Table of contents for July 2021 in CrossStitcher

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 42 high x 38 wide Design size: 7.5x7cm (3x2¾in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. EXCLUSIVE READER KITS! You can send o_ for a handy kit containing all the materials you need to make these projects. Simply visit craftmag.co/crossstitcherkits to order your kit today! You can download your exclusive card blank from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… sailing boat card Step 1 STITCH the sailing boat design in the centre of an 11x11cm (4½x4½in) piece of white 14 count aida fabric. Step 2 DOWNLOAD your card blank (see tip above). Trim your stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the…

Fabulously folksy The beautiful folk designs by Maggie Magoo have been brought to cross stitch! There are four kits in this gorgeous collaboration with Anchor. Choose from pictures or wall hangings, with some worked on white and some worked on black fabric. The wall hangings are stitched on 11 count aida and include a felt backing to complete the banner ready to hang, with the pictures also stitched on 11 count aida. Perfect for experienced stitchers (for the banners) or for intermediate stitchers (for the pictures), these pretty projects will add a splash of colour to your home this summer. Produced by Anchor, all four kits are available from www.cloudcraft.co.uk LITTLE BY LITTLE BRAND-NEW FROM The Make Arcade are several bright and breezy designs to fit 5in hoops. Perfect for…

HAND EMBROIDERY PATRICIA BAGE & JILL CARTER [Search Press] Suitable for stitchers of all abilities this book aims to be a definitive guide to stitching and embroidery. Use the step-by-step guides to get to grips with drawn thread embroidery, hardanger, goldwork, stumpwork, silk shading, crewel embroidery, Mountmellick, blackwork and more. Each section has been put together by experts and features the technique's history, materials and equipment needed and the most popular stitches used. THE ONE WITH ALL THE CROSS_STITCH: 25 UNOFFICIAL PATTERNS FOR FANS OF FRIENDS EDITORS OF ULYSSES PRESS [Ulysses Press] Anyone who’s nostalgic for the gang at Central Perk can now whip up some ‘Friends’ cross stitch treats to tide them over before they see the reunion TV special! There are over 20 designs included – from iconic…

A DIFFERENT ROOM FOR EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR! How to… display your stitching WE used a house shaped wooden box frame, which we painted with a grey emulsion match pot and then made a cardboard triangle to fill in the front. The roof and front were then covered in tile paper, normally used for train modelling – both the box and paper are available from online craft and modelling shops. Designed by: Zoë Patching Stitch count: 45 high x 62 wide Design size: 8x11.5cm (3¼x4½in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Stitch on 14 count aida over one thread if you prefer, but you’ll need to split squares for the fractionals Materials Zweigart Antique White 28 count Cashel,…

Many social groups had to move online due to the pandemic, but for Sally Wilson of Caterpillar Cross Stitch, that’s actually how her stitching socials originally began, way before last year’s lockdowns. “For over five years we’ve been connecting daily with stitchers from all over the world in our Facebook group, YouTube channel and across social media,“ she explains. “We love seeing stitchers create their beautiful pieces online but knew how wonderful it would be to get likeminded stitchers together… in real life!” So, back in the days just before Covid was even known about, Sally decided to organise some stitching get togethers. “The response was amazing and we held our first events in Warwickshire (near to Caterpillar Cross Stitch HQ) with 12 attendees,” she recalls. “The designs they could…

We are very proud to present you with the final part of our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party scene! This time you’ll bring the Queen, White Rabbit and Dodo to life – as always the characters are packed with detail. Over the page you’ll find instructions on how to display your picture as a banner. However you decide to frame it, don’t forget to send us a photo using the email address on page 9! Stitching your… Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Step 1 START stitching with your fabric turned landscape. Part 1 of the design is in issue 370 June 2021, and is the left section, and part 2 is in issue 371 Summer 2021 and is the middle section. You should start stitching 12cm (5in) in from the left side…

PART 2 Stitching your… Summer SAL Step 1 STITCH the second postcard to the right of the lavender field already stitched, leaving two blank squares between each strip. Once you have worked the three postcard designs (part 3 will be in the next issue of CrossStitcher), and leaving two aida squares between each of the postcards, the finished size will be 67 high x 79 wide. Use two strands for the cross stitch, with some areas of the sea in blended needle in two different colours. The sky is worked in half cross stitch with some areas in two strands and some in one strand. The backstitch and French knots are both worked in one strand. Step 2 STITCHa bee charm on the floral area at the bottom of the…

“I am lucky enough to have a large studio in my garden, so my workspace is also where I put all of my kits together and store my materials. I have lots of natural light in my studio and a fabulous view of my natural surroundings in the lovely West Sussex countryside. This is really important to me as I feature a lot of flowers and animals in my designs and like to draw inspiration from what I can see around me.” www.cinnamonstitching.etsy.com Instagram @cinnamonstitching Drop us a line to crosssstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with images of your craft space and a few words about it and our favourites could be featured in a future issue!…

Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 24 high x 24 wide (each) Design size: 4.5x4.5cm (1¾x1¾in) Stitch time: 3 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count perforated paper. For a sturdier finish you could work these designs on 14 count plastic canvas instead Materials For each bookmark 14 count perforated paper; 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Ribbon; 30cm (11¾in) Button or beads for decoration Felt to match flower colour; 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… bookmark Step 1 STITCH your chosen flower using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch. For the daffodil add French Knots on the stamens in the centre. Step 2 COMPLETE your stitching, then finish your thread ends…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 55 high x 40 wide Design size: 10.5x7.5cm (4⅛x3in) Stitch time: 10 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch. Step 2 TRIM the stitched fabric to fit your card, with the design centrally placed behind the card’s aperture. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the inside of the card around the edge of the aperture. c Step 4 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the card on top, pressing down firmly on the tape. Step 5 CHECK which flap will fold onto the back of the stitching, then add strips of double-sided…

Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch time: 34 hours total Stitch count: 83 high x 55 wide top; 107 high x 55 wide base Design size: 15.5x10cm (6x4in); 19.5x10cm (7¾x4in) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Turn over to find our handy alphabet to help your personalise your gift Make a… baby cot Step 1 STITCH the cot top and cot base on to your aida fabric, leaving 10 aida squares between each. Once stitched cut out each part, leaving four blank aida squares around all the edges of the design, on both the top and base pieces – cut very carefully, making sure you cut between the fourth and the fifth aida squares. Step 2 MAKE a snip on the top of the cot from the outer…

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK To create a soft watercolour effect, the main bulk of backstitching in this design is focused just on the lodge Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 120 high x 90 wide Design size: 22x16.5cm (8¾x6½in) Stitch time: 31 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Worked in mainly whole stitches, this is a good first larger project to try if you’re relatively new to cross stitch Materials Zweigart Ice Blue 14 count aida, ref: 3706/550; 45x36cm (17½x14in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 25x20cm (9¾x8in) aperture Mount board to fit frame Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com TURN TO PAGE 28 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE…

Welcome to this month’s designer challenge! Midsummer makes a great time to glam up a summer outfit with a little bling. Stitched brooches, with a little beading for sparkle, make a quick, easy and totally original way to dress things up, so we asked three designers to come up with a brooch design, using only the materials we gave them, including just six stranded cotton colours. Read on to see our designers’ gorgeous results! If you’d like to take on our next challenge, turn to page 75 for details of the challenge for our September issue! THE CHALLENGE THE RULES CHERYL McKINNON… TOTALLY TROPICAL “Summer always makes me think of delicious tropical fruit, and the beautiful floss colours reminded me of…

Hullo! Do you ever daydream about a world where your wildest dreams have come true? Perhaps you’re a movie star, an astronaut, an author, a person with an extra hour in their day to wind down and stitch. Have you ever considered finding a way to give those old dreams new life? If you were looking for a sign to do just that, this could be it! This month’s floriography bloom reminds us that rebirth is only one step away: the beautiful lotus flower. Lotus flowers are particularly clever in how they live their lives. Each night they fold themselves away from the world, submerging themselves in the waters that hold them, and re-emerging with the sun. Each day is a new opportunity to begin afresh. It’s the same for…

when you’re a proud Texan, stitching to celebrate your state is a great idea, especially if you can raise some money in the process! Meredith McBee shares her stitching highlights so far … Meredith has been stitching for nearly eight years. Her love of stitching is shared with her Dallas friends, “Cross stitching isn’t super-huge in Dallas, but needlepoint is!” she explains. “Many of my friends began cross stitching as young girls and have moved onto needlepoint since. Any estate sale or garage sale has old cross stitching supplies – you can tell it was popular in the 1970s! At college, many of my friends saw me cross stitch in my free time and became interested in the craft. I began a group called ‘Stitch ’n’ Bitch’ which met every…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Take It Easy, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: Zweigart 14 count count aida in Forest Green Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 PLEASE NOTE: The pack does not contain backing fabric or a magnetic frame, which can be ordered separately from Willow Fabrics. How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £18.80, plus P&P. Materials Zweigart Forest Green 14 count aida, ref: 3706/647; 3 0x22.5cm (11¾x8_⁄_in) Cot ton backing fabric; 30x22.5cm (11¾x8_⁄_in) Stranded cotton…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “How neat is the back of your cross stitching?” MAGDALENA ADLER As neat as possible. I was taught by my great-grandma that all stitches in the back should ‘Go The Same Way’. I do mix directions though and discovered she did as well when my grandma gave me some of her handstitched tablecloths! FIONA CHRISTIE As neat as possible – some patterns aren’t quite as easy to keep neat as others. It’s the way I was taught, and also what CrossStitcher magazine said back in the 90s/00s – that mess on the back is noticeable on the front and knots, bumps and trailing threads show through. JOHANNA BRADER I try to keep mine as neat as the front, not always easy, especially with confetti…

CrossStiticher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Summer Evening Glow, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered straight to your door! Your materials pack contains: Zweigart 14 count aida in Black Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 17 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £46, plus P&P. TURN TO PAGE 28 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 178 high x 118 wide Design size: 33x22cm (13x8¾in) Stitch time: 87 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Use a white pillow…

Like so many of you, I love adding a personal touch to my gifts, and if I can, I prefer to give something stitched. When I haven’t got time to stitch a sampler for a baby’s birth, then a garment finished with cross stitch makes a sweet alternative. Waste canvas is my go-to when I want to stitch on plain fabric. You can stitch freehand, or use soluble canvas, but I find waste canvas the easiest way to get a professional finish. The materials we used for this project are all available from www.willow fabrics.com How to… use waste canvas Step 1 WASH your baby grow before starting. Most garments are pre-shrunk, but if it shrinks after stitching it will pucker and be ruined. Cut a piece of waste canvas…