Have you ever thought about making money from your cross stitching hobby? You might be able create designs for cross stitch magazines. It doesn't have to be difficult, and is actually easier than you think. Here are some tips to create cross stitch designs and how to submit them to magazines.

There are two ways to have your designs published in cross stitch magazines:  send in your designs on spec or be commissioned to create designs for them. Usually, new designers begin with the first option. Remember that the designs you create should be similar to the designs the magazine publishes regularly. Sending teddy bears to a magazine that specializes in samplers would be a wasted effort.

Will you have to provide a stitched design? That depends on the magazine to which you are submitting. Be sure to read their submission requirements carefully. You can usually find the editor's name, email, and physical address in the magazine. If you're unsure of something, send an email or letter to clarify any questions.

You might want to ask the magazine whether they prefer submissions to be made on a particular cross stitch program or if they prefer hand drawn charts. If you don't use the format they generally use, there's no sense in sending in your chart.

Be sure to find out who will own the copyright of any design that is published, you or the magazine. Check to see if your name is going to be published as the designer. If you want to make a name for yourself as a designer, these questions will be crucial. Magazines don't always list the designer.

Having your freelance designs included in cross stitch magazines can be surprisingly lucrative. You may be able to establish a relationship with the editor and cultivate it so well that you know what they want. Be careful, however, because magazines sometimes change editors, you might have to start building that relationship all over again with the new editor.

There are no restrictions concerning which cross stitch magazines you can submit your designs to, if you are a freelance artist. If you do submit work to more than one magazine, be aware that your work may not be quite as desirable to both of them since exclusivity is highly valued.