Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2017 i The World of Cross Stitching

This month, our issue’s really bursting with stitching treats… I always hope to bring you the best value, with ideas, patterns and inspiration that you won’t be able to resist, but I hope you’ll agree we’ve truly pulled out the stops. Whatever your level of stitching ability, get set to add to your must-stitch list! If you’re a fan of sweet stitches, you’ll just love to make a start on Tatty Teddy, in an exclusive on page 10, or maybe head to page 36 for cute, fast-finish cards to wish loved ones all the best with exams and graduations. As for me, I’ve a few hours still to go on my current WIP, so until then I’m deciding between the elegant beaded owl project (p26) – even more stunning in…

This delightful design is so evocative of those hazy days spent whiling away the summer holidays as a child. Picnics in the sunshine, playing outside with friends, sitting in the garden picking daisies… We love how Tatty Teddy has weaved together such an impressive version of the humble daisy chain and turned it into the sweetest crown. You’ll almost be able to feel the warmth of the sun’s rays as you stitch this darling scene. Worked in just 12 different thread shades, you’ll use whole cross stitches, backstitch and two French knots for eyes. You’ll also get to try DMC’s Coloris thread – a new variegated thread, in which the colour changes along the skein. The shade changes occur in longer blocks than in DMC’s Color Variations skeins, so you…

By the seaside COLOURFUL BEACH HUTS These attractive designs by Michael Powell* evoke lovely memories of trips to the seaside, and you’ll enjoy stitching the vibrant colours and intricate details. They’ve been designed so that when you place them side by side, they make a panorama – but we think they’d look great as individual patterns, too. There’ll be plenty to keep you occupied, as you’ll use a range of techniques and a palette of 31 thread colours to recreate each pattern. Each kit contains your choice of 14-count aida or 28-count evenweave, pre-sorted Anchor stranded cotton threads, needle, chart and instructions. The finished designs each measure 20x20cm (8x8in). Colourful beach huts 'Beach Hut I', 'Beach Hut II' and 'Beach Hut III' make for perfect summer projects, we think! £14.50…

Photo to cross stitch Q My grandson got married, and there’s a photo that I think will make a wonderful reminder. Do you know of any companies that could chart it for me? Marion Bartlett, via email A Liz says: It sounds like one option that could be great for you is our photo-charting service here at Elite Designs*, Marion. We custom-design charts, or can create full kits, with a turnaround time of around 14 days. You can either order online and upload your image, or you can do it by post. Simply complete our order form, which includes details of what size you’d like your pattern to be and some indication of how many colours you might like included (this affects the level of ‘confetti’ type stitching in the…

Birdie ideas £23.99 GORGEOUS DETAILS FLORAL SPARROW O f all our garden birds, the common sparrow might be one that most deserves the nickname ‘little brown job’. But in this kit (SSN42127) by Janlynn, available from Stitcher*, it’s accompanied by a showy herb bouquet. Cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch and a single French knot are all used to build up this gorgeous picture, shown in the clear black-and-white chart. Pre-sorted threads mean you’ll be off to a speedy start! Stitch count – 166 high x 78 wide, 30x14cm (11¾x5½in) on 14-count white aida £14 BEAUTIFULLY LIFELIKE CHAFFINCH Featuring Mr and Mrs Chaffinch, this special chart (0117CH) from X-Stitch Birds* – also available as a kit with different fabric choices, and as a downloadable PDF chart – contains clear symbols in black…

CHARITY OF THE MONTH LOVE LITERACY Did you know that 18 July 2017 marks 200 years since Jane Austen’s death? Her novels have rarely been out of print during this time and, as big fans of her work, we’re keen to share our love of reading with others! That’s why we like what the charity, Beanstalk, does – it trains and supports volunteers to provide one-to-one literacy support to primary school children, giving them confidence and increasing their enjoyment of reading. Why not use your stitching skills to raise money for the cause? Find inspiration for repeat motif borders that’d be great for bookmarks in our Design Library (p47). Then hold a coffee morning with friends to sell your wares! MORE To find out more about Beanstalk and how you…

