any crease to make it easier for you to make cross-stitch patterns on that.

You need different sizes of hoops to create flat surfaces of various sizes while making cross-stitch patterns. However, you must have hoops having a radius of 4 inches to 8 inches.

But do invest in high-quality hoops. Otherwise, it may create threading issues on the joint and also will also fail to hold the fabric tightly after a few use.

 

6. Aida Fabric

You need closely woven fabric to make cross-stitch patterns, as these fabrics are ideal for hiding the excess cross-stitch threads while highlighting only the design.

And there are numerous such fabrics exist that you can choose from. However, most people prefer high-quality Aida fabric or even woven fabric to make cross-stitch art.

Although the cotton fabric is primarily used in cross-stitching, you can also use unconventional fabrics, such as muslin and chinos.

Besides, you can also use linen if you want to give your cross-stitch art a vintage and old-school look. Many people also prefer to use silk fabric as it adds a natural shine to the art. Besides, silk also ensures a luxurious appeal to your art.

 

4 Professions To Choose In The Cross-Stitch Niche

If you want to get paid to cross stitch, there are many professional fields to choose from.

However, here are the top four professional options that can fetch you the most money for your cross-stitch arts. And those are as follows.

 

1. Become A Professional Stitcher

• Pay: $40,917/ year (beginner level)

Becoming a professional cross stitcher is among the highest-paying under-the-table jobs that you can try this year. You can start working independently or can also take a full-time job in any fashion and apparel company as a cross stitcher.

Besides, you can also work as a freelance wedding and birth celebration sampler. You can start your journey while using just your social media handles to let everyone know that you are now taking orders for cross-stitch works.

It would be even better if you could include pictures of some of your completed work. But, try to keep the pricing on the lower side to get more customers in the initial days.

 

2. Teach Cross-Stitching

Pay: $25 – $50 an hour if you teach one on one; Unlimited if you sell an online course.

If becoming a professional stitcher is not your game, you can definitely take it a step forward and start teaching cross-stitching to students from all over the world.

And if you don’t know how to become a cross stitch tester or teacher, it is as easy as walking in the park. But, you do need the right mastery over cross-stitching to teach other students.

You can contact your local craft stores, as they often organize classes on stitching and sewing. Besides you can also contact your community center and put some flyers on the notice board. Moreover, you can also create a Facebook page to let everyone know that you are giving classes on cross-stitching.

 

3. Launch A Blog/Vlog On Cross Stitching

Income Potential: $1000 – $100,000 per month.

People now love to watch cross-stitching videos and look for detailed guides to do that. And you can now grab this opportunity to launch a blog or vlog on cross-stitching to make money.

Around seven years back, I had just $100 in my pocket and bigger dreams in my eyes. So, I bought this domain and made it live.

And now, I’m making more than $7k/month on average from this website alone. You can get more insight into my earnings from blogging in my latest monthly income report.

You need just three basic things to launch your own blog, which are a domain name, a server to host that domain, and a suitable WordPress theme.

While most of the dedicated servers will cost you at least $10/month, Bluehost is the only host service provider that can give you a dedicated server for just $2.95/month.

And you also don’t need to pay any money for your domain name, as this affordable server package from Bluehost also comes with a free domain name. Once you have these two, you can select and install any WordPress theme of your choice to make it live.

Note: If you find it hard to launch your blog, follow our detailed step-by-step guide to set up a blog in less than 30 minutes.

 

4. Become A Cross Stitch Virtual Assistant

Pay rate: $20 – $100 an hour, based on your skill level.

Once you get the art of cross-stitching at your fingertips, you can start offering your cross-stitching services to help other people in getting their work done.

And if you are looking for cross-stitch work-from-home jobs, becoming a virtual assistant can be your ideal option.

You can find real paying clients on several platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer, and more. You just need to create your profile and upload work samples to make your portfolio stand out.

By doing so, you’ll not only learn how to market your work, but you’ll also learn many things from the market, your clients, and competitors. All these things will kick off your growth within a short time.

However, you can offer more than 50 different services as a VA, as there are many high-paying VA jobs available nowadays.

But yes, it is not easy to get high-paying clients for your VA project, even if you are talented enough. And it is definitely not possible without having the right mentor.

I recommend you take a look at this FREE Virtual Assistance Webinar to get some knowledge before you jump into this virtual assistant industry.

 

10 Websites And Apps To Get Paid To Cross Stitch

Although there are now many such platforms available where you can get paid to cross stitch, not every platform is legit and pays the same.

