Innehållsförteckning för November 2019 från CrossStitcher

You can make several of these for your Christmas tree, or omit the cord to use them as table decorations Make a… Christmas tree Step 1 TAKE a 12x12cm (4¾x4¾in) piece of white 14 count aida. Work the cross stitch in two strands and your backstitch in one, and where possible use individual backstitches rather than trailing across the aida, as this will give a better finish when the tree is rolled and assembled. Step 2 WHEN the stitching is complete, roll the aida into a cone shape, folding in the fabric edges, so that the back seam matches. Step 3 LEAVE 6mm (¼in) of unstitched fabric below the stitching at the bottom of the tree, and carefully cutting away any excess fabric. Fold the unstitched fabric up and inside…

CHRISTMAS TREES FOR FINE festive pines, such as our free gift this month, look no further than these ideas for branching out this Christmas… WHO Nancy & Betty are the makers of this Christmas Tree Portrait Christmas Sticky Tape which is perfect for decorating the Christmas card blanks you’re mounting your stitching in. www.nancyandbetty.com WHAT Brighten up your home in style with this Christmas Tree Cross Stitch Bauble Craft Kit by The Make Arcade which includes a mini 3in embroidery hoop and pom-pom trim for mounting. www.themakearcade.co.uk HOW Embellish cards, cushions, wall hangings and samplers with these super-cute Wooden Small Christmas Tree Buttons, available in Silver, Gold or Mixed Colours with 50 buttons in a pack. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ButtonCraftUK1…

DMC have come up with a great set of steel bladed scissors – which includes four soft-handled for easy grip, plus a pair of gold stork scissors. A very attractive set of scissors in Royal Blue and White with the distinctive DMC logo. The thread snips have a cover to ensure the points don’t catch your hand when in your work box. Useful whether you are cutting aida, patchwork material, or dressmaking fabric, these fantastic scissors are built to last… Set includes: •Stork scissors•Thread snips, 13cm (5in)•Embroidery scissors, 10cm (4in)•Sewing scissors, 13cm (5in)•Dressmaker scissors, 20cm (8in) DMC Scissor Pack for £16.50, ref: DMCSCPACK MORE OFFERS FOR YOU! Pick up more stitching goodies at great prices and with UK postage of just £1.90… STITCHABLE KRAFT TAGS Give your gifts that special…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 100 high x 70 wide Design size: 18x13cm (7¼x5¼in) Stitch time: 30 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Double-check that you’ll be stitching in the correct position on your fabric – it’s easy to accidentally stitch the design on the back cover! Materials Zw eigart Sky Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/5169; 28x46cm (11x18in) St randed cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Lining fabric; 28x4 6cm (11x18in) A5 Notebook; 21x14.5cm (8¼x5¾in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… book cover Step 1 WRAP your fabric around the notebook to check the position of the front cover and then mark the design area given above on to the fabric using pins – you will be working on the…

KATHY WOOLGAR I would love the gift of crafting friends to sit and chat with while working on projects. Christmas bliss… EMILY TOWER Needleminders! I’ve never been one to collect things until I discovered needleminders. They are so handy, but a stitcher really only needs one. Still, there are so many creative people out there who make beautiful ones. I can’t resist them! IRINA GALKO For this New Year and Christmas celebrations I would love to have a nice stitching set. We are going to be parents soon. So I want to make a very sweet baby room with a nice pictures on the walls. FAYE MULHERN Hobbycraft gift cards! I have a few different hobbies so I can always find things to buy in Hobbycraft. CHARMAINE HANNA More hand-dyed…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Max. stitch count: 33 high x 44 wide Max. design size: 7.5x8cm (3x3¼in) Stitch time: 3 hours (each) Thes designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart White/Silver 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0017; 23x23cm (9x9in) x 3 pieces Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 10cm (4 in) diameter x 3 Cotton fabric to bind hoops Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Cut 2.5cm (1in) strips of co-ordinating Christmas fabric, and starting at the top under the screw, wrap the fabric around the hoop, overlapping slightly as you work. To stop it unravelling use fabric glue on the ends How to… frame your work in a hoop Step 1 TRIM your stitching and a fabric piece into a circle…

Make a… mini sampler Step 1 NOTE that part 2 of this design fits directly under part 1 (which was stitched at the top of a 3x10cm (9x4in) piece of 14 count white aida) – the chart for part 1 was in issue 349 and part 3 will be in the December issue. Step 2 USE two strands for the cross stitch, two for the backstitch, and one for the French knots. Add seed beads to the trees and house, in the positions shown on the chart by a round orange symbol. Step 3 REMEMBER the remainder of the design, and finishing instructions will be in the next issue (December) of CrossStitcher magazine. The finished size of your complete mini sampler will be 19x7cm (7½x2¾in), and the stitch count 103x39…

