Table of contents for January 2016 in CrossStitcher

Stitch count: 19 high x 13 wide each Design size: 3.5x2.5cm (13/8x1in) Stitch time: 1.5 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… flag card Step 1 STITCH your bunting flags onto a 6x4.5cm (2¼x1¾in) piece of 14 count aida using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one strand for the backstitch. Leave six blank aida squares at the top of each flag, one square either side, and two squares at the bottom (see diagram). Step 2 LAY a 6x4.5cm (2¼x1¾in) piece of vilene on the ironing board (enough for five flags), shiny side up, and then place a stitched flag on top. Turn your iron up to a medium setting, without steam. Test the iron temperature on a fabric…

MODERN CROSS STITCH HANNAH STURROCK [CICO Books] We’re big fans of Hannah Sturrock a.k.a. Bobostitch and her first book is a fresh look at our favourite craft. Divided into projects for Young Ones, Special Occasions, Nature Lovers and the Home, there’s plenty to inspire every stitcher. SWEET TWEETS ERIN COX [Martingale] If you like birds, then you will love this cute craft collection that’s completely dedicated to our feathered friends. This pretty book is filled with birdy projects from table mats to tote bags, using embroidery, patchwork and appliqué. VINTAGE STITCHING SUZANNE McNEILL [Design Originals] Take inspiration from the stitchers of the past with this collection of vintage embroidery patterns. There are hundreds of authentic designs, from kitsch lambs to quaint flower baskets, plus fun projects to stitch them onto.…

Stitch count: 46 high x 30 wide Design size: 8x5cm (3x2in) Stitch time: 3 hours each This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials For each tag Zweigart 28 count Brittney white evenweave, ref: 3270/100, 15x12cm (6x4¾in) Cotton backing fabric, 10.5x7.5cm (4x3in) Silver eyelet Faux suede jewellery cord, pink For stockist details see page 84 Make a… gift tag Step 1 PLACE the stitched fabric and backing fabric right sides together and stitch all the way round just outside the stitching but leaving a gap for turning on the bottom edge. Step 2 TURN right sides out, press and slip stitch the gap closed. Step 3 SNIP a hole in the unstitched part of the roof and punch an eyelet through…

Stitch count: 160 high x 111 wide Design size: 29x22.5cm (11½x9in) Stitch time: 30 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart 14 count white aida, ref: 3706/100, 45.5x28cm (18x11in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle White cotton fabric to back the hanger Wooden poster hanger set For stockist details see page 84 Make a… wall hanging Step 1 FOLD over 2.5cm (1in) on all sides of your stitched design, onto the reverse side of your fabric. Step 2 CUT a rectangle of backing fabric to fit the back, adding a small amount for the seam allowance. Turn over the seam allowance to the wrong side to neaten. Step 3 PLACE the backing fabric behind the design. Slip stitch…

Ruth Caig’s StitchKits are some of our favourite cross stitch kits out there – from her bestselling Home Sweet Home motif to cupcakes, crowns and maps – these are the designs stitchers love to make. She says, “I think of my work as ‘fresh contemporary’. I hope I am making work that inspires new stitchers to get stitching.” Ruth chatted to us about her own creative inspirations… What’s the first thing you can remember cross stitching? When I was quite small I stitched a little rainbow with an ‘R’ for Ruth. Unfortunately it was on evenweave, so it was a little beyond my skill set! I still have it but it is a little on the untidy side. I picked up cross stitching more seriously as a teenager but then…

Stitch count: 112 high x 89 wide Design size: 20x16cm (8x6½in) Stitch time: 17 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Fabric Flair 14 count snowflake aida, 43x37cm (17x14½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle White wooden frame with a 23x21cm (10x8¼in) aperture For stockist details see page 84 TURN TO PAGE 20 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE Give your picture dazzling dimension by using metallic thread and seed beads to stitch the snowflakes on the vase!…

TOOLS OF THE TRADE 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 for stitchers and can be picked up for just a few pounds. Keep yours sharp by only using them to cut threads – that way a decent pair should last you a lifetime. STRANDED COTTON Embroidery thread is also commonly referred to as stranded cotton. Each thread length is made up of six strands of cotton twisted together. The chart key will indicate how many strands you’ll need to stitch your…

