Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i CrossStitcher

You can download and print out your card blank and window frame from the CrossStitcher Digital Downloads Facebook page Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 33 high x 35 wide Design size: 6.5x6.5cm (2½x2½in) Stitch time: 6 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Make a… card Step 1 WORK the chart design in the centre of a 9x9cm (3½x3½in) piece of white 14 count aida. Step 2 DOWNLOAD and print out your window frame and card blank (see tip, left). Cut the two window panes from your window frame, then position your stitched aida behind the frame, so that the window frame bars are correctly placed, and the design goes under the frame on all sides. Cut off any excess aida so it doesn’t show outside…

ARTS & CRAFTS LOVED YOUR arts & crafts tiles in this issue? We’ve found some other arty items to help you stitch mini masterpieces… WHO Liberty’s sewing scissors are a sweet and practical addition to your sewing kit – featuring a pretty metal design, with a handy ribbon loop that slots them into a cotton case showcasing Strawberry Thief, a Liberty print drawn from their archive. www.libertylondon.com WHAT Use these Assorted Arts & Crafts Buttons in your projects. Made from ceramic, they feature Arts & Crafts patterns adapted from the V&A collections vam.ac.uk/shop HOW Back cushions and bookmarks in a luxury fabric! This William Morris Strawberry Thief in Cobalt Velvet draws inspiration from the classic Arts and Crafts movement textile designs from the 19th century. purefabrics.co.uk…

If you′d like a pack containing the Pewter Grey 14 count aida and the skeins to complete the sampler, turn to page 10, and order for £41, plus P&P Designed by: Amanda Butler Stitch count: 46 high x 46 wide Design size: 8.5x8.5cm (3¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. How to… join our Stitch-A-Long In the January issue we unveiled a new Mouse year monthly calender which runs from January 25 to December 25. Over the year we will be bringing you 12 seasonal designs that can be used for cards and keepsakes for birthdays or anniversary, one for each month of the year. They can be stitched as individual designs as we have done, or if you prefer stitch them all…

Stitch count: 57 high x 84 wide Design size: 10.5x16cm (4⅛x6¼in) Stitch time: 12 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. After stitching your picture, use a steam iron to remove any wrinkles, but avoid direct contact with the stitches to prevent damage Make a… dress card Step 1 MAKE the dress card, by stitching just the dress bodice and the belt, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch and French knots as indicated on the chart. Position the bodice towards the top of the fabric, checking the position using your card aperture as a guide. Step 2 TURN over 5mm on one long edge of your fabric strip onto the wrong side, then stitch the seams in…

Enjoy an artistic journey with this month’s more challenging project. This is the first part of a set of tiles inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, of which William Morris has remained the most famous member. Our unique tiles capture the beauty of nature, featuring intricate patterns of animals and leafy motifs. Bring them to life using shades of green thread to craft your very own nature-themed masterpiece! PART 1 YOUR COMPLETE TILE SAMPLER Over the next three issues we will be bringing you all 12 Arts & Crafts Tiles to stitch the complete sampler. In this issue, we have tiles 1 to 4, which should be stitched using the plan above for positioning. You will need to leave two blank aida squares between each tile on all sides,…

My chaffinch design is stitched on 14 count aida, and backed with a pretty cotton fabric SHOW OFF WHAT OR WHERE YOU STITCH… WE’D love to see what or where you stitch on your break. Send to crossstitcher@warnersgroup.co.uk with TEA BREAK as the subject. If you’re featured you’ll receive a mystery prize! ISSUE 416’S TEA BREAK WINNER “This is my at-work lunch break set up. The wee travel case was a cover kit from 2005 if memory serves. This thread sorter was part of a set with a ring, that I think was from about 2008.” Fiona Portree, by email…

Hullo! I was with a friend at the park the other day and we were watching her son interacting with other children. “Do you want to be my friend?” he asked, without hesitation. The other kid agreed, and off they went. “If only it were that easy as adults!” my friend sighed. It got me wondering why it wasn’t that easy. Making friends as an adult can feel overwhelming at times. When we’re younger, friendships often grow out of convenience. We sit next to someone in class or share a love for the same recess game, and voilà, a bond is formed. But as adults, finding people who click with our unique vibe can take a little more effort – and a lot more self-awareness. And, let’s face it, life…

Our tent has three sides, so choose which three designs you would like to see made up into a tent, and then stitch. Any of the four designs can be made up into a greetings card Designed by: Cheryl McKinnon Max. stitch count: 58 high x 44 wide (each side) Max. design size: 10.5x8cm (5¼x3¼in) Stitch time: 9 hours (each side) This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Zweigart Platinum 14 count aida, ref: 3706/770; 18x46cm (7x18in) for thetent; 12.5x12.5cm (5x5in) for the card• Stranded cotton as listed in the key• Size 24 tapestry needle• Greetings card with an 8cm (3⅛in) square aperture• Cardboard Materials available from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… circus tent Step 1 STITCH three of the circus designs for your tent, leaving enough blank…

Cross Stitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Mini Masterpieces, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Sampedro 14 count aida in White• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 10 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £37.60, plus P&P. Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 139 high x 140 wide Design size: 25.5x25.5cm (10x10in) Stitch time: 70 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Materials • Sampedro White 14 count aida; 50x50cm (19½x19½in)• Stranded cotton as listed in the…

