Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i The World of Cross Stitching

Now that 2016’s well underway (flying by!), how are your projects coming on? What about those goals to try new techniques, give different finishing ideas a go, or make more stitched gifts? (I bet it’s not just me who’s running out of wall space and wants to ‘stretch’ their stitching further by giving it as pressies?!) I guarantee we can offer heaps of inspiration for you again this month! For starters, Margaret Sherry’s cuties don’t ever disappoint, so her sweet fox and hedgie pals will be fab to stitch for a loved one! See page 10… And I’m sure you’ll have seen the hot new trend for adult colouring – I’m thrilled to bring you this idea in stitches! Colour therapy in stranded cottons? I’m hooked! Head to page 40…

Time for tea! PICK OF THE MONTH NEW DMC DESIGNS We’re a nation of tea lovers, so it’s no surprise that teatime designs continue to be popular with us stitchers! This new collection from DMC* is designed by Jane Prutton, and features an array of pretty china, scrummy cakes and fresh flowers, in four designs too delightful to resist. Choose from 'Afternoon Tea Party' (BK1653), 'Cupcake O’clock' (BK1654) and 'Tea Garden' (BK1655), which has the addition of some cute feathered friends, plus 'I Love Tea and Cake' (BK1652) (not shown). We love the soft, muted shades, perfectly complementing the cosy cottage feel – they’ll make gorgeous gifts for home bakers or anyone with a sweet tooth! SPRING HAS SPRUNG As the days get longer and the buds begin to bloom,…

No. 1 pet Fun facts about Burmese cats • These cats Burma, Thailand and Malaya. • Most Burmese cats are descendant from one female cat called Wong Mau who was brought to America in 1930. • These cats are very muscular and therefore very heavy cats for their size. • Burmese cats are considered to be ‘dog-like’ as they form strong bonds with their owners and can retrieve. • Princess Michael of Kent is very fond of her Burmese cat, Ruby. • Burmese cats are known for their bright green eyes and shiny brown fur. Design my pet! Q I love the Pet of the Month feature! I have a sable Burmese cat, and would LOVE to have a chart of him. I’m just adding in my request to the…

Q A few years ago I did a cross stitch of a teddy bear for a fun little Valentine’s Day present. It wasn’t too big and the bear had a bow tie, and a red heart for it’s chest pattern. I’d like to stitch something like it again! Jen Carlisle, via Facebook A Jenny says: Is this what you had in mind, Jen? He’ll be a great stitch for cards or gifts and was fun to make! You can even customise this little bear by changing the colour of his tie and heart! Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright reasons she is unable to chart logos, or characters from films and TV. STITCH COUNT 30 high x 28 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI…

Q I’m looking for cushion pads that are 20x20cm (8x8in) in size. The company I used to use seem to have gone out of business. Thanks. Joanne Hayward, via Facebook Jo says: It seems cushion pads in this size are a bit of a rarity, Joanne. You may find some available on eBay, and from thirdparty sellers on Amazon. These are often cheaper in multiples, so you could stock up when you do find the right size. I, however, did find multiple retailers offering cushion pads in the 18x18cm (7x7in) size, such as Ideal Textiles*. Q I’d love some advice on how to frame a cross stitch piece on canvas. Thanks! Alison Barratt, via Facebook Ruth says: No problem Alison – we enjoy finishing our projects as canvases sometimes, and…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST Lynda Mcconnell’s big project – the Art Deco cottage from issue 229: “I finished! I finally finished my 2nd big project! Can’t believe it... Thank you for this fab design – would definitely recommend, such gorgeous colours!” 16 people like this YOU LIKED Patricia Sprentall Haggett was awarded our Project of the Week with this stunning scene, working ahead for next year! She said, “Just finished and framed this Mill Hill Queen Anne House cross stitch and beading kit. Fun to do!” 1,494 people like this And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: Where is your favourite place to stitch? For many of us, stitching is our way of unwinding,…

CHOOSE YOUR ESSENTIALS… Start with these must-have items 1. FABRICS Begin with either aida or evenweave. Aida is best for beginners, with regular woven blocks and obvious holes. It’s stiffer than evenweave, but will soften slightly as you work. 14-count aida is the most common. It’s harder to work fractional stitches on aida, as you’ll need to make an extra hole in the fabric, in the centre of the aida block. Evenweave is a lovely fabric to work on when you have a little more experience. The fibres aren’t woven in blocks as with aida, so it’s softer and the fine weave has more threads-per-inch – the most commonly used is 28-count. One stitch is usually worked over two threads of the fabric so it has an equivalent design size…

