Table of contents for April 2017 in CrossStitcher

CHALKBOARD-STYLE OUR CUTE chalkboard-style easter cards on page 60 have had us seeking out more stash in this on-trend style… WHO Design Works have created this quick to stitch ‘Love Chalkboard’ 14 count black aida kit, which makes a great gift and has a message we all can agree on! www.amazon.co.uk WHAT This bunting can be chalked on again and again – or use some waste canvas to add some stitching! www.notonthehighstreet.com/ millyandpip/product/chalkboard-cloth-bunting HOW Back a chalkboard-style stitched cushion with this gorgeous fabric by Timeless Treasures, available to order by the yard or as a fat quarter. www.TCSFabrics.com…

Stitching on Antique White fabric gives a more subtle result than white, which would be too bright Stitch count: 160 high x 162 wide Design size: 30x30cm (11¾x11¾in) Stitch time: 39 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Hoop Zweigart Antique White 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/101; 51x51cm (20x20in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Wooden quilting hoop; 31cm (12in) diameter For stockist details see page 89 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…

Peeping kit A cute bunny peering out from a flowerpot is surrounded by spring flowers. This is a great kit to stitch for Easter, or to give as a gift for someone who doesn’t eat chocolate! Peeping, ref: SHPP1382, is from the Simple Heritage range of whole-stitch kits, ideal for beginners or as a quick stitch for the more experienced stitcher. One lucky reader will soon be receiving this kit in the post. The finished design is on 14 count white aida which measures 7x8.5cm, and it is available from www.hcrafts.com (RRP £8.95). Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘PEEPING GIVEAWAY XST316’. Zweigart fabric pack We have one pack of Zweigart Vintage 14 count aida in Country Mocha, ref: 3706/3009, to give away to a lucky…

“Textiles frees me to do what I like – there are no fixed conventions, you can ignore the rules” From 1950s girls’ dresses to the experimental styles of Swinging Sixties teenagers, Val Jackson’s textile art is influenced by the role of clothes in our memories. She uses layers of silk, gauze, net and other fabrics to make her embroidered artworks. Val tells us about what inspires her and how sewing sets her free… You came late to sewing, is that right? Growing up, I didn’t really sew very much at all, although I always liked painting and drawing. Later I did A-level Textiles at night school. I then trained as an English teacher, and then managed a shop which sold fancy goods and stationery. By the 1980s, I was working…

NOTHING COMPARES WITH choosing your next project. Shopping for materials, the smug feeling if you find you already have the required colours, and then getting yourself sorted to start. We stitchers know that it’s not just about the lovely design that will fill our fabric but it is all about loving the process of creating it and watching it grow. It’s almost like reading a good book – speeding through the chapters but not really wanting to come to the end. How many of us have sat up late saying “I’ll just finish one more block of blue,” or “this little flower motif won’t take long,”only to find time has flown and it is way past bedtime? We want CrossStitcher to be about this sheer pleasure of stitching. We work…

Sarah created our cute egg cosy on page 27 . “I start by brainstorming ideas onto paper, I’m simply doodling and playing around with ideas. If it’s possible I will observe the item I’m going to design to gain more inspiration as it’s the purest form. Fortunately I live opposite a farm so for this Easter chick commission I didn’t have to look far. I love finding out the little details and try to incorporate them into my designs. ” www.sarahcooklanddesigns.etsy . com…

SIMPLE, FUN & QUICKLY DONE TERRY ATKINSON [Martingdale] Itching to get your sewing machine out, but don’t know where to begin? Try designer Terry Atkinson’s collection of 18 simple sewing projects, from home décor items and personal accessories, to bags and pouches, table runners, napkin holders and more. Terry has also included lots of tips to help complete projects quickly by building on your sewing skills. WARPED AND WITTY CROSS STITCH KATY KUTTHROAT [Sourcebooks] Katy Cutthroat is the brains behind the ‘Needles and Pins’ Etsy shop. If you’re a fan of the humorously inappropriate cross stitch designs on-trend at the moment, then this collection of postcards are perfect for ‘for framing or sending to your friends, family, or mortal enemies’. Each page will raise a smile, and the oversized postcard…

