Table of contents for Summer 2016 in CrossStitcher

Stitch count: 18 high x 18 wide Design size: 3x3cm (1¼x1¼in) Stitch time: 1 hour each This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave fabric over two threads of fabric. Make a… covered button Step 1 STITCH the design using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch, over two threads of fabric on a 15x15cm (6x6in) piece of 28 count evenweave. Washing and pressing the fabric dry before you start stitching will remove some of the stiffening in the fabric, allowing it to be bent around the button. Step 2 TRIM away the unstitched fabric leaving a 5cm (2in) circle, with the design in the centre. Step 3 MAKE a row of running stitches around the fabric edge, leaving long thread…

PAWS FOR THOUGHT LIKE OUR doggy alphabet on page 49? You’d be barking mad not to love these other ideas for your next pet project… WHO MeetSpottyDog!ThiskitfromPippaBlue containseverythingyouneedtosewyourown loyalcompanion,justaddneedleandthread! www.pippablue.com WHAT Thesecutelittledog-shapedwoodenbuttons fromEcletticoAteliercomeinapackof10,so arejustperfectforcaninecards. en.dawanda.com HOW Giveyourdoggydesignsextradimensionby stitchingthemonthisfunPawprintsaida, availablein14,16or18count,withthree evenweaveoptionsalsoonoffer. www.sewitall.com…

A sky blue linen would also work well as the backdrop to this sweet design Stitch count: 138 high x 138 wide Design size: 25x25cm (9¾x9¾in) Stitch time: 40 hours This design was stitched on 28 count linen over two threads of fabric. Materials • Permin 28 count off-white linen, ref: 076/00; 51x51cm (20x20in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 26 tapestry needle• Backing fabric; 43x43cm (17x17in)• Cushion pad; 40.5x40.5cm (16x16in)  For stockist details see page 86 Make a… cushion Step 1 CUT your stitched cushion front to the same size as your backing fabric. With the stitching right-side up, place the backing fabric on top. Pin, then machine stitch, the cushion front and the backing fabric together with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance, but leaving a gap on one side for…

We’re always looking for nifty and thrifty ways of creating things and this month we’ve got three clever ideas using paper clips! Often neglected in the back of a drawer or pencil pot, paper clips are surprisingly versatile. We’ve devised a brilliant bracelet made by clipping paper clips together with stitched fabric bands, plus a stylish gift tag for a fashionista’s birthday, complete with a mini paper clip coat hanger! Plus, for boys and girls – we’ve two monster bookmarks to make. Read on to find out how to do it… MAKE A… COVERED BUTTON BOOKMARK Use paper clips to tranform a stitched button into a bookmark with a difference! Step 1 CHOOSE your self-covered buttons – we used ones with a diameter of 29mm. For this size button, cut…

We’ve mounted our teacup as a mini picture but this design would make a lovely, luxury thank you card too! Stitch count: 40 high x 55 wide Design size: 7.5x10cm (3x4in) Stitch time: 9 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart 14 count white aida, ref: 3706/100; 20x20cm (8x8in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 24 tapestry needle • Frame with a 11.5x11.5cm (4½x4½in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 86 TURN TO PAGE 34 TO LEARN HOW TO FRAME YOUR PICTURE…

Back in April we launched our reader competition to design a bunting flag for the Queen’s 90th birthday. We’re delighted to reveal the winner here, together with her lovely design for you to stitch… To celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday this June we asked readers to design a bunting flag to celebrate. Lots of you took part, and we received some amazing entries, making our job of picking the winner incredibly difficult! After much deliberation, we decided that this modern bunting design by Carol Smith just had to be the winner. We loved the quirky style of the design, and we are sure the Queen would love it too! Carol, well done, we thought you had incorporated so many elements into your design – the daffodils, roses and thistles, the…

From buttons to bespoke pin cushions, the CrossStitcher team’s crafty shopping basket is always brimming after a browse around owner Grace Whowell’s beautiful web emporium. We chatted to Grace about her life in making, her favourite stitching gifts, and how she started selling what she simply calls “beautiful things for folk who make”. Did you grow up with your family in a creative household? As well as my parents, my aunt and grandma, there were four siblings plus me. My grandma and aunt were usually knitting. My mum used to do hand embroidery and lacemaking – I used to bead her lace bobbins for her, and also tie fishing flies for my dad. I don’t think he ever caught much with them, I just used to like the feathers and…

The template for this comes with the purse frame listed in the materials, but this design can be used with any 10cm (4in) purse frame Stitch count: 50 high x 53 wide Design size: 10x11cm (4x4¼in) Stitch time: 10 hours This design was stitched on 25 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials • Zweigart 25 count green Lugana evenweave, ref: 3835/6065; 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in) • Cotton backing fabric; 19x19cm (7½x7½in) • Cotton lining fabric; 19x19cm (7½x7½in) x 2 pieces • Wadding; 19x19cm (7½x7½in) x 2 pieces • Silver half-moon glue-in purse frame; 10cm (4in) • Gutermann textile glue • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle For stockist details see page 86 Make a… purse Step 1 STITCH your design and then…

