Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i The World of Cross Stitching

Here’s a big hello to our June issue, already! It feels like I was sending my Easter cards just no time ago, and I’m already getting set for summer birthday stitches. Thankfully, there are heaps of new patterns to sink our stitchy teeth into! Whatever you fancy this month, we’ve ideas to spark your creativity (and helpfully, save you time and £££s into the bargain…!) Like the bumper collection of ABCs to enjoy using the free stranded cottons this issue. I know 20m of Madeira threads will be handy for LOTS of those fast-fix projects in our chartbook, starring 92 inspiring designs. Choose monograms, or chart names and greetings – all perfect for customising. And free? What’s not to like? Don’t say we don’t spoil you too, as our pals…

A ‘novel’ design SENSIBLE SAMPLERS If you’re a literature fan, get stuck in with this beautiful 'Jane Austen Sampler' (RR330) from Riverdrift House*. Created to commemorate the life and work of novelist Jane Austen, the design includes Jane’s house at Steventon, Hampshire, the Bath Assembly Rooms and Winchester Cathedral – where she currently rests. In addition to a pair of lovers from one of her cherished novels, you’ll find a number of motifs in the needlework style of the time. This new kit comes with 14-count Zweigart white aida, Anchor threads, a gold-plated needle, a chart and instructions and has a finished size of 43x35cm (16x13in) – perfect to decorate your home, or place in a frame on your bookshelf next to your Jane Austen novels. FLOWER GIRL This sweet…

KNOW-HOW On the right track Q I need your help! I am stitching a design and it talks about making sure to do ‘railroading’ while I am stitching. I just don’t know what this is, and it is not mentioned in my needlework reference book. I’m not sure if I’m doing it properly. Rosy Bloomfeld, Hunstanton A Ruth says: Don’t worry, Rosy. It won’t affect your stitching a great deal, so any parts of the project you’ve already worked won’t have to be re-done. Railroading is not an essential technique, but is one for stitching perfectionists! You’d use the method to minimise any twisting in the threads which occurs as you stitch. It allows each ‘arm’ of the cross stitch to lie perfectly flat with the two strands positioned completely…

CHARITY OF THE MONTH CROSS STITCHING FOR CHARITY World Music Day is 21 June and there will be musical celebrations around the globe. Why not get involved by stitching for The Music Therapy Charity, a registered UK charity? Music therapy is effective in reducing anxiety and promoting development of social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Sell your stitchy wares and donate the proceeds. All funding is used for research and therapist training. MORE: To get involved, visit www.musictherapy.org.uk and for design ideas, why not take a look at your free chartbook – there’s a musical ABC waiting just for you! WHERE AM I? This photo was taken on holiday in a little historical town in northern Italy. This place is famous for lemons, used for Limoncello, and Bardolino wine is from…

Evoking scenes of centuries-old homes, complete with thatched roofs and roses round the door, Lesley’s teapot design is a delight. Full of nostalgic charm, this pretty project will appeal to more than just those of us who love a good brew! Whether you hang it in your countrychic kitchen, stitch it for a lover of spring florals, or give it as the most welcoming housewarming gift, this versatile scene is sure to please. From the red brick chimney to the geese in the front garden, there are so many lovely little touches in the design to keep you enchanted from the first stitch to the last. Have you noticed the wishing well, or the adorable cat basking in the sun? What about the milk bottles near the door? And, as…

Who can resist a cute little kitten? Not us! We especially enjoy watching them get into mischief and tumble around – a little unsteady as they take on the world. Pouncing, running in circles, and getting into trouble is certainly what little kitties are good at. From unraveling a ball of yarn to chasing a butterfly and even wearing a cute little party hat, these darling designs are doing just that – making mischief! And, what better way to send birthday wishes? Using whole stitches and a bit of backstitch, these cards will be quick-to-finish and perfect for beginner cross stitchers. Once you’ve made a few birthday cards for your stash, why not make some extra ones with your own personalised greetings? Try one of our backstitch alphabets from your…

Ready, set, shop! Getting started Where to buy your start-up kit – turn to page 88 to see exactly what you’ll need ANCHOR www.makeitcoats.com ☎ 01484 681881 For kits, fabrics & threads CRAFT CREATIONS www.craftcreations.com ☎ 01992 781900 For blank & aperture cards DMC CREATIVE WORLD www.dmccreative.co.uk ☎ 0116 275 4000 For kits, fabrics, threads and more JOHN JAMES NEEDLES www.jjneedles.com ☎ 01527 830941 For needles & sewing essentials MADEIRA www.madeira.co.uk For fabrics, threads & accessories, buy in the UK from Barnyarns www.barnyarns.co.uk ☎ 01765 690069 THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING SUBSCRIPTIONS www.buysubscriptions.com/world ☎ 0844 815 0049 ZWEIGART www.zweigart.de For fabrics, buy in the UK from Sew and So www.sewandso.co.uk ☎ 01453 889988 Your projects Find all the charts, kits, threads & accessories featured in this issue 5 PRICKED FINGER…

