Make Finishing Fun™: Two Creative Ways to Finish Your Tiny House Series

There is nothing quite like the feeling of pulling that very last cross-stitch through your fabric. But all too often, our beautiful, completed designs end up tucked away in a drawer, waiting for the perfect finish. Here at Anabella’s, we believe the creative process shouldn’t stop at the final stitch—we want to help you Make Finishing Fun™!

Our beloved Tiny House Collection is designed with exactly this philosophy in mind. Filled with sweet little homes, blooming florals, and old-fashioned Cottagecore charm, these charts are an absolute delight to stitch. Best of all, because of their compact size, they are fast to stitch, incredibly easy to finish, and make the most wonderful seasonal displays or heartwarming gifts for friends.

Today, we are diving into two of our favorite ways to bring these tiny houses out of the project basket and into your home: mounting them on our signature wooden BellaBoards, or sewing them into an adorable, primitive-inspired small pillow.

Option 1: The Quick & Elegant BellaBoard Finish

If you are looking for a clean, sturdy, and instantaneous way to display your needlework, our BellaBoards are the ultimate solution. These beautiful, solid wood backings provide a gorgeous, rustic frame that lets your stitching take center stage.

• Why we love it: It takes under ten minutes, requires zero sewing, and gives your finish a professional, boutique-style appearance.

• The Accent Touch: Once your stitched piece is mounted to the board, you can completely change the personality of the piece with your accents. For our May Tiny House, we topped the board with an oversized, vibrant blue linen bow and a tiny strawberry button centered in the knot. It perfectly mirrors the cozy cottage vibe of the house!

Option 2: The Coordinated Small Pillow Finish

For a softer, classic primitive look, turning your stitchery into a small stuffed pillow (or

 “pinkeep”) is a timeless choice. By pairing your cross-stitch with a coordinating quilting cotton or reproduction fabric at the bottom, you can create an eye-catching, multi-textured piece that sits beautifully in tiered trays, baskets, or nestled on a shelf.

Finishing Tip: Designing with Cohesive Fabrics When selecting a fabric companion for your pillow finish, look directly into your stitching for color cues. For our May House, rather than a heavy plaid, we paired the linen with a delicate, cream-ground cotton print featuring tiny red tulips and blue geometric motifs. This effortlessly ties into the stitched floral vines and the blue house, making the entire piece look intentional, bright, and expertly curated.

Tutorial: Crafting Your Small Finish Pillow

Ready to try it yourself? Gather your supplies, put on a cozy pot of tea, and follow these simple steps to sew a beautiful small pillow finish:

Supplies Needed:

• Your completed Tiny House stitched fabric

• A coordinating piece of accent fabric for the front lower panel

• A matching fabric for the back of the pillow (linen or a matching print works great)

• Anabella’s Ric Rac

• Polyester fiberfill (or walnut shells/dried lavender for weight and scent)

• Sewing machine, iron, needle, and thread

Step 1: Piece Your Front Panels

Trim your completed cross-stitch fabric, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance on the sides and bottom. Cut a matching width of your coordinating accent fabric for the lower panel. With right sides together, stitch the bottom of your needlework fabric to the top of your accent fabric using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press the seam flat.

Step 2: Add Timeless Trim

To hide the raw seam line and add that classic country charm, lay a piece of vintage mini-ricrac or wavy trim right over the front seam. Pin it carefully and topstitch it gently in place.

Step 3: Assemble the Pillow

Cut a piece of backing fabric to the exact dimensions of your newly pieced front panel. Place the front and back pieces right sides together (the cross-stitch will be on the inside). Pin securely around all four edges.

Step 4: Stitch and Leave an Opening

Sew around all four edges using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Make sure to leave a 2-inch opening along the bottom edge for turning the pillow. Carefully clip your corners diagonally to remove bulk—this ensures sharp, neat points when turned.

Step 5: Turn and Stuff

Turn the pillow right-side out through the opening. Use a wooden dowel or turning tool to gently push out the corners so they look nice and square. Stuff the pillow firmly with your fiberfill or walnut shells.

Step 6: The Final Polish

Tuck the raw edges of the opening inward so they align neatly with the rest of the seam. Hand-stitch the opening closed using a neat slip stitch or ladder stitch. Your pillow is officially ready!

Create a Vignette!

Don’t forget to frame your display! You can elevate your small pillow finish by pairing it on a tray with a rustic wooden bead garland, a jute tassel, or small carved wooden stars and antique buttons to build a warm, inviting seasonal corner.

Whether you choose the clean lines of our BellaBoards or the cozy texture of a hand-stuffed small pillow, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. Finishing shouldn’t be a chore—it’s the joyful celebration of your stitching hours!