Table of contents for February 2016 in CrossStitcher

PUSH THE BUTTON THESE ROBOT designs are programmed to please – or make your heart go ‘beep’ with our Valentine’s cards on page 70. WHO Dialup the alphabet with thisrobo-tastic sampler from The Stitching Shed. www. thestitchingshed. co.uk WHAT Love robots? Tell the world with this cute kitfrom Sewingseed. www.etsy.com/shop/sewingseed HOW These robots are softer than they look! Kids will love these colourful cushions. www.catchingstars.co.uk…

Stitched in two thread shades, it’s really simple to change the look of this picture just by working it in different colours Stitch count: 120 high x 90 wide Design size: 21x16cm (8¼x6¼in) Stitch time: 25 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Picture Zweigart 28 count natural Cashel linen, ref: 3281/052, 36x30cm (14x12in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 26x22cm (10¼x 8½in) aperture Mount board For stockist details see page 84 Finish off your picture and hanging heart beautifully by attaching a satin ribbon bow to them, as we’ve done here Template Enlarge your template by 200% Stitch count: 37 high x 47 wide Design size: 6.5x8.5cm (2½x3¼in) Stitch time: 3…

Weaving can be such a fun technique to add to your stitching repertoire! Our delicately pattern darned bag uses a thread woven over and under linen threads to create its adorable little heart motif. Our pretty basket of flowers is created using cross stitched flower heads and a basket woven using a stranded cotton warp and weft. Plus, for something a little more challenging, you can use drawn thread work around our hanging heart’s ribbon border – just follow our step-by-step guides over the page! HOW TO… PATTERN DARN Use the pattern darning technique to create a sweet row of hearts Step 1 USE pattern darning to create a decorative stitched effect. Thread your tapestry needle with two strands of stranded cotton. Working from the top of the heart motif,…

Pick out parts of this design to stitch on a card for a baking pal Stitch count: 140 high x 119 wide Design size: 26x21.5cm (10¼x8½in) Stitch time: 33 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Picture Fabric Flair 14 count ivory aida, 46x41cm (18x16in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 30.5x25.5cm (12x10in) aperture Mount board For stockist details see page 84 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…

Max. stitch count: 60 high x 61 wide Design size: 8.5x8.5cm (33/8x33/8in) Stitch time: 3 hours each These designs were stitched on 18 count evenweave over one thread of the fabric. Materials For each heart Zweigart 18 count Davosa, white, ref: 3770/1, 20x20cm (8x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop, 15cm (6in) diameter For stockist details see page 84 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 press over your work. Pull taut and tighten the screw. Step 2 TURN your stitching to the reverse and cut…

Stitch count: 60 high x 22 wide each Design size: 11x4cm (4¼x1½in) each Stitch time: 3 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. MATERIALS For each bookmark Zweigart 14 count white aida, ref: 3706/100, 15x9cm (6x3½in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Felt, 13.5x6.5cm (5¼x2½in), plus small amount for hearts Ribbon, 1x13cm (3/8x5in) For stockist details see page 84 Make a… bookmark Step 1 STITCH your bookmark and then cut the aida fabric, leaving four blank squares around the edge of the design. Step 2 FRAY the edge of the fabric by removing one complete aida block around the design. Step 3 USE pinking shears to cut the edges of the felt. Using the template on page 78, cut…

PATTERNITY [Conran] Find stitching inspiration in this exciting new book from ‘pattern pioneers’ Patternity. Discover how tiles, leaves, animal markings and even city railings can inspire new design ideas in this colourful coffee table book. FARM ANIMALS STITCH PEOPLE Following on from Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean’s Stitch People book, things get a little wilder here with cross stitch designs for chickens, sheep, llamas and even buffaloes, plus sunflowers, wagons and a new farm-inspired alphabet. THE MODERN NATURAL DYER KRISTINE VEJAR [Abrams] Start dyeing your own fabrics and threads the natural way with The Modern Natural Dyer. It’s packed with bright ideas to try out at home, including using onion skins, rhubarb and pomegranate to dye, plus projects to make.…

These are from issues 294 and 288 and I love them to bits! I can’t wait for the latest CrossStitcher each month! Pam Forsyth, by email Here’s my reindeer cushion from issue 298. As soon as I saw the design I knew I had to stitch this, many thanks for a lovely design. Rachel Moore, by email I love your patterns and gifts! My boyfriend buys me CrossStitcher when he visits London. Here are my tags from issue 299. Katarzyna Ludowska, Poland I loved making the stylish swallow brooch that came free with the June issue of CrossStitcher (issue 292). Rachel Lim, via Facebook My Aunt Marie and myself love reading CrossStitcher! She stitched the Vespa from issue 296 and I made the cushion. Christel Raeymaekers, Belgium I made this…

