Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i The World of Cross Stitching

Say hello to summer – and our August issue! Whatever your ability, get set to spread sunny vibes through your stitching with our seasonal projects this month. Make a start on Tatty Teddy at the beach in an exclusive on page 10, or create the perfect gift for a summer wedding with Durene Jones’ sampler (p78). Find holiday inspiration with the globetrotter motifs in our Design Library (p47) and brighten your craft box by making the sunflower needle book case – your special gift with this issue. Plus, we’ve got a treat for your home – we show you how to make a beautiful birds patchwork quilt, designed by Lucie Heaton! Turn to page 54 to find the first four charts in our three-part series. You’ll be surprised at how…

Inside your kit… To help you sort your threads, here is a list of the threads in your kit: Green x1 Light green x1 Brown x1 Dark yellow x1 Yellow x2 Dark brown x2 Blue x2 Light blue x2 Total: 12 lengths Gift available with print edition only. Overseas gift(s) may vary STITCH COUNT 36 high x 27 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 6.5x5cm (2_x2in) STITCHED BY Laura Boyter This design was stitched using stranded cotton from your coverkit Easy-tomake gift Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 4 hours Type of Stitches Cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch Ease of Stitching Beginner TOP TIP You can find the making up instructions for this needle book inside your kit. Feel free to use your own felt or ribbon in a colour of…

STITCH COUNT 40 high x 32 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x6cm (2¾x2¼in) This design was stitched using DMC stranded cotton Summer is here so it’s time to go out and play! Monty Mouse is keeping his cool this season by zooming around on his skateboard. Dressed in blue dungarees and trendy red trainers, you’ll really have to be quick to catch him! Missed a chart? ISSUE 282 Lizzie is ready to relax in the pool with her cute red and white polka dot swimsuit. ISSUE 281 This is one groom who will certainly sweep you off your feet! Great as a wedding gift. ISSUE 280 All in elegant white and clutching a bouquet, Lizzie is all excited for her big day. For back issues, call 03330…

Fiona Baker Fiona is our Technical Editor so she’s all ready to answer your problems on all things stitch and chart related Heather Nugent Heather is our Charting Editor and is on hand to answer any technical stitching questions that you have Jenny Barton Design pro Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Hannah Kelly All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Hannah’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 Cat charts Q My daughter (11) has expressed interest in cross stitching – I’ve subscribed to this magazine for years and I’m trying to search…

Cassie Ruth: A lovely piece I stitched for my daughter and son-in-law has pride of place on their sitting room wall. I try and stitch cards and samplers or pictures to suit the couple so that they really appreciate it – such a joy to stitch for a wedding. Lorna Smith: I like to find a kit or chart that matches the couple’s personalities and try to start stitching well in advance so I can gift it at the wedding. Some examples would be a cartoon style bride and groom I did for my fun-loving cousin and his wife, a Boofle one for my uncle and an elegant silhouette bride and groom for my other cousin. Debbie Webb: Always match the colours to the wedding colours. I like to use…

PRACTISE FRENCH KNOTS GARDEN OF TRANQUILITY I n a downloadable design from Maria Diaz Designs*, a pond in a beautiful garden can be seen through an arched window. Whole stitches only make this a calm stitching experience, while French knots (63 in total) bring texture to the flowers – but you could always add beads if you prefer. A bright colour palette brings this scene to life and it’ll make the perfect picture to hang in your hallway. Stitch count: 140 wide by 160 high, 26x30cm (10x12in) on 14-count white aida DETAILED PERSPECTIVE MAKING HONEY From the Karen Carter Collection at Heritage Crafts*, this stylised garden shows neat flower plots, vegetable patches, tool sheds and bee hives. It’s a busy scene and will be a delight to stitch. Every square of…

PRIZES worth £1,085! PRIZES WORTH £262 Force of nature Get some new ideas for freshening up your home décor this season, courtesy of Rico Design*. Their new patterns book Crafted Nature is crammed with outdoors inspiration for your projects. Choose from more than 20 designs – pretty florals, modern typography and luscious patterns. The book includes instructions with charts for every level. We’re thrilled to have 30 copies of Crafted Nature to give away. TO ENTER Visit our website www.crossstitching.com or label a postcard ‘Rico Design giveaway (WOXS 283)’ PRIZES WORTH £268 Fresh as a daisy Summer’s here and who can resist this super-cute bunny with his sunny bloom, lovely long ears and little pink nose. ‘Daisy’ has sunshine in every stitch and is one of the latest designs from…

