Some canvases are stitched to the edge of the design. Others? They spill over - in the best way possible.
Borders and backgrounds are one of my favorite ways to see how stitchers make a canvas their own. Whether it's extending the theme, adding texture, or simply playing with color, they offer so much room for creativity. I'm sharing a few incredible examples of where stitchers took a MJD canvas and truly made it personal - with thoughtful touches that go beyond the painted canvas.
From flags and florals to plaid, palm trees, and a Spritz cart in Positano, here's how some creative stitchers brough their vision to life.
@erin.stitcherwhite's Rainbow Bar Cart
"I had the privilege of serving on the board of a Cincinatti-based organization that raises funds for our local LGBTQIA+ community, through vibrant and joyful drag shows. The energy, love, and resilience of that community inspired this canvas. I chose to incorporate the Pride banner and Trans flag as a visual commitment to inclusion and a celebration of all identities. And of course, I couldn't resist a special nod to my beloved drag queen friends - the wigs were a must!"
Erin stitched this with so much intention and heart, adding thoughtful touches that celebrate identity and inclusion. She incorporated the Pride flag garland across the cart and pulled colors from the Trans flag to inspire her border. - a visual commitment to allyship and celebration!
@isthatyourstitch's "Chill Will" in Plaid Camo
"My husband's nickname when he served was 'Chill Will,' so of course I had to stitch him a camo-colored Chill Pill in the original camo print - plaid."
This camo plaid background completely transformed the Chill Pill canvas into a tribute piece. It's a beautiful reminder that even the background can carry deep personal meaning - and that sometimes, the simplest design choices are the most powerful.
@thehouseofneedlepoint's Bar Cart on a Bar Cart
"Most of the MJD bar carts I stitch have a nature theme so I try to give them an authentic background (as I kind of did with my Summer Camp and Après Ski Bar Carts). As for finishing, this is where I struggle! There are so many ways to display these pieces that I have a hard time deciding! I think for this particular Bar Cart, it will end up on our beach house cart as a stand-up. Nothing like a Bar Cart on a bar cart!"
The layered ocean waves and sandy shore behind this Resort Bar Cart give it a full vacation feel - and her plan to finish it as a stand-up for her real-life bar cart? Chef's kiss.
@eastcoast_ndlpt's Spritz Cart in Paradise
"I chose this background stitch because I wanted something relaxed and natural - like a hat or basket you might find in Positano. The Silk Straw's texture in a woven stitch gave me that soft, coastal feel! I plan to finish this into a gusseted sign for my bar cart. Meg from @theneedlepointfinisher will be finishing it for me."
This background stopped me in my tracks - the stitch and fiber choice give the entire piece a soft, relaxed texture that feels perfectly suited for a coastal getaway. It's such a beautiful example of how texture - not just color - can carry the story of a canvas beyond the painted edges.
When a Background Becomes the Canvas
One of my favorite examples of how a background can spark something new actually started with a hot dog (in true me fashion).
While stitching my Hot Dog canvas one summer, I decided to add an American flag background to give it a festive, cookout-ready feel - we all know how much I love hot dogs and Fourth of July! I loved the look so much that it inspired a brand-new canvas: American Flag Hot Dog. You can watch more of how the process unfolded in this TikTok. Just a little reminder that backgrounds aren't always the finishing touch - sometimes, they're the creative starting point.
Carrying the Theme: Derby Bar Cart Border
Some borders are bold. Others are refined. This one is both.
When I designed the Stirrup Bar Cart Border, I wanted it to feel like part of the celebration - not just a frame around it. With crisp green stripes and delicate gold stirrup corners, it brings to mind a well-pressed racing silk or vintage julep cup. It's the kind of border that feels festive but composed, tying the scene together while still letting the cart shine.
There's no one right way to finish a canvas - but if you're feeling inspired to keep stitching past the edges, I hope these examples spark a few ideas.
Whether you go bold with a geometric border, stitch a sky behind your bar cart, or add something personal only you understand, the beauty of borders and backgrounds is that they're completely up to you. Feel free to tag @morganjuliadesigns or message me your finish - I'd love to see it and maybe even share it in a future post!
XO, Morgan