Be on the panel! Get a sneak preview Appear in the magazine Receive a stitchy gift Corinne Connon is a bookkeeper and a student from Leeds How’d you get into stitching? When I was about seven or eight my parents bought me a stitch-bynumbers kit for Christmas. After many projects and 25 years I’m still hooked! Tell us about your latest cross stitch project… I’m working on 'Flags of Fun!' bunting cushion featured in issue 239. I’m finding the stitching simple and fun as each letter takes a short amount of time. And I’ve just gotten a sewing machine, so wanted to use that too! What’s your fave stitchy style? Retro computer games, and as they are designed in squares, they’re quick and easy to stitch. Proudest stitching moment? Getting…

Star Letter FABULOUS FINISH When I saw 'A Hoot of Owls' advertised on the back of your mag, I just had to get it and start stitching straight away. There were blended, squashed and straddled stitches, which made the project interesting and enjoyable. As I made progress I picked out names for each owl. From the left, I called them Zeke, Barney, Tawny, Trudy, Ollie and Plop! I then added the butterfly ribbon, which incorporates all the colours. I thought it tied it all together nicely. I’m very pleased with the finished result! Ella Mitchell, Rotherham Rachel: What a fab finish, Ella! We recognise these cuties from Heritage Crafts*, and your accent ribbon coordinates perfectly! Win! The writer of our Star letter wins these two Bothy Threads* kits, worth £24.99 each.…

Q My husband is a keen metal detectorist and I wanted to stitch him a picture of a man metal detecting for him for his birthday, but I can’t seem to find any. Could you design one for me? Thanks. Lindsey Swift, via email A Jenny says: What a neat hobby, Lindsey. This was a fun design to create and I do hope your husband enjoys it. I made sure that this man had a big grin on his face as surely he’d be happy whilst revelling in his favourite hobby – maybe getting lucky too! 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.…

Looking for a chart of a smooth-haired black and tan dachshund. Can you help? Lisa Watkins-Price, via Facebook Jo says: This 'Double Trouble' kit (DLDT1086) from the ‘It’s a Dogs Life’ range by Heritage Crafts* means you get two dachshunds for the price of one, Lisa! Measuring 14.5x17cm (5_x6_in) when stitched on the supplied choice of 14-count aida or 28-count evenweave, the kit also includes DMC pre-sorted threads, all for £23.25. I want to back my stitched bookmark with felt. Is there a certain kind that would be best? Katrina Adams, via Facebook Jo says: Any kind of craft felt will be fine for your project, Katrina. You can get light- to mediumweight and it’s usually synthetic fibre-based, and available in craft shops. Thicker, heavierweight felt that’s made from wool can be…

Collect the little ones and enter a world of fairytales… Jump over Jack’s candlestick, take a magic carpet ride, climb the giant beanstalk and encounter a glass slipper all in one amazing journey to grandma’s house! But watch out for the poisoned apple and the sly fox or you’ll get stuck on your quest. Enchanted spells and magic wishing wells are sure to bewitch the little ones as part of this fab project. Stitched on 25-count light green evenweave with an estimated stitching time of 140 hours, this design is not for the faint-of-heart, but you’ll most certainly be proud of the finished product! Work your way through the game board using whole stitches, fractionals and French knots with plenty of backstitch for the outlines, details and instructions. When your…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST We just love this post by Marianna Hawkins. She said, “Made this cute little card for a friend’s baby’s first birthday. Loved this adorable pattern!” What’s not to love about this little hedgie card? YOU LIKED Sandra Ford was a recent #projectoftheweek pick with this stunning Work-In-Progress. She said, “Lots of progress this week on 'Home from Home' by designer Lesley Teare.” Looks idyllic! And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: How many hours do you stitch in a day? For most of us, stitching is our way of relaxing, so we’re sure everyone makes time in their week for their WIPs. We aren’t surprised that most of you stitch…

‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’, so the saying goes, and this is just as true for cross stitch as it is for life. Just as every project, be it big or small, has to start with that first single stitch, so every journey we take has to begin with the smallest of steps. And, by reminding us of this fact, Emma’s amazing inspirational piece is just as useful as it is beautiful! Using whole stitches, fractionals and backstitch, this project is a real treat. Formed in a range of different typography styles using bold, bright colours, and clever travel-themed motifs, this quote is sure to resonate with many of us for different reasons. Maybe you’ve got a son or daughter getting ready to leave for college, know a friend…

