Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 28 high x 18 wide Design size: 5x3.5cm (2x13⁄8in) Stitch time: 3 hours This design was stitched on 14 count plastic aida. Use a small amount of white se wing thread to sew the split ring securely to the card front Make a… house keyring card Step 1 STITCH the house design onto a 6x5cm (2½x2in) piece of plastic aida, using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Leaving one blank square around the design, cut it out using a small pair of scissors. Next cut some felt to fit the back of the plastic aida rectangle. Step 2 FOLD a 10cm length of 15mm ribbon in half and thread through a 25mm split ring. Place the felt on the…

Charlie of www.stitchsperation.com says, “I’ve recently moved into a new house with an amazing studio space after years in a studio apartment working from the end of the bed! I try to keep everything as tidy as possible – tidy workspace equals tidy mind for me, so I use the huge built-in wardrobes to hide all my packaging supplies and extra bits and bobs. One of my favourite parts of the studio is my photography area. I have my lights set up here so I can be ready to take new product photos at the drop of a hat which is really helpful. There is also a comfy chair in the corner which is perfect to steal a few minutes of stitching time with a cuppa, if it’s not occupied…

PRO TIP Top designers share their favourite stitching tips "Make your fabric easier to hold in a hoop" “Sometimes fabric from a kit can be too small to be able to hold in a hoop and sew right to the edge. To solve this I’ve sewn normal dress cotton around the edge of the evenweave, so allowing me to hold the fabric and sew right to the edges of the design. I’ll leave the cotton there too once I’m finished as it will help when it comes to stretching the sewing for framing. This is also a really good way to use up small pieces of fabric that otherwise might be too small with your chosen border allowance.” FIRST PAST THE POST! Kath Sutcliffe was the first to send us…

PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch our Russian Doll cushion, 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 Pale Lemon Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Tilda backing fabric in Mustard Floral 7mm pom-pom trim in Yellow Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 NOTE: toy stuffing not included How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £29.50, or £26.50 without the pom-pom trim and backing fabric, both plus P&P. Designed by: Rebecca Spencer Stitch count: 120 high x 78 wide Design size: 22x14cm (85⁄8x5½in) Stitch time: 45 hours This design was stitched on…

Designed by: Cheryl Mckinnon Stitch count: 55 high x 40 wide Design size: 10x7.5cm (4x3in) Stitch time: 4 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. 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 tape…

Add a magical new addition to your stitching repertoire, with our stunning dragon design. If you’re a more experienced stitcher, this project really gives your something to get your teeth and claws into! See page 83 for more on the techniques involved. With lots of backstitch detail and metallic highlights, plus hours of stitching enjoyment, this is guaranteed to get you all fired up! Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 32x22cm (12½x8¾in) Stitch time: 85 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Black 14 count aida, ref: 3706/720; 55x50cm (21½x19½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key DMC Étoile as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 31x22cm (12¼x8¾in) aperture Mount board to fit…

Due to lack of space I have most issues from numbers 2 to 307. Please email me at Margaret.benn@yahoo.co.uk for further information on what is available. If you would like some I can then get a price for the postage. Margaret Benn Email: margaret.benn@yahoo.co.uk I am looking for a specific cross stitch pattern booklet. It was little teapots with different themes. I remember one was beach themed and I believe another one had strawberries, but there were at least 6-8 different ones. I do not remember the name of the booklet or the designer. If anyone has this, I would surely love to buy it from you. Or borrow it. Whatever works for you. Please contact me using the email below, marked for my attention. Marsha Payne Johnson Email: crossstitcher@dennis.co.uk…

WHEN WE PLAN what to put in each issue of CrossStitcher, we look at when it will be in the shops and think about what you would all like to stitch at that time. Occasions, fashions and requests all play an important part. But every now and then, we just have to go off on a flight of fancy as there’s something so special we know you will want to stitch it as soon as possible. This month it’s Oswald – in case you are not yet acquainted, that’s the name designer Amanda Butler has given to her fabulous dragon (page 77). And yes, we give you full permission for a box set binge of Game of Thrones while you stitch him! There’s lots for little ones inside this issue…

