Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2017 i The World of Cross Stitching

Here at WOXS HQ, we’ve been getting into the fresh vibe of the great outdoors – it’s been just about warm enough to get outside for (short!) stitchy sessions. At the time I’m writing this, we’ve still to look forward to the Easter Bank Holiday weekend – fab for extra time to add to our WIPs… Celebrating florals, butterflies, spring fêtes and getting set for Father’s Day (p47) are all on our stitching agendas this month! To start with, what about our adorable cover star, Cookie Bear? See page 10 to create this sweet pal – I think he’ll make a super gift for someone special. For another cute project, I adore the maypole dancing animals by Margaret Sherry (p56). They’ll bring a big dose of fun to your needle…

Whatever the occasion, we think a beautiful posy always makes for a fitting gift. Brightly coloured and freshly cut flowers are guaranteed to warm hearts, especially when they’re presented by such an endearing character as shy little Cookie Bear! This adorable little chap never fails to add the cute factor to any design. You could stitch him to cheer up a friend, celebrate a birthday, mark an anniversary, say a special thank you and much more… the list is endless! Using whole cross stitches, fractionals and backstitch, it won’t take you too long to bring this simple but charming piece to life. Organise your threads onto a sorter before you begin, as this will help you avoid mixing up the similar thread shades. Our favourite part has got to be…

PICK OF THE MONTH Mad for mono STITCHED SCENERY We love the sweet simplicity of these outdoorsy scenes by Permin*! ‘Seagull’ (13-5433), ‘Sheep’ (13- 5434) and ‘Bicycle and Cat’ (13- 5435) are all stitched in different shades of green, creating lovely tonal effects that will be a real treat to recreate in stitches. Why not stitch all three of these lovely landscapes to display as a set on your wall? Or, if you can bear to part with them, they’d also make super gifts for a loved one! The designs all come as kits, complete with 16-count white aida, DMC stranded cottons, needle, chart and instructions. Each design measures 12x12cm (4_x4_in) and costs £11. £9.95 FEELING FLOWERY Featuring beautiful photography and colour charts, Durene Jones’ new book is a delight…

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 Katie Lewis All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Katie’s here 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 Perfect beads Q I’m about to add beads to my stitching for the first time and am wondering whether to wash it before…

facebook Barb Mazzone: For small projects I go for cards or perhaps small decorative hoops and bookmarks – if it needs finishing, I usually hand-sew or use fusible bias tape, like the one by Stitch Witch. I frame larger projects – I’ve done some myself, taken others to the framing shop. And I have a few medium-size projects I plan to make into cushions! Katie Prieto: Cards are the main thing I tend to make. I’ve also backed a few designs with felt, so that they can be used as tree decorations. It’s important to choose a felt colour that complements the piece or is the same as one of the colours in the design. I think it’s nice to use a metallic thread to stitch the fabric together, too,…

How did you get into cross stitch design? After leaving school, I did a BTEC Vocational Diploma in Art and Design at Bolton Institute of Higher Education. After that, I did a Higher National Diploma in Design Crafts at Cumbria College of Art and Design. I started work with Coats (UK) Ltd in 1992, and in 2003 I was given the opportunity to create cross stitch designs. I worked on the ‘Anchor’ and ‘Maia’ brands, along with popular licence characters. I was really lucky to learn traditional design practices, as well as having privileged access to new technologies and computer processes! So how long have you been creating cross stitch patterns ‘under your own name’? After I left Coats in 2016, I became a freelance designer. I worked on developing…

48 MANLY IDEAS Enjoy these versatile masculine motifs by Rhona Norrie, for young and old alike! 48 quick-and-easy motifs Rhona Norrie’s design inspiration Stitches for every skill level Helpful tips and advice Unique present ideas for your special someone CUTE KEYRING Perfect for golf lovers (18)! Fray the edges of your aida and sew onto a tag cut from Holly Green (GN2) felt, by Blooming Felt*. Finish with a small hole for the keys. SAY IT IN STITCHES Melt your dad’s heart with this sweet saying (12)! Simply mount onto patterned backing paper then patch onto a card blank from Craft Creations* in white (SF11U, 30). SEND YOUR LOVE We’re sure dads will appreciate this funky design and stylised font (4)! Fray the edges and patch onto a card blank…

Fun facts about British Blues! • This breed is naturally placid, laid back and affectionate • With their sturdy build and large, round heads, these cats are sometimes referred to as the “bulldogs” of the cat world! • It’s thought this breed can be linked back to Britain’s ancient street cats, whose ancestors arrived with the Romans in the first century • They are very quiet cats and are known for hardly ever meowing! Design my pet! Q Hello Durene, here is a photo of my British Blue cat, Lilly. Could you please come up with a cross stitch design of her? Many thanks! Emil McGrath, via email A Durene says: Thanks for your request, Emil. I know the British Blue is the most familiar colour type of the British…

