Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 49 high x 56 wide Design size: 11x9.5cm (4¼x3¾in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. If you’ve some spare embellishments in your stash why not add a small seed bead for the bird’s eye? Template Use your templates at 100% Make a… hanging bird Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of 13x11cm aida, using two strands for the cross stitch, and one for the backstitch. Step 2 CUT around your stitched bird, leaving 3mm of unstitched aida around the design. Place the stitched bird on 10x12cm felt, pin together and cut to the same size – make sure you leave enough felt for the wing. Step 3 WITH the felt and the stitching wrong-sides together,…

“My craft space is forever changing as I move things around when I go from one project to another. “My favourite things in my craft room have got to be my two little furry assistants. One is more hands on, testing everything whilst the other loves to watch everything from a distance. Craft projects may take me 10 times longer to finish than expected but I'm guaranteed a lot of cuddles and laughs along the way.  “My Dad made a red wall spool rack for me as a gift one year, I absolutely love it.” www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SarahCooklandDesigns “I like having a window to gaze out of and when it’s warm enough, take my projects out into the garden.” “I enjoy a variety of crafts including sewing, quilting and crocheting on top…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch A Song For Spring, 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 Ice Blue Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Flutterby charm x 2 Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £29, plus P&P. Designed by: Faye Walsh Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 33x22cm (13x8¾in) Stitch time: 37 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Attach your charm using coordinating thread, with a few…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 69 high x 66 wide Max. design size: 12.5x12cm (5x4¾in) Stitch time: 7 hours (each) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. If you’re short on time you could stitch the plants hoop on its own, or first, then get watering’ when you have more time for the second hoop! Materials For each hoop Zweigart Silver Grey 14 count aida, ref: 3706/7011; 25x25cm (10x10in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapes try needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 5cm (12.5in) diameter Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com We used matching wooden hoops, but you could paint yours to match if you wish by using an emulsion tester pot How to… frame your work in a hoop Step 1 TRIM your stitching and…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “What are your stitching plans for the rest of the year?” TRACEY SWART I want to finish The British Isles which featured in CrossStitcher’s 2019 Summer and July issues then I’d like to start on the new Stitch-A-Long, Alice in Wonderland. I also have numerous other projects on the go which I aim to work on. CLAIRE DOYLE Getting some big Heaven Earth projects finished, but I’m looking forward to the Southampton and Milton Keynes cross stitch retreats. JETHRO G BEAR I would like to win 1st place for one of my stitches in our local village show this summer! I normally do OK but the highest I’ve ever come is 2nd. KELLY KINNAIRD I have decided to have a ‘Stitchmas’ year and spend…

Each month we publish a new letter and number set based on a theme, designed for you to cut out and keep for when you need it Welcome to our latest alphabet and numbers set, designed to be mixed and matched and used for all occasions. This month we’ve asked Fiona Crouch to come up with motifs featuring unicorns. Perfect for little girls’ birthday cards and gifts, we also reckon anyone of any age would love to receive some magical unicorn hand-stitched makes! Designed by: Fiona Crouch Our Unicorn Alphabet letters were mounted in a card, flexi-hoop and embroidery hoop. Each was stitched on DMC Iridescent Pink 14 count aida, and each letter is approximately 30 high x 30 wide. The design size for each letter is approximately 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in),…

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 looking for…

Add French knots, beads, blended threads and metallics to an already stunning design, and you may come up with something as beautiful and detailed as our Japanese scene. With a pagoda in the background, a lady wearing a ceremonial kimono and even cherry blossom – this intricate design has it all! In fact, the more you stitch the more you’ll enjoy discovering each and every element. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 28.5x19.5cm (11¼x7¾in) Stitch time: 89 hours This design was stitched on 32 count linen worked over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart Light Sand 32 count Belfast linen, ref: 3706/0224; 50x46cm (19½x18in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key DMC Étoile as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Beads…

ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE things about cross stitch – apart from it being such an enjoyable process with beautiful rewards – is it’s quite like painting in that it is a way to create an image of just about anything you want. No matter what your favourite style or subject matter, the simple act of making one stitch over another is all the skill you need to create something you can be proud of. Of course all this choice does make it a bit tricky for us as editors – there are just so many options for our pages! If you like to look back to the traditions of stitching, then we are starting a new series of band samplers on page 24. For those keen on homestyle makes, may…

