Table of contents for August 2017 in CrossStitcher

Here’s a sneak peek of Kerry’s elephant design coming in issue 322. “Indian and Oriental textiles have always appealed to me. After researching images and patterns, I scribbled some on graph paper, starting with the individual elements, then pulled it together into the full design, before moving to work on my laptop and draw the final version. In terms of colours, I immediately thought of deep reds, pinks and purples, combined with hints of bright oranges and yellows to complement them.”…

Last night I went to the ocean. It’s been ages since I’ve visited the Pacific – so my husband and I jumped at the opportunity to visit with some old friends, build a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and catch up while lounging on the beach. But here’s the thing – something I’ve only really begun to admit to myself within the last couple of years – I think the ocean is actually pretty frightening. If I put on a ‘doom and gloom’ mind-set, it’s so easy to think of the vast ocean as something unforgiving, relentless and scary. It’s huge. It’s deep. It provides no respite. You can’t even drink from it! It’s something humans have tried to conquer for thousands of years, with many of those stories ending tragically. The…

Your materials pack contains: • Zweigart 14 count aida in bright blue • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 NOTE: The edging strips, cushion back and cushion pad are not included in the pack. How to order: Go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £15.90, plus P&P.…

HELEN LOVELL I did a birth sampler for a friend due to give birth mid-February. I knew what they were going to call him, so put the name/February/year and left space for the actual date and weight. She eventually gave birth on the 1st of March! Had to unpick, clean up the little fibres left and realign! At least they didn’t decide on a different name, I suppose! KIRSTY NASH When I started stitching at primary school we were in the staff room with the teacher stitching away, I was so impressed by the end of the lesson, that was until I realised I had stitched my piece to the tablecloth and my skirt! NATALIE TRENNER Biggest disaster was on holiday, I got to my hotel in Lanzarote to discover…

Step 1 MAKE two holes in the scallop shell. Trace around the shell to make a template. Reduce this size by 1-2cm, checking it fits within the shell interior. Cut out your front and backing fabrics. Place right sides together, machine stitch, and turn right-side out. Mark the eyelet position with a pencil, as shown. Step 2 ATTACH any printed photos or shells at this point, by machine or by hand. Next, make the eyelets for binding the book. Thread a sharp needle and a single strand of stranded cotton, and work a neat backstitch circle – with a diameter of about 1cm – around your pencil mark. Keep your stitches the same length. Step 3 USE fabric punch pliers, or carefully snip a few threads, to punch a hole…

From her beautiful studio in Canada, Carole Davidson makes pretty pins and accessories for stitchers around the world. With a little imagination, she’s turning a lifetime’s stash into sewing must-haves, and even designs her own packaging too. We asked her about her stitching life – and what her family call “Mum’s pin empire”… What’s the first thing that you remember making? I started making ‘clothes’ for my own dolls when I was about eight years old. My mother had a Singer sewing machine that was from 1895 and I did all my sewing on this machine until I got married. When I got my first electric sewing machine I found I had the luxury of an extra hand because I no longer had to crank the handle! What do you…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 56 high x 40 wide Design size: 10.5x7.5cm (4¼x3in) Stitch time: 8 hours approx This design was stitched on 14 count plastic canvas. Back with felt and attach a brooch pin to turn this into a brilliant badge for a friend who’s a music fan Materials • 14 count black plastic canvas; 20.5x9cm (8x3½in) – including neck • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Striped ribbon; 8mm (⅝in) x 30cm (12in) • Split ring; 2.5cm (1in) diameter For stockist details see page 89 Make a… guitar keyring Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut out your plastic canvas using small, sharp scissors, leaving one blank square outside the stitching and extending the neck of the…

When blending threads, make sure they lay flat against the fabric as you stitch FRACTIONAL STITCHES FOR DETAIL: In order to form the girl’s face with a fluid outline there are plenty of fractional stitches used. Take your time creating them, as you’ll appreciate how they add to the finished result. LONG STITCH TO ADD TEXTURE: The garden chair uses long stitches to recreate its wicker back – these add a lovely contrast and texture against the dense cross stitching elsewhere in the design. BLEND THREADS FOR A SUBTLE FINISH: To create a truly ‘painterly’ effect and for the colours to have subtle shade changes, you’ll notice that you’ll need to blend your threads in certain areas on the chart.…

