Sommaire pour February 2018 de CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Max. stitch count: 9 high x 11 wide Max. design size: 2x2cm (¾x¾in) Stitch time: 30 mins each If you would like to order waste canvas or the pre-punched wooden pendants shown in the picture, please turn to page 14 Make a… monogrammed handkerchief Step 1 CUT a piece of waste canvas bigger than the letters you have chosen to stitch. Tack the waste canvas to the handkerchief. Stitch your chosen letters, using the waste canvas as a grid, working each cross stitch over one thread of canvas and taking care not to snag the canvas threads as you stitch. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then use a water spray to wet the canvas as this will release the starch holding it together. Use tweezers to…

STUDIOCHERIE Download this instant PDF and get making a full cup of coffee, complete with heart foam, resulting in the cutest pin cushion! EMBROIDEREDWONDERS Cool down with a frappé feltie– perfect for stitched cards and gift tags–simply sew on with matching sewing thread to attach. BUBBLESCRAFTSHACK All kinds of hot drinks adorn this fun ribbon, available in ⅞ in grosgrain, which will work perfectly to trim projects made with our alphabet.…

EMBROIDERED TREASURES: FLOWERS DR ANNETTE COLLINGE [Search Press] This stunning new book shows off the Embroiderers’ Guild's vast collection of embroidered flowers through the ages. Each item is shown in full-colour photographs, with close-ups to show the full details. The works vary from children’s dresses and bridal samplers to wall hangings and some date as far back as the 17th century. JOYFUL STITCHING LAURA WASILOWSKI [C&T Publishing] Use this book to learn how to create small, free-form embroidery pieces filled with colour and texture. There are instructions for 21 basic embroidery stitches and six projects, each designed in Laura's Wasilowski’s colourful, whimsical style. There’s also a gallery of display ideas, as well as additional ideas for how to use this type of free-form stitching in future projects. HOOP ART CRISTIN…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 47 high x 79 wide Design size: 7.5x12.5cm (3x5in) Stitch time: 10 hours This design was stitched on 32 count linen over two threads of fabric. Why not attach matching seed beads to your feathers for extra sparkle! Make a… make-up bag Step 1 POSITION the top of your stitching 2.5cm (1in) down from the short edge of your fabric, and centrally between the long sides. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then fold 1.25cm (½in) on both of the top raw edges of the fabric over onto the wrong side. Press in place. With the right side of the bag facing you, position the closed zip on the wrong side behind one of the folded edges, and with the zipper teeth just showing on…

HEART TO HEART Paper hearts make a stunning centrepiece on this vintage-style Valentine’s card. BOX OF DELIGHTS Our paper box is super-easy to stitch, complete with a tiny folded hearttag. TASTY TREATS Transform an ordinary tub of biscuits into a very special gift with our paper heart topper on the lid. Perforated paper makes such a fun way to create pretty packages and cards. This Valentine’s Day why not make your own packaging, filling each with sweets, biscuits and handmade gifts? We’ve a pretty ‘vintage’ 3D love card, created using a scrap of fabric that’s tea-dyed to give a shabby chic look. Our gift box is so easy to stitch, and and even easier to assemble! Finally, our useful gift tub, with it’s 3D heart top, recycled from a used…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Circle of Love cushion, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: Zweigart 14 count aida in Ivory Skeins of DMC stranded cotton 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 £25, plus P&P. Make a… cushion Step 1 COMPLETE all of the stitching, then cut the aida to 32x32cm (12½x12½in), 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 (½in) seam allowance, leaving a…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 53 high x 38 wide Max design size: 10x7cm (4x2¾in) Stitch time: 4 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make an… aperture card Step 1 STITCH your designs, using two strands of stranded cotton for both the cross stitch and 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 the back of the stitching, then add strips of double-sided…

