Table of contents for September 2022 in CrossStitcher

Hullo! I am a huge lover of ice cream. There are a few ice creameries near me that do the full shebang – flavours, sprinkles, nuts and toppings! I used to rarely go because somewhere along the way I decided I had to control myself. That these things were only for ‘special occasions’ – forgetting that life is a special occasion in itself. So, this month, we pay homage to the joyous ice cream and to letting go of control every now and again. So many of us guard our emotions down to the last drop. It’s totally understandable – being able to control aspects of life adds a level of stability in a chaotic world. But at what point does that control mean we miss out on some truly…

September September is the month to start afresh – new school term, uniforms and pencil cases, and of course, conker season. The boys would collect them as we walked home from school, passing the huge horse chestnut tree. And the joy of finding a fresh, shiny conker, straight out of its shell, would result in squeals of excitement! Another September joy is blackberry picking, with blackberry juice covered fingers… perfect! Materials • Zweigart Antique White 28 count Cashel, ref: 3281/0101; 20x20cm (8x8in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Designed by: Zoë Patching Stitch count: 61 high x 62 wide Design size: 10.5x10.5cm (4¼x4¼in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Botanical Beauty, 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 Parchment • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £42, plus P&P. Designed by: Susan Bates Stitch count: 177 high x 135 wide Design size: 32.5x25cm (123⁄4x93⁄4in) Stitch time: 67 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to… frame a picture Step 1 CUT a piece of white…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 43 high x 38 wide Design size: 9x7cm (31⁄2x23⁄4in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 12.5x10cm (5x4in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Card blank; 15x10cm (6x4in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… patch card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch. Step 2 CUT the stitched fabric just smaller than the front of your card, with the design in the centre. Remove the outer block of aida to fray the edge. Step 3 ATTACH double-sided tape to the back of the aida, then stick the design centrally to card…

Each month we publish a new letter and number set based on a theme, designed for you to cut out and keep for when you need it Welcome to our latest alphabet, perfect for making any project personal. This time we have a real crowd-pleaser, as who could resist our cute teddy bears amongst sunflowers? We’ve only a few weeks of summer left to enjoy, but these sweet little rays of sunshine can brighten your day all year round. Designed by: Fiona Crouch Our Bear with Sunflower alphabet letters were mounted in a card, flexi-hoop and a wooden hoop. Each was stitched on 14 count white aida, and each letter is approximately 30 high x 30 wide. The design size for each letter is approximately 6x6cm (2.x2.in), and it took…

Welcome to the second part of our stunning ‘Map Of The Heavens’ wall hanging. Use beads and blending, as well as glow-in-the-dark threads, for a striking result. Working on a dark navy aida fabric ensures all these details are showcased perfectly - with the effect that you feel as if you are really seeing stars! Turn to page 68 for how to order part 1 if you missed it. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 204 high x 178 wide (complete design) Design size: 38x32cm (15x121⁄2in) Stitch time: 86 hours (complete design) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. You can attach your beads with one strand of cotton doubled-up, splitting the threads around the bead before tightening, for a firmer fix We have given you the complete…

There is something about the busy buzzing of bees that makes me happy… it may be that they are so productive, or it could be the summer sun that accompanies their buzzing, or that they are producing one of the tastiest treats you could ever eat! I have stitched this bee needlecase on 28 count Dirty Cashel Linen (ref: 3281/326), and for the inside I used ribbon, lace and buttons from my stash. Whatever you use to make your needlecase, this pretty stitching accessory is sure to bring a little bit of summer buzz to those dreary stitching days of winter in the future! Use this method to make up the needlecase in Ready Steady Stitch on page 72 Turn to page 14 to see our materials pack offer, with…

Welcome to our 2022 Stitch-A-Long! Amanda Butler has created an amazing ‘Dream Destinations; Around the World in 365 days’ SAL – and we’ll be unveiling a new city around the world each month. This month we give you our Venice scene to stitch. DREAM DESTINATIONS SAL Venice is the seventh destination of this year’s Stitch-A-Long design. Over the year we will be bringing you 12 destinations. We have greyed out the border which appeared in the March issue. The grid lines are correct for the complete design, but the centre marks indicate the centre of just this motif. Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 50 high x 50 wide Design size: 9.5x9.5cm (3.x3.in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. THE CHART EACH square…

