Índex per August 2016 a CrossStitcher

You could also stitch part of this design and mount it in an aperture card for a friend Stitch count: 76 high x 47 wide Design size: 14x8.5cm (5½x3¼in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… gadget case Step 1 STITCH the cross stitch using two strands of stranded cotton, and the backstitch in one strand. Cut a 16x12cm (6¼x4¾in) piece of 14 count white aida. Fold the fabric to find the centre, and start stitching here. Step 2 CUT two pieces of felt, both 16x12cm (6¼x4¾in); one for backing and one for lining. Place one felt rectangle on top of your stitching, right sides facing. Sew across the top edge, leaving just one blank aida square above the stitching on…

Jane Prutton designed our caravan on page 14 and talks us through her design process. “I grew up in a family who were, and still are, car mad and I have inherited the love of the shapes of retro vehicles. I usually see things in what I call my ‘mind's eye' and start sketching the idea until I'm happy. The colour palette often comes at the same time or can be influenced by a colour scheme I've liked from a shop window or magazine.” Jane is the author of Retro Fun In Stitches (Tuva Publishing).…

A TO Z OF SEWING COUNTRY BUMPKIN [Search Press] Compiled by the expert team at Country Bumpkin, this title aims to act as a ‘bible’ of machine and hand sewing techniques, with over 180 included. Each technique includes step-by-step photos and there are hints and tips used by professional sewers. A real must-buy for beginners and even more experienced sewers. STUNNING SCENERY IN CROSS STITCH MARIA DIAZ [Tuva Publishing] Fans of Maria Diaz’s work will be eager to get their hands on her latest title. Maria has created a selection of ‘sight-seeing’ vistas based on real-life locations. The projects give stitchers the opportunity to create scenery for their homes they may have either experienced on holiday, or know that they will never be lucky enough to visit, but would like…

You can often find frames in thrift shops. Before using, carefully remove any dirt with a soft cloth and warm water, then cut a new mount board if needed Max. stitch count: 60 high x 54 wide Design size: 10.5x9.5cm (4¼x3¾in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart28countVintageSand Cashel linen, ref: 3281/1079; 28x28cm (11x11in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 14cm (5½in) diameter aperture Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 86…

This pretty quick-stitch design is an ideal choice for beginner stitchers Max. stitch count: 63 high x 71 wide Design size: 12.5x14cm (5x5½in) Stitch time: 9 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart28countlimegreen Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/0614; 27x27cm (10½x10½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden hoop; 15cm (6in) diameter  For stockist details see page 86 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…

This month we’re all set to work on both body and soul with our yoga ladies letters! They are all making poses with a difference, as each stretch cleverly creates a letter shape or number. Have fun putting together words and phrases for all sorts of projects – or why not stitch our fun saying, as shown opposite? Don’t forget to cut out and keep these pages on file, ready for future projects. ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’ was stitched on Zweigart 25 count Angel Blush Lugana evenweave, ref: 3835/0443, and is 67 high x 169 wide. The design size is 13.5x33.5cm (5¼x 13¼in), and it took our stitcher 25 hours to complete.   You could use up spare thread shades in your stash to stitch the yoga outfits It’s…

Stitch count: 102 high x 106 wide Design size: 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in) Stitch time: 32 hours This design was stitched on 20 count evenweave working over two threads of fabric. Materials Cushion ZweigartBellana20countpale cream evenweave, ref: 3256/0099; 51x51cm (20x20in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Backing fabric; 43x43cm (17x17in) Cushion pad; 40.5x40.5cm 16x16in   For stockist details see page 86 Make a… cushion Step 1 CUT your stitched cushion front to the same size as your backing fabric. With the stitching right-side up, place the backing fabric on top. Pin, then machine stitch, the cushion front and the backing fabric together with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance, but leaving a gap on one side for turning. Step 2 TURN to the right side.…

Homecoming books Joanna Ezekiel’s new poetry book has a rather special cover: she stitched it herself from a Sybilla Davis kit on 14 count aida. Joanna wanted the cover to have a vintage feel, as the theme of the collection was ‘Homecoming’, and so by leaving off the backstitch, she got just the right look. Homecoming is published by Valley Press, and is available on Amazon and at all good booksellers (£7.99). We have two signed copies to give away. Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘HOMECOMING POETRY BOOK GIVEAWAY XST308’. Cross Stitch Mini Motifs books Susan Bates has packed this book with 54 cross-stitch motifs all on the theme of flowers. The floral motifs, such as viola, pansies, poppies and roses are used to create…