Designed by: Felicity Hall TAKE A CLOSER LOOK White backstitch has been used for delicate details such as the feathers’ quills Stitch count: 34 high x 147 wide Design size: 6x25.5cm (2¼x10in) Stitch time: 13 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. If you ’d prefer to stitch onto an existing apron, simply use waste canvas to add your motifs Make an… apron pocket Step 1 COMPLETE your stitching, then cut a 22x33cm (8¾x13in) rectangle from your stitched linen, with the design in the centre, rounding off the bottom corners. Turn over the top edge of the fabric twice to neaten, machine stitching along the seam. Step 2 TURN the remaining curved edge of the fabric under 1.25cm (½in), and press onto the…

As we wait for winter to turn to spring, we asked three top designers come up with a sweet scene to remind us of the beautiful landscapes we will enjoy in the warmer weather. From an Italian vista to a bright and breezy beach – our designers had a lot of fun working within the miniature format and sticking to the thread colours we gave them. See left for what they were given. We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for April – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. MARIA DIAZ… FIELD “The colours in this challenge made me think of walks in the country, particularly in spring and early summer, where the air…

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…

WE LIKE IT WHEN shop windows declare ‘new season!’ in big letters. Not because we intend to go on a spending spree but more because it’s one of those signals that spring is on its way. And, of course, we like to have a little smile to ourselves when fashions are labelled ‘new’ and we remember them the first time they came around! We are always on the look out for new trends – have you noticed the recent popularity of adult colouring books? This kind of colouring is very relaxing and therapeutic – very much like cross stitch! So we thought we would combine the two crafts and bring you ‘cross stitch colouring’. This issue we have a taster of four card-size designs (page 24). Unusually, you count to…

FABULOUS FEATHERS FEATHER YOUR nest with our beautiful make-up bag on page 22 and these other crafty ideas below… WHO ArtGallery are the company behind this monochrome Petal & Plume Panache Profundo printed cotton jersey fabric. www.bobbinsnbuttons.co.uk WHAT These ceramic handmade buttons come in pairs in turquoise shades. The lengths of the buttons are 33mm and 39mm–one is slightly bigger than the other. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EvaPrepeva HOW Edge a cushion or bag for a truly glam finish with this very luxurious Biot Feather Fringe. www.thefeatherfactory.co.uk…

Cut your own shaped openings from aperture cards. Place the opened-out card on top of your work, then mark it where it covers the stitching. Trim away these parts of the card, checking as you work. KEEP ON COLOURING... If you like colouring then you'll love our floral project next issue. We have given you the outlines of this pretty floral picture and all you need to do is use your own colour palette to fill it in. Issue 328 goes on sale 30 January. Designed by: Maria Diaz Maz. stitch count: 53 high x 38 wide Max. design size: 10x7cm (4x2¾in) Stitch time: 9 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. There’s no right or wrong way to colour these designs, making them perfect for…

Giveaways open 2 January – 29 January 2018 Darcey kit If you want to stitch a classic, then look no further than this, the latest in the ‘Elegance’ series by John Clayton for Heritage Crafts. Dressed in green velvet and holding her beautiful harp, Darcey is a project to love. The kit contains Zweigart fabric, DMC stranded cottons sorted onto numbered cards, a needle, and clear charts and instructions. Available from www.hcrafts.com, RRP £57.90. We have one kit to give away. Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘DARCEY GIVEAWAY XST327’. Initially Yours card kits Looking to make a personal birthday gift? Lifetime Samplers have five new cards with fancy initials, each with a full alphabet for you to make a card with any letter. There are…

If you would like to take the challenge, post your stitching on our Facebook page and we will then pin it on our Stitching Challenge board on Pinterest... so get designing! April issue 329 challenge: Please design four mini designs, one to go in each of the ‘windows’ of a Double Fold Card With Multiple Apertures from www.craftdepartment.com. Each window will fit a 14 x 14 stitches design. Materials and rules: White 14 count aida Six shades of DMC stranded cotton: Medium Brown Grey (3022), Light Coral (352), Peach (353), Light Parrot Green (907), Light Nile Green (955) & Turquoise (3846) One mystery item of your own Although we are not judging your designs, this is a stitching challenge, so please make sure you play fair, and that all parts…

