CrossStitcherの February 2022 の目次

“I opened my new studio shop in St Austell, Cornwall last year and love all the extra space I have now. It’s perfect for the combined uses of designing and manufacturing my kits with a shop front, so stitchers and tourists can come visit, shop, workshop and watch me create. I’m a little obsessed with my peg board and use it to hang hoops, kits and accessories for sale. My aim was to create a bright space that makes me happy and inspired to create every day; this feeling in turn will hopefully pass onto any visitors.” www.emmalouiseartstitch.co.uk “I have a ‘Have a Go Wall’ to entice cross stitch newbies and even a separate peg wall for scissors above my fabric cutting table (because you can never have too many…

Hullo! In this series of noticing those little things, that give us joy in everyday life, I’d like to draw our attention to the biggest little things – the stars! For those of us who live in urban centres, light pollution often obscures so much of the beauty above us, but on a clear night we can still see light that was emitted billions of years ago. Head further away from the city and the magnificence of the universe is opened to us! Visiting darker places to go stargazing is one of my favourite things to do – sometimes getting away from civilisation can help me regain perspective and make my problems seem so much smaller. When life gets on top of us, we can lose perspective on how big…

Pro Tip Top designers share their favourite stitching tips "Remove embroidery hoop marks after completing a project" “Sometimes when you’ve finished a project, the hoop or frame can leave ‘halo’ marks on the fabric you’ve been stitching on – especially if you’ve been working on fabrics like jersey or terry towelling. Simply wash your work and these will disappear. Just remember to wash them on a gentle cycle or hand wash only – and never use the tumble dryer, always air dry, once washed.” FIRST PAST THE POST! Clare Adams was the first to send us a pic of her finished blue tit scissor keep from issue 378’s calendar – she wins a selection of DMC stranded cotton skeins in 20 colours of her choice from Willow Fabrics. The first…

Designed by: Durene Jones Max. stitch count: 53 high x 40 wide Max. design size: 10.5x8cm (4¼x3in) Stitch time: 4 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. *See ‘The Key’ on page 80. Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, one strand for the backstitch, and one for the French knots. 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 on top, pressing down firmly on the tape. Step 5 CHECK which flap will…

Welcome to this month’s challenge! Valentine’s Day falls in February, so we asked our three designers to get creative and come up with a card featuring several pink heart-shaped buttons. They also had to stick to just seven shades of stranded cotton, as specified by us. Take a look at their sweet results below – we’ve provided a chart for each 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 April – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. THE CHALLENGE THE RULES AMANDA BUTLER… SEW SWEET “My inspiration for this little project comes from some aptly named, popular sweets that you can…

WE LOVE A WALK but there are always a few days when we feel like all that lovely frosty landscape might be more comfortably considered from indoors. More precisely from a favourite armchair, while working on a new piece of stitching! Of course, our dogs do need their walks and we are lucky enough to have a new home surrounded by beautiful woodlands. Once we come in from the cold, take off winter layers and get the kettle on, there is nothing better than a few moments considering a new creative project. Even just choosing a design and its thread shades has a feel of excitement and expectation. We don’t do New Year resolutions – we think about new projects instead. This is just enough to lift the spirits after…

BYTHEBRIDLEPATH These super-cute polkadot apple buttons are wooden with white painted backs, measure 20mm and come in packs of 10. GALAXYSILVER Pip, pip, hooray! Juice up your projects with this mouthwatering Watermelon Grosgrain Ribbon that's shipped by the yard. IDDYBITS These berry sweet embroidered double strawberry iron-on patches are 40mmx28mm and can be ordered in sets of two or five.…

ASTROLOGY EMBROIDERY: STITCH THE ZODIAC AND 30 CELESTIAL PATTERNS MAYA HANISCH [becker&mayer!] As Julian is asking us to look to the stars, this new title shows you how to stitch your favourite star signs and other celestial wonders. Maya Hanisch uses embrdoidery to create 30 original patterns with embroidery instructions and illustrations. The patterns are simple enough to be created by beginners, and include each one of 12 signs of the zodiac. There are also details on the materials you need, with stunning project images to boot. DAYDREAM JOURNALS TILLY ROSE [Search Press] Have you ever kept a diary or journal? In this beautiful book you are shown how to do so using fabric, stitching and paper. Scrapbook memories and inspiring images using layering and collage, embroidery, transferring your own…

