Sommaire pour October 2021 de CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 31 high x 26 wide Design size: 6x5cm (2.x2in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count plastic aida. This project is perfect for using up leftover scraps in your stash. If you have a few threads, some plastic aida, some beads, bells and a small piece of felt, you are good to go! You can order a brooch back from www.willowfabrics.com DOUBLE PROJECT SPECIAL Make a… brooch Step 1 START stitching in the centre of a 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) piece of plastic aida, following the chart. Add red and clear seed beads to the tree in the positions shown on the chart. Step 2 USE sharp scissors to cut around the tree, leaving one blank square of plastic aida around the…

ANY MINUTE NOW the leaves will start to change colour and there’ll be that slight chill to the mornings. The children are back at school, but it isn’t only them who might think about starting the first page of a new notebook. For some of us it might mean making a dream list of plants for the garden next year, jotting down some ideas for brightening up our homes or even planning some projects for Christmas Of course, we are here to help with all the projects and ideas you need. On the festive front, this issue has two kits to get you started. There’s a Christmas tree brooch you can make as a gift and the start of our new Stitch-A-Long kit. We also have a bonus booklet of…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 51 high x 40 wide Design size: 9.5x7cm (3¾x2¾in) Stitch time: 8 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, one or two strands for the backstitch and one strand for the 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…

SALLY MOULDING I love making Halloween samplers, especially with a great phrase or rhyme ‘When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween’! GRACE COLLIER Cards are quick to stitch, but I really love the Halloween samplers! LIZ DRAPER I have a weird child so any time is Halloween party time! Bats, cats and skulls are favourites, but definitely no spiders! CASSIE RUTH Love stitching samplers at any time, not just Halloween. SHIRLEY CASLICK Not really big on Halloween here… but my daughter…. the freakier the better. LORI MOWREY I have four daughters who love Halloween so I make a lot of spooky but sweet witches and ghosts, black cats and bats. Pumpkins are also versatile because they can stay up all fall. NEA VESTERINEN I’m…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Max.stitch count: 48 high x 38 wide Design size: 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. We used DMC Pink Iridescent 14 count aida for the gingerbread cards, White Iridescent 14 count aida for the snow globes and the Peace and Joy’ cards, Blue Iridescent 14 count aida for the Santas, and Zweigart Celedon Green 14 count aida, ref:3706/611, for the animal cards Make an… aperture card Step 1 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design centrally placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 2 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture. Step 3 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 83 high x 82 wide Design size: 15x15cm (6x6in) Stitch time: 24 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. 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 to fit inside the inner circle. Place the felt inside the hoop. You can use a bit of fabric glue to keep it in place. The felt will pad your stitching, and stop anything showing through. Step…

Autumn has arrived and so after gathering nuts for winter, our sleepy squirrel is holed up safe and sound in his tree trunk house. Techniques involved in this detailed design include using blended threads, making this the perfect project if you’re looking for a challenge. So grab your hoop or frame and get set for plenty of enjoyable stitching sessions as the nights draw in! Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 33.5x23cm (13x9in) Stitch time: 166 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materals Sampedro White 14 count aida; 50x46cm (19x18in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 34.5x24cm (13½x9½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com…

For me autumn is when I feel at my most content. I love it when you can have your first fire in the living room, snuggle up and feel the Hygge vibe! I adore the colourful leaves, the bright orange pumpkins, and the calm before winter sets in. Follow our steps below to create a pretty hanging decoration that can hang on a few branches collected from your garden as a reminder of the glories of this colourful season! Backstitch methods – Stabbing versus the Sewing STABBING backstitch creates a tidy stitch, and works well if you secure your fabric in a hoop. Your hand needs to pass from the front to the back of the fabric to receive the needle. This creates a consistent stitch with even tension which…

GRIMMS’ FAIRY TALES SAL This is the tenth part of this year’s stitcha-long design. Over the year we will be bringing you 12 Fairy Tales. In this issue we give you Hansel & Gretel. We have greyed out the border from the first part of the design in the February issue. The grid lines are correct for the complete design, but the centre marks indicate the centre of just this motif. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 34 high x 30 wide (character only) Design size: 6.5x5.5cm (25⁄8x2¼in) Stitch time: 3 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…

What’s inside… Cross Stitch for the Soul is a collection of beautifully-designed motivational and inspirational quotes rendered in easy cross-stitching techniques that will raise the spirits, both during the making process and beyond, as treasured pictures on the wall. Designed by leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon, aka Stitchrovia, whose modern styling appeals to crafters of all ages and abilities, these inspiring quotes will provide comfort, motivation and an all-round positive spin on life, reminding us that we are brave, strong and have the power to make our own futures one stitch at a time! Information Author(s): Emma Congdon Publisher: David & Charles Format: Paperback Pages: 112 ISBN-13: 9781446308080 Available from: bit.ly/hacshop…

Hullo! If lockdowns have taught me anything, it’s that those things that are vital to us never change. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, what is important to us as individuals can become diminished or buried. We want to fit in, we try to tailor ourselves to be accepted by others – totally understandable! The challenge comes when conforming turns us into a watered-down version of who we truly are inside. This month’s flower is here to encourage our integrity – the gorgeous gladiolus. Let’s face it – we all have a lot on our plates. Often, when competing issues arise, we put aside our own wants and needs to better service our family and obligations. Not only do our hobbies or passions fall to the wayside, but…

