First of all, welcome to the chitchat site! Did you stitch Annie on a pre-made bookmark? If so, the edge should already be finished and I would just cut a piece of lightweight iron=on pellon on the back so it looks nice and doesn't come apart and call it done. However, if you are doing her on your own piece of aida, I would cut the piece a couple inches 2-3 larger than I want the finished bookmark to be. I would center Annie and then stitch by machine or by hand about one half inch from the edge of the design around the edge of the bookmark to hold the stitches and then fray the edges. Be sure to put the pelloon on the back. Hope this helps. If you have any questions or don't understand, write back. Good luck and happy stitching.! >Linda

Thanks, Linda. I am a beginner cross stitcher and I appreciate the help. What kind of hand stitch do you recommend for the edging? I am using my own Aida fabric - not a pre-made bookmark - and would like to try your idea of pellon on back and hand stitch around edges. Thanks again. Pat

http://www.funkandweber.com/cross-stitch-finishing-overcast-backstitches/

This link will show you one way to finish off a book mark using hand sewing. I have not tried it.

I usually stitch a single line of x-stitches around the motif as a border. Then I cut the fabric leaving approximately 1/4 inch which I fringe. I made simple ones for my granddaughter - with her name or a small flower motif and tried to keep the back as clean as possible. I don't know what pellon is but it sounds like a good option for camouflaging. Annie looks like she required many different colors making it difficult to keep the back "clean". The border and fringing has always worked for me, it's a fairly attractive look. Whenever possible I would use the finished bookmarks. I no longer stitch bookmarks since everybody reads electronic books. Good luck.

Tex, never run into Pelon? Bet you know it by its generic "interfacing." The fusible type is iron-on. I think it's syagel who backs all her projects with it.

Thanks, jl, I can always count on you. I use Pelon for stockings, etc.

I took three projects (2 tiny ones) for framing today. They are busy, old and slow but do great work. One is for the Fourth - I won't be hanging that one this year! LOL