Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2017 i CrossStitcher

Stitch count: 43 high x 28 wide Design size: 8x5cm (3¹/ x 2in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count pastic canvas. Make a… keyring Step 1 STITCH your design onto plastic canvas, taking care to finish your thread ends by running them through the back of your stitching. Trim the finished design, leaving one square all round the plastic canvas. Step 2 CLIP a split ring through a plastic canvas hole at the top of the trimmed shape. Thread satin ribbon through the clip, and then tie in a bow. Finish with a few stitches to hold it in place. If you would prefer the back of your stitching not to show, cover the reverse side with felt. Materials White14countplasticcanvas; 11.5x7.5cm (4½x3in) Stranded…

Michaela created our home motifs on page 76 , “I like to make full use of digital art and photos whenever possible. For these motifs, I just looked around my home – laptop, desk, dresser – it was all there to be used. From there the process is simple. Work out the size of the focal point, and its light source. Flesh out the rest of the components, then add detail with backstitch and symbols." www . etsy.com/uk/shop/Chartsandstuff ; www.facebook.com/ Cross-Stitching-Guild-505181406163813…

MAKE 1-HOUR GIFTS VARIOUS [C&T Publishing] The perfect stash-busting book, with heaps of ideas for using up your scraps. There are 16 quick and easy projects from some of your favourite designers: Abbey Lane Quilts, Alexia Marcelle Abegg, Bari J. Ackerman, Sue Kim, Virginia Lindsay, Trish Preston, Sweetwater, Sara Trail, Kasja Wikman and Annabel Wrigley. All the projects can be completed in 60 minutes, with some taking just 30 minutes each! STITCH, FABRIC, THREAD ELIZABETH HEALEY [Search Press] Create your own unique textiles with over 40 practical exercises from around the world – from corded works of art inspired by Milton Glaser's Bob Dylan album cover to bold embroidered African masks. Plus, there are stitch galleries and 'behind the stitches' features giving insights into sewing movements such as Boro textiles,…

Stitch count: 53 high x 51 wide each Design size: 9.5x9cm (3¾x3½in) each Stitch time: 8 hours each These designs were stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Change details such as the hair colour and style to match the couple you’re stitching for! Materials For each hoop Zweigart Cream 28 count Quaker Bantry, ref: 3993/222; 17.5x17.5cm (7x7in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop; 10cm (4in) diameter For stockist details see page 89…

The weather symbols should be stitched onto separate fabric pieces – see page 48 for how to make the padded moveable symbols Stitch count: 123 high x 194 wide Design size: 23x35.5cm (9x14in) Stitch time: 15 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida. Materials For each weather symbol Zweigart Red 14 count aida, ref: 3706/954; 10x10cm (4x4in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wadding; 30x40.5cm (12x16in) Felt; 10x10cm (4x4in) Velcro; 2x2cm xin)   For stockist details see page 89 Make a… weather board Step 1 LAY the wadding on top of the art or stiff cardboard, and then over this place your stitching, wrapping the excess fabric around and onto the back of the board. The fabric needs to be…

Your mum can keep your stitching as a hanging keepsake by detaching the ribbon from the inside of the card Max. stitch count: 38 high x 48 wide Max. design size: 6x8.5cm (2¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 3 hours each These designs were stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials For each card ZweigartWhite14countaida ref: 3706/100; 13x13cm (5x5in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Ribbon; 1cm wide x 20cm (8in) Felt backing; 9x9cm (3½x3½in) Cookie cutter; star or heart Cream card blank; 14.5x10.5cm (5¾x4¼in) approximately Cardboard to back cookie cutter For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cookie cutter card Step 1 WORK all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton, and the backstitch and French knots in one strand. Step…

THE CHALLENGE THE RULES Welcome to our March stitching challenge. This time we’ve gone for a project with a needlecraft theme. We asked our designers to come up with a purse that a stitcher might keep in her bag. Their thread choices were limited, but they were allowed one mystery ingredient each and each of them had to include a mini cotton reel or three in their design! Read the challenge rules on the left to see exactly what they were given. We hope you’ll be inspired to join in too – turn the page to see what our challenge will be for May – we’ve listed everything you need to take part. DIANE MACHIN… SEWING FOREVER “I think every dedicated…