Loop start With both ends of a strand threaded, bring your needle up (1), leaving a loop at the back. Work the first arm of your stitch (2) & secure it by passing your needle through the loop. Backstitch Add detail and definition. Bring your needle up at (1) & down at (2), come up again at (3), then back down at (1) & so on, to direct each stitch ‘back’ towards the line of the growing backstitch. Cross stitch Bring your needle up at the bottom left corner (1) & down in the top right (2) for the first ‘arm’ of your stitch. Work the second arm, coming up in the bottom right (3) & going down in the top left (4). French knots Easy with practice – come…

Beon the panel! Get a sneak preview Receive a stitchy gift Louise Marsh is a retail assistant from Oxfordshire How would you describe yourself in three words? Productive, imaginative and artistic. Who do you stitch with? My mother – it’s how we bond! We’re constantly sharing ideas, tips and tricks with each other. Favourite recent design? I like any of Helz Cuppleditch’s patterns as they’re always so cute and irresistible! I especially loved her panda design in issue 253. If you could make one stitching wish, what would it be? To have every colour thread that Anchor and DMC make, and to have them all organised in order, ready to use. Then I could start on my new designs straight away! “Cross stitching takes time – it’s a labour of…

Star Letter CANINE STITCHING PAL Here is a picture I recently finished from issue 196 (Christmas 2014) of your sister mag, Cross Stitch Crazy. In the picture is my 16-year-old dog, Clayton, who I rehomed from the Dog’s Trust. He was a stray in the summer of 2015 and picked up by the RSPCA. He sits next to me on the sofa and after he’s had his strokes and cuddles, he allows me to do some cross stitching! I changed some of the colours in this project and I’m really proud of it. Hope you like it! Karen Merryfield, Essex Leela: I’m a massive fan of dogs, so your letter and photo really made me smile, Karen. Clayton looks so sweet, and it sounds like he’s the perfect stitching companion! I…

Create subtle sparkle Q I recently bought a cross stitching kit, and I noticed it uses blending filament in some of the stitches. How does this work? Do you add it to your needle at the same time as your coloured thread or do you stitch over the section with the filament on its own when done? Marianne Enjolras, via Facebook A Dena says: Blending filament is a very fine metallic thread that we make at Kreinik* and sell on spools. It’s designed to be used threaded in the needle at the same time as the length/s of stranded cotton. Your kit instructions should tell you how many strands of each to use. Here are some tips for using it… Cut both the blending filament and your stranded cotton lengths…

CHARITY OF THE MONTH MARIE CURIE TEA PARTY With summer on its way, Marie Curie has partnered with Mel Giedroyc (of Great British Bake Off fame!) to ask people to hold a ‘Blooming Great Tea Party’ to raise money for the charity, from 23-25 June 2017. It’d be the perfect chance to round up some stitchy pals – why not hold a sponsored stitch-a-thon over tea and cake, or sell cards and gifts for fund-raising? Every donation helps Marie Curie nurses care for people living with a terminal illness, across the UK. For ideas, check out our cards on page 70, plus search on www.cross-stitching.com for free daffodil charts. MORE To register or find inspiration for your tea party, call % 0800 716 146 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty WHERE AM I?…

Put an adorable twist on traditional May Day celebrations with Margaret’s high-spirited gang of loveable animals! From darling cats and dogs to little mice and a froggie friend, these excited pals can’t wait to grab a colourful ribbon and start their joyful jig! Whether you choose to hang it in a child’s bedroom or use it to add a sense of fun to a plain hallway, this picture-perfect scene is sure to bring cheer all year long. Plus, it’s just as enjoyable to stitch as it is to look at! Each dancer has their own individual personality, and you’ll use a variety of thread shades and techniques to recreate this piece. Work the project as a whole, completing all the cross stitches first, and then enjoy the sense of satisfaction…

This gorgeous set of cards will be a delight to stitch! With their soft pastel colours, intricate backstitched details and a range of sweet sentiments for all manner of occasions, they’d be a perfect addition to your stash of handmade cards – and you’ll be able to complete each design over a few evenings. Fractional stitches, shading and a scattering of French knots all add interest and variety to each pattern, so there’ll be plenty to keep you absorbed as you stitch. Once you’ve finished, simply fray the edges and patch onto a card in a complementary colour, like the perfectly matching ones we’ve used. And, for tips on adding the bow embellishments, see our handy ‘how to’ on page 74! For an extra-special touch, pop your fave design in…

There are few things we love more than stitching sweet woodland friends, and these designs, so lovingly created by Poppy, are no exception! It’ll be so fun to bring these little critters to life in stitches, each one perfectly framed by pretty, stylised floral wreaths. Worked on richly coloured navy fabric for added interest, each pattern uses whole cross stitches and backstitch only. They’ll be fast to finish, making them an ideal make for beginners or for more advanced stitchers looking to break up a bigger project. When stitching, just remember to place a white cloth across your lap behind the aida – it’s a handy trick for making the holes in the fabric much easier to see! These designs would add instant personality to your home – frame them…