Any of these cute retro cats would make a fab greetings card! Stitch count: 117 high x 82 wide Design size: 21.5x15cm (8½x6in) Stitch time: 15 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Fabric Flair 14 count white aida, 35x30cm (14x12in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 23.5x19.5cm (9¼x7½in) aperture Mount board For stockist details see page 84…

Whether you love stitching flower-filled gardens or cheeky cats and dogs, teddy bear trim for children’s clothes or traditional designs for your home, the chances are that you will have stitched one of Annette Jungmann’s designs. Annette is a much-loved German stitcher and also a designer for Rico – you can turn to page 47 to see her project in this issue! We caught up with Annette to ask her about her life in sewing so far… Can you give us a little background on your journey to working at Rico? I grew up in Westphalia in Germany and went on to do a tailoring apprenticeship, before studying fashion design in Bielefeld in the north of Germany. In 2001, I started working for Rico Design, where I’m a needlecraft product…

Stitch count: 34 high x 35 wide Design size: 6x6cm (2¼x22¼in) Stitch time: 3 hours This design was stitched using 14 count waste canvas. How to… use the waste canvas Step 1 DRAW the mug template on page 69 onto a large piece of paper. Flip the design and draw it again, against the first, so that the mug joins in the middle and the handles face away from one another. Place this on the brown felt, and then tack around the edge, transferring the mug shape to the felt. Carefully tear away the paper, leaving the tacking lines on the felt. Fold the double felt mug shape in half, bringing the handles together to form a book. Step 2 PLACE the waste canvas centrally onto the front of…

TOOLS OF THE TRADE 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 for stitchers and can be picked up for just a few pounds. Keep yours sharp by only using them to cut threads – that way a decent pair should last you a lifetime. STRANDED COTTON Embroidery thread is also commonly referred to as stranded cotton. Each thread length is made up of six strands of cotton twisted together. The chart key will indicate how many strands you’ll need to stitch your…

Hey there, lovely readers, do you know what’s on the horizon? We’re past the darkness of January and once the relative gloom of February passes, we get one of the first signs of spring. Deep in the heart of London, bright colours appear and a sense of optimism fills the air. Friendships are rekindled, new ideas are found and dreams are made. It’s magical, it’s marvellous, it’s the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show! I always love the show – it’s bright and breezy and it’s usually a lot of fun. But the main reason I love it is because each year I get to host the Inspiration Station! For the past four years I’ve had a stand at the show and it’s evolved from an exhibition space to something that’s…

To stitch as a fun feltie instead, fill completely with stuffing before sewing gap closed, adding a ribbon hanging loop if you wish Stitch count: 50 high x 38 wide Design size: 9x7cm (3½x2¾in) Stitch time: 8 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100, 12.5x10cm (5x4in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Yellow felt for the back Push button tape measure with push button centre, 5.5cm (2¼in) diameter Toy stuffing For stockist details see page 84 Make a… Russian doll tape measure Step 1 FOLD your fabric both ways to find the centre. Start stitching in the centre of the fabric. Step 2 PLACE your stitching…

It’s easiest to stitch the number on the card first, before you fill in the background colour around it Stitch count: 30 high x 28 wide Design size: 5.5x5cm (2¼x2in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of the fabric. Materials Zweigart 28 count white Cashel, ref: 3281/100, 15x12.5 cm (6x5in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Pale mauve card with a 7cm (2¾in) circular aperture For stockist details see page 84 Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton over two threads of linen, and the backstitch and French knots in one strand. Add a number to the card using the alphabet provided. Step 2…

With no backstitch or French knots to worry about, this is a fab design for cross stitch newbies! Stitch count: 120 high x 120 wide Design size: 21.5x21.5cm (8½x8½in) Stitch time: 30 hours These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Zweigart 14 count ice blue aida, ref: 3706/550, 35x35cm (14x14in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Fabric for the cushion back, 28x28cm (11x11in) Toy stuffing Pom-pom trim for cushion edge For stockist details see page 84 Make a… cushion Step 1 CUT your stitched sampler cushion front to the same size as your backing fabric. With your stitching right sides up, place the pom-pom trim around the edge, so that the edge of the trim is level with the edge…

Stitch count: 84 high x 114 wide Design size: 11.5x16cm (4½x6¼in) Stitch time: 11 hours This design was stitched on 18 count aida fabric. Materials Tea cosy Zweigart 18 count antique white aida, ref: 3793/101, 35.5x35.5cm (14x14in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Cotton lining and backing material, 33x28cm (13x11in) x 3 Wadding, 33x28cm (13x11in) x 2 Red felt, 15x66cm (6x26in) Buttons String For stockist details see page 84 Make a… tea cosy Step 1 STITCH the design centrally between the left and right edges of the aida, with the bottom of the design 12cm (5in) up from the bottom of the fabric. Step 2 ENLARGE the template below by 200% and trace onto white paper – this will be used for the…

Get started For stitching fabric, threads and all the basic supplies you need, try one of these top stockists… WILLOW FABRICS www.willowfabrics.co.uk 0800 056 7811 For 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…