Hullo all! There are few people who can say they have literally been ‘over the moon’, but for those who rode on the Apollo missions, they can thank this month’s woman in history for the trip! Margaret Hamilton was the lead software engineer for the team that developed the on-board flight software for the Apollo space program. A brilliant scientist and mathematician, her ultra-reliable software design included fault detection and recovery techniques. These recovery actions allowed the software to detect errors and overloads and reprioritise tasks to prevent system shutdowns and mission aborts. She also coined the term ‘software engineer’. She is inspiration for what you can do if you grow your mad skills. At a time when women weren’t really considered serious contenders in the world of STEM (Science,…

Project Inspiration We made our lily of the valley into a drawer sachet. The stitched front and the backing fabric should be placed right-sides together with the ric-rac around, with the edge of the ric-rac over the seam allowance. Sew around the edge of the rectangle leaving a seam allowance, and leaving a small gap for turning. Cut away any excess seam allowance, clip the corners and turn to the right side. Stuff, adding fragrance oil, and then sew up the gap with small, neat stitches Materials Zweigart Natural 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/309; 11.2x10cm (4½x4in) Backing fabric; 11.2x10cm (4½x4in) Ric-rac braid; 38cm (15in) To y stuffing Size 26 tapestry needle Materials available from THE LILY OF THE VALLEY In the language of flowers, the lily of the valley has…

PART 2 Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 42 high x 42 wide Max. design size: 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) Stitch time: 8 hours each (large motif); 4 hours each (small motif) These designs were stitched on 18 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart White 18 count Cotton-Anne cloth, ref: 7588/0100-145; 72.5x115cm (28½x45in) – Half Panel Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Please note, our key covers the threads needed for the complete afghan FABRIC PACK If you would like to stitch our Baby Afghan, then why not send for the half panel of 18 count Cotton-Anne cloth and have it delivered straight to your door! Your fabric pack contains: Zweigart 18 count Cotton-Anne cloth in White – half panel…

Dear Susan and Martin, I would like to share with you my stitchings from issue 339. I stitched the Sleigh Bells Ring and framed it in a square frame instead of a hoop. I found a brown frame with gold a nice match for the colours. Next, and I absolutely love this one, I stitched the Christmas house. I really enjoyed working with Zweigart Belfast fabric and assembling the house! Finally I did the cats from the ‘Waiting for Santa Paws’ trio. I framed it in a white square frame with white mountboard, so that stitching gets all the attention. Kind regards, Julia Rudnyk, The Netherlands…

Many of us daydream of quitting the day job to make a living more creatively. While it can seem anyone with an internet connection can start a business, it takes hard work and imagination to make a success of it. Cotton Clara’s Chloe Hardisty did just that – we caught up with her to find out how. Can you introduce yourself to CrossStitcher readers? My husband and I live in a Victorian terrace in the centre of Loughborough. It’s great for popping into town but not so great for getting woken up by students in the early hours! I work from home and have my studio in the attic, and my workshop in the conservatory. I’ll need to get a [separate] studio soon as I’m taking over the house! Can…

PART 1 Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 55 high x 120 wide Design size: 10x21.5cm (4x8½in) Stitch time: 18 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Place a bag of rice in the middle of the stuffing to make the pineapple stand securely Make a… pineapple pincushion Step 1 STITCH the pineapple, repeating the chart once from the red line, using two strands of stranded cotton. Step 2 FOLD the stitched fabric into a tube, with right sides facing. Stitch down the back seam, matching the pattern. Turn right-sides out. Make a row of close gathering stitches, 1.5cm (⅝in) below the bottom row of stitching. Push the excess fabric below the design inside the pineapple. Pull up the thread tightly and secure. Cut a small circle…

PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Lift Off!, 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: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 Felt for fins and figures Green ribbon for ties Red webbing How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £45.50, plus P&P. Stitch count: 167 high x 64 wide Design size: 31.5.5x12cm (12¼x4¾in) Stitch time: 35 hours (each) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Template Use your template at 100% Materials Rocket & pockets White 14 count aida; 40x20cm (15¾x8in) x…

THE LITTLE BOOK OF SEWING KAREN BALL [Anima] CrossStitcher readers know more than the average person the sheer joy of making something with your own hands. Can you remember the first time you fell in love with needlecraft? Reminisce with this delightful little book composed of essays, anecdotes, quotes, how-to guides and practical tips. It makes an ideal present for a stitching or sewing friend, or perfect bedtime reading to get you in the mood for your next project! FOLK EMBROIDERED FELT BIRDS CORINNE LAPIERRE [Search Press] Corinne Lapierre in her latest book has come up with an irresistible selection of 20 folk embroidered felt birds, including a swan, hen, goose, owl, dove, peacock and a flamingo. Each bird is embellished with folk-style surface embroidery using stitches such as chain,…

PART 1 PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Spring Is In The Air, 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 32 count Murano in Lavender 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 £38.50, plus P&P. FOUR SEASONS TO STITCH We’ve a summer, autumn and winter sampler to come this year, so keep an eye out in future issues for the next in the series! Designed by: Faye Walsh Stitch count: 180 high x 180 wide Design size: 28x28cm (11x11in) Stitch time: 62 hours…

For a blast of colour, without needing to change the thread in your needle, try stitching with variegated thread. Colour Variations and Coloris are both manufactured by DMC. These six stranded threads are just like stranded cotton, the only difference is that they change colour down the length. We have three spring-themed projects that are perfect for trying out the wonders of variegated thread for yourself! Once you've seen the effects they create and how easy they are to to stitch with, you'll be hooked! MAKE A… SPRING CARD Variegated threads make this card design extra delightful! Step 1 CREATE the card with DMC Variations – its colours are soft and gradually change in a repeating sequence, with no harsh contrasts and are from the same colour family. Cut two…

SHIRLEY CASLICK I’d always done everything else then my eldest daughter learned cross stitch at primary school and came home with a list for school stitching and a lot of the terminology. She learnt and showed me how to do it and because I had to rest up after a big operation I practised and the rest is history. TRACEY SWART I watched two work colleagues every lunchtime and used to laugh at them ‘sewing’. They always said ‘it’s not sewing, it’s cross stitching’. I quietly went off to a local supplier and kitted up a design. Twenty years later and still stitching. ANNIE HOLYOAK Many years ago your cover project was a bag with a bunny stitched on the front. Impulse buy and self taught. No point starting with…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 42 high x 42 wide Design size: 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Stitch time: 9 hours This design was stitched on 16 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart White 16 count aida, ref: 3251/0100; 9x9cm (3½x3½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Blue felt for backing Five hole brooch pin Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com The particular brooch pins we used are available to buy from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… brooch Step 1 STITCH the design using two strands for the cross stitch, and two for the half cross stitch sky and clouds. The backstitch and French knots should be stitched in one strand. Step 2 FOLD the unstitched edges of the fabric over onto the wrong side. Cut the felt to fit the back…

THE CHALLENGE One piece of white 14 count aida Six shades of stranded cotton (shown above) Giant peg One mystery ingredient of your own choice THE RULES Decorate a large clothes peg Only the materials above can be used The design must be no larger than 82 stitches high x 17 wide Be creative as possible! Welcome to this month’s challenge! We’re thinking out of the box this time, with an unusual challenge for our designers, to create a decorative giant clothes peg. They were only allowed the materials we gave them, plus a mystery item of their own choice. Take a look at their creative results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you can stitch your favourite one! We hope this will inspire you to…

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. EMBROIDERYSCISSORS Embroidery scissors are an absolute must-have. Keep yours sharp by only using them to cut threads. STRANDEDCOTTON 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. HOOPSANDFRAMES Though not absolutely essential, we do recommend using an embroidery hoop or frame to keep an even stitching tension. FABRICS Aida is…