Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 48 high x 42 wide Design size: 8.5x7.5cm (33/8x3in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… Christmas card Step 1 WORK the design on a 15x14cm (6x5½in) piece of 14 count aida, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one strand for the backstitch. Step 2 ADD red seed beads using red stranded cotton, grouping them together and following the chart for where to place them. Step 3 DOWNLOAD and stitch on acard robin topper (see tip opposite) at the bottom of the design. Step 4 TRIM the stitched fabric so that it is larger than the white panel on the front of your card (see tip), leaving two or three blank…

Hullo! We’re rolling towards the end of the year! No matter how you celebrate, I’m sure we are all glad in some ways to see the back end of 2020! The year that has been has forced us to reevaluate a lot, including how fast we were all moving. We’ve been pushing forward with incredible speed for so long, that it seems like we’ve not had time to just stop and be still. This unusual year has certainly allowed for that! One benefit of all that downtime is that it seems to have allowed us to return to the basics – what’s important, what has meaning, what makes us smile? The lives of humans fly by so fast, and yet we also have so much time. It’s a paradox that…

SANTA STOCKING KIT Part of the Dimensions Gold Collection, Checking His List is a stocking 41cm (16in) long worked on White 14 count aida. The kit contains: ★ backing felt ★ wool for a cord ★ 14 or 16 count aida ★ stranded cotton ★ thread sorter ★ needle Checking His List, £24, ref: DSCHL ZWEIGART AIDA We’ve a fab offer on Zweigart 14 count Antique White contract aida. Normally used for kit manufacture, because it’s wider, it’s great for large projects and cards or for your stash. The FQ is larger than normal; 50x74cm (19½x29in). Zweigart 14 Count Aida for £5.10, ref: Z3264/101 SAMPEDRO AIDA Sampedro 14 count white aida from Portugal – amazing quality, soft and really great value. This FQ (50x80cm) of Sampedro 14 count is larger…

Cross Sticher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Dashing Through The Snow, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: Zweigart 14 count aida in Pewter Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Skeins of DMC Light Effects Skein of DMC Satin Mill Hill beads Silver stars Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 NOTE: Embroidery hoop not included How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of ?39.50, plus P&P. Designed by: Lucie Heaton Stitch count: 179 high x 180 wide Design size: 33x33cm (13x13in) Stitch time: 50 hours This design was…

Welcome to a brand new three-part project – designed to be a bit more challenging and to take longer than our regular designs. If you’re looking to stretch your stitching skills, you’ll love all the techniques incorporated into our Cinderella scene. From metallics to beads and from sequins to more complex backstitching – this a truly sparkling design to work on! Stitching your… Cinderella scene Step 1 START stitching with your fabric turned landscape. Part one of the design which is in this issue, is the left section, and you should start stitching 12cm (5in) in from the left side of your fabric, if you buy the recommended amount of fabric listed on page 64. Step 2 USE two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and half cross…

Making a biscornu is one of the most rewarding things to create in cross stitch. The fact that two stitched squares of fabric can magically turn into a fascinating shape with wavy edges never ceases to amaze! Follow our steps below first, then the steps on the right to whip stitch together your biscornu, before stuffing and adding the butt ons. Make a… biscornu Step 1 STITCH a biscornu top and bottom that are the same size. Trim your design with 1.25cm (.in) of blank fabric left on the edges. Work on the fabric's wrong side to fold over each edge, ensuring each fold is right on the outer backstitched line. Finger press each of the folds in place. Step 2 ALLOW the edges to fall open. Working from the…

Designer Sophie Allport is well-known for her beautiful fine bone china and kitchen fabrics, including her gorgeous brand-new Partridge fabric featured opposite. Sophie says, “I tend to work from home and usually it’ll be at the kitchen table with my favourite pens and watercolours ready and of course with my dogs at my feet. I find I’m most creative when I’m on my own at home, I prefer the peaceful environment with no interruptions where I can really concentrate on work.” www.sophieallport.com Drop us a line to crosssstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with images of your craft space and a few words about it and our favourites could be featured in a future issue!…

WEEKEND MAKES: HOOP EMBROIDERY ROSEMARY DRYSDALE [GMC Publications] This book is ideal for any cross stitchers looking to expand their stitching repertoire and have a go at an actual embroidery design. You’ll find lots of familiar stitches here, from French knots, to backstitch, to satin stitch, and each project has been designed to be so quick and easy that you can finish it over a weekend. With easy instructions and beautiful photos – you will be able to turn out beautiful projects in no time. HOME SWEET HOME SEWING HELEN PHILIPPS [Tuva Publishing] Designer Helen Philipps has such a charming style – and is well-known for her sweet cross stitch samplers. Here she branches out into homestyle makes, with a selection of projects from quilts, pillows, a spring wreath, little…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon (Tiny Modernist) Stitch count: 51 high x 36 wide – gable ends; 33 high x 60 wide – front and back Design size: 8x6cm (3.x23⁄8in); 5x10cm (2x4in) Stitch time: 30 hours This design was stitched on 32 count linen over two threads of fabric All the materials we used to make our toy shop are available from www.willowfabrics.com We used white felt for a snowcovered roof effect - you can use a different colour if you prefer Zweigart Natural Silver 32 count Belfast, ref: 3609/0017; 40x23cm (16x9in) Stranded cot ton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle White felt; 10x 9cm (4x31/2 in) x 2 pieces Cardboard Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… Christmas shop Step 1 STITCH two shop sides and two gable…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “Do you like to decorate your home with stitched decorations at Christmas?” PAULA CRISTINA NUNES LIMA There is never enough ‘Christmas’ for a home. Each year I make a new item either to hang on the tree or on a wall and also make cross stitch cards to send some of my friends. ANN CHRISTINE TEALE As I’m a newbie to cross stitch, this is my first Christmas as a stitcher! So I am hoping to get at least one up! But as I have quite a few Christmas present stitches planned, they are my priority – fingers crossed I’ll get one done for myself though… MARY BRENHOLT I have one large tree that is all cross stitch ornaments, another which is a snowman…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 53 high x 40 wide Max. design size: 9.5x7.5cm (3.x3in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one or two for the backstitch. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design centrally placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture. Step 4 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the card on top, pressing down firmly on the tape. Step 5 CHECK which flap will fold onto the back of the stitching, then add strips…