Get started For stitching fabric, threads and all the basic supplies you need, try one of these top stockists… WILLOW FABRICS www.willowfabrics.com For evenweave, aida and all kinds of stitching fabrics BARNYARNS www.barnyarns.co.uk 0176 569 0069 For Anchor, DMC and Madeira threads and all kinds of haberdashery supplies COTTON PATCH www.cottonpatch.co.uk 0121 702 2840 For stuffing, wadding, interfacing, Bondaweb, scissors and all kinds of haberdashery supplies JOHN JAMES NEEDLES www.jjneedles.com 0152 783 0941 For all kinds of needles and needle packs SIESTA FRAMES www.siestaframes.com 0120 281 3363 For stitching frames, hoops and lamps CLOUD CRAFT www.cloudcraft.co.uk For 100% wool felt in lots of colours JOSY ROSE www.josyrose.com For buttons, beads and all kinds of embellishments SEAMSTAR www.seamstar.co.uk 0182 977 0733 For plain and patterned fabrics and all kinds of trims…

WHEN WE WERE travelling to our childhood summer holidays, in our well-worn clothes and our slow and impractical transport, little did we know that in just a few decades all that we knew as everyday would be rechristened ‘vintage’ and sold back to us for many times the price! The quaint caravan featured on our cover this month would have been tiny, and pulled by a car not built for the job, but it reminds us of times when simpler things were on offer, and speed was not of the essence. If you go to that box under the bed, we’re sure you can find an old, vintage postcard just like the one on page 58, that your mum received from a friend or aunty on a seaside trip. And…

MAIGOCUTE Specialdesignscallforluxury ribbon –thisShinziKatohDeux CatsLinenRibbonisafinefeline choiceforhangersorcards. ARTYMOMENTS Keepyourkittiescloseandyour needlescloserwiththesecuteand colourfulWoodenCatButton NeedleMinders. STITCHPLUSSTITCH Itwon’ttakelongtowhipupyour veryownminimoggyusingthisCat SilhouetteKeychainKitwhichcan alsobeusedasapursecharm.…

“I’d got my little stitching kit together… but as I reached the airport, I realised I’d left the whole thing at home!” Hello dear readers! Summer is here and it’s a great time to get out and about with your stitching. I recently went on a jaunt to Paris for a family wedding, and saw it as a great opportunity to get some ‘sight-stitching’ done (seeing some sights, while doing some stitching!). I’d got my little stitching kit together – threads, needles, fabric, pattern and thread cutter, but as I reached the airport, I realised that I’d left the whole thing at home! I consoled myself with the fact that Paris was bound to have a few embroidery shops dotted around, so I could cobble something together in France. I…

Stitch the girl and bike without the balloons to make a sweet summer birthday card! Stitch count: 82 high x 120 wide Design size: 15x21.5cm (6x8½in) Stitch time: 20 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials FabricFlair28countCloud (Summer Sky) evenweave, ref: E28/11; 33.5x40.5cm (14x16in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 23x29cm (9x11½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame  For stockist details see page 86…

Have you ever thought that your photos and stitching could go hand-in-hand? Here we’ll show you how to embellish your photos with stitching to make them truly memorable. Add stitched motifs to a sunny seaside scene, and then embellish a black and white photo with a flash of coloured cross stitch on a child’s t-shirt. Plus, we show how to crop a photo and stitch it instead, as we have here with our multicoloured kite. Lettering and messages are more ideas that you can try… so why not start snapping and stitching? This technique would work with lots of other ideas, such as a vase where the flowers are stitched or a winding road with a stitched car driving away in the distance HOW TO… STITCH BEYOND THE PHOTO BORDER…

Stitch count: 168 high x 101 wide Design size: 26x16.5cm (10¼x6½in) Stitch time: 37 hours This design was stitched 32 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart32countLagoonBelfast linen, ref: 3609/5053; 46x41cm (18x16in) Stranded cotton and DMC Light Effects as listed in the key Mill Hill seed beads; 00161 crystal, 00581 green, 2082 lilac Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 30.5x24cm (12x9½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 86 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. Step 2 PIN around the…

You could also extract the rose buds from the centre of the postcard and stitch them in each corner of your pin cushion design Pin cushion: Stitch count: 33 high x 34 wide Design size: 6x6cm (2³/ › x2³ › in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart28countwhiteBrittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 14x14cm (5½x5½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Cotton backing fabric; 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) Toy stuffing  For stockist details see page 86 Make a… rose pin cushion Step 1 STITCH your design then cut your evenweave to the same size as your backing fabric, keeping the design central. Step 2 WITH the stitching right-side up, place the backing fabric on…

“I love all things pretty and have always been a fairytale lover… and I have a weakness for beads” Looking at Shannon Wasilieff’s work is like stepping into a fairytale. From princesses to peacocks and cute cottages to carousel horses, her cross stitch designs are perfect for anyone who likes a little shimmer with their stitch (and perhaps a bead or two). We found out more about what inspires her… You first started stitching as a child – what tempted you back? My family has always been into arts and crafts. I was drawn back into cross stitch after my mum started Emerald Mermaid by Mirabilia. I promptly took over the project after I fell in love with the design and haven’t looked back since. The beads and sparkle were…

