Table of contents for October 2016 in CrossStitcher

Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean created Stitch People's new Occupations & Hobbies book. “I had fun looking through pictures online of various professions and hobbies to put together the correct outfits and uniforms. I often design digitally, so I pulled a lot of photos from online sources and made a great effort to get all the insignia, badges and details just right! Hopefully a stitcher will get inspired to make some of their own tweaks to get their personal pattern just right." For more about the book see page 12 .…

“General rules of composition, like the rule of thirds, symmetry and leading lines, are just as relevant to stitch design” Hello dear readers! As you may be aware, I’m working on a book – The Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch,coming out next year from Search Press – and I’ve spent quite a lot of time lately trying to share the vague bits of wisdom that have stuck to me over the years. One of the topics that’s been on my mind is design and what makes for good design in the context of cross stitch and needlepoint. When I started out, I didn’t know much about this stuff, so I read a terrific book called Design Basics Index,explaining the fundamental principles and showing why certain things don’t work.…

Made for my brother as a wedding present. I changed the original chart (issue 288) slightly to incorporate the wedding colours. Colette Sotrines, Cambridgeshire I did this for my wife, from issue 297. I adapted the colours to suit the car (called Betsy) her dad drove for around 20 years. Steve Somers, Scarborough Whilst on holiday I snapped this shot of my hoop as I worked on the Love is All You Need project from issue 301. The perfect mix of fishing and cross stitching! Kelly Reed-Beck, by email Loved the Mini (issue 305) and made it for a friend! Couldn’t get thread #3801 so used #891 instead, so it’s a little paler than your chart. Maggie Sheppard, USA I am a great fan of CrossStitcher, I am delighted with…

We’ve entered the world of myths and legends this month, as Maria Diaz has conjured up an alphabet filled with magical creatures – featuring beautiful unicorns and fire-breathing dragons. Use them for a host of different occasions – from birthday cards to stunning samplers. If your recipient is a fan of fantasy, they’re sure to find your projects completely magical! To finish our design off nicely, we added a dragon and unicorn stitched without letters     Take your time with the backstitching to bring your letters to life Just one letter is enough to make a special, personalised card for a birthday! More to make... Cast a spell on more projects with our letters and numbers… Here are some wizard ideas to try! 1 Know a Harry Potter fan? One…

  Any of the small motifs could be used for cards, Advent calendars, gift bags or festive bunting It’s easiest to work from the top down, backstitching each motif as you go Stitch count: 151 high x 111 wide Design size: 26.5x19.5cm (10½x7¾in) Stitch time: 31 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart28countOpalescentSnow Cashel linen, ref: 3281/1111; 45.5x35.5cm (18x14in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 33x28cm (13x11in) aperture Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 86…

Birdbath kit This fun design by Karen Carter for Heritage Stitchcraft features four cute birds enjoying a bath. One lucky reader will soon be stitching this delightful kit, which comes with 27 count evenweave or 14 count aida, DMC stranded cotton, needle and instructions. The finished design measures 12x19cm (4¾x7½in), and is available from www.hcrafts.com, RRP £22.50. Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘BIRDBATH GIVEAWAY XST310’. Romantic Motifs books This collection of 64 romantic motifs and transfers is a must-have source of design ideas. The designs include hearts, flowers, swallows, wedding rings and butterflies and cover a range of sizes and styles. The book is broken down into four main sections: the key stitches and techniques, the samplers, the projects and finally the cut-out transfers. This…

Get started For stitching fabric, threads and all the basic supplies you need, try one of these top stockists… WILLOW FABRICS  www.willowfabrics.com For Zweigart evenweave, aida and all kinds of stitching fabrics BARNYARNS  www.barnyarns.co.uk 0176 569 0069 For Anchor, DMC and Madeira threads and all kinds of haberdashery supplies COTTON PATCH  www.cottonpatch.co.uk 0121 702 2840 For stuffing, wadding, interfacing, Bondaweb, scissors and all kinds of haberdashery supplies JOHN JAMES NEEDLES  www.jjneedles.com 0152 783 0941 For all kinds of needles and needle packs 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 of colours JOSY ROSE  www.josyrose.com For buttons, beads and all kinds of embellishments SEAMSTAR  www.seamstar.co.uk 0182 977 0733 For plain and patterned fabrics and all kinds of…

