Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i The World of Cross Stitching

What do you love most about Christmas? Whether it’s the giving or receiving, the carol singing, maybe leaving a traditional mince pie and sherry (or other variation!) for Father Christmas, we’ve designs to stitch this issue to make everyone’s day even more special! For those of us who love aSanta Claus scene, then I know you’ll be thrilled with this fab new design on our cover – see page 10 to make a start on this jolly project! Sharing the holiday period with loved ones is so important… decorating the house ready for everyone (try baubles on page 85), and making pressies, too. Thewintry cuties pic, p58, is a must-stitch for me! Not forgetting another big celebration at this time of year... did you know this issue is The World…

GILL COOPER “Who can resist a cutie-pie at Christmas? Not me! This adorable puppy is all set to show Santa how good he’s been, and I know he’ll be fun to stitch, too. Create him in no time, with a hint of special shimmer blended into his hat – because a shiny touch is just what’s needed!” Turn to page 44 to subscribe NEXT MONTH: IT’S TATTY TEDDY! Don’t miss out on next month’s free Tatty Teddy Stitcher’s Diary! With 12 all-new patterns, it’s unmissable, so get to the shops on 5 December to pick up your copy of issue 263, or subscribe and have the mag delivered to you. Hurry, for this month’s fab offer over on page 44.…

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 Seven for a secret Q I’ve been struggling to find a nice magpie design that isn’t too complicated. I’ve searched through all the…

Judith Harrison: I have a die-cutting and embossing machine and like to make my own mounts and trimmings for my cards. I also love to personalise my cards by adding names with letters in foiled card, cut using dies. Jane Aiken: I like to use seed beads for French knots, as I can’t do them! I have lots of little embellishments that I buy in the sale from Hobbycraft – just to give a little extra to a card or gift! Robin Beket Arnhold:I usually don’t go in for much embellishments, but I have made ornaments which I’ve finished with lace around the edge, and narrow ribbon at the top to facilitate hanging. Janine Findlay:Washi tape is good for adding a border. Lorna Smith: I often use iridescent or patterned…

Winter wildlife ideas METALLIC HIGHLIGHTS WINTER SWANS Stunning swans strike an almost romantic pose in this PDF chart download (LJT040), by WOXS designer Lesley Teare*. Use a suggested pale blue fabric as a sky backdrop to contrast with the falling snow. Intermediate stitchers will love the shading, using 23 beautiful colours including one metallic. The colour-plus-symbols chart spans six pages. Stitch count – 107 high x 135 wide, 19.5x25.5cm (7½x9½in) on 14-count aida REALISTIC DETAIL GARDEN FRIEND T his kit (SCGF1040) from the Sue Hill Collection at Heritage Crafts* is ideal for more advanced stitchers, with plenty of thread blending and ‘squashed’ fractional stitches adding lots of detail. These are clearly explained in the instructions, and there’s also a second chart showing the backstitch detail, for extra clarity. Stitch count – 60…

Stitch these speedy designs by Lisa Reakes for those ‘nick of time’ cards, tags, gifts & more! •60 quick-and-easy motifs •Lisa Reakes' design inspiration •Stitches for every skill level •Helpful tips and advice •Unique present ideas for your special someone AWAY IN A MANGER This simple scene (48) of the Holy Family in the stable makes a lovely card. Patch it onto a square card blank, covered in starry patterned paper from craft shops. GIFTS GALORE Homemade tags are so much nicer! Patch this pressie (5) onto a tag for a custom look – fray and back with white paper before fixing to your tag with double-sided tape. CHIRPY CHAPPY Who can resist this friendly robin (20), perched on a snow-topped post? Mount in a creative hammer red oblong aperture…

THE WORLD OF Cross Sticting CLUB OF THE MONTH DON’T GET CROSS, GET CROSS STITCHING This group meets every Wednesday at Uxbridge library, from 1-4pm. Hazel Farrah set it up over two years ago and now has 25-30 ladies on her list! Hazel loves helping others get started stitching and will set you up with a kit if it’s your first time. It’s free, plus there are soft drinks provided. If you’d like to join them, over 16s only, do please get in touch with Hazel, email to snookernut@mypostoffice.co.uk. APPLY: Tell us about your club and you could win a goodie bag to share at your next meeting! Write to us (see p17) or send an email: letters@crossstitching.com WHERE AM I? This is a photo of me with my copy…