Desperately seeking I’m trying to find a copy of the Tutankhamun super chart, issue 15, sold 10 March 2008. I’ve been very ill and all my cross stitch things were thrown away by my husband when he was told I’d not be able to sew anymore but now after three years of intense physio I have been able to start again and have completed some pictures. I’d love to restart and finish this now. Does anyone have a copy of this they could send me? Thank you. Janna Birkenshaw Email: jannasayed@outlook.com I recently acquired some back issues of CrossStitcher magazine. I started the series ‘Shoes Afghan’. However, I am missing the April 2002 issue. Would it be possible for anyone to send me a hard copy of this issue if…

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…

THE LIFE OF magazine editors is certainly varied. One minute we are at our desks, poring over every stitch of a chart, the next we are arranging pebbles on the local beach to look just right for a photo shoot. We’ve had very mixed weather while making this issue but were desperate to take a proper outdoor shot of our nostalgic seagull cushion (page 14). We listen to forecasts but the weather changes quickly on our coast and you have to be ready to grab the moment. We lived with cameras and bags of props with us at all times for almost a week, then the perfect afternoon happened and we ran for the beach. We hope you enjoy the bit of real Devon sunshine captured on our cover. We…

SEAGULLS LIKE OUR quirky seagull cushion on page 14? We’ve swooped in to find some new gull friends for you… WHO Peony & Sage are the creators of this gorgeous Tiny Seagulls fabric, shown in Tea on Stone Linen and available to order as offcuts. www.lollyandboo.co.uk WHAT This Captain Seagull embroidery kit is perfect for adults and children to practise basic embroidery stitches on. It is suitable for beginners aged seven upwards. www.pippablue.com HOW Store your skeins of thread in this Cheeky Seagull - Printed Storage Pot, complete with jaunty gulls on a turquoise background. www.poppytreffry.co.uk…

STITCHING WITH JANE FOSTER JANE FOSTER [Walter Foster Jr] Jane Foster’s bold graphic prints and designs will be familiar to many readers, and this is her first kids’ cross stitch book! The book contains 37 easy cross-stitch sewing cards with punched holes, as well projects so kids can design their own patterns and colour combos. There's also information on how to create basic stitches, including straight stitch, cross stitch and backstitch. MAKE SOFTIES VARIOUS [C&T Publishing] While you’re taking a break form your latest cross stitch project, why not whip up a quick gift for a youngster you know using this compilation of fab softie designs? Easy to make using scraps of fabric from your stash, the 10 patterns come from a selection of your favourite designers. Projects include cute…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 39 high x 64 wide Design size: 7x12cm (2¾x4¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. When backstitching the lettering, finish your stranded cotton after each word, so as not to trail the stranded cotton across the back of your work Make a… lolly card Step 1 FOLD the fabric in half both ways to find the centre and start stitching at this point. Complete all the cross stitch in two strands, then the backstitch lettering in two strands. Step 2 CUT your stitched fabric to fit the front of your card, then fray the outer edge by removing two or three threads from each side of the stitching. Use double-sided tape to attach your stitching to…

Stitch count: 72 high x 101 wide Design size: 13x18.5cm (5¼x7¼in) Total stitch time: 32 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. If you’d prefer a larger pocket, simply leave out the two rows of stitching down the pocket which divide it, before attaching to the background fabric Materials • Zweigart Sand 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/0779; 38x24cm (15x9½in) for background fabric, 18x23cm (7x9in) for pocket • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Cotton backing fabric; 43x29cm (17x11½in) • Wadding; 38x24cm (15x9½in) • Tape or ribbon; 10mm (⅜in) wide x 10cm (4in) x 3 lengths • Wooden dowel; 2cm (¾in) wide For stockist details see page 89 Stitch count: 70 high x 100 wide Design…

Why not use our seashell alphabet on page 49 to customise your picture with a monogram or two? Step 1 PIERCE the shell to create a hole in it, which will be used to stitch the shell to your fabric. Decide which way you would like the shell to sit and then mark the top of the shell with a pencil. Step 2 CUSHION the shell with a towel. Use a metal awl, or an old pair of sharp scissors, to slowly twist back and forth to gradually grind away the shell’s surface until a hole is created at the mark. Step 3 CUT OUT four fabric patches measuring 5.5cm, and back with iron-on interfacing. Next, machine stitch to your background fabric, 0.5cm from the cut edge, and fray the…

 Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 67 high x 50 wide Design size: 12.5x9cm (5¾x3½in) Stitch time: 9 hours This design is small enough to stitch as a card for a friend if you prefer This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart White 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0100; 25.5x23cm (10x9in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 15x11.5cm (6x4½in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 89…