One of the most welcome signs of spring’s arrival has to be the delicate chirps and calls of the birds, returning to our gardens after the long winter months. Be it the wonder and majesty of a dawn chorus, or just their general call as they go about their daily foraging, these sweet sounds are definitely a joy to behold. So, we were thrilled when Durene put together this impressive lineup of sweet singers, and can only imagine what catchy tunes they’re chirping away together. Worked on a pretty pale blue 14-count aida to give the feel of a clear blue sky in the background, you’ll use simple whole cross stitches with a minimal amount of backstitch to bring these feathered friends to life in a pretty sing-song scene. And,…

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 ready 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 BIG congratulations! Q I need a chart for a girl graduating from university with her degree but cannot find any in my…

Pip J Slack: My top tip for designing is to choose a design that you love, so you are passionate about it and keep going with it. Melanie de Boeck: Make sure that you have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve. I sketch an outline and colour it in, then transfer my design onto graph paper to form the chart, ready to stitch! Cindy Hill: Use a good cross stitch software for charting your designs. Sally McGaffin: I recommend using graph paper to start with for simple designs. As you progress onto larger and more detailed charts, invest in some design software – it’ll save you hours with coloured pencils! Patricia Ivens-Bentley: Take your time. Rushing never works out well! Nikki Sayer: Just plunge in and…

Teatime ideas FUN EMBELLISHMENTS TEACUP ROSES Scented roses, a yummy cupcake and a nice cuppa make a full set of ingredients for an afternoon tea party and are all the elements of this delicious picture by Design Works, available to buy from Past Impressions*. Intermediate stitchers will enjoy tucking into the embellishments, including seed beads and using the metallic threads that dress up this lovely floral kit (2851). Stitch count – 132 high x 104 wide, finished size 23.5x18.5cm (9½x7½in) on 14-count white aida HOURS OF STITCHY PLEASURE TEA DICTIONARY If tea dictates your life, you need this delightful sampler kit (XD01) from Bothy Threads*. With a witty play on words, the design shows nine teapots with a soft background worked in one strand. The teapots all have an illustrative quality…

Never far from your needle and thread? Fancy yourself as a dab hand with the sewing machine? Or maybe you’ve got a fabric stash that’s threatening to take over your home? If so, this sampler definitely needs to go straight to the top of your must-stitch list! Celebrating all things stitchy, this delightful patchworkinspired project is packed with charm. From the sweet little dress to the cute tomato pincushion, each mini motif is full of detail. And, as this project uses a variety of techniques, it’s perfect for stitchers with a bit more experience. You’ll easily finish each individual design over a couple of evenings, meaning this piece will come together more quickly than you think. We’ve made up our hanging using a zingy fabric to complement the pretty coral,…

Design my pet! Q Hello, I am a young cross stitcher and I just adore my four pet ferrets. They’re so energetic and funny. If you could, would you make a ferret design so I can stitch them please? I’d love to have a go! Thanks so much. Kira, via email A Durene says: Thanks for writing in, Kira. It’s great to have a unique pet design request. I must admit, I don’t think I’ve ever created a ferret chart before! These certainly are cute little creatures – the more I researched them the more they grew on me. I used a variety of stitches with four shades of brown to capture the ferret’s distinct markings. The majority of the design is in whole stitches with a few fractionals for…

The World of Cross Stitching reader and long-time subscriber, Fiona Leahy, is an avid stitcher and recently finished a family tree for her granny Philomena’s 90th birthday! Fiona got the idea to stitch a family tree when she was looking through old photos to make special present for the birthday celebration. She then thought that a family tree cross stitch design would be perfect. Not only was it something unique, but it would make a fantastic family keepsake for years to come. So, she started out looking for family tree designs and decided on a beautiful Dimensions design her aunt had used for another family member a few years previous. Fiona bought thread and aida and went to work. The kit, now discontinued, is 'Grandchildren Tree' (3153) designed by David…

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…

Don’t we all wish we had more time to get everything done? It’s why I love those time-saver tips that might save me a few minutes or a bit of effort. Stitching shortcuts are right up there in making life run more smoothly, as are neat storage tips – check out that Pinterest idea I’ve highlighted for storing fabrics on trouser hangers! Mind. Blown. Do you have any stitching tricks up your sleeve? One of my faves is the loop start… When starting off a new twostrands length it guarantees no fuss, neatly and speedily. I’ve pinned our diagram (www.pinterest.com/worldofxs) as a fast way to share this tip, too. Find our full guide on page 97 too if you’re not familiar with it. What about the ‘elbow’ measuring trick? Did…