Table of contents for June 2017 in CrossStitcher

This chart works for both the lime or the orange - simply use the correct thread shade listed on the key below Stitch count: 36 high x 37 wide Design size: 7x7cm (2¾x2¾in) Stitch time: 3 hours each This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… citrus coaster Step 1 TAKE two 10x10cm (4x4in) pieces of aida. Fold each in half then stitch one coaster in orange stranded cotton and one in green stranded cotton, starting in the centre on both aida pieces. Make a 8cm (3⅛in) diameter circular paper template. Place the template centrally over the stitching. Pin in place. Once design is central, cut around the paper template. Repeat for the other coaster. Step 2 CUT a 9.5cm (3¾in) diameter circular paper template. Pin…

YWACRAFTS Spend time stitching with your spare needles kept safe and sound on this Wooden Magnetic Pocket Watch Needle Minder. LEMONTREEFABRICS We love the retro look of this Gracie Girl Clocks 100% cotton fabric in pink – perfect for lining a tote bag or purse. PERRYPROJECTS2015 Time for a quick card to show you care? These glitter felties of the Wizard of Oz Tin Man Clock Hearts are just too cute!…

Always make sure the top arms of your stitches are facing the same way for a neat result Stitch count: 168 high x 168 wide Design size: 31.5x31.5cm (12½x12½in) Stitch time: 64 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Pale Blue 14 count ref: 3706/550; 46x46cm (18x18in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Wooden quilting hoop; 34cm (13½in) diameter For stockist details see page 89 Minimum backstitch is used in this design to help create a pretty watercolour effect Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK Want to stitch Spring Break? We have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching straight away, and you will have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials…

Pro Tip   Top designers share their favourite stitching tips “Use three tones of the same shade when choosing colours" When picking threads to colour one of my designs, I always choose three tones from the same tonal group. A light, a medium and a dark shade, different enough so the shading is evident but not over exaggerated. That way it is easy to see the difference when stitching but I still get a nice graduated effect. A great tip whether you’re a budding designer or simply looking to change the colours in an existing pattern. Happy stitching! x FIRST PAST THE POST! Lynne Head from Hertfordshire was the first to send us a pic of her cute completed Millie Mouse – she wins a selection of DMC stranded cotton…

Mark your page in style with one of these fabulous, fun and colourful, bookmarks! We’ve stitched each of these beautiful designs onto either linen, plastic canvas or perforated paper to add variety, and as each idea has been finished in a different way using different stitches, we’re sure there’s one to tempt you, or give to someone you know! All you need to complete each project is right here, so why not stitch one in time to snuggle up with a good book tonight? You can pick up packs of perforated paper for this project from www.willowfabrics.com…

Step 1 STITCH the balloon and girl separately then iron some interfacing to the reverse of each piece of your stitching to help prevent any fraying. Our example here shows just the backstitched outline of the balloon. Step 2 TURN to the reverse of the interfacing and draw an outline around the balloon and then also the girl, about 0.5cm from the stitched outline. This will be your cutting line, so make sure it’s not too close to your stitching. Step 3 CUT out the motifs following your pencil line. The cut edge will fray, so it’s best to handle the edges as little as possible, or try applying some Fray Stoppa along the edge and allowing it to dry before you start cutting. Step 4 WORK a blanket stitch…

Attach an animal to the top of a large plastic-covered paperclip to make a bookmark instead! Designed by: Lucie Heaton Max. stitch count: 24 high x 24 wide Max. design size: 4.5x4.5cm (1½x1½in) Stitch time: 2 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count plastic aida. Materials For each animal • 14 count white plastic aida; 5x5cm (2x2in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Elastic hairband • Felt for backing; 5x5cm (2x2in) • Ribbon; 36cm (14in) • Button For stockist details see page 89 Make a… book band Step 1 STITCH your design onto plastic aida, taking care to finish your thread ends by running them through the back of your stitching. If you are stitching all the animals,…

Use wooden bell pull ends to finish off your stiching instead to make a sweet wall hanging for a nursery or classroom YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Our oh-so-sweet vintage-style suitcase from Sass and Belle is a great place to keep all your travel memorabilia. If you would like to win this suitcase, which comes in a set of three, turn to Prize Time on page 84 for more details. Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 120 high x 224 wide Design size: 14.5x28cm (5¾x11in) Stitch time: 130 hours This design was stitched on 20 count aida fabric. Materials •  Zweigart Pale Blue 20 count ref: 3326/550; 30.5x38cm (11x15in)• Iron-on Vilene; 30.5x38cm (11x15in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 26 tapestry needle  For stockist details see page 89 How to… decorate…