There’s nothing quite like a day at the great British seaside, especially in summertime. Armed with a blanket, sun cream, floppy hat, sandwiches and a thermos, you can enjoy the warm sand beneath your toes and the sound of waves lapping close by. The six designs contained within this booklet celebrate the fun and happy times spent by the sea, from the Punch & Judy tent to sailing boats racing in the harbour – the only problem you’ll have is deciding which one to stitch first!…

THERE’S SOMETHING so very special about the British seaside. We’re lucky enough to live on the North Devon coast with a sea view – and we never get tired of looking out over the bay, whatever the season. So we’ve been inspired to make this bumper issue of Cross Stitcher a bit of a seaside tribute. We’ve compiled a bonus chart book filled with nostalgic beach images with everything from a little girl paddling to an old-fashioned Punch and Judy show. And the sunny feeling doesn’t stop there as you can see from our cover, we have a coastal clock design which is easy to stitch and frame in a hoop. If your holiday dreams lie beyond our shores, take a look at the idyllic postcard designs on page 32.…

Durene Jones designed our seaside clock on page 22 . "I made sketches of little houses, boats and lighthouses, which then had me planning out the design and deciding how it could work. The sketches also allow me to decide if it would be whole cross stitch, or have a backstitched outline, whether it would be flat colours or shaded. I then fine tune it until I feel ready to draw out the final design at the size it will eventually be.” www.etsy.com/uk/shop/  DureneJones…

STITCH-BY-STITCH BY JANE BULL [DK] Aimed at young crafters, but suitable for anyone new to needlecraft, Stitch-by-Stitch is packed with over 50 inspiring and easy to-make projects. Techniques vary from patchwork to appliqué and include an introduction to cross stitch. It's sure to get someone you know interested in stitching for fun! www.dk.com MEGA MMINI CROSS STITCH BY MAKOTO OOZU [Pavilion Books] This cute book is filled with hundreds of tiny motifs arranged into themes, including the ‘toy shop’ with dinosaurs, cars, trains and computer games and the ‘shoe shop’ with different trainer designs, cowboy boots and high heels. Whatever you can think of that you’d like to stitch, you’ll probably find a motif here! www.pavilioncraft.co.uk A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR BY LISA COX [Fons & Porter] Zakka, a Japanese term…

These sweet mini bunting motifs would also looked great repeated in one row on an aida band, to wrap around a birthday cake this summer! Stitch count: 37 high x 60 wide Design size: 6.5x11cm (2½x4¼in) Stitch time: 5 hours These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… jar band Step 1 STITCH your design and then cut your evenweave slightly larger than the distance around your jam jar: this will be an overlap for fastening. Make sure that your design remains in the centre of your fabric when cut. Step 2 TURN the top and bottom edges of your fabric over onto the reverse side of your work. Either machine or catch stitch these two edges to neaten. Do the same…

“I love seeing the design emerge onto the fabric as you’re stitching it” Susan Bates is one in-demand designer. If you love cross stitch, you are sure to have spotted her gorgeous, colourful work everywhere – from books to DMC kits to Etsy. She took a short break in her busy stitching schedule to chat with us about how it all started with just some graph paper and a pencil… You’ve had an amazing career in stitching – where did it all begin? In the 1990s I lived in London and worked in a high-end tapestry kit shop in Chelsea. After that I worked for Rowan Yarns in department stores. During this time I was also designing my own needlepoint designs. I replied to a newspaper advert to work for…

This month’s alphabet features wagging tails, paws, fur and whiskers too! We’ve rounded up some of the cutest canine companions we could find to decorate your projects, so you can spell out in stitches just how much you love Man’s best friend. Try our fun wall hanging idea or use our doggies to adorn cards, cushions, samplers and more. Time to go ‘walkies’! Attach the ends of your project to wooden bellpull ends to make a perfect pooch wall hanging for your home! Change the thread colours to match that of your own pup! More to make... For more ‘Best in Show ‘makes using our alphabet, try these cute ideas with puppy power… 1 Spell out a dog-loving friend’s name to make a very special birthday card. 2 Stitch the…

Stitch count: 84 high x 118 wide Design size: 14x20cm (5½x8in) Stitch time: 34 hours These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… bag Step 1 STITCH your design then make a template for the bag. Lay tracing paper over your design, then use pins to mark out the design area on your paper. Using a ruler and pencil, add 6cm (2½in) to the top of the stitching and 3cm (1¼in) to the bottom and sides, rounding the bottom corners to match the shape of the ark. Step 2 USE the template you have made to cut out the bag front, making sure the design is central. Cut the bag back and two lining pieces using the same template. Pin the two…

This is a great project for beginners as it only features whole stitches! Stitch count: 115 high x 80 wide Design size: 20x14cm (8x5½in) Stitch time: 14 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials • Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3706/100; 33.5x30cm (14x12in) • Stranded cotton as listed in the key • Size 26 tapestry needle • Frame with a 23.5x18.5cm (9¼x7¼in) aperture • Mount board to fit frame For stockist details see page 86 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…

