Innholdsfortegnelse for Special 2015 i The World of Cross Stitching

With Christmas just around the corner, I’m happily charging on with my festive stitching, including plenty of cheery makes to decorate my home. The colourful Christmas tree skirt (p38) will add a unique touch, while the beaded folk art-inspired Noel pattern on page 72 will look wonderful on my mantelpiece. And to get ready for the big day, why not stitch our snowman Advent calendar on page 77? Kids will have fun moving his carrot nose – I think my godson and his sisters will love this as a gift in the run-up to the big day! As for gifts, I’m making our cover star, Margaret Sherry’s hedgehog, for a pal who loves all things cute. It’s a fairly speedy finish too, so I’ll be on track to keep up…

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without one of Margaret’s heartwarming scenes adorning your wall. So we’re thrilled to bring you this festive treat, designed exclusively for you! Peeping out the top of a woolly stocking, this friendly sweetheart in his Santa hat can’t wait for you to open your present. Could it be jewellery, chocolates or even a little something for your stitchy stash? Whether you bring this project to life for yourself or for a loved one, you’re sure to sail through it in no time at all. Worked in mainly whole stitches, with just a few fractionals to create definition, you’ll also add backstitch for detail and texture. If you’ve only worked on smaller designs before, this mid-sized make is the perfect way to advance your skills while taking…

You’ve got post VINTAGE CHRISTMAS Just in time for Christmas are these recently released designs from DMC*. Inspired by Victorian postcards, the use of antique white aida creates an aged impression, perfect for the vintage look that is so popular at the moment. The four designs, 'Santa is Coming' (BK1580), 'The Christmas Tree' (BK1581), 'Building a Snowman' (BK1582) and 'Family Visit' (BK1583) all measure 20x30cm (8x12in) when worked on the 14-count aida fabric supplied. With their delightful scenes and snowy backgrounds each framed with sprigs of holly, they are sure to be enjoyed not only this Christmas, but for many years to come. XMAS STITCH On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me... this '12 Days of Christmas' modern counted cross stitch pattern by Satsuma Street*!…

Festive sampler ideas TRY HAND-DYED THREADS VINTAGE CHRISTMAS The softly variegated effect of the threads stitched onto lambswool linen complement this pretty, shabby-chic design. If you’ve never tried hand-dyed threads before, this’ll be great fun to give them a go, knowing that they give a different finish to stranded cotton (DMC conversion listed if you prefer). Look out for this chart (92651) by the US-company Country Cottage Needleworks, to buy at Sew and So*. Stitch count – 137 high x 139 wide, finished size 21.5x21.5cm (8½x8½in) on 32-count linen evenweav A SPECIAL XMAS TREAT CHRISTMAS DESIGN Dutch designer Thea Gouverneur is known for quality kits that are often large and engrossing – this one (2077), available at Michael Whitaker Fabrics*, is no exception. With a black-and-white chart over six A3 pages,…

Stitch these sweet Santa designs by Lucie Heaton to make Christmas extra special this year 41 quick-and-easy motifs Lucie Heaton’s design inspiration Stitches for every skill level Helpful tips and advice Unique present ideas for family and friends SPECIAL TREAT Make sure to thank Santa with a treat and note (41)! Back with interfacing, cut out and stick onto lollipop sticks of your choice, to make these cupcake toppers. YOU’VE GOT BAGGAGE Send warm greetings with this sweet design (29), perfect for quick-make cards! Patch onto a single fold, deckle-edge card from Craft Creations* (DEC11U-27) in bright blue. HAPPY HOLIDAYS Stitch this fun design (20) to raise a smile this Christmas! Our hanging is made with red backing fabric and ric-rac, both available from local craft stores. SECRET !SANTA" IDENTITY…

