Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i The World of Cross Stitching

There’s a big event happening here in the UK this month – the coronation of our new King, Charles III, is taking place on 6 May! We’ll all be celebrating this historical event in our own special way, but if you’d like to commemorate the occasion in stitches, you’ll love Durene Jones’ symbolic sampler (p36). The design features a central Assisi-style profile of our King with the four national symbols of the United Kingdom in the corners. Regal purple threads and gold metallics complete the opulence in this heirloom design. We’ve got a fab selection of sunny stitches to brighten your home, too. A summer’s day wouldn’t be complete without a buzzing bumble bee and you can bring this humble insect to life in our honeycomb hoop on page 54.…

Cavemouse key STITCH COUNT 39 high x 38 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7x7cm (2¾x2¾in) Lizzie the cavemouse is ahead of the times in her one-shoulder animal-print dress! She may have a club in hand, but we can’t resist that butter-wouldn’t-melt smile of hers. Stitch this adorable chart as a card for a history buff or a child learning about the Stone Age at school. Missed a chart? ISSUE 331 Flossie’s salon is open for business and she’s waiting with open arms! ISSUE 330 Go birdwatching with Charlie and his brand new binoculars. Tweet! Tweet! ISSUE 329 Shimmy and shake with Lizzie as she strikes a pose on the dancefloor. For back issues, call ☎ 03330 162 137 or visit http://bit.ly/1NwX3Rv…

Star Letter SIGN OF LOVE I wanted to send you a photo of a sampler I have designed using Lisa Reakes’ British Sign Language ABC from issue 324 (October 2022). My youngest great-grandson, Teddy, contracted sepsis and bacterial meningitis at seven weeks old – he was very poorly and stayed in hospital for 18 days. It has left him profoundly deaf – he has had one cochlear implant and is just waiting for his second. I wanted to stitch something so the sign language charts came along at just the right time. Here’s Teddy with his older siblings, Loui, Oliver and Connie. Sharon Turner, via email Hannah F: It sounds like little Teddy had a tough start to life, but he’s obviously a fighter and it’s lovely to see him and…

Here’s a photo of the Viking boat I stitched from issue 320 (June 2022). I stitched it for my goddaughter, who was learning about Vikings at school. It isn’t perfect but she loved it. Thanks for the inspiring cross stitch charts. Gillian Harris, via email Hannah E: Well, Gillian – I have to say this looks perfect to me! Your goddaughter must have been amazed with all the detail in Maria Diaz’s design. If this piece has given you a taste for maritime designs, we featured the famous Mayflower ship in issue 297 (Sept 2020) and you can download this as a digital version via our app. Find out more on page 82. We’re also very excited to bring to you Amanda Butler’s ship in a bottle design in issue 335…

When visiting one of my oldest friends, she proudly showed me her new hen house and a magnificent multicoloured cockerel, Jussi. When I came back home, I went straight to find the Wrendale Designs rainbow cockerel from issue 304 (March 2021). I’ve always loved Hannah Dale’s beautiful and quirky animals but hadn’t had the opportunity to stitch one. The stitching took me a few months, but it was a true delight to make. It was quite intricate in some places, and I did struggle with the backstitch, but it was oh-so-much fun. I even managed to get over my fear of the sewing machine to finish the pillow. I sent it to my friend as a birthday gift and she absolutely loved it. She used to stitch, but can’t manage…

When issue 317 (March 2022) of WOXS arrived down here in South Australia, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I’ve been making hanging baskets for our porch, all with a red and purple colour theme. I knew I wanted to stitch this, with a few adaptations, to hang it on the pillar above my string of pearls planter I’d painted. The sun never hits this spot, but I’ve weatherproofed it, and also stitched another as a bookmark, too! I always stitch for others, so it’s nice to have something for me that brightens my day when I get home from work. Sandi Waters-Lewis, Adelaide, South Australia Emily: I’m not sure we’ve ever seen anyone adapt one of our kits to make it weatherproof (not here in rainy…