THE CHALLENGE • One piece of white 28 count evenweave • Four shades of stranded cotton (shown above) • Four 12.5mm flower buttons • One mystery ingredient of your own choice THE RULES • The design is to be used for a feminine birthday card • Only the materials above can be used • The design must be no larger than 56x50 stitches • No fractional stitches allowed • Be creative as possible! Ooh la la! Welcome to our June stitching challenge which is on a gorgeous theme. Our challenge was to create a pretty Parisian birthday card for a woman. Our designers’ thread choices were limited, but they were allowed one mystery ingredient each and each of them had to include at least one pink flower button in their design. Read the challenge rules on the left to…

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 100% wool felt in lots…

Stitch count: 9 high x 8 wide (earrings); 12 high x 10 wide (pendant) Design size: 1.5x1.5cm (5/ ₈ x5/ ₈ in); 2x2cm (¾x¾in) Stitch time: 4 hours for the set These designs were stitched on 14 count plastic aida. Materials White14countplasticcanvas; 10x10cm (4x4in) Silver earring hooks x 2 and Silver split rings x 3 Suedette or ribbon cord for necklace Mill Hill Green seed beads, ref: 02074 Mill Hill Blue seed beads, ref: 02074 Mill Hill Pink Medium bugle beads, ref: 82050 Assembling your… earrings and pendant Step 1 STITCH your design onto plastic canvas, taking care to finish your thread ends by running them through the back of your stitching. You will need to leave at least three blank squares of plastic aida between the earrings…

The felt backing does make the feathers rather heavy, so you may prefer to leave them without backing for this headdress Max. stitch count: 69 high x 21 wide Max. design size: 12x4cm (4¾x15/ ₈ in) Stitch time: 3 hours for each feather These designs were stitched on 14 count perforated paper. Materials White14countperforatedpaper; 15x23cm (6x9in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Felt for backing Large beads x 5 Thick cord or crochet cotton Make a… feather headdress Step 1 CUT out your perforated paper feathers, leaving one blank square outside the stitching. Cut felt to fit the back of each feather and then glue or sew in place. Step 2 SNIP six lengths of cord or crochet cotton, long enough so that…

When pressing stitching use a damp tea towel between the iron and your work to help protect it and get rid of any stubborn creases Stitch count: 21 high x 477 wide Design size: 3x68cm (1¼x26¾in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 18 count aida fabric. Materials ZweigartSunnyYellow18count aida, ref: 3793/002; 10x91.5cm (4x36in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle D-ring swivel lobster clasp; 2.5cm (1in) x 2 Make a… camera strap Step 1 COMPLETE your stitching then fold the aida lengthways, bringing the long edges together, with the right side of the fabric on the inside. Machine stitch down the long seam with a 1cm (⅜in) seam allowance, creating a tube. Step 2 TURN the tube to the right side,…

If you are stitching your design onto a new item of denim, wash it first to remove some of the dye from the garment and soften the fabric Stitch count: 49 high x 46 wide Design size: 9x8.5cm (3½x3¼in) Stitch time: 6 hours for main design on the centre back of jacket; 2 hours for each rose These designs were stitched using 14 count waste canvas. Materials 14countwastecanvas 15x15cm (6x6in) for main design; 7.5x7.5cm (3x3in) each rose Stranded cotton as listed in the key Make an… embroidered jacket Step 1 PLACE the waste canvas where you would like to stitch your design. Tack in place around the edges. Stitch in the normal way, following the chart, working over the waste canvas threads like a grid, taking care…

DAISY CHAIN Zweigart White 14 count aida: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Self-cover button blanks; 29mm diameter: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Garden wire: Garden centres UK-wide Elastic: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Olive vine leaf ribbon trim: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com BOHO BABE White 14 count plastic canvas: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Silver earring hooks: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Silver split rings: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Suedette or ribbon cord for necklace: Hobbycraft; www.hobbycraft.co.uk Mill Hill beads: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com SNAP HAPPY Zweigart Sunny Yellow 18 count aida: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com D-ring swivel lobster clasp: Amazon UK; www.amazon.co.uk READ THE RUNES Zweigart White 27 count Linda: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Self-cover button blanks; 29mm diameter: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Handmade paper: Ellie Poo Paper; www.elliepoopaper.co.uk FESTIVAL FEATHERS White 14 count perforated paper: Willow Fabrics; www.willowfabrics.com Felt: Hobbycraft; www.hobbycraft.co.uk Large beads: Beads…