Hullo! Welcome to this new set of charts! Over the next six issues, we’ll be stitching patterns reminiscent of those highest prizes longed for as children – awards! If you were in Guides or Scouts, you remember the pride of achieving a badge to attach to your shirt or sash. In adulthood, we don’t have nearly as many awards, I think we deserve some! Anyone who has ever done their tax or scrubbed tiles or worked overtime (or any other boring adult task) knows exactly what I mean. Just because we grew up doesn’t mean we should lose the joy of unabashedly celebrating our achievements. Last series, I took you through a sequence of affirmations designed to channel your self-positivity. This series, I want to give you pieces that will…

Blackwork has been around for centuries. It was seen on the cuffs, collars and sleeves in historical portraits, and worked in Holbein or double running stitch to make the stitching reversible. Today, blackwork is usually stitched on evenweave, often using coloured thread. Here we show you how to adapt a pattern by adding blackwork. Our inspiration was taken from Susan Bate’s spring sampler in this issue. By extracting small parts of her design, we have created a card, a useful bookmark and pretty scissor keeper. MAKE AN… ALL-OCCASION CARD Follow our steps, then fray the aida and add your design as a patch to a card. Step 1 DESIGN a simple repeating blackwork pattern on graph paper or use the design provided. When you are happy with the results, add…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 53 high x 38 wide Max. design size: 9.5x7cm (3¾x2¾in) Stitch time: 3 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 strand for the backstitch and French knots. 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…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 28 high x 18 wide Design size: 5x3cm (2x1¼in) Stitch time: 1.5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. These keyring fobs would also make super-fun bag charms too! Attach to your bag using the split rings Make a… ticket key fob STITCH the movie ticket design onto the plastic aida. Cut around the edge of the design, one square outside the stitching, adding a small tab at the top of the ticket for the split ring. Back with felt, using fabric glue to hold it in place. Attach the split ring. Materials Sampedro White 14 count aida; 10x7.5cm (4x3in) x 2 popcorn; white plastic aida; 10x7.5cm (4x3in) tickets x 2 Stranded cotton as listed in the key Cream seed beads…

Make a… bag Step 1 STITCH the design using four strands for the cross stitch and four strands for the half cross stitch, working each stitch over four fabric threads. Work the half cross stitch in different directions in the same way as for the purse. The backstitch is worked in two strands. Step 2 CUT your fabric to 39.5x32cm (15x12½in), with the design central from left to right, leaving approximately 12.5cm (5in) of blank fabric above the design, to allow for the turning on the top edge. Cut the backing fabric to the same size. Step 3 FROM the remaining backing fabric, cut two pieces 25.5x7.5cm (10x3in) for the handles. Fold each strip so that it is 2.5cm (1in) wide, with the overlap at the back and the raw…

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK These designs are worked mainly in whole stitches, so details like the hyacinths are picked out with colour changes Designed by: Sheena Rogers Stitch count: 56 high x 56 wide (each) Design size: 10.5x10.5cm (4¼x4¼in) Stitch time: 15 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Why not stitch up a few of these designs to frame and hang as co-ordinating mini pictures? We backed our pincushions with plain velvet, but you could use a patterned fabric if you prefer Materials For each cushion Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/100; 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) Black velvet fabric; 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Toy stuffing Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… pincushion Step 1 FOLD the fabric…

“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!”The White Rabbit, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland THE ADVENTURES OF ALICE SAL This is the second part of this year’s stitch-along design. Over the year we will be bringing you 12 Alice in Wonderland designs. This issue we give you Alice and the White Rabbit which fits into the first square on the top row. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 38 high x 28 wide Design size: 7x5.5cm (2¾x2¼in) Stitch time: 2 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. THE KEY ALL THE symbols that appear on the chart are listed in the key with their corresponding thread codes beside them. The key also tells you the different stitches used in the design. The closest column of thread codes listed…