So, we have filtered ten such options for you where you can easily get the best price for your cross-stitch art and patterns.

 

1. Etsy

Etsy is the one-stop solution if you ask whether you can sell finished cross stitches online. Besides stitching arts, there are many money-making crafts to sell online that you can also list on this platform.

And you can easily create your store and list any of your handmade items for just $0.20/product listing fee. However, you do need to upload some high-quality images of your cross-stitch art and also curate a detailed description highlighting all the angles of your craft.

And this platform also gives you the freedom to select the price of your product. But yes, they do charge a flat 5% commission on the value of the final sale.

 

2. Shopify

Shopify is one such platform where you can create your own online store and list all your items in a single place.

Besides, this platform also gives you a scope to integrate it into your existing website or WordPress blog. So, if you are looking for ways to start a business without investment, you must start your quest from Shopify.

You need to market your own product on this platform, as it doesn’t have a direct marketing channel. So, you need to have marketing prowess and also need to know how to use your social media handles to maximize profit.

Read: 40 Apps To Sign Up And Get Money [Up To $500 Instant Bonuses]

 

3. eBay

eBay is not just the oldest and most trusted eCommerce platform that has been running for the last two decades; it is also the best answer if you don’t know where to sell antiques online.

And besides the general selling model, you can also opt for an auctioning model on this platform if your product has the rarity quotient.

Once you create a free account on this platform, you can start uploading images of your product to list it on your storefront. And this platform doesn’t charge any listing or registration fees. However, you do need to pay a flat 10% commission on your final sales value.

 

4. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook is the most dominating force in the worldwide social media market, as it now has more than 3.5 billion active members from every corner of this blue planet.

However, this company has recently come up with an innovative strategy to penetrate the consumer market and has introduced the Facebook Marketplace.

It is an ideal platform if you want to sell your cross-stitch art to local buyers through hand-to-hand deals. All you need is to list your item on Marketplace to start communicating directly with prospective buyers. However, there are now many other ways also available to make money on Facebook.

Related: 20 Best Selling Items On Facebook Marketplace

 

5. Amazon

If you talk about the current global superpower in the eCommerce marketplace, you definitely talk about Amazon. It is not just a great place for buyers, as they tend to get huge discounts; it is also a great platform for sellers.

And recently, Amazon has introduced the Amazon Handmade segment, where anyone can sell their handcrafted items.

All you need is to open a seller’s account on this platform first to start listing items on your storefront. However, Amazon has a robust return and refund policy that you must abide by while selling any product through this platform.

And now, they charge around 5% to 15% commission on the final sell value, depending on the product type. Besides, there are many other ways to make money on Amazon, which you can also try.

Also, check 40 Ways To Get Free Amazon Gift Cards [100% Legit]

 

6. Mercari

If you want to get paid to cross stitch, you must try this amazing platform called Mercari. It is also among the best apps to sell clothes online. However, you can sell almost any item on this platform, such as electronic items, appliances, video games, apparel, and fashion accessories.

Due to its massive global presence, you’ll get a lot of potential buyers of your cross-stitch art. And you don’t need to pay any registration fee or listing fee to launch your storefront on this platform.

You can also set your own pricing for each of the listed products. However, this company charges a flat 10% commission on the value of the final sale.

 

7. eBid

eBid often feels like the doppelganger of eBay, as both these platforms work on the same selling model. Besides the usual listing and selling part, this platform also lets anyone list their items on auctioning model.

However, you do need to have the rarity and antique values of your product to fetch the best price in the auction.

There are more than 25k different categories available on this platform where you can list your cross-stitch arts and patterns. Besides, it is also among the best places to sell used DVDs. But yes, you do need to take a subscription that will cost you between $1.99/week and $69.99/year.

Read: How To Make 50 Dollars Fast In a Day or Less [53 Hacks]

 

8. eCrater

You can consider eCrater as a hybrid between the website-building tool and the online marketplace. As a seller on this platform, you can create and launch your own storefront without paying any registration or listing fee.

Besides, you also don’t need to pay any commission to sell your item through this channel. One of the best things about this platform is that you can also integrate your already existing eBay account with this one to transfer your listings directly.

Besides, it is also among the best places to sell used shoes online, where you can fetch the best value for your shoes.

 

9. Craigslist

If you want to sell locally, Craigslist is the best platform to try, no doubt about that! However, it is not a typical eCommerce platform but an ad network instead. It will give you the option to put an ad on this platform for free. And by doing that, you can attract the attention of potential local buyers.

