Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 33 i Cross Stitch Favourites

Chill out this summer and dig into these sweet ice cream projects. While you’re soaking up the summer sun, take your stitching with you – you’ll whip up birthday cards and tags in no time. Just be sure to tie your threads to a thread keeper so they don’t blow away. Stitched in refreshing pastel colours, these projects come to life as you stitch the many backstitch outlines. Let the flavoursome designs pop beautifully against white aida, or stitch on coloured fabric for a look that’s just as cool. Finish them on patterned cards or add them to bright card to make matching gift tags. They’re perfect to stitch for friends who celebrate their birthday in summer or you could personalise the backstitch greetings to make a card for any…

You’ll be motivated to live your best life thanks to your new stitchy cheerleader – an awesomely unique and sparkly narwhal! If you haven’t heard of a narwhal before, they are strange and beautiful Arctic creatures with long tusks on their heads, hence their nickname of unicorns of the sea. Emma’s designed a funky pattern on her narwhal, adding to its fictitious, storybook feel. Typography in a style this popular designer behind the design company Stitchrovia is well-known for, makes the message come alive, along with the wonderful stars, swirls and delicate ombré shading. Challenge yourself with whole stitches, fractionals and backstitch in cottons, metallics and DMC’s new Étoile threads, then hang your finish in pride of place and let this project inspire you. Or, gift your fantastic finish to…

The sound of ocean waves lapping, the feel of soft sand beneath your feet, the scent of freshly picked flowers and the sun beating down… The brilliant thing about destination weddings is that, for the guests, it can be one of the best days of their lives too! If you know someone lucky enough to be marrying in the Amalfi Coast in Italy, on the Cote d’Azur in France or perhaps Bali or Thailand then stitch a specially themed card to celebrate. This collection of cards covers everything from saving the date to an invite, and there’s a choice of beach-themed congratulations cards too. A beachy colour palette sets the tone, while statement wooden buttons of etched shells and starfish shapes give a special touch. Super-speedy, these designs are whole…

You’ll feel instantly relaxed and refreshed when you begin stitching these mini lavender motifs. And they are the perfect project to stash away and bring out when you need to stitch for birthdays and Christmas. They’re ideal for tiny gift bags too (without the lavender filling) at such events as christenings or weddings. Fiona has created six delightful charts, including a watering can, a potted plant and two gorgeous garlands, each stitched onto crisp white evenweave. You can even personalise your chosen design with a monogram using the alphabet chart on page 78. Each lavender bag is finished with a pretty lace edging and a dainty ribbon bow and we show you how to put together the sachets themselves on page 79, just follow the simple step-by-step photos. They are…

Stitch Tip Iron the back of your work with interfacing before patching it onto a bag to help strengthen and reinforce the stitches Fun and fast finishing idea With the sun shining and new hope on the horizon, it’s time to embrace the tropical party vibe with Jenny’s fruity fiesta designs. We can already imagine ourselves reclined on a sun lounger with cocktail in hand. Worked using whole and fractional cross stitch in two strands, and backstitch in one strand of thread, we recommend using a hard-wearing aida fabric for these bag panels. A crewel embroidery needle will help you pierce the aida block neatly for your fractionals, just choose the part of the design that sits further forward when making a three quarter stitch (see page 9 for help…

One of the things that makes cross stitch special is it allows us to create a unique handmade gift to show someone we are thinking of them. If we can raise a smile with the design we make, that is even better. These lovely cards not only showcase the beauty of life in the ocean, each has an accompanying sentiment packed with puns to make the recipient chuckle. These phrases are added with backstitch in one strand, and it’s the backstitch throughout these designs that really bring them to life. There are just a few French knots to make up the starfishes’ eyes (one strand), and in the lettering (two strands). These friendly characters are designed to be made into cards for all ages, but their square shape and gentle…

Stitch vibrant designs on dark aida Stitch Tip Cheryl’s used a varied palette of thread colours, making her cityscapes a great stashbuster as you can swap out colours for leftover threads Daydream about your next weekend break, reminisce on a trip gone by or welcome someone home from their own travels when you stitch these popular city destinations. Journey from New York to London, Tokyo and Paris with these beautiful nighttime skylines, then make them up into stylish canvases or send them to friends as unique postcards. The choice of colours and attention to detail makes these satisfying projects for stitchers of all levels. Whole cross stitch and backstitch only mean no fractionals, making for an easier time stitching, while black aida may pose a challenge for those of you…