12 JULY ON SALE: THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING Prepare for back to school with our September issue 284 – make a fruity lunch bag or animal matching game. You’ll also find part 2 of our bird quilt, a lighthouse on special lightening grey aida and Durene Jones’ folksy chickens. Plus, you’ll get a floral wreath chart for every month of the year. See page 94. 17 AUGUST BURNHAM MARKET CRAFT FAIR VILLAGE GREEN, BURNHAM This year on Saturday 17 August (10am-4pm) sees the 44th year of this craft fair which consists of over 100 carefully selected crafter stalls which are set out over the Burnham Market Village Greens in the centre of the village. For more info see: www.theburnhammarketcraftfair.co.uk 22-25 AUGUST BEN NEVIS DISTILLERY CRAFT AND HOBBY FARE BEN…

ISSUE 284 ON SALE 12 JULY Britain' N0.1 The World of Cross Stitching A-PEEL-ING We show you how to make this fab fruity lunch bag – 1 of your 5-a-day! HAUTE COUTURE Choose from six stylish cards to send to the fashionistas in your life – so chic! DARK AND STORMY Try stitching with glow-in-the-dark thread on this beautiful printed aida AUTUMN COLOURS Stitched on evenweave, this sleepy fox will test your skills FEELING THE BLUES Use Lesley Teare’s Delft Blue-inspired alphabet set to decorate your home PLUS MUCH MORE You won’t want to miss part 2 of our beautiful ‘Bird Quilt’ Fun and educational, make an animal matching game Art deco fans are in for a treat with our Design Library Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts…

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…

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, & 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…

DURENE JONES Enjoy two fab projects from Durene this month – a summer wedding sampler (p78) and a fun making up idea using mini hoops for a 3D effect on page 64. SHANNON WASILIEFF Step back in time to the rococo period with Shannon’s elegant lady on page 70. You’ll find plenty of stitching techniques here to put your skills to the test. LUCIE HEATON Lucie has designed a stunning set of colourful birds which will be made up into a striking patchwork quilt. Find part one of the series on page 54.…

Fab and floral PICK OF THE MONTH ALL DRESSED UP These stunning designs by DMC* each feature an elegant figure showcasing a pretty outfit – the silhouette is pre-printed onto the fabric, so you only need to stitch the dress. Each kit comes with canvas aida, pre-sorted Mouliné thread, needles, instructions and pretty DMC Étoile thread for added sparkle to bring these fabulous fashion frocks to life. Now you just need to choose which 25x35cm (approx. 10x14in) stitch kit is your style – if you love princess stories the ‘Rose Ball’ (BK1793) gown is the perfect fit, or perhaps the glamorous ‘Daffodil Dance’ (BK1792) dress might tempt you? Fans of haute couture and 50s fashion will love ‘Party Pink’ (BK1794), or if you prefer that Marilyn Monroe-look then ‘Tutu Blue’…

Star Letter FULL STEAM AHEAD Hello, I thought I would share with you my daughter’s latest project. It took her 13 months, 70 colours and consists of 67,574 stitches! It’s being given to her Grandad for his birthday in November. We both look forward to receiving the magazine and it is often a race to get there first. Debbie and Kathryn Rowley, Nottingham Hannah: This is simply breathtaking! Look at all that detail – from the green tree tops to the steam puffing from the train, right down to the busy platform! I bet Grandad will be very pleased to receive this for his birthday. You can tell that a lot of time, effort and love went into this project. It’s wonderful that cross stitching is a hobby that you can…

Whenever you want to recreate that laidback feeling you get on a sunny holiday, all you need to do is look at this gorgeous silhouette design and you’ll instantly relax! Stitching it will transport you straight to the Caribbean, where you can easily imagine yourself sitting in the hammock strung between the two palm trees, cocktail in hand, watching the boat sail serenely by. Fiona’s sun-drenched design is stitched on gradient-effect fabric from Sew-it-All that has been created especially for this project. The range of threads is limited to just five colours, allowing the beautiful hues of the aida to take centre stage, while the design makes great use of half cross stitch and backstitch to add subtle depth to the scene. Finished as a funky hanging with matching lilac…

