Hi everyone!
*Quick Update! There is now a video tutorial and free cube pattern to go along with this written tutorial! You can find the video tutorial on my flosstube channel and you can find the free cube pattern here on my blog. Enjoy!
Today I will be talking about the process of sewing together my small cubes! These cubes are super easy to sew up, and can work up pretty fast once you get the hang of it. The model for today is my St. Patrick's Day cube, which I stitched on hand-dyed green and purple 14 count aida.
**Before we start, just a little note! We don't shame messy backs here! The back of your project is no one else's business, and as long as it doesn't interfere with the front, it really doesn't matter what it looks like. I tend to travel my threads and I have long tails, but I make sure that it doesn't impact the front at all. I make this declaration because I will be showing you both the front and back of my project, and want to make sure we are all on the same page with expectations. Be kind!**
So without further ado, let's get started!
To sew a cube together, you will only need a needle, floss, scissors, and stuffing. The color of the floss depends on whichever color you used to outline your piece, and you will need two strands (the color is identified in the chart instructions, if you want to do what I did). I use regular poly-fil stuffing, but feel free to use whatever you are comfortable with.
Now that you finished stitching your piece, this is what it should look like:
I don't give myself a big border (about 1 inch on each side) because I know I am just going to cut it down anyways. The amount of fabric I have around the piece is still too much, so you are going to cut around the piece so that there are 4 stitches/blocks around the outside of your piece.
You can see here what that looks like:
I have found that four stitches are the perfect amount for a border because it doesn't get in the way, and it's not too little that it unravels. Please note that I stitch on aida, and you may want to leave more of a border depending on the fabric you stitch on. It's always best to try with more of a border than less.
I have experimented with making slits in each corner to lessen the bulk and create more of a crease, but it became much more of a hassle than it was worth. This created a lot of loose threads on my fabric that kept getting in the way, and I had to keep shoving them back inside the cube. I do not recommend doing this method at all.
Also, quick aside, my kitty Lucy wanted to help me take these pictures!
She's very helpful, as you can see.
Anyway, we are going to start sewing in the corner closest to the camera. This is the side where the "S" meets the corner, and where the shamrock side and coin cauldron come together.
Thread your needle with two strands (make sure to use 2 to give your stitching some strength) and anchor your thread on the opposite side of the corner we just discussed. I like anchoring my thread in the border stitches because they are usually the strongest.
I have my needle pointing to where I anchored my stitch.
Then, flip your stitching back over to the front. Run your needle up through the first two stitches in the blocks. You have to keep your needle going the same direction, so I chose to do mine going up. Your tail will look awkward for the first couple stitches, but that's okay, it will work out in a bit.
You might wish to start folding your fabric so that the edges are curled into the cube and the border stitches are lined up, but don't worry if you can't do this yet. The fabric will naturally want to go that way after a while.
Pull your needle through and pull your thread tight, so that it looks like this (below picture):
(Your tail is going to fit snuggly in the corner and won't get in the way after this.)
Now we are going to start on the next two stitches. Like with the first one, push your needle through from the bottom stitch to the top and pull.
On the third stitch, do the same process but make sure to pull your other stitches tight on this one. The first two stitches start out loose because the fabric doesn't want to fold that way, but pulling tight on your third stitch makes them retain their tightness.
Here, my first several stitches are pulled tight and they look a lot cleaner.
Now that you've got the hang of it, keep going until you reach the end of this side of the cube.
Congratulations! One side of the cube is sewn up and you can see it start to form its shape.
Now it's time to keep going onto the next side. This stitch might be tricky because there is a lot more fabric between the top two stitches than the bottom two, but don't get frustrated. I chose to run my needle through the bottom stitch fully before going through the top stitch.
Pull tight and continue the second stitch as normal. The fabric will fold all on its own as you sew.
(Side note, make sure you keep dropping your needle to let the thread unwind, otherwise you end up with a giant knot like I did!)
Keep sewing this side together until you reach the end.
We will keep this stitch going and sew up the side to meet back at the top.
I turned my work so that I am now stitching right to left, but I am still keeping my needle going bottom to top. If you can't change direction, feel free to turn your work so you are still stitching left to right.
As I stitch, I try to fold my excess fabric into the cube so that it lines my stitches up nicely. If you find it awkward to hold, you can add a sewing pin or clip to hold the sides together.
Keep going until you reach the end. Since there are no sides left to sew that are connected to where our needle is, we have to end our thread. Stick your needle through the join so that it comes out inside the cube.
Flip your cube inside out and make sure your needle doesn't go anywhere except through that gap of fabric between the join.
Anchor your thread to any of the threads that are available and cut it. (Again, I like anchoring my thread on the border stitches because they are strong and close by.)
This where we are at in our process!
The cube shape is really starting to form!
Now it's time to sew up the next couple sides. I chose to start in the corner "Day" is written, so that the front of my cube is finished before the back. That way, when I go to sew the last sides together, I don't have any bunching on the front. It can be hidden in the back on the bottom instead.
I anchored my thread on the inside corner...
... and flipped it over to start sewing.
My tail got tucked into the corner and I started sewing from bottom to top, left to right.
Keep going until you reach the end.
Just like at the end of the first two sides, this one also has an awkward corner. I folded my fabric together so it would make it a bit easier to sew.
Keep sewing until you reach the end of the side.
The next side to sew is the rainbow and hat side. This join shouldn't be too bad; stitch until you reach the corner.
You need to end your thread again, so push your needle through the join and anchor it on the other side.
Since the cube is almost put together, I just pushed this little corner through the gap to end my thread.
The cube is almost finished! You can really see the shape now.
This is the only side left to sew now. I always try to leave the side in the back and on the bottom for last so that any mistakes I have with this awkward join will be hidden. (I don't always sew the same sides in a row that I did this time, so sometimes when I get to the last section to join, it is a section that has two sides to join instead of just one, and they are easier to join than one, but can still be awkward.)
This side is finicky, so try not to get frustrated. Remember, if you mess up, no one will see it!
I anchored my thread to the inside border and tugged my tail around to the front.
I chose to stitch right to left for this section, so I joined my first couple stitches.
If you have any loose threads on your fabric sticking out, make sure to fold them into the inside of the cube so they aren't in the way.
After my first three or four joins, I pulled my thread tight to close the corner. I noticed some puckering in the corner, but it won't be as noticeable in the end.
After about 6-10 joins, I added my stuffing. Make sure to shove your choice of stuffing into each corner so that the corners don't deflate.
Finish stitching until you reach the end.
Since the cube is now closed, we have to anchor our thread on the outside instead. Slip your needle under a couple of the stitches you just made and pull through.
Make two knots on top of each other as close to the bottom of your thread as possible. I like to hold the knot down as I pull through to make sure it stays at the bottom.
Then slip your needle under the next couple stitches and pull through. This will allow the knot to slip under the stiches and be secured.
Cut your thread close to the end and there you go!
Congratulations! You have now sewn your first cube!
Now all that's left is deciding how to display your new cube! I love adding mine to a little bowl or a tiered tray. How will you display yours? I would love to see! Feel free to tag me on Instagram @ladybug.stitches when you finish!
If you have any further questions about sewing together these cubes, you can comment on this post, or shoot me a message over on Instagram so I can help!
That's it for me today, happy stitching to all!
~Hannah at Ladybug Stitches Shop
