Indice dei contenuti per December 2016 in CrossStitcher

Celebrating with stitching friends? Fill your crackers with crafty gifts, from pretty trims to new threads! Max. stitch count: 26 high x 17 wide Max. design size: 4.5x3cm (1¾x1¼in) Stitch time: 1 hour each This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… cracker Step 1 STITCH the designs on aida, then cut to fit the cracker, leaving a minimum of two blank fabric squares around the design. Fray the fabric by carefully peeling away one square of aida from all sides. Step 2 DOWNLOAD the templates from www.willowfabrics.com and print onto thin card. Remove the diamond cut-outs from both ends of the cardboard cracker. Roll the cracker around a rolling pin to get an even shape, without creases. Insert the tabs into the slits at the…

Faye Walsh of Little Dove Designs designed our three heart hangers on page 25 . “It's quite a challenge fitting a festive scene into a tiny heart shape but by choosing a different focal motif for each one the other patterns then fitted into the shape nicely. I decided on a house, robins and deer for the three scenes as a starting point and then picked out a few motifs from my notebook that I thought would work well and adapted the sizing and colours to fit around the scenes of each heart."…

MODERN MACHINE EMBROIDERY LISA ARCHER [Krause Publications] Lisa Archer is the owner and creative director of Pickle Pie Designs, a website with a line of more than 350 embroidery designs. Here she aims to get you to use your embroidery machine like a pro! Learn how to create appliqués and monograms, as well as work on amazing in-the-hoop embroidery projects. HANDMADE CHRISTMAS VARIOUS [Cico Books] Make your Christmas unique with over 35 handmade projects. A variety of craft techniques are covered, including embroidery, as you are encouraged to create your own Decorations, Cards and Gift Wrap, and Handmade Gifts, with the book divided into these three chapters for ease for use. The perfect way to complement your hand stitched presents. 100 LITTLE CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO MAKE SEARCH PRESS STUDIO [Search…

Take extra care with your backstitching so that Santa’s address looks just right Materials ZweigartLightBlue14count aida ref: 3706/503; 25.5x16.5cm (10x6½in) Lining fabric; 5.5x16.5cm (10x6½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size24tapestryneedle For stockist details see page 89 Stitch count: 55 high x 76 wide Design size: 10x14cm (4x5½in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make an… ‘envelope’ pouch Step 1 POSITION your stitching correctly, so that when you assemble the pouch, the design is centre front. To do this, fold the aida in half widthways, and then start stitching in the centre of the pouch front, making sure the fabric fold is at the bottom. Step 2 COMPLETE the stitching, then refold the fabric so that the design…

My phone cover was stitched wit adaption of the rainbow leopard from the Sept 2014 issue. I love this pattern so much. Ingrid Morgan, Australia I made the free owl bookmark kit with issue 309 into a birthday card for my Auntie Heather. I hope you like what I have done. Julie Walsh, Wiltshire This is my Garden Party’ cushion, with the chart taken from issue 306. I stitched it on a darker fabric. Cigdem Saltik, Turkey So happy to finish this cushion from issue 301 for our new home! Exactly cosy and nice for Christmas time! Olga Calleja, Malta I’ve made this picture from issue 300 for my mum’s 70th birthday as she has visited all these places on her world cruises! Jenny Wilson, Essex Here is one of…

Get geared up for your best-ever Christmas with our designers’ pick of their favourite festive stitching projects. These ladies are all leading talents in the stitching industry, whether they are working for a big brand or have founded their own company. Their top tips for Christmas will have you humming Jingle Bells the very next time you pick up your needle… CONTEMPORARY COLOURS Last year Sophie Simpson ( www.whatdelilahdid.com ) wowed us with her designs for Cloud Craft ( www.cloudcraft.co.uk ). Cindermouse and her pals are back for 2016… What made you decide to reissue the Cindermice kits? Cloud Craft have been getting emails all year asking about the Cindermouse, Mouse Charming and Fairy Godmouse kits. We wanted to make it slightly different to last year,…

We have new challenges coming up over the next few months, so show us what you can do! 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! February issue 314 challenge: Design a modern birthday card for a man, featuring a mode of transport (eg. a car, plane, boat, bicycle, van or scooter). Please also include a birthday greeting. Materials and rules: • 1 piece of white 14 count aida • 5 shades of DMC stranded cotton: 955 (light nile green), 3851 (green blue), 807 (peacock blue), 517 (dark wedgewood) and 311 (navy blue) • 1 silver cog wheel charm; 15mm diameter • 1 mystery item of your…