“When we first moved into our house nine years ago, one of the first things we did was build the studio at the bottom of the garden. I have always wanted a studio that was separate from the house. I usually head up the path, first thing in the morning, with a big cup of tea and often with Otis, our little mini dachshund, for company. “One wall is made up of storage space with plywood doors. I am not a very tidy person so it is nice to be able to put things away to try and keep some order to my space. All my sewing projects start off by designing on paper, so I have shelves for pens, paints and papers and other shelves for sewing equipment. “I…

Hullo! One of my favourite words from this series of affirmation words is–Imagine. Such fun is had with just your imagination and much positive progress towards leading a life you love starts here. My imagination used to run wild as I sat in a cubicle at my old job. I did the same tasks each day, dealt with the same 'emergencies' over again, and generally got caught up in negativity and stress. I didn't like who I was becoming. So, I imagined. What life did I want? I mean, we'd all love to win the lottery. But, failing that, what else? How else would I like to spend my days? What are my strengths (creativity!) and weaknesses (mornings!). I imagined working for myself doing a job I loved. I imagined…

Project Inspiration We made our chrysanthemum into a padded heart using baker’s twine as the hanger. Make a paper template of your heart shape before cutting the linen. The flower needs to be centre front, then cut a second heart for the back. Sew together right-sides facing, leaving a gap for turning. Turn through, stuff, sew up the gap, and stitch a loop of baker’s twine to the top for the hanger Materials Zweigart White 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/100; 15x15cm (6x6in) Size 26 tapestry needle Baker’s twine Toy stuffing Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com THE CHRYSANTHEMUM The birth flower for November, chrysanthemums can have a lot of different meanings in the language of flowers, depending on their colour! For instance, in general they represent ‘you’re a wonderful friend’ as well…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Deck The Halls, 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 Printer’s tray How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com or turn to page 15 to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £42.50, plus P&P, or £17.50 for just the Printer’s Tray. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 38 x 38 small; 38 x 78 large Design size: 7x7cm (2¾x2¾in) small; 7x14.5cm (2¾x5¾in) large Stitch time: 24 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to……

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 54 high x 40 wide Max. design size: 9.5x7cm (3¾x2¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and the half cross stitch and one strand 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…

Giveaways open 8 October – 4 November 2019 Peace kits One of three new Christmas card designs by Susan Ryder, ‘Peace’ is based on a real stained glass window and stitched on 14 count aida. The kit contains Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons, needle, clear charts and instructions, plus a white card and envelope. With a design size of 5.5x9.5cm it has an RRP: £7.50 from www.hcrafts.com. We have five kits to give away. Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘CHRISTMAS CARD GIVEAWAY XST350’. Christmas kits Stitch the word! Make it as a gift or keep it for yourself, ‘Christmas’ is a chart pack from Nia Rhind created in stylised typography. The colour chart contains clear instructions to stitch this bright festive design and includes the…

Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 44 high x 44 wide Max. design size: 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) Stitch time: 4 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 18 count Anne cloth, working each stitch over two threads of fabric Stitching your… afghan Step 1 TAKE a look at the quarter panel of Cotton-Anne cloth. Turn it so that you have 12 panels – four high and three wide, and just less than a half panel on all four edges. Before you begin stitching, oversew the edges with a loose machine zig-zag stitch, or bind with masking tape to prevent fraying. Use four strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, working each stitch over two threads of fabric, and two strands for the backstitch. Step 2 STITCH the six designs we…

THE CHALLENGE 14 count white aida Six shades of stranded cotton (shown above) Three or more yellow star buttons Aperture card One mystery ingredient of your own choice THE RULES Create a design for a luxury Christmas card The design area is 50 x 40 stitches Only the materials above can be used Be creative as possible! Christmas is just around the corner! As all good stitchers are already starting their Christmas cards, we asked our three designers this month to come up with a design for a luxury festive card. They could only use the materials listed on the left, making sure to include three or more star buttons. Take a look at their results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you can stitch your…