You need to write short but descriptive headlines and a product description to highlight the features of your product. And you also need to select the right category for listing your item.

But not just this platform; there are many sites like Craigslist also available where you can freely list your cross-stitch art to get potential buyers.

 

10. VarageSale

If you are looking for an online version of traditional garage sales, you should check out this brilliant platform called VarageSale. It is also among the best places to try if you want to get paid to cross-stitch this year. However, you can only sell locally through this platform.

It takes a minute or so to open a free account and launch a storefront on this platform. Besides, you can also run paid ads of your cross-stitched products to get more eyes.

Once any prospective buyer shows any interest, you can then lock the deal F2F. And this platform also doesn’t charge any listing fee or commission.

Do Check: I Need Money Now: 52 Legal Ways To Get FREE Money

 

5 Alternate Ways To Get Paid To Cross Stitch This Year

Besides trying websites and apps, you can also try several alternative methods to get paid to cross-stitch these days. But opportunities are not equal everywhere.

So, we have filtered five such alternative options for you that you can blindly rely on this year.

 

11. Become A Test Stitcher

A test stitcher is someone who makes the final cross-stitch from any hand-drawn pattern. Test stitchers are also responsible for making the final look of the cross-stitch and also to remove any inconsistencies in the pattern.

But to do that, you need the right combination of artistic sense and experience. From missing colors at some sports to misplaced color threads, you need to check and rectify all the minute details of a final cross-stitch.

And in return, you can expect to make around $20 to $25/hour on average. Many fashion houses and apparel brands also hire test stitchers on a full-time basis.

 

12. Put A Stall In Craft Fairs

Selling cross-stitch patterns is no easy task, as you need to know the right channels through which you can sell your craft for the best price possible.

And there is no doubt that craft fairs are the best places where you can get a lot of prospective buyers of your cross-stitch art in a single place. However, you may need to pay a hefty price to put up a stall at any local craft fair.

So, you need to adjust the pricing of your products accordingly to book the profit you have already calculated. And don’t forget to get all the necessary permissions to put up a stall from the local authority.

Read: How to Become a SHEIN Product Tester [13 Remote Tester Jobs]

 

13. Take Custom Orders

There is no debate that we are now living in the era of customization. From cars to apparel, we always ensure a personalized touch in every item we use these days. And things are no different for cross stitches, as many people want to buy personalized and custom cross stitches and hoop art.

You must use your social media handles to announce you are taking custom cross-stitch orders. Besides you should also ask your existing customers to write testimonials.

You must also tag all your friends and family members to let them know about your new business venture. You can also put up some ads, too, if you have a budget.

 

14. Sell Cross Stitched Cards

Designing and selling cross-stitched cards is among the most innovative ways to get paid to cross-stitch this year. And if you don’t know how to make money fast and easily this year, you must start your quest by selling these cards online.

But to do that, you need absolute prowess and experience. You don’t need to spend much time designing and making these cross-stitched cards, as those are easy to make.

And you can also use a stencil to draw the initial pattern on the card. Typically, you can expect to make around $10 to $20/piece for your self-designed cross-stitched cards.

 

15. Teach Cross Stitching Online

Teaching is not just concentrated in education anymore, as there are many teaching opportunities available in different sectors all over the world.

And if you have already mastered the skill of cross-stitching, you can start teaching other stitchers online. You can also curate your course on platforms like Udemy and Coursera.

But, if you are new in the teaching field, try to keep your pricing on the lower side to get as many eyes as possible in the initial days.

Besides online platforms, you can also use other offline channels to start teaching cross-stitching. And don’t forget to use your social media handles to announce your openings.

Also, Check: Get Paid To Wear Clothes – 25 Creative Ways Inside!

 

Step-by-step Procedure For Perfect Cross Stitching

If you are a beginner and want to know how to start cross-stitching, here is the step-by-step process to complete your first project.

Step 1: Read a Cross Stitch Chart

A cross-stitch chart helps you in finding where to cross-stitch, where to color, and what colors you need to use. And when you start a new project, it is always recommended to start your stitching from the center of the design. This way, you can make your design centered in the fabric.

If you are a beginner, choose to start with large blocks of a single color first and then go for other small patterns with multiple colors.

Step 2: Prepare Your Fabric

We all know what kind of fabrics we use for cross-stitching. But it is recommended to start with Aida fabric if you are a beginner since this fabric is beginner-friendly compared to other fabrics like linen.