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 this month’s alphabet – a veritable feast of kitchen-themed letters and numbers! Whether you are stitching for a keen cook or just want a quick card – we can help! Perfect for culinary-themed projects, these motifs are ideal for adding flavour to kitchen towels, aprons, or even larger wall hangings. Our Kitchen alphabet letters were mounted in a card, flexi hoop and a painted embroidery hoop. Each was stitched on White 14 count aida, and each letter is 30 high x 30 wide. The design size for each letter is approx. 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in), and it took our stitcher four hours to…

Designed by: Faye Walsh Stitch count: 48 high x 38 wide Design size: 9x7.5cm (3½x3in)Stitch time: 4 hours This design was stitched on 28 count evenweave over two threads of fabric. This design is perfect as a last-minute stitch, taking only four hours to complete! Make an… aperture card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, and one strand for the backstitch as indicated on the chart. 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…

Deby Young who lives in Torquay, Devon, has been stitching for decades and is still going strong… “I did embroidery at school and needlecraft but in 1986 I went into a Laura Ashley shop, in Brighton and saw a beautiful sampler. I made a start without reading the instructions and wondered why I had run out of green by the first corner! I had stitched all six strands! So I read the instructions, unpicked and started again. It took me three years on and off and I look at it now and there are loads of mistakes, but I am still proud of it. “I love the meditation and the relaxation of the craft. I put a talking book on and focus. I can’t watch the TV as I get…

ISSUE 420 APRIL 2025 On sale 18 February Inside this month ♥ Gorgeous Garden: stately home garden design ♥ Happy Hens: create a pair of chicken egg cosies ♥ Make A Splash: swimming pool tray ♥ Cosy Candy: sweets collection cushion YOUR FREE GIFT! Stitch a Lucky Lotus hanging decoration worked in gold and blue… MAGAZINE ORDERING SERVICE Did you know that most independent newsagents operate a ‘Shop Save’ service? They will order and reserve your own copy for you to collect and buy, and you are not obliged to purchase. So there’s no problem if you are away, don’t need that issue or simply buy it somewhere else. So don’t miss out – reserve your copy today – just ask instore at your local newsagent. Please reserve a copy of CrossStitcher…

Here are my top 5 essentials when cross stitching or creating designs for www.trouvaillestitchkits.co.uk A CLEAR PATTERN Nothing irks me more than a pattern being too small that you have to squint to see the symbol, or the additional stitches obscuring the cross stitch symbols. So, a double-sided pattern printed nice and big with the additional stitches printed on the reverse is perfect and makes stitching so much easier. Bonus points for a black and white pattern so I can colour in the bits I’ve stitched and not lose my place! A COMFY SPOT A comfy spot is a crafter’s heaven. Supportive, yet comfortable, seat, warm blanket, great lighting, a little table to put your cuppa… preferably with storage for your craft project. You’ll never want to move! NEEDLEMINDERS I hadn’t heard…

KAWAII NEEDLE FELTING HÉLÉNA ZAÏCHIK [David & Charles] This guide introduces beginners to needle felting with step-by-step instructions for creating 20 kawaii-style lucky charms inspired by various cultures, including the Swedish Dala Horse, Japanese Maneki-neko Cat and Irish Shamrock. The projects are easy to follow, so whether you’re a novice or an experienced crafter, this guide offers a fun way to express your creativity and make personalised gifts that could bring joy and luck! DIY EMBROIDERED SHOES MELISSA GALBRAITH [Fox Chapel] This is a guide for all skill levels for embroidering your footwear. The book covers tools, shoe preparation, and includes 13 patterns, along with downloadable designs for brands such as Converse and TOMS. Featuring motifs from intricate mountain ranges to delicate florals, this handy book makes it easy to create personalised,…

CrossStitcher PROJECT PACK If you would like to stitch Step Up Style, we have a materials pack with everything you need to get you stitching right away, and have it delivered to your door! Your materials pack contains: • Sampedro 14 count aida in White• Skeins of DMC stranded cotton• Two gold-plated tapestry needles; size 24 and size 26 How to order: Fill in the form on page 10 or go to www.willowfabrics.com to order your project pack at the CrossStitcher reader price of £24, plus P&P. Designed by: Emma Congdon Stitch count: 179 high x 108 wide Design size: 33x20cm (13x8in) Stitch time: 60 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. Pick out a favourite pair to stitch as a card for a fashionista friend’s birthday!…

THE ESSENTIAL KIT YOU’LL NEED TO START STITCHING FABRICS Aida is the ideal choice for cross stitch beginners – it is a block-weave fabric, which is divided into squares with a grid of holes. Each cross stitch is worked over one square. Aida comes in a range of sizes which are called counts. So 14 count means that there are 14 squares to the inch and this will make 14 cross stitches. Aida also comes in 16, 18 and 20 count. The larger the number, the more stitches to the inch and so the smaller the design will stitch up. Evenweave is a woven grid of threads in a finer count. Each stitch is usually worked over two threads, so a 28 count evenweave with each stitch worked over two…