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…

BUTTERFLIES OUR BEAUTIFUL butterflies on our cover are sure to capture your heart, so we’ve found three more ways to make it flutter… WHO Lesley Teare, one of our favourite designers, is the creator of this sweet Butterflies In Bloom picture, available as a kit. www.dmccreative.co.uk WHAT EE Foundations’ Butterflight Taupe fabric’s subtle monochrome palette in medium-weight cotton makes it suitable for coordinating with a host of cross stitch projects. www.frumble.co.uk HOW Stitch yourself another gorgeous butterfly in a hoop using this beautiful PDF chart inspired by the Morpho butterfly. www.flossandmischief.com…

“The designs were stitched together to form three wall hangings to show our support to the Livelihoods project in Lebanon” Hello dear readers. Last year we ran the Stitch for Syria campaign in association with Concern Worldwide UK, in which people were invited to cross stitch their own version of a design I’d created based on a traditional Lebanese embroidery design. Thanks to the generosity of cross stitchers from around the world, Concern received over 900 individual pieces, bursting with colour and filled with love. It was a phenomenal response and a massive thanks to everyone who took part. The designs were stitched together to form three vibrant wall hangings to show our support to the Livelihoods project in Lebanon. Lebanon, bordered by Syria and Israel, is currently home to…

Short of time or space? Just stitch your favourite section of the picture and frame it individually  Stitch count: 171 high x 84 wide Design size: 30.5x14.5cm (12x5¾in) Stitch time: 43 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. Materials ZweigartLightBlue28count Brittney, ref: 3270/503; 46x33cm (18x13in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle Frame with a 35.5x20cm (14x8in) aperture Mount board to fit frame  For stockist details see page 89 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…

Stitch count: 35 high x 70 wide Design size: 6x12cm (2³/ ₈ x4¾in) Stitch time: 7 hours This design was stitched on a 14 count aida band. Materials Cake band Zweigart White aida band with pink edge, ref: 7195/14; 9.5cm (3¾in) wide x distance around cake Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Pink buttons x 3 For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cake band Step 1 CUT the aida band to fit around your cake, plus overlap. Work all the cross stitch in two strands of stranded cotton, and the backstitch in one strand. You can either stitch the three pigs in the centre, or repeat the design to cover the complete band. Step 2 SEW a pink button over each…

Add a small button to each end of your stitching stretch your design over mount board for a quick finish The train carriages can be stitched in colours to match a child’s bedroom Use a row of stitches to join’ the carriages together to create your train Welcome to this month’s alphabet – our animal train motifs are ideal to keep on file for all sorts of occasions. From quick cards featuring a birthday number, to home décor projects for a child’s bedroom using their name, our versatile letters and numbers are the perfect choice and they’re so quick and easy to stitch too. This is a set you’ll come back to time and time again – enjoy! Animal Train was stitched on Zweigart White 14 count…

For smaller projects, try taking sections of our designs and pick and mix to create new scenes Make a… needle case Step 1 COMPLETE the stitching then fray the edges of the evenweave, carefully removing one thread at a time. Step 2 PLACE the red felt on top of the white. Fold in half widthways, and then stitch down the fold which will be the spine of the needle case. Step 3 PIN the stitching on the front of the needle case, making sure you attach it to just one layer of felt. Using a sewing machine, stitch around the edge of the fabric, just inside the frayed edge. Step 4 TIE the cord or string around the spine of the needle case, adding a few stitches to hold…

BRIGHTONBABE Add a pop of colour to your projects with these adorable Russian Nesting Doll buttons, made from wood and available in packs of 20. STEFANIEXU Trim your designs with the choice of Russian doll ribbons available from this shop – simply pick your favourite and order a yard or more. WRENANDIVY These Jennie Maizels Russian Doll Iron-On Patches are oh-so-cute and perfect for jazzing up a plain stitched bag or piece of clothing.…