Be on the panel! x Get a sneak preview x Appear in the magazine x Receive a stitchy gift Spring Fricks is a homeschool teacher and vlogger from Georgia, USA How did you start stitching? I started cross stitching around age 10 when my stepmum taught me. I ran out of supplies that summer and didn’t pick it up again until I was pregnant with my first child in 2003! Favourite cross stitch project? It’s a Paula Vaughan design of a mother helping her daughter adjust her bridal attire. In the mirror, the mother sees her daughter as a little girl. I made it for my mother. Who are your cross stitching buddies? My husband. We stitch together after our children go to bed. It’s great fun and sometimes I…

Star Letter CHERISH EVERY MOMENT Your magazine has been such a godsend during the last year. The doctors said that I had to keep my leg up, preferably above my head, for weeks at a time. Normally fairly active, I found this anything but easy. I’m fully recovered now and what helped most was stitching – in fact once I relaxed – what an opportunity! Here are some of my finished projects. The clock, especially, was reminder to ‘cherish every moment’. Cassandra Nance-Kievill, Germany Prize worth £49+! Win! The writer of our Star letter wins these two Bothy Threads* kits, worth £24.99 each. 'LOVE' (XST3) & 'Shall we nest here?' (XSRT2) contain aida, pre-sorted threads, charts & needle. For stockists, see page 90 Winter robin Hi, my name is Ann…

Ruth Southorn Ruth, our Editor, has been a cross stitcher since she was tiny and is ready to share everything she knows Fiona Baker Fiona is our Technical Editor so she’s all primed to answer your problems on all things stitch and chart related Jenny Barton Design pro, Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Jo Stenlake All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Jo’s on hand to find shopping answers that you need Katriel Costello Stitching guru Katriel has worked in the industry for years, so has ample knowledge to answer any queries Laughter is the best medicine Q I need patterns with a sense of humour such as, 'Never Trust A Skinny Cook' and…

x Hannah Johnson: Don’t rush, or expect everything to look perfect first time. The best finishes come with time, so make sure that you take the time to enjoy learning the techniques and producing pieces you are happy with. x Jacki Lynn: It doesn’t have to be perfect. Have fun and be proud of the creation you have put out into the world. x Claire Louise Wilton: 1) Subscribe to The World of Cross Stitching, 2) Start with something small and easy and 3) If you have to do French knots, watch the video by The World of Cross Stitching. x Kelly Hermann: Use a 14-count fabric (not evenweave). Don’t use thread lengths longer than 18 inches or you’ll be dealing with a lot of knots, and separate both strands…

Friendship ideas CUTE FOR ALL OCCASIONS FUR-EVER FRIENDS T his comical duo are proclaiming their friendship and, as if to confirm it, they’ve stamped with their paw prints and underlined with a satinstitch saw tooth border. This downloadable treat from Creative Poppy* comes with both colour and black-and-white charts to aid your stitching. We recommend this project for intermediate stitchers, perfect for a gift for their own fur-ever friend. Stitch count – 67 high x 61 wide, finished size 10.5x9.5cm (4x3¾in) on 32-count evenweave GREAT VALUE GIRLFRIENDS Celebrate your friends with this row of fabulously dressed pals in this chart (MS83C) by Bobbie G Designs, from Stitcher*. These ladies are outlined in backstitch with vibrant shades used for their clothing, to stand out on black fabric. If you’re looking to try…

Prepare yourself for spring with these fabulous designs by Amanda Gregory x 41 quick-and-easy motifs x Amanda Gregory's design inspiration x Stitches for every skill level x Helpful tips and advice x Unique present ideas for your special someone 41 FLUTTERING FANCIES FLUTTERING BY Bring your room to life with these pretty butterflies (17). Place your finished motif in pride of place in a neutral frame with an aperture of 10x10cm (4x4in). BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY Use this stunning motif (4) – full of colour and ready for personalization (20,21). We patched ours onto a singlefold card in pale blue (26) from Craft Creations* (DEC7U). FLYING HIGH Turn this peacock butterfly (35) into a colourful plant poke by adding a piece of gingham backing paper from Craft Creations* and taping to…

The next time you get caught in a the rain and come home looking like something the cat dragged in, take a look at this design and everything will seem a bit brighter. Durene has put a unique spin on spring showers, using a cute quote and some even cuter critters to make a fun project – perfect for stitching indoors while the rain comes down outside! This motto has a more subtle meaning too, so you could also stitch the scene for a friend to offer support during a time of need. There are a number of fractionals to add detail to the cat’s features and to shape the lettering, but mainly you’ll use whole stitches and backstitch for this adorable piece, so it’s a great choice for beginners…

The magic of the new season is clear to see in this design, from the sunshine shades of freshly picked daffodils to the soft plumage and inquisitive pose of the little blue tit down below. Tied with gingham ribbon, this beautiful bouquet is just waiting for its lucky recipient, but who will it be? A friend, mum, daughter or husband – there are any number of people who would love to receive your stitched piece as a gift! We absolutely adore Claire Comerford’s paintings, which are like a breath of fresh air and translate so well into stitches. You’ll use a bright palette of yellows, greens and purples to work this piece, which sings against a background of crisp white aida, and don’t forget the delicate delft blues for the…