The name is synonymous with quality stitching products, whether it’s kits, fabrics, accessories or, of course, the stranded cottons that we know and love. DMC’s long history of innovation and expertise means it’s no surprise that us stitchers can’t get enough of its products. In fact, did you know that over 1,000,000 skeins of thread are sold worldwide, every day?! As a fab Christmas present we know you’ll love, we’ve teamed up with DMC*, who are giving away these stunning prizes. There are two top prizes of the vintage-style Wooden Collector’s Box (7600), beautifully crafted from pine, with a storage section for your bits and bobs. Plus, you’ll hardly believe, this prize comes complete with every single one of the stranded cotton shades in the DMC range too – yes,…

Cute, colourful and stitched on silver iridescent aida, what’s not to love about this pretty Christmas project? Designer Durene Jones has stuck to her characteristic bright and bold style, and has added a scattering of glitzy seed beads across the design to give it a real shimmer, perfect for the festive season! Worked in whole cross stitches only, with just a little backstitch to define the birds and create stems for the blooms, the addition of those beads is what really takes this project to the next level. Durene’s scattered them throughout the background to create icy snowflakes, which add a gorgeous subtle sophistication to this folksy design. If you are not sure how to use seed beads, watch our Editor, Ruth, explain step by step on our ‘How to’…

Getting started Where to buy your start-up kit – turn to page 96 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.subscribeonline.co.uk/world 0844 826 7341 ZWEIGART www.zweigart.de For fabrics, buy in the UK from Willow Fabrics www.willowfabrics.co.uk 0800 056 7811 Your projects Find all the charts, kits, threads & accessories featured in this issue BHS www.bhs.co.uk 0344 411 6000 CICO BOOKS Available from Amazon and high street…

MARGARET SHERRY Yet again Margaret’s wowed us with a sweet design – exclusively for you, she’s created this heart-warming hedgehog pal. Turn to page 10 to get started! LESLEY TEARE Design pro Lesley’s answered our pleas this month with fun and fast-to-finish motifs, that mean you can rustle up show-stopper cards galore (p20). LUCIE HEATON Head over to page 47 for a versatile Design Library you’ll definitely want to use again and again… Lucie’s fab set of Santa ideas will be one to keep!…

Star Letter SITTING PRETTY Here is the finished version of the 'Retro Birds Cushion' from issue 230. I really enjoyed doing this, as I do most projects in your magazine. I buy it every month and always find something interesting to do. I’m going to start on my Christmas cards next. Have about 30 to do, so wish me luck! Denise Bridges, Hartlepool Ruth: We loved this cushion design too Denise. The bright colours and funky design will add a quirky touch to any room. You’ll find tons of inspiration for Christmas cards in this issue. Turn to page 20 for mix-and-match designs, perfect for quickmake cards. Good luck, we’re sure you’ll do great! Win! The writer of our Star Letter wins both of these April Rose Illustration kits – ‘Song…

From the charming tiled rooftops adorned with freshly fallen flakes, to the beautifully decorative lamp posts, these sweet dwellings look so inviting! With a hint of the nostalgic style about them, you can just imagine spending cosy winter evenings by the fireside, closing the shutters while relaxing in your comfiest armchair. In fact, all you need is a glass of mulled wine by your side, your needle and threads, and you could be there! Build this delightful street stitch by stitch, using a sweet pastel colour palette against a soft blue aida to add to the wintery feel. And, as you stitch each section, you’ll discover new little details that never caught your eye before, like the traditional porches and wrought-iron fences. Bring it all to life in whole stitches,…

As a stitcher, your home might be starting to look full to the rafters with stitched pictures and accessories, but we bet you don’t have a personalised tree skirt. As the centrepiece of most homes each year, we think there’s no better way to complement a Christmas tree than with stitching. This clever make simply sits at the base, providing a stylish home for your presents, and a good old chuckle to boot! In Jenny Barton’s jovial design, Santa’s washed his suit so he can look his best for the big day. Thank goodness for the careful placement of that present though, otherwise we’d be seeing a lot more of him than we’d like! Packed with fun details and quirky touches, this impressive project takes around 70 hours, so will…

