Table of contents for March 2021 in CrossStitcher

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Soul Sisters, 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: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £27, plus P&P. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 94 high x 177 wide Design size: 17x32.5cm (6¾x12¾in) Stitch time: 42 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Back with a Russian doll fabric (see page 11) and stuff with toy stuffing to…

Friends of many years, Joanne and Suzanne started The Historical Sampler Company as mums of young children, over 20 years ago! “Joanne and I both enjoyed cross stitch but couldn’t find very many designs that we liked,” recalls Suzanne. “Sitting at Joanne’s kitchen table we started to design our first sampler using a piece of charting paper and pencil. We initially used original samplers as inspiration, with their beautiful motifs and borders, we both admired that style.” Despite many interruptions from husbands and children, they eventually had five sampler designs they were happy with and after a successful showcasing of their products at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Olympia they had the confidence to go for it. The rest, as they say, is history! “We still exhibit but we…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES Welcome to this month’s designer challenge! We’ve come up with something a bit different to test our designers this time. Our challenge was to create two earrings – but with a different design for each one, that still worked as a pair. They had to be stitched on plastic aida and our designers only had seven thread shades to get creating with. If you’d like to stitch their quirky creations we have the charts over the page. We hope their results will inspire you to join the fun – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for May – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. CHERYL McKINNON…TIME FOR TEA MARIA DIAZ…KEEP IT BRIEF…

WHEN YOU THINK about it, cross stitch is all about the things we love. Of course, we love the actual process of working on a design, from getting set up with all the colours needed, to plotting a way around a design and planning what section can be completed this evening – but the subject has to be something that means a lot to us too. As we still can’t see everyone and everything we love for a while, we hope we can send you some comfort with this month’s themes. Our list of loves has to include our pets. Our home wouldn’t be the same without our two dogs. We no longer have cats but we love the reminder that Maria Diaz has designed for us all. You will…

“My craft room is near bursting with an ever growing collection of fabric and haberdashery. From fulfilling fabric orders to sketching a new pattern, I make use of a wide range of tools. I seem to use my fabric shears, iron and paper scissors every day. I'm never without some sharp needles, good quality thread, tape measure, chalk and embroidery scissors, to name but a few. When working on a new sewing pattern, I have my trusted pattern master and other pattern making tools at the ready as well as pattern paper and a pencil.” Drop us a line to crosssstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with images of your craft space and a few words about it and our favourites could be featured in a future issue!…

Hullo! This month’s flower is a beauty and has a most beautiful meaning to go along with it. The lupin (or lupine to our American brethren) stands tall and proud, showing off its bright petals with abandon. The floriography meaning behind the lupin is ‘imagination’ which has always been one of my favourite things. With it you can go anywhere, be anything, do whatever you like! I loved imaginative play as a child and now as an adult, my creative job allows me to continue stretching that muscle. But you don’t have to work in an artistic environment to appreciate the value of imagination. You know when you’re in a meeting that could have been an email and you wish you were anywhere but there, so you put on your…

A DIFFERENT ROOM FOR EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR! 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: Zoë Patching Stitch count: 56 high x 61 wide Design size: 10x11cm (4x4¼in) 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…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 53 high x 38 wide Design size: 9.5x7cm (3¾x2¾in) Stitch time: 7 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 or two 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…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 33 high x 54 wide Design size: 5.5x9.5cm (2¼x3¾in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. You could stitch this design onto plastic canvas or perfora ted paper to make a label for a box i nste a d Make a… tooth envelope Step 1 WORK the design on a piece of evenweave that is 20x13cm (8x5in). The top of the design needs to be 5.5cm (2¼in) down from the top of the fabric. Once the stitching is complete, mark the centre top on the fabric, and then cut from just above the design on the side seam, to the centre top, then repeat for the other side, creating an envelope point above the design. Step 2 CUT…

SPOTLIGHT ON… NEEDLEMINDERS With everything going on in the world right now, it’s good to remind ourselves of the importance of ‘being you’. I’ve designed something to remind you that you have a purpose at this time and I’ve popped this message on a needleminder, to sit on the corner of your stitching. The sentiment tells you that you were made to be you, a cross stitcher who loves to thread a needle and lose themselves in their craft. In issue 360 of CrossStitcher I designed this cute needleminder. It is made using the same instructions as below – working each stitch over one thread of fabric. Change the look by colouring the, flowers in shades of pink or peach, using different colours of stranded cotton from your stash. If…