Converting aida size I have a design that calls for 32-count flax linen but it’s too small for me to work with. How can I convert the chart to 18-count aida and then figure out what size that will end up as? Q Terri Galvin, via email A Zweigart says: 18-count aida is a smaller weave than 32-count linen, so you may be better off opting for a larger size of aida instead, such as 14-count. The aida equivalent of 32-count linen is 16-count aida, which you could also try as the holes in the weave will be more easily visible. In this instance, the design size of the stitching will be the same size as for on the 32-count linen, but to calculate a design size on different counts…

Close your eyes and imagine the warmth of the sun’s rays on your skin and the gentle summer breeze wrapping around you. Heavenly, isn’t it? Evoke that very feeling in stitches, with Jenny’s summer floral monogram ABC. With three different options, you’ll find that these designs are so versatile – a regal crest and an elegant arrangement of deep scarlet, plum and pink petals with fresh green and teal foliage… or you can have a combination of both! You’ll find that the contemporary, playful lettering style will brighten up any project, whether it be a birthday card, baby sampler or personalised wall hanging. Best of all, these motifs are great for beginners as they’re fairly quick to stitch and offer a whole load of options to really make this project…

Pedalling down a country lane, the warm breeze rushing past you, enjoying the smell of flowers… this pretty design by Durene instantly creates that wonderful feeling of freedom you get from a bike ride on a summer’s day! This piece has so many clever elements to enjoy working on. The wheels of the bike are stitched separately onto two hoops and then attached to the main design, giving it a wonderful three-dimensional feel – you’ll find full instructions on how to do this on page 68. The use of partial backstitch lines evokes the feel of a pen and ink drawing, while the motto under the design looks like modern calligraphy, combining whole cross stitch, fractionals and backstitch to create the thick and thin strokes of this style of lettering.…

Fun with blackwork Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 7 hours Type of Stitches Cross stitch, fractionals, backstitch, French knots Ease of Stitching Advanced beginner/intermediate Fun facts about skinny pigs • Although not much, skinny pigs do have a bit of hair, generally on their muzzles, feet or legs. • ‘Skinnies’ need to eat more than normal guinea pigs to maintain their body temperature. • Makes a great pet for people with allergies to pet dander. • This breed was actually developed by scientists in 1978 – they crossbred a guinea pig with a hairless lab strain. Design my pet! Q Hello, Durene! Is there any chance you could design my skinny pig? She’s named Pua, after the pig in a Disney film. She’s my favourite skinny pig. I have six in…

Although email, instant messaging and texts mean it’s easier than ever to keep in touch with people, it’s still such a lovely feeling when paper post pops onto the doormat. And when the card inside is handmade, it’s even lovelier! Lesley’s designs are a thoughtful way to show someone that you’re thinking of them, whether it’s to wish them luck, send sympathy after a bereavement or just to say hello. Designed in a fresh colour palette of blues, pinks, purples and greens, this sweet set of six cards will take around 4-6 hours each to stitch, so you could easily complete all of them in a month. They’re stitched on 14-count aida and use just whole cross stitch and backstitch with a few French knots for detail, so stitchers of…

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…

Susan Bugbee is a professional Nanny from Colorado, USA How did you start stitching? I was a Montessori pre-school teacher when I was young. I would come home exhausted at the end of the day, so I needed a hobby that would let me relax and clear my mind. I started cross stitching and haven’t stopped! Fave cross stitch project? I have stitched scenes of many places I have been – San Francisco, Paris, Venice. They’re displayed in my sewing room and remind me of special times. Recent fave WOXS design? Durene Jones’ motifs of Paris in issue 277. I am doing a collage of the designs of Paris by Durene. She put so much detail in such small designs and I love all the swirls around them! Your idea…

Whether your perfect day at the beach includes splashing in the sea, gathering the prettiest seashells or building the biggest sandcastle you can, you’ll definitely want to join Tatty Teddy at this scenic ocean spot for a fun time. There’s plenty in this design to capture your interest – from half cross stitch to create the dreamy cloud off in the distance, to plenty of backstitch that makes Tatty Teddy look extra cuddly. Two French knots make up Tatty’s eyes, whilst the rest are used to add texture to the starfish at his feet. This range of stitching techniques, which also includes whole cross stitch, fractionals and blending, really bring this sweet scene to life. With soft, delicate blues, greys and creams, this design will perfectly complement any nautical-themed room.…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST Alina Briggs says: “Cross stitched my mum’s late dog, Toby. I turned a photo into a chart thanks to the internet – 32 different colours here which fascinates me for a white dog.” Alina, we bet your mum loved seeing this. YOU LIKED Charlotte Rose Deverill says: “This has been stuck in my stash for a while because it was so daunting as it’s the biggest project I’ve ever attempted… but I started last month and I’m so glad I did!” This is fab, Charlotte – keep it up! And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: Which arrangement do you prefer to stitch? When it comes to stitching flowers, the…