These quirky fish-patterned charts by Rico Design put an original twist on the classic, nautical-themed styling idea. Worked in soft muted shades of sage green, cornflower blue and dusty pink, the vintage-inspired colour palette gives a grown-up touch to these playful motifs, while the graphic patterns and shapes add a contemporary edge. Using whole cross stitches and backstitch only, these designs are simple enough for all stitchers to enjoy. We especially love that these towels are pre-made with an aida insert, making it easy to stitch your design straight on, giving instant satisfaction! If you’d rather update your own towels though, you could just stitch the motifs onto an aida band, and then hand-sew it on. Repeat the designs to decorate bath towels and hand towels, or stitch a single…

When it comes to roses, we’re not sure what we love more – their sweet, heady scent or the sight of their delicate petals, softly unfurling in an array of different colours. And, with designer Poppy’s elegant design, you’ll be able to enjoy the grace and fragility of these lovely blooms all year round! Worked in soft, muted shades, each panel of this quartet-style design is filled with gorgeous details, and is perfectly framed by the patterned border. You’ll use whole cross stitches only to recreate the pattern, so although it’s densely worked, it’s the ideal project for all – even beginners wanting to stretch their skills. Once finished, you could make it into a cushion, like we did (see page 88 for our clear making-up instructions), or you could…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY 0844 826 7341 Issue 255 Our June issue was filled with inspiring stitching ideas, including darling Cookie Bear with a bunch of flowers, a new baby ABC and a bluebell woods scene. Plus, part 3 of our easy-make butterfly quilt, stitcher’s saying project, all-occasion cards, puffin hanging, woodland wreaths and 48 manly motifs! YOUR FREE GIFTS: Pretty Madeira threads & chartbook Issue 254 Fizzy Moon card kit & Elegant Lady chart, exotic flamingo, lilacs, floral heart, cats cushion, new baby cards, Assisi motifs Issue 253 Woodland pals 3-in-1 cards kit, cottage kitten, spring sampler, wedding ideas, Easter cards, teddies motifs, butterfly quilt (1) Issue 252 Flower Fairies kit, pansies display, kingfisher cushion, Cookie Bear cards, vintage seed packets, circus sampler, Africa motifs, daffodils ABC Issue 251…

Stitching’s a breeze Let Technical Editor Fiona show you how it’s done, in this reference guide 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…

Bethan Thomas is a teaching assistant from Cardiff Three words that describe you? Quirky, honest and funny. What’s your current WIP? I’ve almost finished a colourful and funky cactus design. Fave recent design? The flamingo from issue 254 – it’s so bright and modern, and makes me think of the summer hols! Best thing about stitching? I love seeing the piece come together, stitch by stitch, and then seeing the beautiful finished piece. If you could have a stitching session with a celebrity, who would you invite and why? I’d invite Mary Berry over for a stitching session – hopefully she’d bring plenty of cake with her! “Seeing a cross stitch project come to life is just so satisfying” Tracy Low is a homemaker from Hornchurch in Essex Who’s your…

Star Letter PLAYFUL MAKE Hi, thought I’d share my cross stitch creation with you, as I’m so pleased with him. I started cross stitching just over a year ago, and I’m still getting to grips with it, but when I saw the small advent designs in your magazine (from issue 248), I decided to make a patchwork dog with them! I modified the motifs so they’d fit into squares and stitched each one onto sparkly aida fabric. Then I bought some pre-cut pieces of fabric and sewed everything together… and finished it all off with personalised eye buttons! It was a mammoth task as I’d never done anything like this before, but it was enjoyable and challenging in equal measure. Many thanks for the inspiration. Anne Cowell, via email Ruth: Wow,…