WE FEEL A BIT LIKE squirrels at this time of year. Rather than storing up food for winter, we’re busy gathering ideas and materials for the celebration we love most – Christmas. So many people grumble when they see Christmas cards and wrapping paper in the shops in September but we love making plans when there’s still the dream of fitting them all in. So this issue we have some gorgeous festive projects you can get started on, including our sweet Holly Heart hanger on page 2. Plus, we have a whole supplement of Christmas designs to inspire you. If you’re ready to jump into a larger Christmas project, we recommend Faye Walsh’s ‘Coming Home for Christmas’ sampler on page 14. Faye has cleverly worked modern motifs into a traditional…

WOODLAND FRIENDS OUR SWEET set of forest animals on page 32 had us heading down to the woods to see what else we could find… WHO WoodlandFolkfromDMCarewellknownfortheirsuper-cutecross stitchrange–there’sawholehost ofadorablekitstochoosefrom. www.dmccreative.com WHAT ThesedarlingWoodlandRedDeerWooden Buttonsareperfectforsewingontoa handstitchedcardorcushiontomakeit completelyirresistible! www.myfabrichouse.co.uk HOW GetsetforChristmaswiththesequick-stitch festivefoxes–thekitseachcomewithan on-trendprintedcardtomountthemin. www.sewandso.co.uk…

Materials There are so many sweet motifs on this sampler that can be picked out to stitch for cards or tags! Zweigart32countOpalescentRaw Belfast linen, ref: 3609/0011; 46x35.5cm (18x14in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 30x17cm (11¾x6¾in) aperture Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 86 Stitch count: 171 high x 91 wide Design size: 27x14.5cm (10½x5¾in) Stitch time: 28 hours This design was stitched on 32 count linen over two threads of fabric. 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…

  If you’re giving this as a gift, why not stitch the top elephant on an aida patch for a gift tag to go with your present? Stitch count: 139 high x 105 wide Design size: 23x16.5cm (9x6½in) Stitch time: 35 hours This design was stitched on 32 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart32countOliveGreen Belfast linen, ref: 3609/6065; 38x38cm (15x15in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 25.5cm (10in) diameter For stockist details see page 86 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…

To prevent tearing the paper, stitch using the stab stitch’ method, making each stitch in two separate movements, rather than the sewing method Stitch count: 73 high x 48 wide Design size: 13x8.5cm (5¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on 14 count perforated paper. Materials 14countcreamperforatedpaper; 17.5x12cm (7x4¾in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Cardboard backing; 17.5x12cm (7x4¾in) Buttons x 2 String for hanger For stockist details see page 86 Make a… door hanger Step 1 CUT the stitched perforated paper slightly smaller than the backing cardboard. Use double-sided tape to stick it in the centre of the cardboard. Step 2 TAPE the ends of the string hanger to the back of the cardboard, and then glue two buttons…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES Welcome to this issue’s stash-busting challenge. We aim to inspire you with this feature to get creating something amazing from just a few items that you probably have already in your workbox. This issue, we’ve asked three of our favourite designers to take the challenge to make a bookmark with a strict limit on what they can use to create it. Read the challenge rules on the left to see what they were given. We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to take part in an upcoming challenge and your idea could feature on our Pinterest board! AMANDA GREGORY… SUNFLOWER AND BEE BOOKMARK On seeing these colours my first thought was…

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…

Desperately seeking I’m wondering if anyone can help me? I received some old CrossStitchermagazines from my aunt who has recently passed away. I went through them and took out patterns I’m wanting to do. I found ‘seasons’ cross stitch patterns designed by Rhona Norris in February 2004, December 2004 and February 2005. I’m looking for the summer one in the set. The spring pattern I have requires buttons which I don’t want to use – is there a spring one without buttons? If so, I’m after that one too. If anyone could email me if they have these issues, I would be very grateful. I live in South Africa. Kind regards. Jacqueline Leathem Email: jacqleathem@gmail.com I am writing to you in the hope that you might be able to help…

Christmas always comes early for stitchers. It’s not surprising really – it’s our busiest time of year, and with heaps of decorations, cards and gifts to stitch, we have to start our festive projects soon after summer to make sure we can fit them all in! The six charts in this booklet are designed to give you even more choice this Christmas – from traditional carol singers to fun festive sayings, there’s something here for everyone. Use them to start your Christmas stitching off in style!…