Fiona Baker Our Senior Technical Editor Fiona is ready to solve stitching dilemmas and answer technique questions Heather Nugent Heather is a cross stitch designer and multi-crafter – she’ll help you transform your stitching into finished items Hannah Erskine A lifelong stitcher, our Charting Assistant Hannah can answer any chart or stitching related questions Jenny Barton Design pro Jenny has been creating projects for us for years and is ready to take on your design challenges Hannah Fletcher All set to hunt down those elusive charts and products, Hannah’s here to find shopping answers that you need…

Stash favourites Q I used to cross stitch when I was younger, using my mum’s materials, and I have gotten back into it recently. What are the best things to buy to start my own collection of equipment, and what’s the best way to store it? Sophie Williams, via email A Fiona: It’s wonderful to hear that you’ve got the stitching bug again! To get started, you’ll need a basic set of equipment including tapestry needles, fabric (as a beginner I’d recommend starting with 11- or 14-count aida), and an embroidery hoop, frame or stand to hold your fabric taut whilst stitching so the tension stays even. Other accessories such as embroidery scissors and needle minders are useful, too. Stranded cottons can be bought in bulk so you have a…

Q Can you still buy baby bibs with an aida insert to stitch onto? I was going to make some for my granddaughter, but I don’t think I’ve come across them in such a long time. Margaret Sherwood, via Facebook A Heather: Check out Maries Cross Stitch* for a lovely range of ready-to-stitch items for babies, which includes these sweet Cross Stitch Bibs for age 6 months by DMC*. Costing £10.99 each, they’re made with 100% cotton so they feel extra gentle for little ones. Available in pink, blue or grey, they feature an aida fabric area to cross stitch a small motif or name onto. You’ll also find age 3-month bibs, small toys and comforters available to buy.…

Q I remember a few years ago, your magazine featured 12 charts of garden birds, spread out over three or four issues, and made into a quilt. I was sure I had saved these charts, but I cannot find them anywhere. Which issues were these in please? Jenni Smith, via Facebook Hannah E: This was a series designed by Lucie Heaton and featured in issues 283 (Aug 2019), 284 (Sep 2019) and 285 (Oct 2019) – you’ll find digital back issues to download in our app. Q Can you suggest what to do with small off-cuts of fabric left over from framing stitching in hoops? Henrietta Barclay, via Facebook Heather: Why not use these fabric scraps to practise different stitches, such as French knots, lazy daisy, beads, or many others we…

On display GALLERY OF MASTERPIECES In partnership with the world’s most visited museum, Le Louvre in Paris, DMC* has released a brand-new collection of cross stitch kits! Budding artists can work their way through Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ and Johnannes Vermeer’s ‘The Lacemaker’ portraits, as well as the exquisite ‘Peony Branches’ by Pierre Joseph Redouté – they are all large designs recommended for advanced stitchers but stitched on manageable 14-count aida. Also in the range are the simpler ‘Inspired by Mona Lisa’ and ‘Peony Branches’ bookmark kits, which measure just 5x17cm (2x6¾in) when finished and make great keepsake gifts.…

This time of year is a joy for gardeners and growers, so celebrate the season with these new Bothy Threads* kits by Jessica Hogarth. ‘Garden’ and ‘Allotment’ are great for intermediate stitchers as they use whole stitches and backstitch only, but feature a modern palette of threads, coloured aida and sweet motifs to keep things interesting. Each kit includes an 8in embroidery hoop – perfect for stitching and displaying – so the lucky recipient can waste no time hanging it up in their potting shed.…

A new baby is a joyous occasion for families and there’s something extra-special about being able to congratulate the new parents with something stitched, to welcome the little person into the fold. More and more, families are choosing a wide range of celebrations to mark a baby’s arrival. From Christenings and baptisms to naming days, you’ll find something for everyone in this collection of cards. Worked mainly in cross stitch and backstitch, with just a few fractional stitches to add detail to the teddy bear and the flowers, these cards are perfect for beginners. Jenny has helpfully used a gender-neutral palette of yellow, greens and blues against lighter, natural hues, so you can be prepared with a greeting, even if you don’t know the sex in advance. The designs make…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY ☎ 03330 162 137 ⨯ Issue 331, April Stitch Margaret Sherry’s adorable garden kitty for a cat lover and pay tribute to the late Queen with a glorious sampler. Try something new and stitch midnight flowers on black aida and marvel in the detail of our beautiful astrology wheel design. Plus, don’t miss the rose and violet ABC, mandala chick, yarn lover’s retreat, floral panel hanging and part 4 of our Sweet Treats SAL! Your gift: spring bunny gatefold card Issue 330, March Popcorn the Bear card kit + bonus tea chart, spring Tulip Fairy, Regency ballroom, doggie Design Library, Eid and Ramadan ABC, and cards for Mum Issue 327, Xmas Floral wreath card kit, Shaun the Sheep, The Nutcracker puppets, crystal penguin, gingerbread shape cards,…