There are some designs that shout out “stitch me!”, and we think this stunning owl is one of them. Shannon has used striking swirls and floral shapes to create its gorgeous plumage, resulting in a bold and stylised creation that would add a touch of opulence to any room. The ornate beading, metallic threads and bold colour palette all combine in a truly unique piece, with a 3D feel. We stitched this design on 28-count evenweave, so there’s an extra level of detail in every stitch. And if you’re new to beadwork, check out our online video for tips on using seed beads at www.cross-stitching.com in the ‘How To’ section. Overall, it’ll be a really fun challenge, and your patience is sure to be rewarded by the dazzling finished result.…

A super bowler This design’ll go down well with Natalie’s cricket-mad boyfriend Q Hi Jenny, I’d love to stitch a cricket-related card for my boyfriend’s birthday in July. He loves to play and is a bowler. All the designs that I’ve found have been of a batsman, not a bowler! Natalie Gillan, via email A Jenny says: Thanks for your request, Natalie. To recreate this action-packed bowler motif, you’ll use whole cross stitches, a few fractionals and plenty of backstitch for the bold, defined outline. I hope your boyfriend approves of it – and happy stitching! 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. Cricketer key STITCH COUNT 30 high x 22…

There are so many celebrationworthy moments in our lives. Some are big milestones, like passing your exams, sailing through a driving test, or graduating from university, but sometimes smaller triumphs can be just as meaningful. Changing jobs, achieving a personal goal – these little wins are just as deserving of a sweet stitched motif. Luckily, Lesley has used her expert design skills to come up with these six adorable designs that lend themselves to so many occasions! Each features a cute, cuddly animal delivering a meaningful sentiment, and will be just as much fun to stitch as to receive. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced stitcher, the combination of whole cross stitches, fractionals and backstitch, worked in a simple colour palette, is a lovely way to pass the…

There’s something about freshly bloomed flowers that is just irresistible, and designer Susan’s skilfully captured their natural charm in this lovely design. Taking centre stage is an eye-catching summer posy, so prettily displayed in a stylish watering can, and surrounded by gorgeous mini floral motifs. We love the lifelike rendering of the flowers and leaves, and the way the greens and pinks are lifted by pops of yellow. It’s sure to be a real delight to watch this pretty design come to life as you stitch. With plenty of fractionals for shaping and backstitch for definition, you’ll feel as though you are creating art in stitches! Once you’ve finished, turn to page 69 for our simple making-up tutorial, so you can make your very own cylindrical doorstop. It’ll be a…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST Melanie Rowe says, “I’ve just finished Mirabilia’s 'Andromeda' – it has glow-in-the-dark threads that show the constellation in the picture!” Wow, Melanie – what a show-stopper! We’re sure it hangs in pride of place in your home. YOU LIKED Debbie Hier says, “This is a Stitch-A-Photo of my daughter and grandson from DMC. It should be complete very soon!” You’ve stitched this piece beautifully, Debbie, and we’re sure it’ll be treasured for many years to come. And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: Which gadget couldn’t you live without? With good lighting essential for cross stitching success, we’re not surprised the craft lamp came out on top! But plenty of…

ISSUE 257 ON SALE 20 JUNE GORGEOUS GLADIOLI Celebrate this regal bloom, standing proud, with our easy cushion tutorial! SEASIDE CHARM New from Emma Congdon, you’ll be dreaming of the sea, as you stitch MOUTH-WATERING MAKES Stitch delicious greetings for your loved ones… Plus more fab card ideas inside! BIRTHDAY FUN Cross stitch adorable Herbert Hedgehog, off to a party! Fab friends you’ll love to stitch! Enjoy this sweet duo – they’re perfect to show someone special how much you care EXCLUSIVE CAST AWAY… Start this wow-factor ‘ships in bottles’ design, with metallic thread glimmer PLUS MUCH MORE Stylish Art Deco-inspired ABC, ideal for feminine gifts Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts Technique skills: a summer project using thread blending Geeky stitching! 40+ Design Library science & space…