Our free coverkits are a real favourite with so many of our readers. Perfect for beginners, with everything you need to get started, it’s no surprise they provide the ideal introduction to stitching for younger stitchers, such as 11-year-old Lucy Boyer… Lucy, who is from Milton Keynes, had already got a little taste of stitching when she made a thank-you card for her teacher at the end of Year 4. “I took a break from cross stitch until lockdown started,” recalls Lucy. “I saw CrossStitcher in the local newsagent and decided to buy it! It felt so amazing to walk into the shop with my pocket money and buy something that would last me endless hours of creativity.” INSPIRING IDEAS Lucy loves cross stitching because it allows her to relax,…

COTTONCLARA For pretty thread bobbins, look no further than these gorgeous wooden flower thread bobbins to keep your sewing box tangle free! AGREEABLESTITCHERY Organise your threads in style before your next project with this Sewing Machine organiser which comes with four spools as a bonus. LORNABATEMANOFFICIAL These whimsical retractable tape measures from Bohin come in four pretty floral print patterns and are perfect for springtime stitching!…

THE TEXTILE ARTIST: EXPRESSIVE STITCHES JAN DOWSON [Search Press] This is a general guide on how to translate whatever inspires you in real life, from landscapes to animals, into stitches. The stitching techniques included vary from traditional hand stitching to machine stitching and other media. There are step-by-step guides to author Jan’s techniques and she also explains the three stages of work she’s most well-known for: the stitched landscape, the memory cloth and the bird sculpture. EMPOWERED EMBROIDERY AMY L FRAZER [Walter Foster Publishing] Celebrate strong women and embroider their portraits. This book includes step-by-step photos that show you how to go about the designs. Choose from six designs: Frida Kahlo, Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsbur and Michelle Obama. (Or if you want to stick to…

ZOË SAYS… “Creating a calm space, to relax and sleep, with no distractions or clutter, is something many of us aspire to. Now more than ever it’s important to take time out from the hustle and bustle of life and to have space to recharge batteries and breathe. Take the time to sort your bedroom space out, and reap the benefits! This month, why not have a go at creating you own little bit of calm?” Don’t miss issue 368 April, on sale 23 February, for Zoë’s Room to Sew……

Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 28 highx 28 wide (each) Design size: 5x5cm (2x2in) Stitch time: 2 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart Black 14 count aida, ref: 3706/720; 10x10cm (4x4in) x 8 pieces Stranded cot ton as listed in the key Felt for backing; 10x10cm (4x4in) x 8 pieces Size 24 tapestry needle Cardboard; 14x28cm (5½x11in) Thick black thread and stick for display Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… moon phase mobile Step 1 STITCH your moon phases onto aida, using two strands for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. Cut eight 5cm (2in) diameter circles from cardboard. Trim each of the stitched aida moon phases into a 9cm (3½in) circle, with the design in the centre. Step 2…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Little Ripples, 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: Sampedro 14 count aida in White Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £12, plus P&P. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 113 high x 84 wide Design size: 21x15.5cm (8¼x6in) Stitch time: 20 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Wash your hands well before each stitching session and keep your design protected when not…

Welcome to our latest classic design – created for those stitchers looking for more of a challenge. Our gorgeous ginger cat is enjoying a nap on a cushion – the level of realism in this design makes it an absolute must-stitch! Details include delicate backstitching and half stitched areas for a softer look. The background patterns also blend perfectly with the blue aida – enjoy! Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 173 high x 173 wide Design size: 31x31cm (12¼x12¼in) Stitch time: 110 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. There are lots of similar coloured threads in this design, so sort them onto an organiser and check the chart squares off as you stitch them, so you don’t get muddled Materials Zweigart Misty Blue 14 count…

JANE BROOKS One of my pen friends sent me a lovely cross stitched sampler as a surprise. I was struggling with stress and anxiety at the time, so the motivational quote on it and the love it had been stitched with gave me a much needed boost during a very diffcult time. SHERRI MCMULLEN Best stitching gift I received was a stand my husband made that fits onto my Ott light. Made with wood it has magnets to hold my needles. Now I have a place for my pattern and needles, plus it looks amazing! CLARA BIANCHI A handmade Sofa Caddy, really useful and the fact that someone made it just for me makes it even more special. HEATHER MARCISZEWSKI My husband went to Michaels this Christmas and bought me…