We asked our fans on Facebook, “Do you like to customise your projects or stick to the original designs exactly?” CARINA GÖTHBERG Since I’m Swedish, I sometimes like to translate texts in English patterns. It can be tricky since Merry Christmas takes up a bit more space than God Jul. I usually still try to use the same font as the designer originally intended. LIZ DRAPER I accidentally customise with the wrong shade of thread, by misreading the pattern, and leaving the backgrounds out! I do like to use hand-painted aida fabric and hand-dyed threads on certain projects, when I feel the design would work. GRACE COLLIER Actually, both! Some changes are necessary if I don’t have the right colours. Others are fun like adding Étoile or beads. JENNY HOWSAM…

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… The Lone Wolf appeared in our October 21 issue, no. 375, if you'd like to stitch him you can order a back issue at www.crossstitchermag.com Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 82 high x 80 wide Design size: 15x15cm (6x6in) Stitch time: 25 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Designed by: Durene Jones Stitch count: 83 high x 82 wide Design size: 15x15cm (6x6in) Stitch time: 24 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. We painted our hoop with a paint match pot to get the perfect blue shade. Use two coats and then let it dry between coats. If you want an antique look, use fine sandpaper to rub away some of the paint at the edges…

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 30 high x 30 wide Design size: 5.5x5.5cm(2¼x2¼in) Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Turn to our instructions on page 2 for how to make the matching needlecase Make a… scissor fob Step 1 MAKE a twisted cord hanger by bringing 12 strands of stranded cotton, 60cm (24in) in length, together. Knot together at each end and insert a pencil through one end. Loop the other end over a handle or knob. Keeping the yarn taut, twist the pencil until the stranded cotton is tightly twisted and kinks when the tension is relaxed. Fold the stranded cotton in half, keeping it taut to avoid getting tangled, then remove the pencil. Knot at both ends. Step 2 STITCH…

With her new book on pollinating insects and plants now out, we chatted to embroidery artist Victoria Matthewson about her skill in bringing mini beasts to life in stunning detail using needle and thread… Hi Victoria! Can you share which events led you to discover stitching and embroidery? My stitching journey started at 10 when I was at primary school where I learned cross stitch and created a sampler. I didn’t want to work in straight lines and squares, so I went to my local library and searched the cross stitch books to see what was possible. I decided that I wanted my sampler to depict a floral wreath with Celtic style border. I was hooked from that point, I loved the feel of the fabric and the movement of…

Winter is here, and with it comes a whole host of sights and sounds that are unique to the season. We know wildlife lovers will be itching to stitch this blackbird portrait which also conjures up the beauty of the countryside sprinkled in frost and snow perfectly. We’ve chosen a particular aida fabric for you to stitch on for the final flourish as it creates a wonderful winter sky. Enjoy! Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 180 high x 120 wide Design size: 33x21.5cm (13x8½in) Stitch time: 71 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials Fabric Flair Dreaming of Sky 14 count aida; 50x45cm (19x18in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Frame with a 34x24cm (13½x9½in) aperture Mount board to fit…

Valentine’s Day makes me think about the people I love in my life, and the things I enjoy like stitching, gardening and reading. I find love stories emotionally satisfying, in the same way as I do cross stitching, and digging my borders for next year’s floral display. So for the fellow book lovers among you, here is the perfect gift to stitch for yourself this year – a ‘Love Books’ bookmark. Use our chart to stitch it, fray the edges and back with felt, then attach a tassel made using the steps below. Make a… tassel Step 1 USE two strands of stranded cotton for the cord in two different colours – I used dark blue and green. Cut lengths that are six times the length you would like the…