Thread colours are arranged in shade ‘families’ – these are groups of colours that create a gradient of shading. It helps to look at a shade card for the full palette when making colour comparisons (available from DMC and Anchor) as these are arranged within the shade families already. You can swap threads like-for-like to equivalent shades of another family, ie. light, medium and dark. You may want to change the hue of an entire pattern, or use up threads already in your stash to save money. You can also alter skin tones to create different ethnicities. We’ve included some examples of skin shade families below but feel free to experiment with your own. You’ll need to select alternatives for mid-tones, highlights and shadows, depending on how many shades are…

⨯ AMANDAGCROSSSTITCH www.AmandaGCrossStitch.etsy.com ⨯ ANCHOR CRAFTS www.anchorcrafts.com ⨯ BOOKSHOP.ORG uk.bookshop.org ☎ 01900 828844 ⨯ BOTHY THREADS www.bothythreads.com ⨯ CREATIVE POPPY PATTERNS www.creativepoppypatterns.com ⨯ DMC www.dmc.com ☎ 01924 371501 ⨯ EMBROSTYLEDESIGNS www.EmbroSTyleDesigns.etsy.com ⨯ GOLDLEAF NEEDLEWORK www.goldleafneedlework.co.uk ☎ 01482 571120 ⨯ HAWTHORN HANDMADE www.hawthornhandmade.com ☎ 01258 863873 ⨯ K ELMSCOTT DESIGN Available from Wool Warehouse ⨯ LAKESIDE NEEDLECRAFT www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk ☎ 0161 505 1910 ⨯ LIFETIME SAMPLERS www.lifetimesamplers.co.uk ☎ 0115 940 6968 ⨯ LUCIE HEATON www.lucieheaton.com ⨯ MARIES CROSS STITCH www.mariescrossstitch.co.uk ☎ 01376 777017 ⨯ MOUSELOFT www.mouseloft.co.uk ⨯ PEPPERMINT PURPLE www.peppermintpurple.com ⨯ PURPLE ROSE EMBROIDERY www.purpleroseembroidery.com ⨯ R IOLIS Find UK stockists via www.solocrafts.com ☎ 0161 464 7313 ⨯ SEARCH PRESS www.searchpress.com ☎ 01892 510850 ⨯ SEW SOPHIE CRAFTS www.sewsophiecrafts.co.uk ⨯ SPOILT ROTTEN BEADS www.spoiltrottenbeads.co.uk ☎ 01353 749853 ⨯ STITCHED THIS www.notonthehighstreet.com/stitchedthis ⨯…

CHERYL MCKINNON Wish happy-ever-after to a special couple with Cheryl’s modern wedding Design Library (p47). Create personalised cards, gifts and wedding décor. MARIA DIAZ Maria’s cocktail-themed alphabet (p26) covers all your favourite tipples from Aperol Spritz to Long Island Ice Tea and Zombie to Bloody Mary. Cheers! JENNY BARTON Send warm wishes to new parents with Jenny’s versatile set of cards (p64). Stitch for a Christening, baptism, naming day or congrats on a new arrival!…

I just wanted to share with you the design I stitched from issue 306 (May 2021) for my grandbaby. It turned out beautifully and I am very pleased with the results. My son and his wife love it! It was a quick project for me. I substituted a few different colours, based on threads I had on hand at the time, but I stayed within the colour shades recommended. I mounted it onto a canvas as it was photographed. Jeanne Cronin, Prosper, Texas Emily: What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of baby Finley! It’s such a fantastic idea to raid your stash for similar threads before ordering more.…

