Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i CrossStitcher

Mindful Making kits from DMC – relax, unwind and calm your mind. Stitch, breathe, repeat… DMC MINDFUL MAKING KITS Mindful Making from DMC is a range of needlecraft kits designed to slow the mind, centre the spirit and help you find your flow. The kits focus on beautiful, achievable pieces with simple, joyful designs. Each kit comes with everything you need to make the design including, aida, DMC stranded cotton, embroidery hoop (duo kits only), needle and instructions. The Meditative Mandala (MM), The Serene Leaves (SL) and the Tranquil Rose (TR) have two designs in each kit (one hoop), while The Peaceful Flowers, (PF) The Woodland Glade (WG) and The Meadow Flowers (MF) each have one. Please add the code to the coupon for the kit you would like to receive.…

Designed by: Rebecca Spencer Stitch count: 147 high x 137 wide Design size: 26x28cm (10.x11in) Stitch time: 48 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials DMC Iridescent White 14 count aida; 50x50cm (19.x19.in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Backing fabric; 42x42cm (16.x16.in) Cushion pad; 38x38cm (15x15in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com This design would also look great displayed in a wooden embroidery hoop and will fit a 30cm (12in) hoop Make a… cushion Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut the stitched fabric to 42x42cm (161⁄2x161⁄2in), the same size as your backing fabric, with the design in the centre. Step 2 PLACE the cushion front right-sides together with the backing fabric. Pin, then machine stitch around the edge with a 1.25cm…

Why not recycle an old cereal packet to provide the cardboard needed for this project? Make a… windmill Step 1 STITCH the windmill as one piece, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Do not stitch the pink outline on the chart, as this is your fabric cutting line. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching using the chart, then count the position of the pink outline on your stitching, and cut out the windmill. Make small cuts, following the chart, between the roof sections – this will make it easier to fold the roof. Step 3 FOLD the unstitched aida fabric to the wrong side of the stitching. Finger press the seams in place. Fold the windmill, with the right side outside, bringing…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Elephant Adventures, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains Zweigart Cotton-Anne 18 count cloth in White – half 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 £57, or just the Cotton-Anne Afghan fabric for £21.95, both plus P&P. Stitching your… afghan Step 1 LOOK at your half panel of Cotton-Anne cloth – it will have 28 small panels – seven high and four wide, and just less than a half…

Welcome to our latest project that’s designed to be a bit more challenging. We are delivering this ‘Lighthouse Life’ design over two issues. Packed with detail, the design is ‘cut-through’ down the lighthouse's side so you can take a sneaky peek inside at all the rooms of the lighthouse keeper’s home. It’s sure to become a talking point with guests when you hang it in your home! Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 220 high x 120 wide Design size: 40.5x22.5cm (16x9in) Stitch time: 112 hours (complete design) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. NOTE that the first part of your lighthouse featured in this issue, should be stitched at the bottom of your fabric. The centre line is marked on your chart and this is also…

“I design and create my cross stitching kits all in my crafting corner. Space is at a premium in my house, so making the most of my corner is really important. It may be small, but I have organised it with lots of drawers so I have everything tidy and to hand. I am a messy crafter, but having my drawers keeps some order when I’m making. I am especially messy with my threads. My favourite tool is my guillotine – it saves so much time when I’m doing things in bulk.” www.craftysmith.com Instagram: @CraftysmithUK 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!…

Hullo! I don’t know about you, but I love me a picnic on a warm day! Good food, good company, good weather – and the chance to stop and look at the micro world around us. While we’re not large in the grand scheme of the universe, we humans are pretty big creatures, moving around our environment without often considering the smaller critters we share our world with. But have you ever stopped and observed a patch of planet that seemed to be unmoving, only to find it teeming with life? I often find this when I’m in my garden – I might be digging a hole for a plant or watering my veggies, and I see that the flowers have become a bustling bee café or there is an…