Each month one crossword winner gets an original print of Monty Mouse plus a limited-edition Titch chart, both by Lucie Heaton. To find more adorable Furry Tales designs, check out www.lucieheaton.com! STITCH COUNT 38 high x 31 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7x5.5cm (2¾x2¼in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton PRIZES WORTH £300 Christmas charm These printed charts, 'Checking it Twice', 'Winter Cottage' and 'Abstract Christmas Bauble' by Artecy Cross Stitch* are worth £20 together. On 14-count aida, they measure 51.5x36.5cm (20_x14_in), 38x55cm (15x21_in) and 26.5x20cm (10_x8in) respectively. We’ve 15 bundles to give away! TO ENTER When entering by text message, use keyword WOXS262ARTECY or if entering by post, please label your postcard ‘Artecy charts giveaway (WOXS262)’ PRIZES WORTH £273 Stitchy advent LittleStitcherShop* is offering…

ISSUE 263 ON SALE 5 DEC CLEVER MAKES Try our 3D ideas for teacup-inspired bookmarks, complete with ‘teabags’ CARDS THEY’LL LOVE Fast-to-finish stitching – get your ‘thank yous’ ready. PLUS all-occasion patterns! FURRY TALES FUN Welcome a new arrival with this cute baby sampler STAY SNUG… Whole stitches only! Easy design, and top tutorial for decorating a hot water bottle cover EXCLUSIVE Fresh florals to enjoy! Celebrate new beginnings after the Christmas fun… with dainty snowdrops PURE MAGIC So luxe! Add sparkle to our fairy with seed beads and metallics ROBOTS ABC Have fun with this alphabet – h eaps of scope for customising cards and gifts PLUS MUCH MORE Feathered friends! 40+ birdie motifs in our Design Library Be inspired for great results – follow our ‘How to’ guides…

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…

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…

Be on the panel! Get a sneak preview Appear in the magazine Receive a stitchy gift Inge Gunawan is a chemical engineer from West Java, Indonesia Last thing you made as a gift? I stitched a 25th wedding anniversary gift for a couple who are very dear to us, last year. Although it was late for the anniversary date, they loved it. Do you have pals who stitch? Mostly I stitch alone as part of my ‘me’ time, but I do belong to a stitching group. What do your family think of your hobby? My daughter stitches too, my husband encourages me and my son keeps suggesting new projects for me to make from the magazine! Any fave designs recently? The elegant rose cushion in issue 256. Laura Embrey is a…

THE WORLD OF Cross Sticting PICK OF THE MONTH 3D Christmas cards FUN WITH PAPER Your Christmas card recipients will love these special 3D cards! These unique kits by Meg Evershed at The Nutmeg Company*, are super easy to create as they don’t require any construction. You’ll achieve the 3D effect just by following the simple instructions for cutting and folding. These three designs, from the ‘Large Christmas Cards’ category, all include 14-count perforated paper, needle, threads, backing paper, chart and instructions, and an envelope. 'Scottie Christmas' measures 9.5cm (3_in) high, and also includes DMC Light Effects thread for sparkle, whilst 'Snow Globe' and 'Winter Afternoon' each measure around 10cm (4in). Being on perforated paper, they’re fractional free of course, so in whole stitches and backstitch only, you’ll have these…

Fat quarter query Q Hi, I want to make my stitching into things other than pictures and my local sewing shop suggested I buy some fat quarters. What is this? Is it a kit? Can you help with some ideas for what I can make? Marietta Cammiala, via email A Nikki says: Getting yourself some fat quarters is a good place to start, Marietta. A fat quarter is simply a piece of cotton fabric, and fat quarter refers to a common sizing piece. The size can actually vary slightly, depending on the width of the fabric, as it measures half a metre in length x half the width of the fabric. So for most fabrics it’s 50x57.5cm (19¾x22½in) as the typical width of fabrics is 115cm (45in). Fat quarters are…

KNOW_HOW Time to freshen up Q I hope you can help me… I found a cross stitch piece I had been working on a while ago, when I wasn’t very experienced. I moved the hoop over stitches without ribbon protection for my hoop, and I used to eat while stitching (I washed my hands, but still…). How can I bring it back to life, once it’s finished? Ingrid Marie, via Facebook A Fiona says: It’s a good idea to try and protect your fabric as you stitch, whether that’s by wrapping your hoop with ribbon to prevent dirty hoop marks, avoiding eating or drinking near your project, or slipping your hoop into a pillowcase in between stitching sessions. However, accidents do happen! But I’m sure that with some gentle washing,…

