Innehållsförteckning för August 2023 från CrossStitcher

EXCLUSIVE READER KITS! You can send off for a handy kit containing all the materials you need to make this project. To order your kit today simply visit bit.ly/crossstitchershop. Make a… tag Step 1 STITCH your chosen design from the four available, using two strands for the cross stitch, one for the backstitch, and one for the French knots, in the centre of a piece of white 14 count adia that measures at least 5x6cm (2x2½in). Step 2 FINISH the stitching, then cut around the design leaving two blank aida squares around the cross stitch. Step 3 FRAY the edges by removing the outer aida block on all sides of the stitching, using a pin to ease the threads away. Step 4 PRINT out a tag from the CrossStitcher Digital…

Hullo! Raise your hand if you’re a perfectionist. Don’t worry – same. Sometimes I’ll get so worried that I won’t be good at something first go that I wouldn’t try – and miss out on a lot of fun in the process. Even now, sometimes it gets so overwhelming to start something that I end up sitting on the couch feeling guilty instead of just starting the thing! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that perfection is a lie. We’re taught to aim for this mythical idea of perfection, but it’s rarely possible. Even where it is, the colour of life lies outside of ‘perfect’. Nature is such a real lesson in imperfection and humans are actually just as much a part of nature as anything else (although…

Our Heysham house’s story… Near to Morecambe in Lancashire, Heysham was a quiet farming and fishing community until 1904 when Heysham Port opened. The new port offered ferry services to Ireland and the Isle of Man, and the influx of travellers transformed the village overnight. Sited in the historic village centre, our cottage is probably part of a 17th-Century longhouse and an unusual example of village architecture – most likely a steep narrow staircase right inside the front door leads to a single room upstairs. The buttress on the left forming the end of terrace. Sampler chart positions We have printed the right of Windermere from issue 398 so you can place your house correctly. Our diagram shows its sampler placement. Materials • Zweigart Pewter Grey 14 count aida, ref:…

CrossStitcher is the UK’s longest-established cross stitch brand and Britain’s number one cross stitch magazine, bringing you beautiful designs to stitch, stylish ideas to inspire you and useful advice from top designers. Plus, discover the latest in contemporary home furnishings, gifts, decorations on the high street, and more! Aimed at all kinds of stitchers, from experienced to those who just want to give it a go, there is something for everyone! CrossSticher DigitalPlus ✔ Gain instant access to more than 100 issues, including 20 rare editions of Cross Stitch Collection. ✔ Enjoy early access to the latest issue before it’s made available in the shops. ✔ Use the special search feature to find your next project with thousands of charts, top tips and inspiration to discover. ✔ Save on storage……

PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Spread Your Wings, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 28 count Cashel linen in White• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 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 £18.50, plus P&P. MORE INSPIRATION… Our inspirational Spread Your Wings design was taken from Cross Stitch Home Sweet Home by Cheryl McKinnon. Home is where the heart is, so what could be more rewarding and enjoyable than stitching up projects to decorate your home? There are…

THE CHALLENGE • White 14 count aida fabric• Seven shades of stranded cotton (shown above) THE RULES • Create a scissor case• The design should be no larger than 50 x 45 stitches• Only the materials above can be used• Be creative as possible! Snip, snip! Summer’s here and our workboxes need some new accessories to keep our stash looking bright and bold! We asked our three designers this month to come up with a simple scissor case featuring a summery motif or scene. Our designers could only use the seven shades of stranded cotton stipulated, and also had to fit their design within a design area of 50 x 45 stitches. Take a look at their cool results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING FABRICS Aida is the ideal choice for cross stitch beginners – it is a block-weave fabric, which is divided into squares with a grid of holes. Each cross stitch is worked over one square. Aida comes in a range of sizes which are called counts. So 14 count means that there are 14 squares to the inch and this will make 14 cross stitches. Aida also comes in 16, 18 and 20 count. The larger the number, the more stitches to the inch and so the smaller the design will stitch up. Evenweave is a woven grid of threads in a finer count. Each stitch is usually worked over two threads, so a 28 count evenweave with each stitch worked over two…