ISSUE 355 APRIL 2020 On sale 25 February YOUR FREE GIFT Everything you need to make a cute cupcake card, including luxury fold-out card blank… Inside this month ♥ How does your garden grow? Spring sampler ♥ Animal fans will love our spring hare picture ♥ Purrfect projects: cat tote/book bag ♥ Alphabet & numbers to have you counting sheep MAGAZINE ORDERING SERVICE Did you know that most independent newsagents operate a ‘Shop Save’ service? They will order and reserve your own copy for you to collect and buy, and you are not obliged to purchase. So there’s no problem if you are away, don’t need that issue or simply buy it somewhere else. So don’t miss out – reserve your copy today – just ask instore at your local…

TILLY AND THE BUTTONS: MAKE IT SIMPLE TILLY WALNES [Quadrille Publishing] Tilly Warnes, a.k.a. Tilly and the Buttons, was one of the first ever contestants on the Great British Sewing Bee. She has come up with the perfect book for beginner sewers with six dressmaking patterns that can be adapted to make 24 items. Each takes a few hours to stitch, are easy to fit, don’t need many materials and there are no fiddly fastenings to worry about. BLACKWORK EMBROIDERY BERNADETTE BALDELLI [Search Press] Get to grips with this traditional stitching technique with 13 blackwork patterns that have been brought up-to-date with a touch of red added to the black and white, and by including both geometric and more figurative designs. Use your new skills to make a basket, a…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Brolly Good Fun, 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; FQ Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £18, plus P&P. Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 140 high x 140 wide Design size: 26x26cm (10¼x10¼in) Stitch time: 35 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. *See ‘The Key’ on page 86. If you’d like the design to meet the…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Anchors Aweigh, 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: 14 count aida ‘On the Ocean’ printed panel Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £24, plus P&P. Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 144 high x 113 wide Design size: 26x20cm (10¼x8in) Stitch time: 37 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials 14 count aida ‘On the Ocean’ printed panel; 50x43cm (19½x17in) Stranded cotton as…

FIRST PAST THE POST! Louise Griffiths-Richard was the first to send us a pic of her finished needle case from issue 353 – she wins a selection of DMC stranded cotton skeins in 20 colours of her choice from Willow Fabrics. The first person to stitch and send us a pic of their finished bird hanger to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk will also win this great prize! Pro Tip Our designers share their top stitching tips “Keep your stitching tidy” “Keep it tidy! Whenever possible, stitch in blocks of colour and secure the ends by going under a row of stitches on the back. A spaghetti junction on the back of the project can lead to tangles, bumps and knots, which can all be easily avoided.” www.etsy.com/shop/SarahCooklandDesigns New year’s inspiration Hello. I love…

Lauren Holton’s embroidery business is named after the state bird of Oregon, where she was born. Nature and the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest bloom both in her embroidery patterns and in her new book. This contemporary and approachable guide is both gorgeous and useful – extra impressive that it was finished just hours before Lauren gave birth! We caught up with a very busy lady… Hi Lauren, can you introduce yourself? I’m a crafty mom of two, living in Seattle. Most days my hands are full with my two young sons but during naptimes and evenings I run a business designing embroidery patterns and teaching workshops. How did The Modern Embroidery Studio come about? I was approached by the publisher in the summer of 2018. I was so…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES We’ve loved this month’s challenge as coin purses make a different but effective way to use cross stitch decoratively. We asked our designers to use a particular purse clasp and base their design around it, and the results they came up with were truly original. Besides our strict rules about the materials they could use, the only other limit was their imagination! We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for May – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. DURENE JONES…FLOWER POWER “When I received this Ready Steady Stitch challenge, this time I decided to work backwards and first I thought of what…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING NEEDLES For basic stitching you’ll need a tapestry needle that has a blunt tip and large eye. Use a size 24 needle for most aidas, and a size 26 for evenweaves and linens. Use a sharp embroidery needle for finer details such as backstitch and French knots. EMBROIDERY SCISSORS Embroidery scissors are an absolute must-have. Keep yours sharp by only using them to cut threads. STRANDED COTTON Embroidery thread is also called stranded cotton. Each thread length is made up of six strands of cotton twisted together. The chart key will tell you how many strands you’ll need to stitch with. HOOPS AND FRAMES Though not absolutely essential, we do recommend using an embroidery hoop or frame to keep an even stitching…