Afghan – a woollen blanket with areas inset for cross stitching, often used for baby designs Aida band – a narrow strip of aida, available in varying widths, and finished with a decorative edge Aperture – a hole through which a design is seen in cards & frames Backstitch – used to add detail & definition. See how to stitch it in our diagram above! Beading needle – a longer, finer needle than a tapestry needle, used for adding seed beads to a design Counted stitches – embroidery stitches worked on counted, or evenly woven, fabrics like aida & evenweave. Cross stitch is the most basic counted stitch Floss – USA term for stranded cotton Fractional stitches – made from either a quarter or three-quarters of a cross stitch, these…

So if I were to ask if any of you have stitched a baby sampler, I bet I’d get a lot of you replying ‘yes’! And maybe even more still, if I extended that question to making new baby cards and gifts?! It’s a stitching subject very close to my heart lately, since I’m lucky enough to have a new baby nephew joining my family. In fact, his birth caught me a bit by surprise – in cross stitching terms, anyway! I’d had plenty of notice that he was due, but he arrived a few weeks early, so the baby sampler that I’d been making was a good bit away from being finished… Cue: some very speedy stitching from me to make sure I could get it done and framed,…

How did you get into cross stitching? My mum taught me to cross stitch when I was quite young. I dove straight into complicated designs with fractional stitches and French knots. My mum still has one of my first projects on her wall. What do you enjoy most about cross stitching? I’ve always loved the process of it. As a child – it was akin to colouringin, with all the beautiful coloured threads. When I got older I recognised the ‘therapy’ behind it. The peaceful element combined with creativity is a very addictive combination. Tell us about your design background… I don’t have any formal art or design qualifications, but I do have a love of colour, a curious nature and a healthy dollop of determination. When I started, I…

SHELLEY GLOVER, CRAFT CREATIONS Crafty cards Q Quite often the actual card blanks you use in making your cards are from Craft Creations (which is also where I get mine from.) My question is where I can buy inserts for the cards? I’ve seen companies selling beautiful inserts but they’re A5 size, so any borders on their inserts would have to be removed, spoiling the pattern. I make some of my own inserts but as I do quite a lot, I’d really like to purchase them to save me some time. Lorraine Frame, via email A Shelley says: You mentioned that you purchase card blanks from Craft Creations*? Well, we have inserts for your our cards too! With loads of designs in sizes to suit, I’m sure you’ll find what…

STITCHERS’ RETREAT Have you ever dreamed of going away for a weekend of stitching and stitchy talk? Well, now is your chance to take part in one of the first of its kind weekends! Craft Sanctuary is hosting a Cross Stitch and Embroidery course from the 18–20 April at Hawkwood College in Stroud. The stunning Grade II listed manor is the perfect location to relax, meet fellow stitchers and learn new skills and techniques. Join the panel of experts to learn about embroidery hoop jewellery, ribbon embroidery, and stitched baby gifts using Soluble Canvas. There will also be an evening presentation by Jamie Chalmers aka Mr X Stitch! Accommodation and meals are included in the costs starting at £399. MORE Call Emma Hall at Sew and So* on 01453 889988…

NIA CROSS STITCH Nia Cross Stitch designs contemporary charts and kits featuring its signature quirky bespoke lettering. Available in English and Welsh versions. Specialises in personalised bespoke name samplers, ideal for children, babies and weddings. Hand assembled in Wales . www.nia-crossstitch.com 01792 897695 // info@nia-crossstitch.com STITCHROVIA Stitchrovia is the home of retro and quirky contemporary cross stitch, designed by Emma Congdon. Here you’ll find a variety of bold and colourful graphic and typographic charts suitable for all levels of stitcher, available as both PDF charts and kits. www.stitchrovia.co.uk info@stitchrovia.co.uk GECKOROUGE The saying goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, which most definitely applies to Eye Candy by Carissa Rose. Come and see this striking design at GeckoRouge, where you’ll find an eclectic range of modern art cross stitch…

ISSUE 241 ON SALE !$ MARCH Contents subject to change. Gift(s) only with print edition, and overseas gift(s) may vary You’ll love stitching Bebunni He’s back! In this stunning springtime project, our fave bunny pal is a super stitch EXCLUSIVE PLUS MUCH MORE x Stitch a stylish forest of tree cards – ideal for your stash x Ask the Experts: our panel solves your stitchy problems x Perfect present… Make a fun fishing game the kids’ll love! x UNVEILED! The British Craft Awards 2016 lucky winners x Your stories, inspiration and letters… plus much more BUMPER GIFT! SPRING KIT PLUS CHARTBOOK Wow-factor card ideas for all ages and all occasions Your big-value pack includes: • Stranded cottons • 14-count aida • Tapestry needle • Gold sequins • On-trend ribbon •…