HEARTS LOVE OUR heart aperture needlecase? With Valentine’s Day this month, have a heart to heart with these on-trend ideas… WHO Megan Caines designed this simple, yet effective, Heart Of Hearts Cross Stitch Kit, which creates a beautiful rainbow effect to bring the design to life. www.melocadesigns.com WHAT This Leopard Heart Mini Cross Stitch Kit is perfect for beginner stitchers and makes an original take on the classic red heart. www.sewsophiecrafts.co.uk HOW Keep your money safely and stylishly! Whether you give as a Valentine’s gift or treat yourself, this pretty little purse can be stitched in just an hour or two. www.notonthehighstreet.com/chasingthreads…

Buy 30 skeins of DMC stranded cotton for just 69p per skein… DMC STRANDED COTTON DEAL DMC Stranded Cotton is the world’s favourite embroidery thread, selling one million skeins around the world every day, so that is why we are exciting to bring you this great deal! Each strand of stranded cotton is made from the finest long staple cotton and mercerised twice to give it exceptional sheen. The six divisible strands allows you to vary the weight of your stitches adding depth to projects, and the highly resistant, colourfast dyes means your embroidery will become a precious heirloom, as it won’t fade as a result of washing or exposure to light. So here is the 30 skein deal! If you put 30 skeins of DMC stranded cotton in your…

Designed by: Maria Diaz Stitch count: 38 high x 81 wide Design size: 7x15.5cm(2¾x6¼in); Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Mix and match the motifs on this case to stitch a good luck in your exams’ card instead Materials DMC Iridescent Blue 14 count aida; 13x20cm (5x8in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Zip, open ended; 16.5 cm (61⁄2in) Cotton backing fabric; 13x 20cm (5x8in) Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… pencil case Step 1 NOTE that the front of the pencil case is made from your aida fabric, and the back from cotton fabric. Once the stitching is complete, fold the top edge of the stitching over onto the wrong side of your work, leaving six blank…

Designed by: Fiona Crouch Max. stitch count: 35 high x 30 wide Max. design size: 6x6.5cm(2¼x2½in) Stitch time: 3 hours (each) These designs were stitched on 28 count eavenweave over two threads of fabric If stitching for a baby, make sure you hang this away from their cot and out of their reach Make a… weather mobile Step 1 STITCH your motifs using two strands for the cross stitch, and one for the backstitch and French knots. Cut out each motif, leaving 4cm (1½in) of unstitched fabric around the outside. Step 2 CUT a shape from cardboard for each motif that is larger than the stitching. Wrap the stitching around the cardboard, lacing it across the back. Cut a felt shape to cover the back, and then stitch it to…

Coffee and cross stitch are a winning combination, as cafe owner Joanna Guldin-Noll knows only too well – as together with her husband, she runs crafting nights for all… Military wife Joanna lives in Central Pennsylvania, and she discovered cross stitching when her husband was away on active service. “I’ve been doing some form of stitching since I was a child,” she explains, “but I really picked up cross stitching in my mid-twenties when my then-fiancé, now-husband, deployed to Afghanistan with the US Navy for a year. While John was gone, I stitched up a storm of projects for friends and family and myself. I was hooked (or stabbed, I guess), and I’ve been stitching regularly for nearly a decade now!” CAFFEINE & CRAFTING Joanna’s hometown is pretty rural so…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch The Perfect Party Dress, 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 Snow Glitter Skeins of DMC stranded cotton Skein of DMC toile 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 £22.50, plus P&P. The ends of Étoile threads have a tendency to fray, so you’ll find a needle threader a handy tool to have for this project Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Stitch count: 90 high x 120 wide Design size:…

The Grimms’ Fairy Tales Stitch-A-Long design is now complete! Over the past year designer Amanda Butler has created a stunning sampler containing 12 much-loved Grimms’ Fairy Tales characters. If you enjoyed stitching it then turn over the page and you will find a companion keepsake pocket to match the sampler. A great gift for a young person to keep treasures, earrings or small mementos. NEXT MONTH Travel around the world in 365 days with our new Dream Destinations SAL!…