The fair has arrived, whirring with activity and the sweet smell of popcorn. Children gape in wonder at the flashing colours and jolly carousel, while adults suddenly feel like little kids again. What a fantastic way to spend a summer’s day. Capture those happy, carefree memories in fun stitches with these bright and colourful motifs. With just whole stitches and backstitch in each chart, each will take between one and six hours and they are perfect for using up any fabric scraps or thread leftovers. From smaller motifs, the lolly and balloons, to the larger train and merry-go-round, each is an exciting stitch. From fairground-themed parties, carnival-themed bedroom decor or summer birthdays, this is a wonderful selection. Pop a few onto goodie bags to give away at a summer party,…

Fun stitches and fast finishes Stitch Tip If you like the Rickety Rose ric rac we used for our sign here, order yours at www.ricketyrose.co.uk Become immersed in the magical world of mermaids as you stitch this sweet set of letters and numbers inspired by the sirens of the sea. Stitched in a pretty palette of blues and purples, each character is surrounded by its own mini underwater island of coral, starfish and shells. Have fun filling in each letter with a water-like ombré pattern, then use a strand of colour to add the backstitch outlines. “As well as underwater motifs such as seaweed and starfish, I wanted each letter and number to reflect the sea so used an ombré effect with blue and green thread shades and plenty of…

31 stitchy escapes for jet-setters Stitch Tip If you want to take your stitching with you on your holidays, just pop it in a small pouch or re-sealable plastic storage bag to keep it safe Whether you are the one heading off to sunnier climes, about to take the trip of a lifetime and realise long-held dreams, or perhaps a friend or family member is venturing to far-away places, then let Maria’s selection come to the rescue with card and gift ideas. From flip-flops, wheely cases, postmarks and camels, there’s a motif here to please the most adventurous wanderlust in your life. Bright ideas If your pal is taking time out of their job and about to jet off on a long journey, or maybe they are relocating and moving…

41 summer holiday stitches Stitch Tip Use an embroidery hoop to hold your fabric while you stitch as it’ll help you keep an even tension and get a neat finish If you dream of escaping with your WIP and long for days of sun, sand and stitching, then you’ll want to pack this holiday collection in your suitcase. Filled with fun designs for all abilities, make these summery designs into gift tags, cards, bookmarks and more. So, once you’ve made that booking and searched for your passport, it’s time to choose what you want to stitch when you arrive at your dream destination. Bright ideas Stitch summertime fun with an ‘oh I do love to be beside the seaside’ card and feel waves of nostalgia for holidays past. Pair the…

Settle down under a parasol and pour yourself a cool drink – it’s time to hang out by the pool! Capture your fondest summer memories in stitches with these colourful cards and tags. Each pool looks so inviting as it’s been designed from an overhead perspective to give the feeling of diving in. From ornamental pools with a bridge and pretty shrubs surrounding, to holiday pools with lilos and loungers, there are plenty of styles to choose from. You could even stitch these cards poolside, and send them home to loved ones. And, if you know someone holding a pool party-themed birthday, use the tags to put the finishing touches to their presents. Worked mainly in whole cross stitch and backstitch with just some fractionals, each of the cards will…

Pedalling down a country lane, the warm breeze rushing past you, enjoying the smell of flowers… this pretty design by Durene instantly creates that wonderful feeling of freedom you get from a bike ride on a summer’s day. This piece has so many clever elements to enjoy working on. The wheels of the bike are stitched separately onto two hoops and then attached to the main design, giving it a wonderful three-dimensional feel – you’ll find full instructions on how to do this on page 54. The use of partial backstitch lines evokes the feel of a pen and ink drawing in the picture, while the motto under the design looks like modern calligraphy, combining whole cross stitch, fractionals and backstitch to create the thick and thin strokes of this…

Maritime monogram gifts for the home Stitch Tip It’s easy to patch your completed stitching onto towels using a neat running stitch in matching cotton thread Anautical theme for the bathroom is a popular one to go for and no wonder, because it always brings a jaunty, fresh feel. The bright blues of a striped beach hut and yellow sail of a yacht, will bring a sense of ocean freshness to your interiors. Designs from compass, ship’s wheel and lighthouse will soon have your interiors looking shipshape and we love the fun shapes the anchor and lobster make into the letters B and T. Both pretty and practical, beginners can easily tackle these cross stitch and backstitch motifs. They’re a quick-stitch for more experienced stitchers too, as each letter will…