Q In February our beloved doggy Pucci will have his 16th birthday! I want to make some stitchy toppers, with Pucci’s funny face, for the cupcakes! Thanks in advance. Camilla Maffiuletti, Italy A Jenny: Your Pucci is such a cutie! I can see why you’d want his adorable face as a cupcake topper… and what a great way to let guests know who’s the star of the party! I’ve used backstitch to give Pucci a sweet smile, as no doubt he’ll be grinning as he’s being spoilt on his big day. STITCH COUNT 30 high x 28 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x5cm (2_x2in) Please note: Jenny can only fit in fairly small designs and for copyright reasons she is unable to chart logos, or characters from…

Q I’m stitching a 50th birthday picture for a friend, which has got various embellishments on it in the kit. My problem is with a floral ribbon – how does one go about attaching it? Anna Baynyon, via email Fiona: I would suggest using a small stitch every now and again along the length of the ribbon, using the same thread colour to help disguise it. It may be worth contacting the original publisher of the kit however, as they may be able to offer more details. Good luck with finishing your friend’s present! Q I was hoping you could help me with a project I want to start – my friend is having a baby and I’d like to stitch her baby’s name using a cute alphabet, preferably featuring bunny…

THE WORLD OF Cross Stitching CLUB OF THE MONTH FUN OUTDOORS Come join the Rotary Clubs of Norwich on 10 August, 10-4pm, in the beautiful Chapelfield Gardens in central Norwich for the Norwich Crafts in the Gardens event. With a mix of over 100 art, craft and gift exhibitors, this promises to be a wonderful day out for the whole family. Best of all, entry is free and proceeds will go towards supporting the Boudicca Breast Cancer Appeal. MORE: For information visit www.rotarycraftfair.co.uk WHERE AM I? Last September we went on a Caribbean cruise and also spent some time in Panama. Although I knew there wouldn’t be much time for reading, I’d taken my fave mag with me. This picture was taken by some very important locks for big ships…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY 03330 162 137 Issue 282 Get ready for summer with a nostalgic seaside scene, sunny meadow and pretty floral bunting. And Emma Congdon has designed a fun tropical postcard set! Inside, you’ll also find an adorable cocker spaniel puppy and a set of three stylish book covers. Plus expert advice, tips and prizes to win. YOUR EXCLUSIVE GIFT: Enchanting fairy card kit Issue 281 Cookie Bear card kit, helter skelter, cocktail hanging, cake cards, elephant baby sampler, summer florals, golfing bears, nautical motifs, 3D scenes Issue 278 Birdhouse card kit, beaded unicorn, hares bolster cushion, garden ABC, spring sampler, treasure map, perpetual calendar, window box cards Issue 280 Birdcage bookmark kit, folk art coasters, peg bag, bug ABC, geisha, spring wedding motifs, floral blackwork, tulips draught…

Choose your project… With our Factbox guide in every one of our projects, you can make sure you choose the right level for you. Absolute beginners should aim for a design without fractional stitches. Buy your materials… Use our Shopping List for each project, which specifies everything needed, like size of fabric and finishing materials. Using another fabric with different HPI (holes per inch), will give a different finished size of design. Calculate your fabric requirements like this: Stitch count divided by HPI of ‘new’ fabric choice = new size in inches. Add at least 10cm (4in) on each dimension to allow for mounting, or less for cards. Get ready… We always recommend starting in the centre of a design and working outwards. Our charts are marked with two centre…

Quarter The chart shows which corner has the fractional. Bring the needle up in that corner and down in the centre of the square, halfway across the diagonal (diagram 1). Three-quarters Work a quarter stitch, then a half stitch across the other diagonal arm of the square as in diagram 2. Like quarters, three-quarter stitches can face any direction. Two symbols When two symbols share a square, work a fractional in each colour. Decide on the quarter stitch for the background colour, then a three-quarters stitch for the main one (diagram 3). Back-to-back For a stronger outline, work a three-quarter stitch in each colour, stitching them back-to-back (diagram 4). Make sure that the two half stitch arms lie neatly parallel to each other.…