“This is my craft room where I spend many happy hours. From here I can plan and also finish off my projects. I recently redecorated my craft room and took the opportunity to rearrange it. Now I have everything well organised so I can put my hands on anything I need for the various projects I am doing. I have a wall full of my cross stitching which are mainly sewing themed to provide inspiration for me. I even have a cross stitched clock so I can keep an eye on the time. I often visit local charity shops looking for items to upcycle into decor. The charity shops are also a good source of picture frames that I can modify to display my final cross stitch pictures.”…

ENCHANTED GARDEN CROSS-STITCH GAILBUSSI [Rowman & Littlefield] Gail Bussi explores designs of favourite flowers; roses and sunflowers; birds, bees, and butterflies; herbs and tea; the changing seasons and sunshine. She includes thoughts and meditations to inspire you and even includes recipes made using garden herbs and flowers. Each design is created in Gail’s signature chalk art style and includes chart, photo, materials list and full instructions. There’s also a good introduction section for cross stitch beginners. 365 DAYS OF STITCHES STEPH ARNOLD[Search Press] Thread journals have recently become a popular way for stitchers to record life events and special occasions throughout the year. This brilliant book features over 1000 illustrated motifs, many also demonstrated as stitched examples, so readers can complete their very own stitched diary as a mindful experience…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “Are you the only cross stitcher in your family? Or do you come from a family with generations of stitchers?” CHRISTINE REMBO I believe my nan embroidered but my mum was a cross stitcher and so am I and I’ve been stitching for 50+ years. CATHY FRASER I’m the only one in three generations that does cross stitch. I also do embroidery as well! ALEXANDRA O’DONOVAN I learned to stitch when I was 3 years old, have taught my 6 year old granddaughter and my mum when she was in her 60s. She is now 95 and can’t do it anymore but misses it! AMY RAY Four generations of my family cross stitched, my poppa, dad and mum, me and my partner and our…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 98 high x 22 wide Design size: 18x4cm (7x1½in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. To finish your bookmark, simply cut around the edges with pinking shears Materials • Zweigart Antique White 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/101; 23x9cm (9x3½in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 26 tapestry Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com You could back your bookmark with a piece of coordinating felt for a sturdier finish if you prefer MORE FLORAL FUN… Our rose bookmark was taken from one of Durene Jones’ latest books: Cross Stitch Floral Dreams which is filled with over 200 beautiful flower motifs to mix and match for your projects. The book includes borders and small and…

Turn to page 17 to order a pack containing enough materials to complete our Beach Bunny. (Note: stranded cotton not included) Materials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 25x20cm (10x8in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Backing fabric; 25x20cm (10x8in) white• Toy stuffing• Mint tin; 9.5x6x2cm (3¾x2⅜x¾in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 28 high x 46 wide lid & base; 22x44 rabbit; 18x36 lilo Design size: 5x8.5cm (2x3⅜in) lid& base; 8.5x4cm (3⅜x1⅝in) bunny; 3.5 x6.5cm (1⅜x21½2in) lilo Stitch time: 19 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. We’ve more bunnies to make in issue 396, visit crossstitchermag.co.uk to order a back issue! Make a… beach bunny tin Step 1 STITCH your four bunny parts for your beach scene, using…

Prize crossword Across 1 Make minor adjustments (5) 8 Promenade (9) 9 Northern Irish city (7) 10 Main artery (5) 11 Elephant’s long pointed tooth (4) 12 Cold dish (5) 17 Moody (5) 18 Threads that run horizontally through fabric (4) 22 Rule (as a monarch) (5) 23 Haven for boats (7) 24 Large spider (9) 25 Cat’s noise (5) Down 1 Statement of admiration on a formal occasion (7) 2 When you stitch one whole cross stitch at a time (7) 3 Skewered meat dish (5) 4 Pimple (4) 5 Trailer with living accommodation (7) 6 Scottish child? (5) 7 The Lone Star State (5) 13 Noah’s vessel (3) 14 Simple embroidery stitch (7) 15 One of Spain’s Balearic islands (7) 16 Small garden bird (7) 19 Thin soup…