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…

DIY diva… Looking for some cool and quirky crafting inspiration? We think you’ll love My Poppet Makes, the brainchild of Cintia Gonzalez-Pell, a blogger who loves to share her ideas for upcycling, sewing and all manner of creative projects. Visit her website and you’ll not only find her step-by-step guide to adding cross stitch to jazz up an old chair, but plenty more DIY treats to try. Cintiq’s fun approach will have you inspired to pick up a needle and thread in no time. mypoppet.com.au/makes HOUSE OF CRAFT GIVE YOUR crafting bits and bobs a new home, all under one roof! This Haberdashery House can be hung on the wall or stood on your sewing desk – it’s the perfect place for ribbons, trims, threads and more! quinceliving.co.uk JUST…

CHARMINGZAKKA Embellishyourprojectswiththese nattyNauticalMarineRedBlue Anchor,SailingBoatand Lighthousefabriccoveredbuttons. FABRICANDRIBBON Ahoythere!Addajauntytouch toyourcrossstitchdesignswiththis BlueandRedSailboatandAnchor naturalcottonribbon. THEGIDDYCRAFTER Createaseaviewinnexttonotime withthissetofthreeNauticalCross StitchPatterns,availableasan instantdownload.…

“Certain compromises have to be made about creating realism in cross stitch” Having spent a bit of time making patterns lately, I’ve been thinking about the challenge of creating designs for our beloved stitch – pixelation. As you all know, cross stitch is essentially a big collection of squares. With the exception of quarter and three-quarter stitches (and don’t get me started on French knots!) most patterns are comprised of squares. As a consequence, certain compromises have to be made about creating realism in cross stitch. There are a few constraints with patterns and they relate to size. In a way we’re lucky because we can have a pattern that is one inch wide that can contain from 10 to 24 stitches, depending on the count of the fabric you…

Instead of using card to back your clock, try the polystyrene base from under a pizza – it’s easy to make a hole in and very strong when the mechanism is attached Stitch count: 121 high x 126 wide Design size: 23cm (9in) diameter Stitch time: 32 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to… make your clock Step 1 TRIM your stitching larger than your wooden hoop. Place the inner hoop beneath the stitching and the outer hoop on top. Centre and press over your work. Pull taut and tighten the screw. Step 2 CHECK that your cardboard circle fits inside the back of your hoop. Trim if needed but take care to keep a nice, tight fit. Make a hole in the centre…

Turn a small owl into a cute brooch by mounting it onto a button blank and adding a brooch pin at the back Stitch count: 115 high x 86 wide Design size: 20.5x15.5cm (8¼x6in) Stitch time: 14 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Make a… shopping bag Step 1 FIND the centre of your fabric and work the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton and the backstitch in one strand – this will be your bag front. Step 2 PLACE the stitched bag front and the bag back right sides together, then stitch around three sides with a 1.25cm (½in) seam allowance, leaving the top open. Trim the seam allowance and clip the corners, then turn to the right…

For a different look, switch to a dark grey thread colour throughout and stitch all three ducks in silhouette instead! Stitch count: 35 high x 51 wide; 29 high x 45 wide; 38 high x 37 wide Design size: 9x6cm (3½x2½in); 5x8cm (2x3¼in); 8x7cm (3¼x2¾in) Stitch time: 10 hours for all three These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials • 28 count antique white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/101; 23x23cm (9x9in); 20x20cm (8x8in); 18x18cm (7x7in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Wooden embroidery hoops; 15cm (6in),13cm (5in) and 10cm (4in) diameter 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…

Here’s my needle case (issue 304). I’m giving it to my mum, who’s also a keen stitcher. I really enjoyed stitching this little bird. Pat McGuigan, London Finished and looking fabulous! I bought issue 301 to enjoy after an operation earlier in the year. I loved stitching this. Sarah Baxter, Leicestershire Here’s the hedgehog pin cushion I stitched from the free gift that came with issue 291 – hope you like it! Mirella Klaver, by email I stitched the mermaid from issue 295 then decided to make it into a hanger. I’m super pleased with the finished look! Emma Wright, Devon Here’s my framed picture of Take Your Pick (issue 297). I just love the colours in this and it looks fantastic on my wall! Sharon Sharpe, New Zealand Here…

MATERIALS • Zweigart 28 count white Brittney evenweave, ref: 3270/100; 20x20cm (8x8in) • Stranded cotton • Size 26 tapestry needle • Wooden hoop; 10cm (4in) diameter For stockist details see page 86 Our farm pictures were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. The cross stitch is in two and three strands of stranded cotton, blending the colours where needed, and the backstitch and French knots in one strand. The stitch count, design size and stitch time will depend on what you include in your picture. CLOUDS Add atmosphere to your sky by stitching clouds using hues of light blue, grey, white and cream. Contrast medium tones with dark and light to create added dimension. FLOWERS Make loose French knots for the flowers to give them…