  Sewing temporary gridlines on the fabric will help you to position the lettering correctly Stitch count: 120 high x 160 wide Design size: 22.5x28.5cm (9x11¼in) Stitch time: 15 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials • Zweigart Black 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/720; 30.5x38cm (12x15in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Black felt backing fabric; 30.5x38cm (12x15in) • Wadding; 24x30cm (9½x11¾in) For stockist details see page 89 Use the alphabet provided to add your chosen name to the mat Make a… placemat Step 1 FOLD the edges of the stitched fabric over onto the reverse side, leaving a border of 1cm (3/8in) outside the running stitch border on the right side…

WELCOME TO THIS MONTH’S STITCH-ALONG Welcome to the final part of the our Christmas sampler that has been featured in the last eight issues of CrossStitcher. Each of the blocks in this design can be made into a range of Christmas goodies. Here you will find the last few elements you need to finish the sampler, including the border. You can use this December 25th design to complete your sampler or just stitch it alone to make a sweet mini festive decoration or Christmas card. Stitch count: 36 high x 33 wide Design size: 6.5x6cm (2½x2¼in) 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…

RATHERUNSEAMLY No time to stitch your own tags? These Christmas Gingerbread Gift Tags are perfect for attaching to your handstitched presents. THECOZYCRAFTSHOP If you’re using your gingerbread letters on a purse or small bag, why not add one of these cute little charms to the end of the zipper? UNWRAPCOLOUR Have a gingerbread motif you'd like to stitch as a card? This Christmas Cookies MT Washi Tape is perfect for decorating your card blank first!…

“I can’t handle the pressure of stitching to deadlines... stitching to deadlines kills me!” Hello dear readers. You might be stitching projects for your friends this Christmas. I’ve taken the bold move of letting people know that they’re not going to get stitchy gifts from me, or at least not every year, because I can’t handle the pressure of stitching to deadlines. There. I said it. Stitching to deadlines kills me! I’m going to offer a few suggestions that might help you if you can’t avoid a deadline, but before I do, I’ll tell you a tale. The year was 2011 and I was going to be on the telly. I’d entered the needlework episode of Kirstie’s Handmade Britain and was working on a design of Whitby Abbey. I had…

  Add the felt base to the little house with Bondaweb, followed by a simple blanket stitched edge Christmas just wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for the odd gingham bow or two, which is why we’ve added a seasonal twist to this festive favourite and created some simple cross stitching ideas to get you crafting this Christmas. Try adding laced snowflakes to a length of gingham ribbon, then stitch a trio of trees on a cute drawstring bag (and fill it with chocolate coins as a festive treat!). Our third project is a snowy scene, made up of cross, star and lacing stitches, in classic red and white. Enjoy! HOW TO… CREATE STAR STITCH Use a variation of the regular star stitch to decorate your Christmas scene. Step…

If you find French knots a little tricky, try replacing them with seed beads instead Stitch count: 94 high x 77 wide Design size: 17x14cm (6¾x5½in) Stitch time: 10 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave working over two threads of fabric. Materials ZweigartRaw28countCashel linen, ref: 3281/53; 33x33cm (13x13in) x 2 pieces Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Cushionpad305x30.5cm 12x12in For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cushion Step 1 WITH the stitching right-side up, place the piece of linen for the back on top. Pin, then machine stitch, the cushion front and back together with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance, but leaving a gap at the bottom for turning. Step 2 TURN to the right side. Insert…

RSN embroidery class One lucky reader will win a one day Embroidery Class at the Royal School of Needlework worth £78. The RSN run over 200 classes for all levels and in many techniques, and it is the international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery. The RSN teaches across the UK at Hampton Court Palace in London, Exeter, Bristol, Rugby, Durham and Glasgow. For more details, or to buy their Christmas Gift vouchers, visit www.royal-needlework.org.uk or call 020 3166 6932. Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘RSN EMBROIDERY CLASS GIVEAWAY XST312’. Rose Teacup kits This sweet Rose Teacup kit by The Homemakery comes with its own hoop to frame it in! The kit comes with 100% linen fabric, embroidery thread, needle, chart, instructions…

WHITE CHRISTMAS IT’S THE time of year when we’re dreaming of snow-capped trees and a flurry of pretty snowflakes falling from the sky… WHO Santa himself features on this gorgeous Starry Night 100% cotton fabric which mingles stars and snowflakes together to make this a festive must-buy! www.sophieallport.com WHAT This embroidered snowflake button would make a pretty focal point for a card, or a beautiful decoration for a hand-stitched stocking. www.milliemoonshop.co.uk HOW Finish off your festive makes with this Snowflake Ribbon Satin Trim and you won’t break the bank while creating something extra-special. en.dawanda.com…