I was so thrilled when you produced the chart to create the ‘Born to be wild’ motorbike poster in issue 322 (August 2022). My daughter’s partner, Adrian Spence, has been a fanatic for many years and I decided to create this for his birthday. I tweaked the presentation by having it professionally framed, rather than present it as a hanging poster, and created it on 14-count aida rather than evenweave, as I have developed mild double vision and find it easier working with aida. Most of the motorcycle has been constructed with leftover threads! I hope you like my version. Val Evans, Bolton Sue: Like Adrian, I’m also a motorcyclist and I’m in awe of this design and the way you’ve made it your own, Val. I bet it made his…

I started this in 2017 and only hung it a few weeks ago. I worked on it on and off through the years. It has travelled overseas with me and got me through Covid. As an avid ballroom dancer, this is the largest and most meaningful cross stitch I’ve attempted – with over 80,000 stitches and 28 colours! I’m so proud it’s finished! Most of the time I stitch gifts but after a tough time in my life, I was proud to stitch a project just for me. Yasmin Elahi, via email Lynne: Every stitch was worth it – it’s magnificent!…

Who hasn’t dreamed of living in a pretty cottage surrounded by nature at some point in their life? And you just know there must be a well-stocked craft room inside, too! Imagine sitting in there as you stitch this wonderful design by Gail Bussi, depicting the countryside through the everchanging seasons. As the trees blossom and flowers grow, the birds and bees, of course, come out to explore. And as the temperature cools and leaves fall, you realise winter will be here again before you know it! Capture it all in this masterpiece of needlework, perfectly displayed in an 8in wooden embroidery hoop for an earthy finish that will suit any setting. Antique white evenweave adds to the muted tones, too. With lots of backstitch colours to sort and French…

Q Have you ever featured a wheelchair design in the magazine? It’d be great to stitch as a positivity card for my daughter, who uses one. Andrea, via email A Fiona: What a thoughtful idea! How about this bold and bright pattern celebrating self-acceptance and body confidence, designed by Lisa Reakes? You’ll find the chart in issue 319 (May 2022), which you can download as a back issue edition via our Apple or Android app on your device. You could work the design in full for a larger framed display, or simply stitch the girl in the wheelchair to fit onto a card. It’s easy to alter the hair or skin tones using our How to Stitch guide on page 87 of this issue. You could even change the wheelchair…

Q Patience was a therapy llama that we sadly lost last year to a brain tumour. She made thousands of people happy with visits to schools, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and festivals. I would love to have a pattern to cross stitch her sweet face. Kim Davenport, via email A Jenny: What a beautiful llama Patience was, and it sounds like she brought joy to so many people. I hope I’ve managed to capture all of her character in this chart. Llama key STITCH COUNT 30 high x 30 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x5.5cm (2¼x2¼in) 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.…

⨯ Deby Young: I have clear graph sheets of 14-, 16- and 18-count. I lay them over a photo I’ve printed off and stick to it, then concentrate on colour charting. ⨯ Eleanor Williams: I’ve used the photo conversion tool in PCStitch. I find the trick is to choose the colours yourself, then limit the software to that palette. It doesn’t do as well with full colour, but greyscale can be very effective. ⨯ Sonja Hooper: I copied a photo onto some A4 graph paper using my printer, then I picked colours and stitched four crosses per graph square. ⨯ Rachel Gallehawk: I have been stitching photos for 20 years. I particularly like landscapes. I use Cross Stitch Professional, which allows me to tweak colours, size etc. People can be…

BEGINNER-FRIENDLY BLACKWORK STARTER KIT – HEART Although traditionally worked in black thread, you can in fact use any colour for blackwork – take this kit from Peppermint Purple*, which comes in blue, light blue, red, pink, green, grey, or purple (as shown). The kit is suitable for beginners and includes easy-to-follow instructions. Plus, with nine different fill patterns inside the heart, it’s an encouraging project as completing each section of patchwork will give you a sense of achievement, spurring you on to stitch the next part. Stitch count: 61 high by 71 wide, 12.5x11cm (5x4½in) on 14-count aida STITCH AND SEND BLACKWORK FLOWERS AND BIRDS Combine vibrant coloured cross stitch birds with lace-like blackwork flowers in this stunning design by Lesley Teare, available from Creative Poppy*. You can choose to stitch…

