Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2019 i CrossStitcher

Visit www.willowfabrics.com to download and print your exclusive luxury card blank Stitch count: 33 high x 51 wide Design size: 6x9.5cm (23⅜x3¾in Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… card Step 1 WORK your cross stitch in two strands and the half cross stitch in one strand on a 11x8cm 4½x3¼in piece of 14 count aida. The backstitch is done in one strand, apart from the star which is two. The French knots are all in one strand. Step 2 COMPLETE the design, then cut around the edge, leaving one blank square of aida around the stitching. Download and print onto thin card the card blank at www.willowfabrics.com. Step 3 APPLY Fray-Check or clear fabric glue to the edges of the fabric…

HOW TO EMBROIDER ALMOST EVERYTHING WENDI GRATZ [Quarry Books] Wendi Gratz’s collection of over 500 stitch motifs will give you plenty of inspiration as well as instruction. The modern motifs do indeed cover topics galore, including people and pets, trees and flowers, everyday objects, food, home and more. You can recreate the motifs shown using the templates and stitch guides provided, or customise them by changing the colours and details. HEIRLOOM EMBROIDERY BRIAN HAGGARD [C&T Publishing] More embroidery for you to enjoy in this title with over 225 embroidery designs from best-selling author Brian Haggard. The book contains iron-on transfers, so you can apply and use the designs with ease. This bumper edition contains designs from his previous books Embroidered Memories and Crazy-Quilted Memories with motifs of all themes and…

CrossSticher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Making His List, 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 Antique White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Skein of DMC Gold Light Effects 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 £29.50 without hoop or £32.60 with hoop, plus P&P. Materials Zweigart Antique White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0101; 42x42cm (16½x16½in Stranded cotton as listed in the key DMC Light Effects as listed in the key Size 24 tapest ry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 25.5cm (10in) diameter Materials…

Keep calm it’s Christmas! To help, we have some projects that are super-simple to make! Our three projects have plenty of glitz, using Étoile, gold thread, sparkly fabric, sequins and beads. The tags and gift box are pre-punched with the larger count, meaning you will have them stitched up in a jiffy. Our 3D Christmas tree, made from perforated paper, will shine as it turns in the light. Finally, our mug wrap will keep your Christmas tipple warm, as you sit back and admire your handiwork! MAKE A… CHRISTMAS TREE Stitch on perforated paper to make a 3D decoration. Add beads and sequins randomly on the tags and tree Step 1 ATTACH your beads by bringing the needle to the front in the bottom left of a stitch. Push the…

Max. stitch count: 54 high x 38 wide Max. design size: 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 5 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 and also one strand of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch. The beads should be added to the stitching using matching sewing thread. 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…

Welcome to the third part of our very special Stitch-A-Long! In this issue we give you ‘Hearts & Flowers’ and ‘Cupcake Café’, and then in January we will be unveiling the final shop for your Christmas 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). Max. stitch count: 116 high x 90 wide (each) Max. design size: 20.5x16.5cm (8x6½in) Stitch time: 42 hours (each) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. If you’ve a lot of colour changes, use the stitch & park method of threading up lots…

Stitch time: 3 hours Stitch count: 35 high x 39 wide (part 3) Design size: 6.5x7cm 2½x2¾in) Make a… mini sampler Step 1 NOTE that part 3 of this design fits directly under part 2, without a gap – the chart and materials needed for part 1 were in issue 349 of CrossStitcher, and the chart and materials list for part 2 were in issue 350 (for back issues, if you missed them, visit www.willowfabrics.com). Step 2 USE two strands for the cross stitch, two for the backstitch, and one for the French knots. Step 3 COMPLETE your stitching, then neaten the edges of your fabric with scissors, leaving two blank squares of aida either side of the stitching, three at the top, and five at the bottom. Fray the…

“I have lived in the same house for 35 years – a terraced house near the River Thames in Greenwich. Though I store yarns and other materials all over the house – I am fortunate to have my own workroom. I have a huge 72-drawer cabinet to store supplies, lots of shelving and a big desk for my sewing machine and drawing board. Is my work space tidy? No! So to escape the mess, I make good use of other rooms. I have a desk and an easel in my bedroom, I use our large kitchen table for cutting fabric, the guest bedroom for photography and when I’m doing knitting or embroidery I get comfy on the living room sofa. Why sit at a desk when you can curl up…

Stitch count: 70 high x 47 wide Design size: 12.5x8.5cm (5x3¼in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Blue 14 count Vintage aida, ref: 3706/5139; 16x 12cm (6¼x4¾in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Card folded to 21x14.5cm (8¼x5¾in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Visit www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates to check when you need to stitch and post your card by this year Make a… patch card Step 1 STITCH the design in the centre of the aida fabric, using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch, with the lettering done in two strands. The French knot for the dot of the ‘i’ is done in two strands. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut away the…