Pro Tip Top designers share their favourite stitching tips “Keep leftover threads organised” “When I’m cross stitching, I often seem to have bits of thread left over from a project, but they are too good to just throw away. Instead of wasting them, I keep these leftover threads in little clear plastic bags with a grip seal on the top, numbered with the thread colour. These thread scraps are ideal if only a small amount of a certain shade is required on particular areas within the design. Plus, by using this system, my workbox appears organised most of the time!” FIRST PAST THE POST! Zena Massey was the first to send us a pic of her finished Especially For You card from issue 380 – she wins a selection of…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 55 high x 40 wide Max. design size: 10x7.5cm (4x2in) Stitch time: 8 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Don’t rush the backstitching on these designs as they really bring your bunnies to life Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one or two strands 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.…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 45 high x 50 wide Max. design size: 8.5x9cm (31⁄4x31⁄2in) Stitch time: 6 hours each This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials For each hoop DMC Iridescent White 14 count aida; 20x 20cm (8x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 10cm (4in) diameter Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com How to… frame your work in a hoop Step 1 TRIM your stitching and a fabric piece into a circle slightly larger than your hoop. Place the inside hoop beneath the two pieces and the outer hoop on top. Centre and press over your work. Pull taut and tighten the screw. Step 2 TURN your stitching to the reverse and cut a piece of felt…

THE CHALLENGE 14 count plastic aida Seven shades of stranded cotton (shown above) Brooch back THE RULES Create a springtime brooch on plastic aida The design should be no larger than 45 x 45 stitches Only the materials above can be used Be creative as possible! Welcome to this month’s challenge! We’re in the middle of the spring season now and so our challenge to our trio of top designers was to create a springtime brooch. They had to create it by stitching on plastic aida and also had to stick to just seven shades of stranded cotton, as specified by us. Take a look at their pretty results below – we’ve provided a chart for each so you can stitch your favourite! We hope this will inspire you to…

The book is aimed at stitchers of all abilities, from absolute beginners looking to learn a new craft to embroiderers and cross stitchers who want to do something different in cross stitching. For many, cross stitch conjures up images of cute kittens and country cottages, but this book shows people that there’s a different side to cross stitching, that it’s an art in its own right, and will encourage them to be a little braver with their art. Buy now: bit.ly/stitchingshop…

CREATIVE MENDING: BEAUTIFUL DARNING, PATCHING AND STITCHING TECHNIQUES HIKARU NOGUCHI [Tuttle Publishing] Author Hikaru Noguchi shares a wide range of mending techniques to try – from embroidery and patching to darning and felting – that are just challenging enough for experienced menders. Her 13 techniques include using yarn, floss, ribbon and fabric to reinvent well-loved garments; darning with felt to add dimension to a repaired item; navigating through tricky places like underarms and more! There are over 300 colour photos to help you – so get mending! PAINT WITH THREAD EMILLIE FERRIS [David & Charles] Needlepainting uses ‘long and short’ stitches to create, rich, details and realistic looking flowers, plants, animals and scenes. Here Emillie Ferris, inspired by nature and the changing seasons, uses step-by-step instructions and photos to guide…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “What’s been your favourite CrossStitcher project so far?” TANYA K WALSH The animal baby afghan from a couple of years ago. WENDY PRIESTLEY My four seasons trees, from issue 300. I loved doing them – needing to do the four seasons house now from issue 366 next. LIZ DRAPER Many years ago, CrossStitcher produced a Christmas special of teddy bears – they've become a firm favourite and have been an integral part of many Christmas gift tags and stockings, with my own customisation and adaptations! JEN FLEUR JOHNSTON Emma Congdon’s The Simple Things from May 21 – I slightly tweaked it to add a cat instead of a dog and changed the colour. SHIRLEY CASLICK The rabbit picture from issue 329. I did love…

Materials Sampedro White 14 count aida; 50x40cm (20x16in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 34x24cm (13.x9.in) Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 23x23cm (13x9in) Stitch time: 64 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. With only five thread shades in this design, you can save time by threading up a needle of each colour before you begin How to… frame a picture Step 1 CUT a piece of white mount board to fit inside your frame. Place your design centrally over the mount board and pin the fabric around the board to secure, starting at the centre of each side and working outwards.…

For over 30 years I’ve been handling other people’s stitching, some new and some old, and what it's shown me is how important it is to leave your mark on your work. One day your descendants will ask themselves by who and when your work was stitched, so don’t leave them with a mystery! Many of the precious antique samplers hanging in homes and museums are even more beautiful for having a name and date added. How to… sign your work Step 1 ADD just your initials and the year, or your full name and date – you could even add an extra message or saying too. Draw your idea on paper – try different layouts; centered, justified, range left and range right. Place the paper in position on the…