Stitch the whole design, a bunch of four flowers for a mini picture, or select individual plants for cards Stitch count: 156 high x 116 wide Design size: 24.5x17.5cm (9¾x7in) Stitch time: 24 hours This design was stitched on 32 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials ZweigartSilk32countBelfast ref: 3609/2055; 46x38cm (18x15in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 28x23cm (11x9in) aperture Mountboardto For stockist details see page 89…

This month we’re exploring ways of combining stencils with your stitching. We’ve raided the kitchen cupboards and used a star cookie cutter as a stencil. It creates a crisp outline which we’ve stitched around in a fun, striped pattern. Next, is our cute card silhouette, blowing a stitched dandelion clock worked in stem stitch. Plus, our campervan explores the idea of using a template as a stencil, and how it can be translated into a chart. Read on to see how to do it! You’ selection ll find a great of cookie cutters to choose from, from stars and planes to rockets, at www.craftcompany.co.uk HOW TO… USE A COOKIE CUTTER STENCIL Create a star shape to surround with stitching with this easy method. Step 1 START by tracing around your…

Use metallic threads for your favourite highlights to give your pillow a magical sparkle! Stitch count: 121 high x 180 wide Design size: 22x33.5cm (8¾x13¼in) Stitch time: 60 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials ZweigartAntiqueWhite27count Linda, ref: 1235/101; 33x41cm (13x16in) Side panel cotton fabric; 12.5x33cm (5x13in) Backing fabric; 33x53cm (13x21in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle 2 large buttons Cushion pad; 30x50cm (12x20in), or toy stuffing  For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cushion Step 1 COMPLETE your cross stitch then place the stitching and the cotton side panel right-sides together, so that the stitching is on the right-hand side of the cushion front. Sew the seam with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance,…

You could choose a coloured fabric for the dial section so the fabric looks like the body of the phone Stitch count: Dial: 36 high x 35 wide; Receiver: 19 high x 35 wide Design size: Dial: 5.5x5.5cm (2¼x2¼in); Receiver: 3x5.5cm (1¼x2¼in) Stitch time: 7 hours total This design was stitched using 32 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials ZweigartPlatinum32countBelfast linen, ref: 3609/770; 18x11.5cm (7x4½in) dial; 9x11.5cm (3½x4½in) receiver (flap) Backing fabric; 18x11.5cm (7x4½in) x 1 piece and 9x11.5cm (3½x4½in) x 1 piece Velcro dots Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle  For stockist details see page 89 Make a… phone case Step 1 START stitching the dial centrally, 5cm (2in) up from the bottom of the larger piece of fabric, and…

MATERIALS April Showers Zweigart White 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/100; 15x15cm (6x6in) Cream card; 15x15cm (6¼x6¼in) Tiptoe Through the Tulips Zweigart White 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/100; 15x24cm (6x9½in) Ribbon; 10mm (⅜in) x 38cm (15in) Spring Flowers Zweigart White 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/100; 20x20cm (8x8in) Frame with a 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame For all Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle For stockist details see page 89 Make an… Easter treats bag Step 1 STITCH the Tiptoe Through The Tulips design. Once the stitching is complete, turn over the top edge of the stitched fabric by 1.25mm (½in), twice. Sew along this seam using a machine or by hand. Step 2 BRING the short edges of the fabric together,…

Design size: 6x8cm (2¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen 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 and your fabric. The centre of our…