ISSUE 256 ON SALE 23 MAY Fun in the sun with Tatty Teddy! You’ll adore this super-sweet project from DMC, to create our blue-nosed friend EXCLUSIVE PLUS MUCH MORE Summer! Relax with the final project in our sampler series Got stitchy problems? Our experts are here to help YOU! Soak up the sun with 40+ motifs in our Design Library Simple step-by-step tutorials to boost your confidence! Your stories, inspiration & letters… plus much more FREE! PRETTY CROSS STITCH CARD KIT Everything to make this card by April Rose Illustration… Your freebie kit includes: 14-count aida Stranded cottons Tapestry needle Colour chart & key Matching card & envelope YOUR NEW FREE GIFT! TO SUBSCRIBE 0844 826 7341 CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT ISSUE?…

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…

Ask any stitcher what makes them happy, and surely a common answer would be a bundle of brand new thread skeins! There’s something oh-so-exciting about adding new, vibrant colours to your stash and anticipating the many happy hours they will bring as you stitch – and Durene’s design captures this joyful, expectant feeling perfectly! It’ll be such a treat to recreate this on-trend, typographic pattern. With a few fractional stitches and some great shading, there’s lots to keep you and your needle occupied. And you’ll love how the rainbow colour palette pops so beautifully against the pastel aida. It’s the perfect project to indulge yourself in – between all the birthdays and anniversaries to stitch for, it can be hard to find the time to create something that’s just for…

Finding out a friend or family member is pregnant is so exciting. Just thinking about holding that little person for the first time, cuteness personified from their soft cheeks down to their tiny toes, is enough to make us smile – and then there’s the thought of all that stitching to get started on! Be it personalising clothes, toys or a blanket, Jane’s charming ABC is ideal for all your newborn baby needs. You could try using Soluble Canvas, like we did – great for adding stitching to fabric other than aida. Once you’ve finished stitching, the canvas dissolves away in warm water, to leave your motif behind. Using a range of stitches, there’s plenty of detail in each chart, but their small size means you can easily complete one…

Q Hi! I’m after a small-scale alphabet in both upper and lower case that can be stitched on the diagonal – can you please help, Jenny? Lindsey Groom, via Facebook A Jenny says: I hope this is what you’re after, Lindsey! You’ll create these simple sloping letters by stitching on the diagonal. I’m sure you’ll agree the finished result is effective, and I think this ABC would be perfect for personalising cards and other small projects. Enjoy! Sloping alphabet key STITCH COUNT 27 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5x5.5cm (2x2_in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton 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.…

With his distinctive, brightly coloured bill, the cheeky and characterful puffin is easily recognisable, especially when depicted in his natural habitat. Perched atop a grassy verge, puffy clouds overhead and sea stretching out behind him, we can’t tell whether this handsome chap is basking in the sun, or posing for his picture! The blue skies and pretty pink wildflowers instantly evoke that feeling of a warm summer’s day, and you can almost smell the salt on the air, thanks to Amanda’s level of realistic detail. Worked on 28-count evenweave, you’ll recreate this stunning piece using a fairly large colour palette and lots of clever shading to create a sense of depth. A variety of stitch types are used in this densely-worked design, so if you like a challenge, this project…

We’re sure you’ve all been eagerly awaiting the third part of Lucie’s stunning quilt, featuring gorgeous stitched butterflies flitting between our hand-picked selection of beautifully coordinating fabrics. A real show-stopper, this is certainly a project that you’ll love and treasure for many years to come! You’ll enjoy stitching the final four butterfly charts, all resplendent in a variety of hues – warm reds, bright yellows, cool blues and soft lilacs. They follow on from our charts in issue 253 (April 2017) and 254 (May 2017). Don’t worry if you’ve missed them as you can order back issues over on page 89, or even digital issues at the AppStore or for Android at the Google Play store. Once you’ve finished the stitching, all that’s left is create your quilt – it’s…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY 0844 826 7341 Issue 254 Our May issue was filled with inspiring stitching ideas, including a stunning exotic flamingo, a gorgeous floral heart and a cosy cats cushion. Plus, part 2 of our easy-make butterfly quilt, lovely lilacs, trucks and trains ABCs for boys, modern new baby cards, a country picnic scene and 40+ Assisi motifs! BONUS GIFTS: Fizzy Moon card kit & Elegant Lady chart Issue 253 Woodland pals 3-in-1 cards kit, cottage kitten, spring sampler, wedding ideas, Easter cards, teddies motifs, butterfly quilt (1) Issue 250 Margaret Sherry 2017 Stitcher’s Diary, Art Deco lady, carousel horse, floral decs, seasonal sampler, footy ABC, birthday motifs Issue 252 Flower Fairies kit, pansies display, kingfisher cushion, Cookie Bear cards, vintage seed packets, circus sampler, Africa motifs, daffodils…

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…

Rather than expand my stash too much, I’ve been getting in the spirit of using more of it. I impressed myself, as I managed to buy only four skeins and one piece of fabric this month! All ready for a new start. Well, the atmospheric-sounding Ameythst Clouds shade for this month’s ‘stitcher’s saying’ (p18) is so tempting. And since lucky Facebook fan Joanna Morton won our fun social media competition to actually name the fabric, I just couldn’t resist her choice! I always love seeing fancy names on lipsticks and nail polishes – I guess fabric naming is definitely the next best thing. Anyway… using up threads has been high on my agenda, too. While waiting for my fabric, I whipped up a quickie monochrome card. Personalising a mini silhouette-style…