Take a first glance at one of Kenris MacLeod’s stunning forest scenes and you’d probably start to wonder how long such an intricate painting took her to produce. It’s only on closer inspection that it becomes apparent that each tiny leaf or patch of bark has been beautifully created using needle and thread. The textured finish we all love from our own stitching really comes into its own in her pieces, as the richness of each artwork is complemented with a beautiful 3D effect. These days Kenris’ work is sought by collectors and she has widely exhibited, but her route to becoming a textile artist has been a long one. She was a BBC radio producer for nearly 15 years when she decided to take voluntary redundancy in order to…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 50 high x 49 wide Design size: 9.5x9.5cm (33/4x33/4in) Stitch time: 5 hours each This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to… wrap your hoop CUT or tear strips of cotton fabric about 3cm (11⁄4in) in width. You will be wrapping the outer most ring of your hoop only. To do this, remove the metal screw, and starting at the top of the hoop, close to the metal bracket, glue the end of the fabric to the hoop. Hold it in place for a short while until dry and then begin wrapping the hoop with the fabric, overlapping by a small amount as you go. If you run out of fabric, glue the fabric end to the hoop, and then over…

WHEN YOU THINK about it, most of our beloved Christmas images are hard to find in real life. What would a festive scene be without the snow, but how many of us actually experience a white Christmas? We would need to look back quite a few years in the UK. Nevertheless, we are always up for a good dose of artistic license – not to mention a touch of magic and sparkle! First of all we want to take you on a sleigh ride! Lucie Heaton’s cover design is such a treat, with the woodland animals making their way through the snow to their own version of Christmas. Climb on board on page 24. We’ve noticed that many of you like to create snow villages as part of your decorations.…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 60 highx 60 wide, body; 38 highx53 wide, wings Design size: 11x11cm (43⁄8x43⁄8in); 9.5x6.6cm (33⁄4x 25⁄8in) Stitch time: 23 hours total This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Sampedro White 14 count aida; 15x15cm (6x 6in) body; 14x 9cm (51⁄2 x31 ⁄ 2in) w ings Stranded cotton as l is ted in the key Iron-on Vilene; 14x9cm (51⁄2x31⁄2in) Cotton fabric or aida for base; 9x9cm (31 ⁄ 2x31⁄2in) • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 15x15cm (6x 6in) body; 14x 9cm (51⁄2 x31 ⁄ 2in) w ings • Stranded cotton as l is ted in the key • Iron-on Vilene; 14x9cm (51⁄2x31⁄2in) • Cotton fabric or aida for base; 9x9cm (31 ⁄ 2x31⁄2in) For an invisible’ hanging loop, you could replace the…

Cross stitcher CrossStitcher is the UK’s longest-established cross stitch magazine, bringing you irresistible projects from top designers. It’s packed with quality content from quick and easy, to classic samplers, from greetings cards to contemporary cushions. We pride ourselves on an upbeat and friendly approach to make every stitcher welcome, whatever their experience and ability. We know how to treat our subscribers well, so make sure you aren’t missing out on a single issue and make sure you subscribe today! Already a subscriber? Well it doesn’t hurt to remind yourself of the amazing benefits we’re giving you each and every issue. Not subscribed yet? You’re missing all this… Susan and Martin Penny, Editors SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS: Free kit with every issue, sometimes two kits! Help shape our content – we are actively…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Santa’s Christmas Countdown, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 PLEASE NOTE: the pack does not contain backing fabric or a magnetic frame which can be ordered separately from Willow Fabrics. How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of ?26.50, plus P&P. Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 182 high x 135 wide Design size: 33x24.5cm (13x93/4 in) Stitch time: 36 hours This…

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK Turn to Stitcher's Spotlight on page 72 to find out more about biscornus and how to stitch and make them Stitch count: 60 high x 60 wide Design size: 10.5x10.5cm (4¼x4¼in) Stitch time: 21 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials For the biscornu Zweigart Confederate Grey 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0718; 15x15cm (6x6in) x 2 pieces Stranded cotton a s lis ted in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Red buttons x 2 Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… biscornu Step 1 COMPLETE all the stitching for the top of the biscornu, following the chart. Once completed, stitch just the outer red backstitch row and also the first white row of cross stitch onto the second piece of fabric. If you…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES Welcome to this month’s designer challenge! Christmas is coming so we wanted our designers to this time try and create an original brooch design to give a festive touch to an outfit. They were given just six thread shades to design with, and they were asked to incorporate red seed beads into their design as well. We hope their results will inspire you to join the fun – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for January – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. AMANDA BUTLER… CHRISTMAS CRACKER “I loved this project – it started life as a snowflake then materialized into a Christmas Mandela pattern quite by accident as I got…