How to… display your stitching WE used a house shaped wooden box frame, which we painted with a grey emulsion match pot and then made a cardboard triangle to fill in the front. The roof and front were then covered in tile paper, normally used for train modelling – both the box and paper are available from online craft and modelling shops. Designed by: Zoe Patching Stitch count: 53 high x 62 wide Design size: 9.5x11cm (3¾x4¼in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart Antique White 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/0101; 20x20cm (8x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with an 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) aperture Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Customise the thread shades…

Ring the changes by choosing a different shade of aida to create a custom look Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 103 high x 78 wide Design size: 19x15cm (7.x6in) Stitch time: 24 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Celedon Green 14 count aida, ref: 3706/611; 46x46cm (18x 18in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 23cm (9in) diamete Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com CrossStitch PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Pot of Gold, 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 Celedon Green Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry…

We chatted to Elena Tyn about her passion for woodland stitching, what the forest means to her and why freehand embroidery is her preferred technique… Hi Elena. Can you describe for our readers what your FoxyChest brand is all about? My aim for Foxy Chest is that it is like a place for little nice forest treasures. Like a box, where we keep beautiful pine cones and dried flowers. Something simple, that warms our hearts and bring lovely memories. I do hope that all the little things – purses, bags, notebooks – bring such feelings. And the same it’s about the dresses we make with my mum. Everything natural, inspired by sunrises and smells of the forest, by foxes and deers we meet in the woods. How did you come…

Autumn shines in all its splendor in the last warm rays of sunshine of the year and the wind whirls colorful leaves through the air. Earthy shades of brown combined with elegant mustard yellow, soft pink and strong rust red reflect this season perfectly in our fabrics. Experience the world of ZWEIGART® premium needlework fabrics with a unique selection of AIDA, evenweave, canvas and linen weaves. Choose your favorite fabrics of this lovely color world at www.zweigart.de/downloads. For stockists contact: Lakeside Needlecraft I lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk Willow Fabrics I www.willowfabrics.com Heritage Crafts I Tel: 01889 575 256 Woolwarehouse I woolwarehouse.co.uk Stitchtastic I www.stitchtastic.com www.zweigart.de…

CREEPY CROSS-STITCH: 25 SPOOKY PROJECTS TO HAUNT YOUR HALLS LINDSAY SWEARINGEN [Page Street Publishing] The Halloween season heralds in the publication of this spooky stitching collection – but these designs can be used any time of the year if you’re into the goth aesthetic or simply love the supernatural! Projects include Wicker Man, Black Rabbit and Blood Moon Weeping Willow, and subjects covered include nocturnal creatures, thistles, ghostberries and graveyards. BAGS AND ACCESSORIES SHUFUNO MISHIN [Tuva Publishing] Sometimes a stitcher needs a custom piece to decorate with a few motifs – so why not sew your own bags? Popular Japanese blogger and Youtuber Shufuno Mishin here provides 19 real-size pattern sheets and step-by-step photography to make all sorts and sizes of bags, from one-piece wallets and pencil cases to multi-pocket…

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 32.5x22cm (13x8¾in) Stitch time: 28 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Why not swap in gold or silver metallic thread to work the stars, spider webs and backstitched highlights? Materials Zweigart Navy 14 count aida, ref: 3706/589; 50x46cm (19½x18in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Pumpkin button Frame with a 34x24cm (13½x9½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com 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.…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 54 high x 17 wide Design size: 10x3cm (4x1¼in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Use a hoop or frame to keep your linen fabric taut as you work on it, which will also make it easier to see the weave Materials Zweigart Blue 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/562; 16.5x9cm (16½x3½in) x 2 pieces (front and back); 12.5x4cm (5x1½in) x 1 piece (hanging loop) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Toy stuffing Lavender bag Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… hanger sachet Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of one of the larger pieces of Cashel, using two strands for the cross stitch, one for the…

What can more more satisfying than completing a new project? Well, for many it’s the knowledge that we’ll be also giving our stitching as a gift to someone special. Which was the inspiration behind Emma Turnbull’s recent work… Emma, who lives in Cornwall and has been stitching for around seven years, finds cross stitch very relaxing and loves watching a piece slowly develop. But when she saw our cricket scene in issue 359, she knew she had to get her skates on! “As soon as I saw the cricket design on the front cover I knew I just had to stitch it for our family friend Bob,” she says. “It was a beautiful design and the perfect way to show him how much he means to me. I knew he’d…

Turn to our offers on page 16 to buy our handy earrings pack! Designed by: Fiona Crouch Max. stitch count: 15 high x 16 wide Max. design size: 3x3cm (1¼x1¼in) Stitch time: 3 hours (each pair) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric Materials For each earring: 14 count White plastic aida; 5x5cm (2x2in) White felt for backing; 5x5cm (2x2in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Gold earring hooks Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make an… earring Step 1 STITCH your chosen earring design onto plastic aida, and then cut one square outside the design, leaving a small block of aida above the design – this is for attaching to the earring hook. Step 2 BACK your earring with felt, using fabric glue to…

Welcome to this month’s designer challenge! Halloween is nearly here, so for a frighteningly fun challenge this month, we asked three designers to come up with a suitable brooch to wear on 31 October. They were also limited to six shades of stranded cott on, as shown on the left. Read on to see our designers’ spooktacular results! If you’d like to take on our next challenge, turn to page 75 for details of the challenge for our December issue! THE CHALLENGE • 14count plastic canvas • Six shades of stranded cotton (shown above) • 25mm brooch back THE RULES Only the materials above can be used CHERYL MCKINNON… JACK-O-LANTERN What could be more Hallo ween themed than a Jack-O-Lantern wearing a witchy hat? This fun pumpkin…