SIMPLE HAND SEWING LAURA STRUTT [CICO Books] Laura Strutt has designed 35 projects especially to develop your hand-sewing skills, but also to help you slow down, enjoy the moment, and appreciate the rewards of your work. Using a number of different techniques including visible mending, sashiko, embroidery, thread doodling, boro and abstract embroidery, you’ll learn how to incorporate these methods to make useful, creative and sustainable pieces that are mini works of art. THE SEWING MACHINE MANUAL WENDY GARDINER [Search Press] Scared of machine stitching? This handy manual includes all the guidance you need to make friends with your new sewing machine, or get reacquainted with the model you already own. Wendy Gardiner includes all the basics, including machine anatomy, how to thread up, and how to check stitching and…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 46 high x 37 wide Design size: 8.5x7cm (31⁄4x23⁄4in) Stitch time: 7 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Mix up the colours if you wish and use up leftover threads in your stash Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, one strand for the backstitch outline, and two strands for the detail stitching and the backstitch words. 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. Step 4 PLACE the stitching on the table right-side up, and then place the card…

ONLY 8P A DAY! Unleash your stitching abilities upon the CrossStitcher Digital Library with over 5,500 fantastic charts to choose from! Stitch masterpieces to give to friends, or yourself, such as this fabulous summer scene by Jane Prutton from the July 2017 issue! With more charts, advice and inspiration being added every month, see where your stitching could take you… Try today: bit.ly/CROSLIBRARY *Offer is for an annual subscription, available on a UK Direct Debit or recurring card payment option for UK and overseas residents.…

ISSUE 388 OCTOBER 2022 On sale 6 September Inside this month ♥ Strictly come stitching: ballroom dancing scene ♥ Sashiko style! Elegant Japanese inspired coasters ♥ Autumn squares: our latest folk art seasonal sampler ♥ Sew cute! Harvest mice alphabet and number set YOUR CHRISTMAS BUMPER PACK! ♥ Advent calendar, Part 1 ♥ Pull-out Christmas stocking fillers chart collection Includes Advent calendar & fabric and stranded cotton for your first 8 designs! Contents subject to change. Overseas gifts may vary.…

Faye Colton had one particular aim in mind when planning for her wedding day last October – that she would use her crafting skills to stitch and create bespoke pieces for the big day… Faye, who lives in Greatworth, Northamptonshire got married to husband Steve on the 2nd October 2021. She wanted an autumn themed wedding incorporating a lot of craft, including cross stitch. “I made individual leaf button badges for all the guests, 68 in total, and attached these to handmade napkin rings. The idea and patterns came from CrossStitcher issue 349 (October 2019) and then for the table names I used the Woodland Animals Letter Library from the same issue,” explains Faye. “I also used the same letters to make 11 individually framed present tags for the ladies.…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Mandala Magic, 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: • DMC 14 count aida in Sandstorm • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 PLEASE NOTE: The chart, backing fabric and cushion pad are not included in this pack. How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £20.50, plus P&P. Make a… cushion Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching, then cut the stitched fabric to 39.5x39.5cm (151⁄2x151⁄2in), the same size as your backing fabric, with the…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch House of Lords, 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: • DMC 14 count aida in Morning Dew Blue • Skeins of DMC stranded cotton • 15cm (6in) wooden embroidery hoops x 3 • Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 This pack contains enough materials to make all three hoops How to order: Fill in the form on page 15 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £42, plus P&P. Designed by: Jane Prutt on Stitch count: 82 high x 82 wide Design size: 15x15cm (6x6in) Stitch time: 25…

Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 42 high x 120 wide Design size: 8x22.5cm (3x83⁄4in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. We’ve used an old gravy granules pot as it was the perfect size and sturdiness – old cocoa or custard powder pots would work well too, just adjust your fabric size accordingly Materials • DMC White Iridescent 14 count aida; 12.5x30.5cm (5x12in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Empty gravy granules pot; 11cmx7.5cm (41⁄4x3in) diameter approx. Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… playing card pot Step 1 STITCH the design using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch. Step 2 WITH the design in the centre,…

With the return to school in September, this month feels like a ‘new term’ for adults too, so we’ve asked three designers this month to come up with a design for a needlecase ready for the start of a new stitching project. They could only use the materials listed on the left, making sure to include the seven shades of stranded cotton we chose and the other elements needed to create the needlecase. Take a look at their results below – we’ve featured a chart for each one so you can stitch your favourite! We hope this will inspire you to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for November – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE • Zweigart…