Desperately seeking I am seeking unwanted cross stitch items such as unfinished cross stitch, unwanted cross stitch kits, aida, threads, cover kits (with charts) and any charts no longer required. I’m stitching to raise money for charities. Thank you in anticipation. Mr William Walker, 4 Townhead Gardens, Whitburn, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH47 0PU Hi, I am looking for a pattern of Kanga and Roo for a birth sampler for a baby girl. If everyone could help I would be very grateful. Gill Cameron, 7 Sherway Close, Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9SQ Email : gilllcameron@gmail.com I have been looking for a cross stitch kit of Ullswater lake, which I saw in an old magazine. Unfortunately, the company ‘Stitching World’ that advertised this seems to no longer exist. I have been on the…

TINY NEEDLE We’re dotty about this dinosaur cross stitch pattern from designer Tiny Needle – perfect for prehistoric fans of all ages! CATHY DURSO Dippy about dinos? You’ll love this beautiful bound and embroidered journal.I deal for jotting down ideas for your next cross stitch projects. CHARLOTTE FILSHIE Made from merino wool felt, these cute dinosaur coasters make tea -time a super-saurus success! (We think they’d make fab bunting too!)…

Hello there dear readers and welcome to issue 300 of the world’s best cross stitch magazine! 300 issues, eh? That’s pretty amazing. This fine publication has been around since 1992; I was trying to remember what I was doing in 1992 and it turns out I was 15 years old, doing my GCSEs with moderate degrees of success and getting into heavy metal in a big and hairy way. After that beautiful image, I’m going to leave memory lane and talk about cross stitch instead. I can hear a collective sigh of relief already… I’ve been experimenting with cross stitch frontiers lately, as I chatted about in my last column, and this time I’m looking at stitching on plastic. There’s a good friend of mine who stitches under the name…

Add a splash of colour and flare to your outfit, cross -stitch style! Try our trio of accessories, and see how easy it is to create an on-trend look. First we have a pair of plastic canvas feather earrings, stitched in a fresh blue with silver and pink highlights. Complement this with our pretty covered button ring with its rose stitched in pinks and greens. And finally, our chevron pattern felt cuff is sure to be a talking point! Our step -by-step guides are over the page, plus a couple of extra charts to tempt you! MAKE A… PAIR OF FEATHER EARRINGS Use plastic canvas to stitch on, and you’ll find creating your own earrings is easy! Step 1 USE clear 14 count plastic canvas to make your earrings. Begin…

Hope you like my bird cage that was issue 296’s free gift. I used it on a trinket box for a gift to my mother at Christmas. Clare Laverick, Manchester I wanted a stitched clock for ages and this design from issue 294 caught my eye. It’s hanging on my wall now, working perfectly! Anna Novak, Berkshire I made this from issue 293 and stitched it on 18 count oatmeal aida. I loved doing this pattern! I can’t wait to frame it. Laura Smith, Canada Just finished the robin cushion design from issue 298 on 28 count linen. I’m going to frame it as it will make a beautiful picture. Lorraine Stone, Cornwall These are the Forest Friends from the October issue (297), I loved all the characters but only…

Stitch count: 140 high x 141 wide Design size: 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in) Stitch time: 82 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave fabric over two threads of fabric and also on 14 count perforated paper. Materials Zweigart 28 count Brittney beige evenweave, ref: 3270/264, 51x51cm (20x20in) Mill Hill 14 count antique brown perforated paper, 12.5x7.5cm (5x3in) max. for each ticket Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 30.5x30.5cm (12x12in) aperture For stockist details see page 84 One side of your perforated paper is smoother than the other. The smoother side is the front, so stitch onto this Make a… perforated paper ticket Step 1 SELECT two of the ticket designs to stitch on perforated paper to add texture and interest…

Stitch count: 37 high x 34 wide Design size: 6x5.5cm (2¼x2¼in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Zweigart 28 count ivory Cashel, ref:3281/101, 17.5x15.5cm (7x5in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Red card with a 10x8cm (4x3in) oval aperture For stockist details see page 84 Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton over two threads of evenweave, and the backstitch and French knots in one strand. Step 2 TRIM the stitched evenweave to fit your card, with the design placed centrally behind the aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the…