February is such an interesting month. Often times, the weather is some of the worst of the year, yet it’s the month we celebrate love–one of the best things in the whole world! What a fascinating dichotomy! I will always look back on my first Valentine’s Day as a brand-spanking new wife with a smile, and a bit of embarrassment. My husband, Spencer, and I had just gotten married a month earlier. So, in an effort to make it a special day and start our new marriage off on the right foot, I bought Valentine’s Day balloons and decorated our apartment we had just moved into. I bought tons of ingredients and cooked for hours and hours, only to come up with the strangest meal you’ve ever heard of: shrimp…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch City of Romance, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: Zweigart 14 count aida in Lilac Skeins of DMC stranded cotton 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 £36.50, plus P&P. Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 187 high x 180 wide Design size: 33x32.5cm (13x12¾in) Stitch time: 83 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Lilac 14 count aida, ref: 3706/5050; 55x50cm (21½x19½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 57 high x 81 wide Design size: 10x14.5cm (4x5¾in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Change the colours of the cereal bowl and spots to customise the look of your bib Materials Zweigart Platinum 28 count Cashel linen, ref: 3281/0770; 30.5x23cm (12x9in) x 2 pieces Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Velcro Button For stockist details see page 89 Template Use your template at 100% Make a… baby bib Step 1 MAKE a tracing of the bib outline onto white paper to make a template. Cut out the template and then place on the wrong side of the bib front. Draw around the template lightly with pencil. Cross…

RACHEL JAMES Both... but I think I use metallics more. I’ve used Kreinik metallic blending filament to add sparkle to a mermaid’s tail, and only last week I used silver to add a diamond to the forehead of a unicorn. My favourite way at the moment is to use pretty sparkly fabric in the first place. NATALIE TRENNER Metallics just purely because I hate beads with a passion. I can’t stop the beads pinging all over the room! I detest beads so much I’ll replace them with French knots. EMMA WARD Metallics but only using one thread at a time and doubling it up. That way there’s only one set of fraying ends to work with, which ideally you work into the fabric first. Then you have no fraying ends…

Tell us about your course! Our course runs from Sunday (evening meal and introduction) to Thursday, closing with tea and cake at 3.30pm. Shepherds Dene is an Arts and Crafts House set in 20 acres of beautiful Northumberland woodland and gardens. There are 18 bedrooms and we usually take over the whole house. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxing and all the food is simple, home cooked and delicious. Who should come? Everyone is welcome, from the advanced stitcher to the beginner, and people soon find that there is no competition involved, only pleasure in stitching amongst helpful and sharing people who soon become friends. We have a new theme each year and I provide ideas, designs and materials, although there is always scope for people to experiment with their…

We have a really bright and breezy project for you this month! Our sailing sampler is perfect for working on as we wait for the arrival of spring. Complete with an inspiring sentiment, the design features some lovely details which anyone looking for an extra challenge will enjoy – from metallic highlights to long stitches used to represent a blowing wind. Have fun bringing it to life! Designed by: Faye Walsh (Little Dove Designs) Stitch count: 177 high x 117 wide Design size: 32.5x21.5cm (12¾x8½in) Stitch time: 40 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Confederate Grey 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0718; 55x50cm (21.5x 19.5cm) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Mill Hill beads as listed in the key Kreinik 8 braid as listed…

Desperately seeking Hi, I am desperately seeking a copy of CrossStitcherissue 319 with the TattooSampler.I am after a hard copy of the magazine,so would prefer someone selling in Australia :).Please contact meat the email address below. Thankyou. Katie Clifton Email:vintage_lily@live.com.au Hello. I’m wondering if you can help. I was handed down some cross stitching kits from an elderly neighbour who has passed,but wasn’t given any magazines in which the charts are in. I don’t suppose there is anyway of getting the charts for the kits I have? Here is the list of which issues they are in; 263, 287, 269, 293, 270,276,277,292, 290,294,275,289, 291,278,267,288, 279,281,295,282 I also have an Oriental Beauty kit which doesn’t have an issue number on. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’ve also attached a picture…