Fayre bet: Summer outings to make the most of! Resisting temptations! I’m really pleased with progress on my current project – as I’m sure you’ve seen from my updates on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheWorldofCrossStitching), everything’s going well on my make – it’s our Stitch-A-Long of the ‘stitcher’s saying’ pattern as featured in last issue. (See page 91 for a back copy of issue 255, if you missed it, and join in the fun!) In fact, I’m happy not to start anything new until this one’s done… it’s not hard with a design as lovely as this. Instead, I’ve been enjoying getting out and about a little, to some craft fairs. Big exhibitions are frequent attractions for me, all year long, but at this time of year, there’s a very welcome…

Inside your kit... To help you sort your threads, here is a list of the colours and number of lengths inside your free kit: STITCH COUNT 36 high x 26 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 6.5x5cm (2½x1¾in) This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit Stitch in no time! Factbox *Stitching Time Approx. 5 hours *Type of Stitches Cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch *Ease of Stitching Advanced beginner TOP TIP Make sure to use a sharp needle when doing the backstitch, as this will make it easier to split the aida blocks Jennifer READER PANEL I can’t wait to make a start on stitching this pretty rose! I love how delicate and detailed the design is, and it will be so fun to stitch. I think…

With its abstract swirls and vibrant colours, this design makes for a stunning piece of stitched artwork that is sure to attract plenty of compliments. Inspired by Mediterranean-patterned tiles, each element has been thoughtfully crafted by Heather – and you’ll enjoy recreating the fun shapes and textures that make up this beautiful project. You’ll use plenty of fractional stitches for the intricate shaping of the motifs, as well as satin stitch to add extra interest, but as it’s not a densely stitched piece you’ll make progress more quickly than you might think. Remember to grid out your fabric before you begin, marking 10x10 squares in tacking stitches on your aida – that way, you’ll find counting much easier! Once you’ve finished, follow our simple instructions over on page 22 for…

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 CONTENTS 32 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Liz West, Elite Designs, on charting photographs 33 WISHES GRANTED Jenny’s designed a bowler in answer to Natalie’s…

Hannah Johnson: Try a smaller design first so you can get used to it, and take your time when counting – the results will be beautiful! Janet Wilson: Don’t pull the threads too tight, and keep your fabric taut. Lorna Smith: Be careful when counting your stitches, and try to ‘link’ sections together rather than jumping from one area to another, to avoid miscounting. Lorna Wood: Before you start stitching, I would suggest either hemming the edges of your evenweave, or using fabric glue on them, as they fray really easily. Cathy Brown: Always use a hoop – you’ll be much less likely to miscount! Dominique Adamou: Don’t be afraid to try it – you’ll be surprised! I would definitely recommend using 28-count evenweave, as it gives a lovely finish…

From the picnic basket crammed full of goodies to the cheery golden sunshine casting out warm rays, this fun collection of motifs perfectly evokes the feeling of long summer days. With each mini design oh-so-perfectly offset by fresh foliage and sparkly sequins, we love how Durene has captured the joyfulness of this season! Worked in vibrant shades, with handwritten-style backstitched words, you’ll almost be able to feel the warmth on your skin and taste the creamy strawberry icecream as you stitch this playful, feel-good design. Using whole cross stitches, fractionals, backstitch and plenty of French knots, you’ll get to practise a range of different techniques as you stitch – and if you’re unsure how to add sequins, turn to page 43 for our handy tutorial! We think it’s the perfect…

No. 1 pet Fun facts about English bulldogs! • Bulldogs are renowned for being gentle, sweet and affectionate • Bulldogs were originally bred to drive cattle to market or fight bulls – we’re very thankful to say the latter practice is now illegal! • As an indoor dog, bulldogs thrive on a relaxed, slow-paced lifestyle • In World War II propaganda, Britain was frequently portrayed as a bulldog – and Winston Churchill was often called the “British bulldog”! Design my pet! Q Hi Durene, I have an English bulldog that I’d love to cross stitch. But I haven’t seen any cross stitch patterns that look like my dog or have similar colours. I was wondering if you would be able to help? Thank you! Emily, via email A Durene says:…