Join us on Facebook Chat 24/7 on our Facebook page – here’s what you’ve missed! OUR FAVOURITE POST We love that Trisha Hargreaves took her Christmas stitching on holiday with her! “My work for the last two weeks, on holiday in Cyprus.” Sun and festive stitches, definitely sounds like a blast to us. YOU LIKED We are loving this gorgeous project, which is Kerry O’Keeffe’s most recent finish. The name of the design is 'The Stargazer' by Mirabilia Designs, and it took her about five months to stitch it. And the winner is… We asked you on Facebook: What do you make with the ABCs? Websites you’ll love Next time you log on, check out these amazing stitchy sites Do you love fun and colourful designs? Then you’ve definitely come…

Fun facts about English bull terriers • Bull terriers were developed by cross breeding bulldogs with white English terriers (which are now extinct). • It is thought that this breed of dog can suffer from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). • Their eyes are also unusual: the bull terrier is the only registered breed to have triangle-shaped eyes. • Spuds Mackenzie was Budweiser beer’s official mascot in the 1980s – a famous bull terrier from the past! Design my pet! Q I was wondering if you could possibly design an English bull terrier chart? I would love to make a card for my husband, who is besotted with ours! They look a bit mean but are big softies really and so full of character. Ours, called Jazzy, is a brindle colour.…

THE WORLD OF Cross Stitching CLUB OF THE MONTH CRAFTY SEW AND SO’S, MANCHESTER Meeting at Gorton Library every Monday morning and Tuesday afternoons, sessions cost 50p, which is for tea, coffee, biscuits and cake to celebrate birthdays. Come and join the crafting fun – call Jacqui Davies on 0161 223 1795 or email at jacmarczacc@yahoo.com for further info. APPLY: Tell us about your club and you could win a goodie bag. Write to us (p19) or email letters@cross-stitching.com Winter Whites Visit the whitework exhibition to view delicate antique collars, sleeves and cuffs; christening robes and baby caps; fine underwear and Sunday-best table linen and handkerchiefs. MORE The exhibition takes place at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond on set days each month from May to December 2015, and pre-booking is essential.…

It’s great to add fancy touches to your home each season. Especially ones that’ll last after the Christmas decorations have been taken down, and this stunning cushion will be the star of your lounge this winter. Created by designer Amanda Gregory to look like a moodboard-inspired collage of sheet music, flower cutouts and postage stamps, your friends and family will be wowed when they see the finished design. Worked on antique white evenweave to add to the shabbychic feel, you’ll be kept busy with the variety of stitches used, including fractionals and French knots for detail. The muted colour palette of browns, whites and creams is given vibrancy with pops of seasonal colour. And, because this has a collage feel, you could use separate elements of this gorgeous design to…

Britain’s No.1 THE WORLD OF Cross Stitching ISSUE 236 ON SALE 6 NOV REINDEER GAMES Bedecked with baubles! Bring Rudolph to life with this fun project SWEET STITCHING Exclusive by Helz Cuppleditch! You’ll love these Christmas cuties WINTER WELCOMES Stitch and send gorgeous cards to all your loved ones this festive season ADD SHIMMERY BEADS Stitch a festive treat with our timeless Nutcracker design It’s your Christmas countdown! Enjoy last-minute festive ideas to tempt you, like adorable Santa and his snowman friend SNOWY VILLAGE Create a magical gingerbread scene, with our easy-to-make 3D cottages! ‘GNOME’ PLACE LIKE IT! Stitch these quirky companions to welcome everyone to your home PLUS MUCH MORE Enjoy our A-Z of Christmas ABC – fab for cards and gifts SAVE £££s! Competitions, giveaways & offers you’ll…

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…

Heather Moore is an administrator from Bangor Which three words describe you best? Determined, busy, Francophile. What has been your worst stitching disaster? A design that I coaxed my mum to try. She has arthritis and found it too difficult, so I was supposed to finish it… that was 10 years ago! Favourite cross stitch project? The baby design with the oldfashioned pram from issue 225, which I stitched for my new baby granddaughter. What do you love and hate about cross stitching? I love watching the picture grow as I work through it, but I hate tangled threads! “I like to stitch with a roaring fire and a good old movie” Libby Adams is a NHS data clerk from Dewsbury How did you start stitching? When I was about…