If you are working on a large complex project, better bind the edges beforehand and start stitching. Or you can sew the edges in a zig-zag stitch to avoid fraying.

Step 3: Get All The Required Materials

You need to get all the required cross-stitching tools beforehand. A perfect cross-stitching kit contains things like fabrics, color threads, needles, hoops, colors, etc.

Once you acquire all the required things, you can start working on your project without any breaks or disturbances.

Step 4: Find & Mark The Center Of Your Fabric

You can find the center of your fabric by folding your fabric in half twice. (both vertically and horizontally) To mark the center, you can use a pin or small stitch.

Step 5: Using a Hoop

As we all know, embroidery hoops come in different sizes. So choosing the right hoop that suits our project is on us. Make sure you have excess fabric around the hoop to get perfect tension. If you pick the hoop that fits your fabric perfectly, it will not be possible to get the required tension.

If you lose the screw, your hoop will be separated into two rounds. Place the bottom round on a table or work surface, then cover your fabric on the bottom hoop. This is where you need to cross-check the center of the fabric is in the center of the hoop. Once you place the fabric perfectly, place the top round over the fabric.

Start tightening the screw and softly pull the fabric to create the required tension. Don’t pull the fabric too hard.

Step 6: Prepare Your Thread & Needle

When you select the color of the thread you want to start with, you better cut it short. 15 – 20 inches make a good length. If you stitch with longer thread, chances are high that it gets knotted easily.

Coming to the needles, most cross-stitchers use round-end tapestry needles. You need to choose the needle based on the fabric you use for a project. Don’t knot your thread at the tail end because it may ruin the process or the final output.

 

How To Select The Right Pricing For Your Cross Stitch Works?

If you want to get paid to cross-stitch and also want to make a name in this industry, you need to select the right pricing for your products.

You need to consider four main factors while choosing the right price for any cross stitch art, which are the total time taken to complete the art, material used, labor rate, and marketing cost.

You can also add up taxes such as GST and VAT on the final price to adjust the pricing properly. And you can easily get the right pricing for your cross-stitch art by implementing this formula

Final Price = (Cost of fabric + Cost of Threads) + (Hourly rate x Total hours taken) + Tax

Let’s assume you have bought $20 worth of fabric and $150 worth of colored thread. Besides, it took 200 hours to complete the cross stitch art with an hourly rate of $25. And the final tax adjustment is around 10%. So, the final pricing will be:

($20 + $150) + ($25 x 200) + 10% = $5687

Note: We have taken 10% of the value of the final sale as tax. You can adjust that percentage depending on the current taxation slabs in your country.

Read: 17 Best Websites and Apps To Sell Used Clothes Online

 

Final Words on Get Paid To Cross Stitch

Cross stitch is an art that takes years to master, especially if you want to learn intricate patterns to make eye-catching art. So, before you take the professional jump, you need to work on your skillset first.

And there are tons of online blogs and YouTube channels available from where you can learn different aspects of cross-stitching without paying any money.

So, these are all that you need to know if you want to get paid to cross stitch. But, if you think we have missed any crucial point, or if you know about any other platform where anyone can sell their cross-stitch art, feel free to drop your suggestions and feedback in the comment box below.

 

FAQs

Can you make money from cross stitch?

Yes, you can definitely make money from cross-stitching these days. Besides working as a professional cross stitcher, you can also work as a wedding sampler and can also start teaching online to make money.

And typically, you can expect to make around $1k to $3k/month on average as a professional cross stitcher.

 

Do people buy finished cross stitches?

Finished cross stitch arts are among the most sort-after items on online marketplaces, as the demand is huge all over the world. You can typically sell any finished cross-stitch art for $10 to $50/per piece.

And if you are good at making intricate patterns through cross stitching, you can even claim up to $100/piece for each of your finished cross stitch arts.

 

Where can I sell my cross stitch?

Launching your own blog with Shopify is the best option if you want to sell your cross stitches online. And you don’t need to pay any commission to anyone if you sell through your own channel.

However, you can also sell cross-stitch art in eCommerce marketplaces, such as Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Handmade.

 

How much should cross stitch cost?

The current hourly rate of a professional cross stitcher stands between $25 to $40 on average. And if you consider the per-stitch price, it can be anywhere between $0.01 to $0.05/stitch.

But if you talk about the completed pieces, those can sell between $5 and $100/piece, depending on the craftsmanship.

 

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