PRIZES FOR YOUR PICS! EACH ISSUE we will be sending one reader a gift of tea from CrossStitcher! This issue’s prize is Tea-pop: Tea On-A-Stick! from www.myteapop.com. It’s the revolutionary way of making tea that is good for the planet, and very easy to use when stitching. For a chance to win, email us a picture of yourself stitching in your tea break, or where you like to stitch when taking a tea break. Send to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with TEA BREAK as the subject. Open to UK residents only, closing date 7 August 2023. Win! ISSUE 398’S WINNER Nikki James is enjoying stitching the Summer SAL in the shade on the decking in her garden. It’s very peaceful!…

Fantastic seasonal deals for CrossStitcher readers… overseas readers please email enquiries@willowfabrics.com to order. Take advantage of our exclusive offers today… We have another great summer deal on fabric, but this issue we are catering for those who like to work on 28 count evenweave. We have an end-of-roll selection of hand-dyed, over dyed, pastel and plains in exciting colours, at half the normal price. Each piece measures 24x45 (9¾x17¾in) approx, and you will receive four pieces at random for an amazing price of £12. That’s approx. ½m of fabric in total. The colours and patterns of these fabric pieces will add interest to your stash, giving you a range of evenweave that can be used for cards and keepsakes, without cutting into larger pieces of fabric. We have a limited…

*See ‘The Key’ on page 79. Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 46 high x 36 wide Design size: 8.5x6.5cm (3¼x2½in) Stitch time: 5 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…

PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Beachcomber’s Paradise, 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 28 count Cashel linen or 14 count Sampedro aida in White• Bobbins of Anchor 100% linen• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 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 £70.50 for Cashel, and £65.00 for aida, if you would like your pack to include a 10in wooden embroidery hoop then the Cashel pack will be £75.90 and the Aida £70.40, all plus P&P. LUXURY IN LINEN Beachcomber’s Paradise has been…

CrossStitcher continues to inform and inspire across the globe! Another overseas reader and subscriber who can’t wait for her monthly mag fix, is Fabiola who lives near Barcelona… Fabiola Ferrer Alonso has been stitching almost all her life. “I began to cross stitch when I was 12 years old,” she recalls. “I remember one day, my grandmother usually used a little piece of paper for the kitchen. So, I saw a little drawing on the kitchen paper that was made of squares and I though that it could be a little cross stitch pattern because each square could be a stitch. The next day I bought a piece of fabric and I took some of my grandmother’s threads to create this little pattern. I remember that they were little animals:…

Welcome to our latest project that’s a bit more challenging. Start the first part of our Delft Tiles design and then next issue complete it as a wall hanging for your home. It will add instant classic style wherever you hang it – and is perfect for the kitchen if you’ve always longed for Delftware, as this is the next best thing! Enjoy beads, blending and backstitch in this beautiful design. YOUR COMPLETE DELFT TILE DESIGN In this issue we are giving you the first part of our Delft Tiles design – the top section. Next issue (issue 400) we will publish the bottom of the chart, which when stitched will make up into a complete design. Use our wall hanging instructions once all your stitching from both issues is…

Welcome to our 2023 Stitch-A-Long! Fiona Crouch has created an amazing ‘Landmarks of Great Britain & Ireland’ SAL – and we will be unveiling four famous, and also some not so famous landmarks each issue, over 9 issues. This month we give you your fifth set of four landmarks… LANDMARKS SAL In this issue we are giving you: Ironbridge, John O Groats, Kelpies and Land’s End The maximum size for each landmark is 30 x 30 stitches, with the name displayed underneath. We have left six aida squares between each landmark left and right, and three aida squares between the rows, when the design is at maximum height, and there is a double-height place name. If you are stitching the complete sampler, the sun at the top of the Angel…