Extract the presents and robins and stitch them as separate mini cards or attach as a patch to gift tags Stitch count: 89 high x 120 wide Design size: 16x21cm (6¼x8¼in) Stitch time: 45 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave working over two threads of fabric. Materials ZweigartOpalescentSnow28count Cashel, ref: 3281/1111; 33x38cm (13x15in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 20x24cm (8x9½in) aperture Mountboardtofitframe For stockist details see page 89 TURN TO PAGE 40 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE…

You could always stitch the hearts in a row to make a sweet Christmas picture instead, or use individually to make cards Stitch count: 35 high x 35 wide each Design size: 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) each Stitch time: 3½ hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials For each heart Zweigart White 28 count Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) x 2 pieces Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Toy stuffing Ribbon; 3mm x 18cm (7in Button For stockist details see page 89 Make a… heart hanger Step 1 PLACE the stitched fabric and the backing fabric right sides together. Fold the ribbon in half and place at the top of the heart,…

Our heart would also make a perfect cushion for the festive season. Turn to page 63 to see how to make one Materials • Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/100; 46x46cm (18x18in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 30.5x30.5cm (12x12in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89 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 entire perimeter and check you are happy with the positioning of your…

  Use a darker brown thread shade to turn your cookies into chocolate ones!   Wny not add silver seed beads to your biscuits so they look like they have been decorated with edible silver balls? Sugar and spice and all things nice – that’s what our alphabet this month is made of! Designer Emma Congdon has come up with some classic Christmas gingerbread biscuits – the icing and decorations translate perfectly into cross stitch, making these letters and numbers a real treat to stitch. Emma’s even added some bonus gingerbread shapes on page 56 – the icing on the cookie! More to make... Mix and match your letters to whip up sweet stitched treats. Here are some ideas to get you started… 1 Spell out ‘cookies’ on some aida…

With Christmas just around the corner, we thought it fitting to ask our three designers to come up with a quick festive design. We gave them a ready-to-stitch wooden tag to start them off, but their thread choices were strictly limited. 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 see what our challenge will be for February – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE THE RULES MICHAELA LEARNER… SANTA TAG I really wanted to come up with a Santa face and struggled a bit with so few stitches to work with. My mystery item is gorgeous shiny pink…

  Don’t have plastic canvas? Stitch the designs on aida then back them with Vilene before cutting out Max. stitch count: 21 high x 21 wide Max. design size: 4x4cm (1½x1½in) Stitch time: 2 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count plastic canvas. Materials For each peg White14countplasticcanvas; 5x5cm (2x2in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden clip peg For stockist details see page 89 Make a… Christmas peg Step 1 COMPLETE your stitching on the plastic canvas, then carefully cut around the design, leaving one blank square of plastic canvas outside the stitching. Step 2 USE double-sided tape or a glue gun to stick the plastic shape to the peg.…

MATERIALS Tree Zweigart Cream Gold 14 count aida, ref: 3706/118; 21.5x29cm (8½x11½in) Cardboard mount; 13x18.5cm (5¼x7¼in) Felt backing; 13x18.5cm (5¼x7¼in) Wadding; 11.5x 17.5cm (4½x7in) Snowman Zweigart Cream Gold 14 count aida, ref: 3706/118; 24x29cm (9½x11½in) Cardboard mount; 16x18.5cm (6¼x7¼in) Felt backing; 16x18.5cm (6¼x7¼in) Wadding; 11.5x 17.5cm (4½x7in) Sledge Zweigart Cream Gold 14 count aida, ref: 3706/118; 18x29cm (7x11½in) Cardboard mount; 11.5x 17.5cm (4½x7in) Felt backing; 11.5x 17.5cm (4½x7in) Wadding; 11.5x 17.5cm (4½x7in) For all Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Brass curtain ring For stockist details see page 89 Make a… padded picture Step 1 LAY the wadding on top of the cardboard. Place the stitched fabric over the top, centring it on the cardboard. Use double-side tape to attach the excess fabric…

Your projects For all the basic supplies you need to make the projects in this issue… WILLOW FABRICS  www.willowfabrics.com For Zweigart evenweave, aida, linen, Cashel, wooden embroidery hoops and all kinds of stitching fabrics COTTON PATCH  www.cottonpatch.co.uk 0121 702 2840 For stuffing, wadding, interfacing, Bondaweb, scissors and a range of haberdashery supplies FRED ALDOUS  www.fredaldous.co.uk 0161 236 4224 For general craft and haberdashery supplies as well as mount board for framing your work JOHN JAMES NEEDLES  www.jjneedles.com 0152 783 0941 For all kinds of needles and needle packs JOHN LEWIS  www.johnlewis.com 03456 049 049 For a wide range of stitching and sewing supplies, including cotton printed fabrics 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…