CrossSticher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Welcome WInter, 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 Dark Blue Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 Christmas charms How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £39, plus P&P. TURN TO PAGE 83 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE Stitch count: 180 high x 180 wide Design size: 28x28cm (11x11in) Stitch time: 80 hours This design was stitched on 32 count evenweave working over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart Dark Blue 32 count Murano, ref: 3984/0522;…

FIRST PAST THE POST! Sophie Jessup was the first to send us a pic of her Christmas tree decoration from issue 350 – she wins a range 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 Festive Flurry card from this issue to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk will also win this fab prize! Pro Tip Our designers share their top stitching tips “Keep your scissors close” “A top tip someone in my community recently shared is to wear your scissors on a lanyard around your neck so you don’t lose them. I’ve been doing this and love it!” www.hannahhandmakes.com Hello dolly! I was so excited when I saw this project in your May 2019 issue…

CrossStitches PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Season’s Greetings, 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 Snow Glitter 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 £34 without hoop and £11.95 for the hoop alone, both plus P&P. Extract individual baubles with greetings on to stitch quick Christmas cards and gift tags! Stitch count: 162 high x 165 wide Design size: 30x30cm (11¾x11¾in) Stitch time: 46 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. TURN TO PAGE 23…

A BIG PART OF THE CLASSIC Christmas magic is lists. Little ones make a list of things they’d love to find under the tree, while we who are a bit more responsible for creating the magic and sparkle, write shopping lists and lists of those we will send cards to. This issue our cover design pays tribute to the humble list – and the figure that makes the big list of who has been naughty or nice this year! Get started on this retro-style design on page 18. We’ve aimed to make this issue feel like that other Christmas essential, the selection box. There’s something for every stitcher, from a modern bauble wreath (page 64) to a wall hanging celebrating the most classic of Christmas songs (page 57). We’ve even…

Hullo! I’d like to welcome you all to my arch nemesis – fear of creating. Of all the words in this Affirmations collection, this one is the hardest for me to embrace, which is bizarre as my job is creating things! I know the feeling very well myself as soon as I sniff a new project – that desire to back away, to put it off, to suddenly defrost the freezer. I enjoy creating once I get going, but I get so worried beforehand about making ‘bad’ art or screwing it up that I can fail to start. The thing I’ve noticed about this particular fear is that it’s driven by how other people might judge my art. The key point in that sentence is ‘might’. I can’t control what…

Project Inspiration We made our poinsettia into a pretty Christmas card. To do this, trim your stitched fabric to fit behind your card aperture. On the inside, attach double-sided tape around the edge of the aperture. Place your stitching on the table, and then the card on top, pressing down firmly on the tape. Fold the flap onto the back of the stitching, adding double-sided tape to secure Materials Zweigart White 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/100; 15x15cm (6x6in) Size 26 tapestry needle Card with a 7x7cm (2¾x 2¾in) aperture Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com THE POINSETTIA A birth flower for December, the poinsettia represents celebration, success, reassurance, and good cheer. Native to Mexico and Central America, legend has it that a young girl on Christmas Eve couldn’t afford to offer a…

Use this design to stitch up a very special First Christmas card for a baby instead! Materials Zweigart Antique White 28 count Brittney, ref: 3270/0101; 30.5x25.5cm (12x10in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Backing fabric; 30.5x25.5cm (12x10in) Velcro and button for finishing Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Stitch count: 58 high x 83 wide Design size: 10x14.5cm (4x5¾in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. 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 stitch the…

Materials Each decoration 14 count white per for ated paper; 15x10.5cm (6x4¼in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Thin gardening wire for handle Felt for backing Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Stitch count: 68 high x 45 wide Design size: 12.5x8.5cm (5x3¼in) Stitch time: 17 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count perforated paper. Make a… Mason jar decoration Step 1 STITCH the mason jar using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch, apart from the stars which are stitched in two strands. Step 2 CUT around the design one square outside the stitching, using small, sharp scissors, taking care when cutting around the jar clip. Step 3 PLACE the stitched jar on coordinating felt, and cut the jar shape…

LIZ DRAPER I’m happy with fractional stitches, shading, and would love to see some Assisi work but I really, really hate black backstitching! I often change the colour on projects, because I think black thread makes everything look like a cartoon drawing. TAMMY POWELL Backstitches can be a total pain, however they can transform a piece! For that reason I love them! ANE MCSHEA I like a mixture, some whole stitch and some detailed patterns. I have turned some detailed patterns into whole stitches to make life easier for myself and I love backstitch. LISA DALY I avoid fractional stitches no matter how much I love the design! Definitely prefer whole stitches but I love the extra detail that backstitch gives. GRACE COLLIER My choices depend on my reason for…

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 have given you in…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES In between stitching all the gorgeous Christmas projects in this issue, why not have a go at our special seasonal challenge? We’ve asked 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 at least one, or up to three ribbon reindeer. Take a look at their results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you can stitch your favourite! We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for February – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. SHEENA ROGERS…LEAPING REINDEER…

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…