Issue 261 Our Christmas issue was packed full of gorgeous ideas that’ll have you itching to stitch! From adorable Margaret Sherry mice, a majestic winter stag, and nativity cards. Plus a gingerbread lighthouse and jolly snowman, (more besides!), it’s a veritable yuletide bonanza! YOUR FREE GIFTS: Two packs of festive Madeira metallic threads AND a Christmas Chart Book Issue 260 Cute Bebunni 16-month Calendar, Christmas robins, autumn posies, Santa clock, home sweet home, festive blooms, Oriental sampler Issue 257 Beautiful Butterflies card kit, deer and butterfly, gladioli, sundae cards, ships in bottles, floral wreath, Art Deco ABC, beach huts canvas Issue 259 3-in-1 Christmas kittens cards kit, bright poppies, cupcake cards, Mittens and Cyril, seahorse, shabby-chic stitching notions, Halloween Issue 256 Summer rose card kit, Tatty Teddy, beaded owl, floral…

Thank goodness, I’m entering the home-straight now for my Christmas stitching preps... all my cards are done and almost finished writing them, as well. (Hubby is the Chief Envelope Addresser in our house!). I just have to assemble my gift tags, then they’re ready, too. Speaking of gifts, have you made any Christmas pressies this year, for Santa to deliver to your loved ones? I try to make one or two, and even though I chatted here last issue that it can be a bit stressful, I can’t resist making a couple of stocking fillers. Even if you don’t manage to get any Christmas gifts stitched – well, there’s such a lot to think about at this time of year, isn’t there?! – then we’ve lots to see on our…

STITCH COUNT 30 high x 40 wideDESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x7.5cm (2¼x2¾in) This design was stitched using stranded cotton and metallic thread from your coverkit Fast to finish! Factbox Stitching TimeApprox. 4 hours Type of StitchesCross stitch, fractionals, backstitch Ease of StitchingAdvanced beginner Inside your kit... To help you sort your threads, here is a list of the colours and number of lengths inside your free kit: White x 2 Black x 3 Dark red x 1 Light red x 1 Mid grey x 2 Light grey x 3 Very light grey x 4 Dark grey x 1 Silver metallic x 3 Total: 20 lengths How to... mount your aperture card 1 After you have gently washed and pressed your finished stitching, carefully trim away excess aida using…

Star Letter MOVING MOUNTAINS H i, I was inspired when I saw a newspaper photo of the oil painting Mountain Forms by Lawren Harris when the painting came up for auction last year (it sold for over CAN$11 million!). I loved the snow-capped mountains and the colour palette the artist used. Knowing that a cross stitch pattern did not exist, I decided to make my own. I found a free cross stitch pattern maker online and, after much trial and error, decided to make the picture around 15x18cm (6x7in) with 15 colours. Two months later, here is the framed result. From a distance, I think, it seems to have retained its unique oil painting style. Carol Benell, Canada Lynne: What a beautiful picture, Carol! I’m really impressed how you’ve created a…

Q I have done projects for my mum a couple of times and now I’d like to do something for my dad. His favourite animal is the red panda. Could you do me a design of one please, Jenny? Leanne Yetman, via email A Jenny says: This was such a lovely design to work on – the red panda is such a cute little thing, and my motif will make a great card or little gift item. I hope you enjoy cross stitching it for your dad, Leanne! 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 24 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x4.5cm (2¼x1¾in)…

D o you have a dartsor dartboard-theme design at all, please? Tina Bailey, via Facebook Fiona says: How’s this for an idea, Tina? This 'Dartboard' pattern by Gotttwo* on Etsy has a finished size of 21.5x21.5cm (8_x8_in) on 14-count fabric, and costs just £3.20 for an instant PDF download. You can also buy it as a printed chart for £2.67, plus shipping, if you prefer. Perfect for your darts practice! My grandson got married recently, and there’s a photo that I think will make a wonderful reminder for them, when stitched. Please can you recommend a company who will chart it for me? Marion Bartlett, via email Katie says: There are quite a few services available online and by mail order. Simply send your photo and in return you will receive a…

Fun facts about African grey parrots! •They can live for up to 80 years in captivity, making them a lifelong commitment as a pet •They are highly intelligent, and have been known to have the intellect of up to a six-year old child! •They are monogamous and lay between three and five eggs at a time, which the female incubates in a nest •They are able to mimic speech – a lost parrot in Japan was returned home after reciting his owner’s address! Design my pet! Q Dear friends, I am really enjoying the series of pets by Durene! Please can you design an African grey parrot for me? Thank you so much. Megs, via email A Durene says: Thank you for your great request Megs, I’ve always been fascinated by…