Stitch count: 116 high x 86 wide Design size: 20.5x15cm (8¼x6in) Stitch time: 16 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Picture  • Zweigart Cream 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/0222; 35.5x30.5cm (14x12in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Frame with a 23.5x19cm (9¼x7½in) 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…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING 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. Keep yours sharp by only using them to cut threads. STRANDED COTTON Embroidery thread is also called stranded cotton. Each thread length is made up of six strands of cotton twisted together. The chart key will tell you how many strands you’ll need to stitch with. HOOPS AND FRAMES Though not absolutely essential, we do recommend using an embroidery hoop or frame to keep an even stitching…

BUTTONBLUECRAFTS This oh-so-cute caravan sewing box is large and has a lift-out shelf with compartments for all your crafty bits and bobs. BUTTONSBYROBIN Jazz up plain projects and cards with these sweet Camper Buttons which are handmade and exclusive to this Etsy store. CRAFTNUTTERSUPPLIES You’ll be a happy camper using this Caravans & Teepees fabric to back your projects. 100% cotton and designed by Fabric Freedom.…

There’s nothing stopping you stitching our seagulls as a picture instead – simply stretch over a frame for an art canvas finish Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 140 high x 140 wide Design size: 26x26cm (10¼x10¼in) Stitch time: 22 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Bright Blue 14 count aida, ref: 3706/0540; 38x38cm (15x15in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Backing fabric; 43x43cm (17x17in) • Cushion front edging strips; 43x10cm (17x4in) x 4 strips • Cushion pad; 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in) For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cushion Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut the fabric to 28x28cm (11x11in), with the design in the centre. Step 2 ROUGHLY position the edging…

Got a stash of seashells from the beach? Try our trio of crafty ways to use them! First, use small shells to create the ‘S’ of our ‘Sandy toes’ lettering – stitched alongside a photo of a sandy footprint, it’s a fab way to display a holiday pic! Next, create a box frame displaying favourite shells and stitched shells together. Our final idea is one which would make the perfect holiday memento. Use two scallop shells to create the cover of a mini book, binding fabric pages and treasured keepsakes. Enjoy!…

We’ve used a contrasting thread in the steps above for demonstration purposes, so you can see it more clearly Step 1 START by tacking the letter onto your fabric. Place your shells over the tacking stitches to make sure they fit, and switch shells around to see which work best for the shape. Step 2 SECURE each shell in place – add a small strip of double-sided tape to the back, position and press firmly over your tacking stitches. Thread your needle with matching sewing thread. Step 3 COUCH the shell in place. Bring your needle up at A, angling it from beneath the shell, take it down at B, angling it under the shell. Follow the lines of the shell to disguise the stitches. Step 4 WORK couching stitches…

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK We’ve chosen a ‘sunshine yellow’ evenweave that’s deep enough to contrast against the delicate white stitching in this monochrome design Designed by: Lesley Teare Stitch count: 144 high x 144 wide Design size: 26x26cm (10¼x0¼in) Stitch time: 44 hours This design was stitched on 27 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Why not stitch the four parts of the cushion as individual designs, then stretch over art canvas frames to display on the wall together? Materials • Zweigart Sunshine Yellow 27 count Linda, ref: 1235/0235; 46x46cm (18x18in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Backing fabric; 38x38cm (15x15in) • Cushion pad; 35.5x35.5cm (14x14in) For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cushion Step 1 CUT the…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 56 high x 40 wide Design size: 9.5x7cm (3¼x2½in) Stitch time: 10 hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Why not stitch all four designs together to make a wedding sampler you can frame as a gift? Materials For each card • Zweigart Antique White 28 count Brittney, ref: 3270/0101; 15x12.5cm (6x5in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Card blanks with a 10x7.5cm (4x3in) rectangular aperture For stockist details see page 89 Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton, with one strand for the backstitch and three strands for the metallic gold. Step 2 TRIM the…

Welcome to our new regular section where you get the chance to indulge in some more in-depth stitching with a different larger, detailed design each month. Due to your requests, these projects will be perfect for any stitcher looking for more of a challenge. This month we have a nostalgic garden scene with a woman reading – have fun losing yourself in all the stunning flowers and foliage that make up the bulk of this picture. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 35x24cm (13¾x9½in) Stitch time: 91 hours This design was stitched on 25 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials • Zweigart Dark Green 25 count Lugana, ref: 3835/0647; 53x45.5cm (21x18in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size…

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 36 high x 52 wide 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…