Thu Ha Nguyen, aka Rita, is the owner of popular Etsy shop ThuHaDesigns as well as her family website www.doityourfamily.com . “Nature has always been my never-ending source of inspiration. I never get bored admiring lively green leaves and adorable blooming flowers. I often look for ideas in my garden where I grow various beautiful plants. I collect the sketches I do to use for craft projects, especially cross stitch designs. "I love to portray the delicate colours and textures of nature in modern style. Colours with a natural look are definitely my priority. For this iris design I use Hunter Green and Cornflower Blue variations. Three-quarter stitches and backstitches are used quite often here to minimise the shapes as well as to bring the delicate appearance…

50 CROSS STITCH QUICKIES: ANIMALS & FRIENDS VARIOUS [Leisure Arts] This book does what it says on the tin! You get a compilation of mini charts chosen from kits originally published by Bucilla Needlecrafts, covering animals and birds of all types – from roosters to raccoons, and from sharks to dragonflies – and the motifs all have stitch counts of around 35 by 35 or less each. SINGER: THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO SEWING NANCY LANGDON [Creative Publishing International] Now updated with new photography and the latest sewing products and techniques, this impressive volume acts as a bible for sewing machinists, with its guide to getting the most out of your machine, as well as a selection of simple projects to try. SEW SMALL: 19 LITTLE BAGS JENNIFER HEYNEN [Search…

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 reverse and cut a piece of felt to fit inside the inner circle. Place the felt inside the hoop. You can use a bit of fabric glue to keep it in place. The felt will pad your stitching, and stop anything showing through. Step 3 USE a glue gun or double-sided tape to begin attaching the first layer of fabric, pulling taut as you go. Repeat for the second layer. Cut a second felt layer to fit over the back…

EMELIE CARLSSON I like to mix them. I generally have one large project going, and mix it up with a few small ones like Christmas cards or bookmarks. I'm not very patient so this makes the large project feel like a new project when I go back to it. I actually finish more things this way than if I make myself finish a large piece before starting something new. NATALIE TRENNER I genuinely have no preference between large or small projects. It's the design that catches my eye – if it’s 50, 500, 5000 or 50,000 stitches is irrelevant for me, I'd want to make it anyway. JO WISELY I used to like smaller projects because they were quicker... but lately I've done a few larger projects and found I…

Step 1 STITCH the design, then draw your cutting lines onto the perforated paper, as shown on the chart in orange. Cut out the curved top of the heart motif, leaving a single paper block from the stitched edge, as shown here. Step 2 CUT out the rest of the shape along your pencil lines, these triangular shapes will fold to the reverse to form a pocket. At this point you can interface the back of your stitching or use paper to conceal the back of your stitching. Step 3 FOLD the left triangular shape to the reverse, making the fold along the diagonal row of perforations below the backstitched outline of the heart, shown in bright blue on the chart. Step 4 REPEAT step 3 to the right side,…

“They identify with my art because it causes them to remember traditional work created in their families” Raquel Rodrigo caught our eye on Instagram when she embellished a plain brick wall in Dalston Gardens, London, with a gorgeously cross stitched design of climbing roses. From Valencia to Bristol, she has been bringing some beauty to shop windows, wire fences and concrete façades with large-scale cross stitch projects. We discover what drives her creations… When did you discover cross stitch? When I was a child, my mother taught me the cross stitch technique and I liked it very much. I remember, I started making a design for a Pachisi game (Pachisi is a cross and circle board game), which I never finished, and a design of a tree surrounded by bears.…

If you find working French knots a little fiddly you can always replace them with a seed bead instead Stitch count: 69 high x 46 wide Design size: 12.5x8.5cm (5x3¼in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Have fun choosing a linen fabric for your pot – use one with a subtle pattern or add one using machine stitched lines as we did Materials • Zweigart Antique White 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/101; 46x30.5m (18x12in) • Linen coloured fabric for flower pot; 15x12cm (6x4¾in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Frame with a 29.5x14cm (11.5x5½in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame Make a… flower pot Step 1 STITCH the flowers,…