2 WAYS TO ORDER (Print back issues only) Visit the website: http://dennis.subscribeonline.co.uk/  back-issues Call us on: 0844 826 5038 * *Calls will cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge. Find even more back issues in digital format! Search for CrossStitcher in the App Store for iPad and iPhone Go to Zinio for Android or PC/Mac http://bit.ly/1uiBDQf…

The very first issue of CrossStitcher appeared on the newsstand in October/ November of 1992. Back then we were a bi-monthly magazine, but within a very few issues we went monthly and became the UK’s best-selling stitching magazine. We were very proud to be editors of CrossStitcher back then, and even prouder to be here again 24 years later for the 300th issue! So many things have changed since those early days, when everything was done by telephone and snail mail, and the only emails sent were messages to work colleagues on an internal mail server. We used to pass ‘job bags’ around the office; plastic folders which each held a floppy disk with everything needed for a page. Today we work on a cloud, where all the WIP (not…

FLAG IT UP WE LOVE bunting, as our free gift this month shows! These embroidered garlands are too sweet to miss too… WHO Cross stitch their name for a truly personal present with Bobostitch’s bunting. www.bobostitch.co.uk WHAT Go for boho with this mini patch work bunting, embroidered by hand. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MadeByRachel HOW  Enjoy flowers all year round with this pretty hand-embroidered garland of hearts. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GingerthreadHouse…

We’ve gone for a limed frame, but you could pick out one of the design’s colours and paint your frame to coordinate Stitch count: 126 high x 140 wide Design size: 22.9x25.4cm (9x10in) Stitch time: 66 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Zweigart 28 count cream Cashel fabric ref: 3281/222, 37x41cm (14.5x16in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 25.5x31.5cm (10x12½in) aperture For stockist details see page 84 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…

Stitch count: 68 high x 42 wide Design size: 12x7.5cm (5x3in) Stitch time: 14 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100, 18x12.5cm (7x5in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Fabric backing and lining, 3 x 13.5x9cm (53/8x3½in) pieces Wadding For stockist details see page 84 Make a… phone case Step 1 TRIM your stitching to 13.5x9cm (5›x3½in), making sure the design is central. Place your stitching right sides together with one piece of lining fabric. Stitch along the top of the design, right on the stitching line. Press the seam open. Step 2 REPEAT for the backing and the remaining piece of lining fabric. Press open.…

Stitch count: 138 high x 139 wide Design size: 24x24cm (9½x9½in) Stitch time: 47 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave fabric over two threads. Materials Cushion Zweigart 28 count Cashel natural linen, ref: 3281/52, 45.5x45.5cm (18x18in) Backing fabric, 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Cushion pad, 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in) For stockist details see page 84 Make a… cushion Step 1 CUT the stitched cushion front the same size as the backing fabric. Place the cushion front on top of the back, with right sides together. Step 2 MACHINE stitch around the edge of the cushion, with a 2cm (¾in) seam allowance, leaving a gap for turning. Trim the seam allowance and then clip the corners. Step 3 TURN the…

Stitch count: 100 high x 45 wide (each panel) Design size: 18.5x8.5cm (7¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 52 hours total This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Fabric Flair 28 count cloud evenweave, ref: E28/11: Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter, 33x20cm (13x8in) for each season Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Mount board, 25x9cm (10x3½in) x 4 (one for each season) Wadding For stockist details see page 84 Take care with your backstitch to ensure your design keeps its nice fluid lines How to… frame a panel Step 1 CUT a rectangle of mount board to the size given above for each panel. Cut a piece of wadding to the same size. Step 2 PLACE the wadding,…

Stitch count: 64 high x 23 wide (half collar) Design size: 11.5x4.5cm (4½x1¾in) (one half of collar on blue stitching line) Stitch time: 7 hours for complete collar This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Zweigart 28 count light sand Cashel fabric, ref: 3281/224, 20x20cm (8x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Backing fabric, 15x7.5cm (8x8in) Red button Ribbon for ties For stockist details see page 84 Make a… collar Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in three strands of stranded cotton over two threads of evenweave, and the backstitch in two strands and French knots in one. Step 2 STITCH the blue line on the chart onto your fabric – this line indicates…