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…

Get in touch Hello, my name is Monique, aged 42. I’ve been married for 10 years and am mum to twins (aged 7 years). My hobbies are cross stitching, reading, writing, cooking and movies. I am looking for European penpals with the same interests. I like projects around 16x21cm on 14 count aida. Monique Spierenburgh, De Stoutheuvel 95, 5632 MP Eindhoven, Holland Hello my name is Bluebell. I am 71, married and an animal lover. I have been cross stitching for a few years. I did some on and off for a while, but in the past two years I really got into it and would like to hear from other cross stitchers. I also knit for charities and when I was younger I also worked on other needlecrafts. Bluebell…

Anchors away! Treat yourself to a natty nautical accessory this summer with Anette Erkisson’s beautiful Anchor kit, which can be made into a bag or pillow. Easy to stitch on 12 count hessian/burlap with chunky half cross stitch, the design has an on-trend dip dye look – simply follow the instructions in the kit to dye your fabric, stitch your design and make up into your chosen item. Available to order from www.johnlewis.com . MAP IT OUT OFF ON holiday this month? Don’t forget to chart your travels on this ingenious cross stitch map by All Things Brighton Beautiful. The world map is printed on cross stitch fabric and mounted on a wooden frame – simply use the different coloured threads to map out your journey or…

Scraps of cotton fabric left over from other sewing projects would be ideal to use for the border edges on this cushion Stitch count: 96 high x 90 wide Design size: 17.5x16.5cm (7x6½in) Stitch time: 31 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart14countivoryaida, ref: 3706/0264; 30.5x30.5cm (13x13in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Mauve spotted fabric; 33x9.5cm (13x3¾in) x 2 pieces Green spotted fabric; 20x9.5cm (8x3¾in) x 2 pieces Cushion pad; 30.5x30.5cm (12x12in) Backing fabric; 33x33cm (13x13in)  For stockist details see page 86 Make a… cushion Step 1 CUT your stitched cushion front to 21.5x21.5cm (8½in square). Place the green spotted fabric centrally on the bottom of the stitching, and with right sides together, pin, then machine stitch,…

Drop us a line to pin your projects into our album! Email your photos to crossstitcher@dennis.co.uk or write to us at CrossStitcher, PO Box 172, Northam, EX39 9DY Stay in touch... crossstitchermag.com facebook.com/  CrossStitcherMag @XStitchmagazine pinterest.com/  xstitchmagazine…

Attach a brooch back to one of the apple buttons to turn into it a cute badge instead! Stitch count: 14 high x 14 wide Design size: 2.5x2.5cm (1x1in) Stitch time: 2 hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart28countwhiteBrittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 7.5x7.5cm (3x3in) x 3 pieces Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Giant paper clips x 3 Self-cover buttons; 29mm (11/8in) x 3 For stockist details see page 86 Make a… button bookmark Step 1 TRIM away the unstitched fabric from around the stitched design, leaving a 5cm (2in) circle, with the apple in the centre. Step 2 MAKE a row of running stitches around the edge of the fabric, leaving…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES Welcome to our second stash-busting challenge. The aim of this new feature is to inspire you to create something gorgeous from just a few bits and bobs that you have already in your workbox. We’ve invited some of our favourite designers to take part and asked them to show us what they would come up with using only a set of very limited supplies. Read the challenge rules on the left to see what they were given. We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to take part in an upcoming challenge and your idea could feature on our Pinterest board! JENNY BARTON… PARTY INVITE CARD “My initial idea was actually to…

To prevent any fraying, iron Vilene onto the back of the stitching before you cut the coaster Stitch count: Various These designs were stitched 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. MATERIALS Castle and whale badges Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 7.5x7.5cm (3x3in) Self-cover button; 38mm (1½in) diameter Safety pin Sunshine badge Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 15x15cm (6x6in) Plastic food pot lid; approx. 9cm (3½in) diameter Wadding; 9cm (3½in) diameter circle Felt for backing your pot lid Nappy pin Travel bookmark Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 10x7cm (4x2¾in) Cardboard rectangle; 6.5x3.5cm (2½x1¼in) Felt for backing; 6.5x3.5cm (2½x1¼in) Ribbon; 7mm x 23cm (¼x9in) Button Drinks coaster Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) Plastic coaster; 9cm (3½in)…

Stitch count: 37 high x 28 wide Design size: 6.5x5cm (2½x2in) Stitch time: 3 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the 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 stitches used in the design. The closest column of thread codes listed next to the chart symbols is the thread brand that’s used in the design. Similar colour matches are listed alongside it. Where no close match can be found, you may have to use a different brand of thread for that shade. THE CHART EACH square on the chart represents a single cross stitch. Start from the centre of the design…