Layering, using different elements to create layers in your work, is simple and fun! We’ve started with perforated paper layers to create our mini boat scene, where the paper has been cut to create the crest of the waves. Next, keeping on the sea theme, we’ve created our own boat in an acetate bottle. And who could resist our cute caravan? Its flowery fabric roof, ric-rac awnings and button tyre are a lot of fun and the ribbon and cross stitch layers add the finishing touch! We know you’ll have fun making these – enjoy! Perforated paper produces a larger stitched area compared to the 28 count linen. Keep checking your stitching to match up the finished size. HOW TO… CREATE PERFORATED PAPER LAYERS Stitch, then layer up, our rolling…

Tessa Perlow’s awesome embroidery skills turn the plainest charity shop finds into must-have fashion. A real stitch artist, her dream is to put on a show in a gallery – we think it’s only a matter of time! We asked the New Jersey-based stitcher what excites her about needle and thread. Have you always been creative? I’ve always loved drawing, making things and being imaginative. My favourite thing to do growing up was drawing people out of magazines with my little sister at the kitchen table. When did you first get bitten by the fashion bug? As I grew up I really fell in love with fashion and asked my mum to teach me to sew. By the time I was in high school I had decided I wanted to…

Take extra care with the backstitching which adds the smaller details and brings your cars to life Stitch count: 172 high x 172 wide Design size: 31.5x31.5cm (12½2x12½in) Stitch time: 60 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials ZweigartWhite14countaida, ref: 3706/100; 43x43cm (17x17in) Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Backing fabric; 43x43cm (17x17in) Cushion pad; 40.5x40.5cm 16x16in For stockist details see page 89 Make a… cushion Step 1 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 at the bottom for turning. Step 2 TURN to the right side. Insert the cushion pad,…

I made the Cuddle Up pillow (issue 284) for myself; the Love Birds pillow (issue 262) is a wedding gift for my best friend. Ashley, San Diego, USA All ready for the husband! Thank you for a lovely design. I changed colours to match our clothes and changed his moustache to a beard. Sarah McKeown, S outh Yorkshire Here’s the Christmas jumpers on a washing line, taken from issue 299. I stitched them for myself last Christmas! Anna Berry, South Carolina, USA I changed the Santa mat (issue 312) so some of the wording (and font) is different to suit our family traditions. Ginny Pledger, Northamptonshire Here’s Top Trunks’ from issue 310, stitched for my friend Coran’s new baby, and made into a cushion by my good friend Lorraine. Sharon…

Mermaid Cove kit One lucky winner will receive this Mermaid Cove kit (ref: XE1) from Bothy Threads. Worked on hand-dyed aida, the design is stitched in whole stitches and backstitch, and is embellished with silver metallic thread, sequins, and shells. This charming silhouette of a mermaid, turtles, fish and a seahorse, sparkles when the light catches the metallic thread. The finished size on 14 count aida measures 26x36cm, and it is available from w w w. bothythreads.com (RRP £31.99.) Enter by post to the address below, labelling your entry ‘MERMAID COVE GIVEAWAY XST315’. A-Z of Wool Embroidery books The A-Z of Wool Embroidery (£12.99) is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in this particular niche of embroidery. Part of the bestselling A-Z series, this title explores the handiest stitches and…

Your projects For all the basic supplies you need to make the projects in this issue… WILLOW FABRICS  www.willowfabrics.com For Zweigart evenweave, aida, linen, Cashel, wooden embroidery hoops and all kinds of stitching fabrics COTTON PATCH  www.cottonpatch.co.uk 0121 702 2840 For stuffing, wadding, interfacing, Bondaweb, scissors and a range of haberdashery supplies FRED ALDOUS  www.fredaldous.co.uk 0161 236 4224 For general craf t and haberdasher y supplies as well as mount board for framing your work JOHN JAMES NEEDLES  www.jjneedles.com 0152 783 0941 For all kinds of needles and needle packs JOHN LEWIS  www.johnlewis.com 03456 049 049 For a wide range of stitching and sewing supplies, including cotton printed fabrics 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…