PEOPLE TEND TO moan about the unseasonal appearance of Christmas catalogues and the boxes of crackers stacked in our supermarket aisles – everyone claims it happens earlier each year! For we stitchers, it generally can’t happen early enough as it’s a sign that we can thread up our sparkly metallics and get down to things to craft for our festive homes and to create as handmade gifts. We are here to oblige with heaps of ideas to inspire your Christmas! We’re starting with a positive message – Durene Jones has created a very special angel for us to bring a bit of joy and peace on page 18. Plus, back by popular demand, our mini printer’s tray! Last year, there was a festive scene for each section, this time the…

TURTLEFARMFABRICS This 100% Cotton fabric–Christmas Angels-Noel-Wing and a Prayer–is perfect for festive cushions, bags and stockings. HAPPINESST Stitch in the Scandi style to create this Nordic Angel, available as an instant PDF download, with only red thread for quick and easy finish. THREEPEACHESDESIGNS Victorian Angel & Star Ornaments come as a kit, with pattern, felted wool, instructions, embroidery floss, beads and stuffing.…

THE EMBROIDERED ART OF CHLOE GIORDANO CHLOE GIORDANO [Search Press] The delicate embroidery work of Chloe Giordano is showcased in this stunning book. You’ll learn how Chloe plans her designs, chooses colours and threads, blends colours and stitches her projects. She guides you on how to create three thread paintings of your own, plus there’s a gallery of Chloe’s embroideries of foxes, fawns, hares, rabbits, mice and more. FAT QUARTER: VINTAGE SUSIE JOHNS [GMC Publications] Get stash-busting with Susie Johns’ clever guide to using up fabric remnants from previous projects, or fat quarter-sized pieces you don’t know what to do with. With a vintage theme in this latest book in her Fat Quarter series, projects include a 1930s pin cushion, 1940s flower brooch, 1940s sewing machine cover, 1950s apron, 1950s…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you'd like to stitch Spirit of Christmas, 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 Snow Glitter Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Skeins of DMC Light Effects Skeins of DMC Étoile Gold and red seed beads Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £43.80, plus P&P. Étoile is a fluffier thread, so using a thread conditioner before you start stitching will make it smoother and easier to work with Materials Zweigart Snow Glitter 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0011; 50x46cm (19½x18in) Stranded cotton as…

At Christmas, fir cones, holly and mistletoe are fantastic for trimming your house and bringing nature into your home… but if you can’t get hold of them, our stitched decorations will be the next best thing! All our projects are stitched on 14 count plastic canvas for durability. Our pine cone is edged with white Étoile thread to make it sparkle and our holly is 3D, with the berries raised above the leaves. Finally, add a few springs of stitched mistletoe above your door to give a Christmas kiss to whoever walks beneath it! MAKE A… HOLLY DECORATION Use layered plastic canvas to make a quick 3D hanging decoration. Step1 STITCH the holly leaves on one piece of 14 count plastic canvas, and then stitch the berries on another separate…

FIRST PAST THE POST! Andrea McPherson was the first to send us a pic of her finished reindeer brooch from issue 349 – 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 Christmas tree decoration from this issue to crossstitcher@dennis.co.uk will also win this great prize! Pro Tip Our designers share their top stitching tips “Check your work” “Always check your work thoroughly before taking it to be framed. Forgetting to add finishing touches such as French knots or beads that can’t be added on afterwards would be such a shame!” www.etsy.com/uk/people/scookland Oh Baby! I live in Athens Greece and I’ve been a follower of your magazine since…

Part 2: Tasty Bakes & Sew Sew Good Have yourself a very Classic Christmas and join in with what is probably the largest ever Christmas cross stitch Stitch-A-Long! Welcome to the second part of our very special stitcha-long! In this issue we give you ‘Tasty Bakes’ and ‘Sew Sew Good’, and then every issue until January we will be unveiling more shops to complete your street. To join the SAL you will need to buy a 40x120cm (16x47in) piece of 14 count white aida, and the stranded cotton colours listed in the key. The complete design will be 116 stitches high x 540 stitches wide, which gives you a finished size of 21x100cm (8¼x39in). This is the complete key for the whole row of shops, for you to buy all…

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…

ISSUE 351 DECEMBER 2019 On sale 5 November Inside this month ♥ Welcome guests with our Christmas wreath design ♥ Hey Santa baby! The most adorable First Christmas bib ♥ Whip up a Fair Isle stocking in time for December 24th! ♥ Part 2 of our gorgeous 12 Days of Christmas afghan YOUR CHRISTMAS BUMPER PACK! ♥ Festive Flurry luxury card kit ♥ Your final kit for our Christmas Stitch-A-Long Contents subject to change. Overseas gifts may vary…