Start stitching… on aida Step 1 CUT a 40cm thread length, and thread your needle with two of the six strands. Knot one end and start with a waste knot (opposite). Make a diagonal half cross stitch across a single aida block. Step 2 MAKE a second diagonal stitch to make the cross. You can work a row of half cross stitches first, then work back on yourself to complete the stitches. All the top stitches should face the same way. and… on evenweave INSTEAD of taking your needle diagonally across a single aida block, take your needle diagonally across two evenweave threads, creating a half cross stitch as before. STARTING A THREAD 1. Away waste knot KNOT one end of your thread and take it down through…

Just completed this lovely wee brooch from issue 292. I enjoy the wooden stitching projects you provide as they are different. Laura Graham, Renfrewshire I hadn’t felt like stitching for a while, but when I saw this chart in issue 315 I just had to stitch it! I can’t wait to complete another. Cressida Walker, Yorkshire I made this design from issue 294 into a small throw pillow. I loved the lanterns as they reminded me of my time in Singapore. Melissa Reddy-Tremblay, Texas, USA I’ve just completed the Katya keyring from the latest issue (315). I took me just two evenings to do and I love it! Debbie Sewter, Devon I adapted this design from issue 297. I painted an old pair of wooden spoons and hung little apple…

NINETEENOHSIX How cute is this Egg On Toast Needle Minder? It comes with a magnet to keep your needles sunny side up every time! BUTTONENVYUK Prettify your projects with these adorable Easter Egg Buttons, made from wood and printed in animal designs, available in packs of 10. NOTFORGOTTENFARM Keep your threads tidy with these Fresh Eggs Wooden Floss Winder/ Thread Holders which you can paint to customise.…

“My favourite is Instagram, where there’s a constant stream of inspiration, stitched and otherwise, to feast upon” Hello dear readers, I hope you’re keeping well. I don’t know how much social media you are into these days. My favourite platform (other than www.mrxstitch.com, of course) is Instagram, where there’s a constant stream of inspiration, stitched and otherwise, to feast upon. So here are some of the Instagram people that I enjoy, whose focus is needlework. It goes without saying that you should be following my account (instagram.com/mrxstitch), as I do my best to showcase the groovy needlework that I can find online, and if you’ve any recommendations for people I should check out, I’d love to hear of them. But let’s dive in and see what we can find. Michelle…

For a different twist, stitch your butterfly onto plastic canvas and use to decorate a cocktail stirrer Stitch count: 40 high x 50 wide Design size: 7.5x9cm (3x3½in) Stitch time: 4 hours (each side) This design was stitched on 14 count perforated paper. Material 14countsilverperforatedpaper 10x11cm (4x4½in) x 2 pieces Strandedcottonaslistedin the Size24tapestry needle For stockist details see page Make a… cocktail butterfly Step 1 STITCH your butterfly onto perforated paper, taking care to finish your thread ends by running them through the back of your stitching. You will need to stitch two butterflies to make the finished design double-sided. Step 2 CUT around the butterfly, leaving one blank square of unstitched paper outside of the stitching. The red cutting line on the chart, which…

Desperately seeking A Fairy Tale Castle cross stitch design was featured in Cross Stitch Collection February 2004 – issue no. 101. I have the chart but I don’t have the size of fabric required or the threads required. If anyone had this back issue giving all the information I require, then I’d be delighted to purchase it from them. I know this is rather a long shot after such a long time, but I’d be grateful for any help readers can give or offer. I look forward to receiving your response. Jennifer Hutchins Email: mailben@tinyworld.co.uk I’m looking for a pattern that appearedin CrossStitcher inissue 183 in February 2007. The pattern is of a springtime bunny, with a goose. I would love to do this pattern for a new baby which…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES Welcome to our April stitching challenge! Our stitching challenge this month has a birthday theme as we’ve asked our three designers to create a card for a woman who loves modern style. Their thread choices were limited, but they were allowed one mystery ingredient each and they all had to include a couple of kraft paper flowers in their design. Read the challenge rules on the left to see exactly 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 June – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. If you’re stitching Maria’s design but find French knots fiddly, you…

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 craf t and haberdasher y 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…