This time of year is often the busiest for us stitchers, as not only do we have to make and buy presents for family and friends, but we’re often crazily stitching cards and gifts until our poor little fingers can’t take anymore! If, like us, you always promise yourself to get a head start on this year’s cards but haven’t quite got round to it yet, these quickstitch designs are the ideal solution! Paired with these sweet tripleaperture cards, Lesley’s selection of charts in traditional festive shades make such an innovative greeting, your recipient is sure to be thrilled. And, with each little motif taking around a couple of hours to stitch, you’ll easily whizz through your Christmas card list in no time at all! Ideal for mixing-and-matching to combine…

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 B 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 Fiona Smith With her ears to the ground for the hottest stitching merchandise, Fiona’s all set to search out the stash you need Katriel Costello Stitching guru Katriel has worked in the industry for years, so has ample knowledge to answer any queries Perfect portrait Q Please could Jenny design a chart of my grandsons? I would love to do this as a…

Issue 234 Last month’s issue was packed with must-stitch projects – from a stunning robin redbreast to a gorgeous & glittering Sugar Plum fairy, a sweet dogs sampler, Christmas stocking with glow-inthe-dark threads, vintage-look skiing poster, funky trees triptych & all-occasion cards. PLUS TWO GIFTS: charming April Rose Illustration calendar with six charts, and cute Cookie Bear chart Issue 233 Fizzy Moon Xmas card kit, Bebunni doing her stitching, fun dinosaurs, poppies, Lili of the Valley exclusive, HAED hare pt 2 Issue 232 Stitcher’s Tin & Floral Bouquet chart, adorable Somebunny to Love, vintage teacups, sunflower cards, sweet panda, HAED hare pt 1 Issue 231 Margaret Sherry card kit & Seashore Sampler chart, cute Tatty Teddy, blackwork hummingbird, vintage dress pattern Issue 230 2-in-1 hanger kit, gorgeous roses, birthday Cookie…

Shopping list Zweigart* 14-count white aida measuring 30x30cm (12x12in) for the face 14-count plastic canvas measuring 15x20cm (6x8in) for the hat and 10x5cm (4x2in) for the nose Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 24 tapestry needle Wooden embroidery hoop measuring 18cm (7in), available from The Craft Department* White backing felt and an orange brad, measuring 6mm (_in), both from local craft stores Thread & fabric cost Approximately £15 *For stockists see page 90 TOP TIP After cutting plastic canvas to size before stitching, cover the edges with masking tape to prevent your thread from snagging while you stitch Factbox Stitching Time Approx. 20 hours Type of Stitches Cross stitch, backstitch Ease of Stitching Advanced beginner All simple stitches Snowman Advent Calendar key How to... cross stitch on plastic…

Cross stitching forums can be a great place to keep in touch with friends and family, and to give you the chance to share in on what everyone is stitching. However, one stitcher had a lovely surprise when she tracked down a long-lost relative, thanks to The World of Cross Stitching’s online community. Lisa Watkins-Price lives in Watford with husband Nicholas, 11-year-old son Joshua and their Jack Russell, Stella. She’s been hooked on stitching since she was 13, always has at least one project on the go and enjoys a wide range of stitching styles and subjects. As Lisa explains, social media plays an important role in her day-to-day life. “Our family is quite spread out, all over the place and we have friends who have moved to different countries…

Do you dream about stitching? I’m starting to worry that my stitching plan for the festive season may be having subconscious effects… I don’t know whether it’s just that I’ve had a busy stitching week with a birthday deadline as well as my “regular schedule routine” preparing for Christmas. But I can report that I’ve been seeing stitches in my sleep! In a dream a few days ago, I was at my mum’s house and it was Christmas Eve – the tree was all a-glow. But I was still busy stitching Christmas cards, and everyone was telling me off for being so late and not having got my cards all off in the post before now! It’s a good job I woke up to reality. In fact, my forward planning…