MATERIALS Cherry • Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/100; 23x14cm (9x5½in) • Backing fabric; 23x14cm (9x5½in) Pear • Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/100; 16.5x15cm (6½x6in) • Frame with a 25.5x20cm (10x8in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame Fig • 14 count plastic aida; 7.5x5cm (3x2in) • Split ring • Necklace cord Banana • Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/100; 16.5x10cm (6½x4in) • Backing fabric; 16.5x10cm (6½x4in) x 3 pieces For all • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle For stockist details see page 89 FABRIC & THREADS Our designs were stitched on 14 count aida. The cross stitch and backstitch are both in two strands of stranded cotton. The stitch count, design size and stitch time will depend…

 Stitch count: 168 high x 120 wide Use the park and stitch method for the block areas of colour in this design Design size: 30.5x22cm (12x8¾in) Stitch time: 38 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials ZweigartWhite14countaida, ref: 3706/100; 51x41cm (20x16in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 34x24cm (13½x9½in) aperture Mount board to fit frame 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…

MAP IT OUT LOVE OUR cute world design on page 60? Put more of your stitching on the map with these treats… WHO Hannah Bass has become well known for her amazing tapestry designs created from the maps of famous cities for a wonderful abstract result. www.hannahbass.com WHAT We loved this European Cities Map fabric by Timeless Treasures which comes as a medium-weight quilting cotton. www.frumble.co.uk HOW Give your projects a quick trim using these cute wooden craft buttons made from original maps. www.notonthehighstreet.com/bombus…

“It’s certainly been an adventure… and it’s remarkable what can happen thanks to the power of cross stitch” Hello dear readers! I’m sorry to report that this is is my last columnfor CrossStitcher.I’ve decided that it’s time to move on to pastures new. It’s certainly been an adventure these past three years, and it’s remarkable what can happen thanks to the power of cross stitch. I never thought that it would enable me to visit Indonesia, as I did with the #imapiece campaign, Save The Children and the Craftivist Collective, back in 2013. Similarly last year with the #stitchforsyria campaign, I got to visit Lebanon with Concern Worldwide and meet with Syrian refugees who were discovering how the power of stitch can help them find peace in turbulent times. I…

Use a thread smoother, such as Thread Magic, to prevent your metallic threads from tangling and fraying Stitch count: 57 high x 43 wide Design size: 10.5x8cm (4¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 10 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Black 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0720; 23x20cm (9x8in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • DMC Silver Metallic Light Effects, ref: E415 • Size 24 tapestry needle • Card with a 12.5x9.5cm (5x3¾in) aperture For stockist details see page 89…

 Stitch count: 180 high x 119 wide Pick out smaller motifs to stitch as a birthday card for a tennis-mad friend! Design size: 38x29cm (15x11½in) Stitch time: 40 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Pine Green 14 count aida, ref: 3706/6037; 46x33cm (18x13in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • DMC Vivid Metallic Yellow Light Effects, ref: E980 • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 51x40.5cm (20x16in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89 TAKE A CLOSER LOOK When working with DMC Light Effects for the tennis balls, use shorter lengths to avoid knots and twisting. You can buy this shade from www.willowfabrics.com…

Step 1 STITCH the glasses design onto 14 count plastic canvas – we’ve stitched just the outline here. Cut around them carefully with a small, sharp pair of embroidery scissors, leaving one canvas block from the stitched shape. Step 2 CUT out the glasses lens next. We’ve found it easier to snip the centre of the lens shape first and to cut outwards from the cut. Take care to leave a canvas block border from the stitched frame to create the plastic canvas edge. Step 3 SMOOTH the shape and corners of the cut plastic canvas, both inside and outside the glasses lenses, by carefully trimming the sharp edges with a small pair of embroidery scissors, as shown here. Step 4 HEM and interface a fabric band to fit the…

Stitch count: 120 high x 90 wide Design size: 22x16.5cm (8¾x6½in) Stitch time: 35 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Picture • Zweigart Marble Grey 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/786; 38x30.5cm (15x12in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 26 tapestry needle• Frame with a 25.5x20cm (10x8in) 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 design,…

Use glow in the dark or metallic threads to work the digital watch times Stick to subtle thread colours for the watch or clock body so the numbers and hands stand out Jazz up a plain make-up or wash bag with a row of watch faces stitched onto an aida band! Time flies when you’re having fun and we know you’re going to enjoy stitching this month’s fabulous alphabet set. Durene Jones has got creative designing a whole host of watch and clock motifs, from cuckoo clocks to digital watches, you’ll find them all here! Each letter is easy to mix and match so you can customise your projects with ease. Happy stitching! Our clocks and watches were stitched on Zweigart White 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/100, and on…