OCCUPATIONS & HOBBIES ELIZABETH DABCZYNSKI-BEAN [Stitch People] Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean specialises in creating ‘building block’ charts. There are no keys, instead she includes tips on how to make the design your own – in this case the outfits and uniforms are provided but it’s up to you what other features or hair styles you use. A must-buy! RAINY DAY SEWING AMY SINIBALDI [Tuva Publishing] Amy Sinibaldi, author of Sweetly Stitched Handmades, has put together 18 projects to keep your crafty fingers busy when it’s raining outside. The projects cover a range of techniques, from quilting to cross stitch, and you’ll find plenty of gift ideas to make for friends and family. With illustrations and step-by-step instructions, this is a great book to get you making presents in plenty of time before…

Stitch count: 71 high x 118 wide Design size: 12.5x20.5cm (5x8in) Stitch time: 13 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Picture Zweigart 28 count Antique Ivory Cashel, ref: 3281/233; 23x31cm (9x12in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Mount board For stockist details see page 86 Materials Invitation Zweigart 28 count Antique Ivory Cashel, ref: 3281/233; 12.5x15cm (5x6in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Blank card; 10.5 x13.5cm 4x5in) For stockist details see page 86 Stitch count: 40 high x 55 wide Design size: 7x9.5cm (2¾x3¾in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… patch card Step…

Max. stitch count: 52 high x 42 wide Max. design size: 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 5 hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave fabric over two threads of fabric. When working the confetti stitches at the bottom of the owl, take care to make sure the thread doesn’t show through the back of the fabric Materials For each card Zweigart 28 count Antique Ivory Cashel, ref: 3281/233; 20x15cm (8x6in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Card with a 10x7.5cm (4x3in) aperture For stockist details see page 86 Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton, and the backstitch in one strand. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card,…

Stitch over one thread of fabric to make yourself a mini version to u se a s a scissor keeper! Stitch count: 50 high x 46 wide Design size: 10x10cm (4x4in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 25 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials Zweigart25countGraniteLugana, ref: 3835/7025; 14x14cm (5½x5½in) Backing fabric, 14x14cm (5½x5½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Toy stuffing For stockist details see page 86 Make a… pin cushion Step 1 PLACE the stitched fabric and the backing right sides together, and stitch around the outer edge with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance, leaving a gap at the bottom for turning. Step 2 TURN to the right side and press. Fill with toy stuffing and…

“...the end product will take shape as a beautiful, bright piece of art just like the caterpillar emerging as a butterfly...” A rather touching family tradition provided the creative spark for Sally Wilson’s bold and beautiful stitch kit company. Today, three generations are involved in Caterpillar Cross Stitch. A lover of letters, fonts and typography, Sally tells CrossStitcher about her busy life juggling children and creativity to run the business of her dreams… Tell us about your creative life so far! At a very young age I loved sketching portraits and cutting out clothes from Vogue to create my own outfits in scrapbooks. Once I got my first sewing machine I was away! [Later] I enjoyed studying and practising law, it just didn’t have the creative outlet I craved. What…

MATERIALS Family Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 20.5x28cm (8inx11in) Frame with a 11.5x16.5cm (4½x6½in) aperture Let's Party Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 22.5x26.5cm (9x10½in) Frame with a 9x14cm (3½x5½in) aperture Baby Shoes Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 15x14cm (6inx5½in) Card with a 9cm (3¾in) round aperture For all Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle For stockist details see page 86     Using a grey shade of stranded cotton to work the backstitch details keeps the design style subtle, and the motifs are easier to mix and match More to make... You can never have too many shoes, so keep on using our motifs on other projects. Here are some ideas to get you started... 1 Know…

Stitch count: 35 high x 33 wide Design size: 6x6cm (2½x2½in) Stitch time: 2 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. 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 charts are indicated by arrows at the designs’ edges. To find your fabric’s centre, fold it in half and into quarters. 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…

Inside this month Eat, drink and be merry with our Christmas pud sampler Stitch our festive tablecloth for the perfect Christmas lunch Create an Advent calendar made with mini gift bags Oh-so-cute animals in Christmas jumpers card set! YOUR FREE GIFT! Make our beautiful Scandi-style heart hanger, complete with delicate beads ISSUE 311 NOVEMBER 2016 On sale 14 October Contents subject to change. Overseas gifts may vary.…