On 6 May 2023, we will celebrate the coronation of a new King, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a new design from Lifetime Samplers*? It is based on the beautiful St Edward crown, and completes a set of four samplers – the other three being for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden, Platinum and Diamond Jubilees. Whole cross stitch and backstitch are used throughout, with 17 colours and some metallic thread for the glistening gemstones. Finish the heirloom by attaching the kit’s ‘completion slip’ on the back of the framed piece.…

Hello, and welcome to part 5 of my ‘Sweet Treats’ Stitch-A-Long. This issue, I’ve whipped up the most quintessentially British cake you can get – a Victoria sponge, bursting with the finest juicy strawberries and lashings of cream. Find all the information you need to stitch the fifth part of the SAL on these pages. Follow our guide below on how to stitch each treat and refer to the plan on the next page to check the placement of part 5. If you missed parts 1-4, turn to page 82 to find out how you can order the back issues. Please share pictures of all our SALs on our Instagram and Facebook pages – we can’t wait to see how you’re getting on! Sweet Treats SAL key STITCH COUNT (FULL)…

PRIZES worth £1,072! PRIZES WORTH £270 Spring gems Glorious hyacinths, crimson tulips and delightful daffodils – Amanda Gregory has captured the beauty of them all in these two uplifting designs, heralding the end of the long winter months and reminding us of the good things to come. The circular pattern will fit a 10-inch hoop for framing, while the rectangular design measures 30.5x26.5cm (12x20½in), so there’s something for whatever size of wallspace you have to fill. You can purchase the charts as downloadable PDFs from Amanda’s Etsy site*, but we’re delighted to have 25 bundles of both charts to give away to lucky competition winners. TO ENTER Visit our website www.gathered.how/woxs PRIZES WORTH £250 Time to treat yourself If you’re in need of some inspiration for what to stitch next,…

Don’t miss it! Step into spring with 211 quick and easy cards and makes for the new season! Find all the fun and fast finishes you’ll need for Mother’s Day, Easter and Valentine’s Day! Plus, stitch for weddings, a new home, new job and more! Get stitching: 12 Mother’s Day cards 30 wedding cards & gifts 16 fun Easter treats Fab storage hoop ideas Paris in the springtime motifs Pretty patchwork cushion Plus over 125 quick patterns you’ll love to stitch and gift, from an allotment alphabet and super-sweet spring gifts to bright daffodil cards and blooming wellies and pots! ON SALE 1 FEBRUARY 2023 – ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! ONLINE www.buysubscriptions.com/FavouritesSpring23 CALL 03330 162 138+ and quote ‘Favourites Spring 2023’ +UK calls will cost the same as other standard…

Getting started Where to buy your start-up kit – turn to page 86 to see exactly what you’ll need Ready, set, shop! ⨯ ANCHOR www.lovecrafts.com For Anchor threads www.blacksheepwools.com ☎ 01925 764231 For Anchor cross stitch kits ⨯ DMC www.dmc.com ☎ 01924 371501 For kits, fabrics, threads & more ⨯ JOHN JAMES NEEDLES www.jjneedles.com ☎ 01527 830941 For needles & sewing essentials ⨯ LAKESIDE NEEDLECRAFT www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk ☎ 0161 505 1910 For kits, accessories, cards & more ⨯ MADEIRA www.barnyarns.co.uk ☎ 01765 690069 For fabrics, threads & accessories ⨯ MARIES CROSS STITCH www.mariescrossstitch.co.uk ☎ 01376 777017 For kits, fabrics, threads & accessories ⨯ SEW-IT-ALL www.sewitall.com ☎ 01280 821777 For a range of unique fabrics & accessories – home of Fabric Flair ⨯ THE WORLD OF CROSS STITCHING SUBSCRIPTIONS www.buysubscriptions.com/world ☎ 0333…

Gilly Moore is retired and from Eastbourne How did you start cross stitching? I bought a very early copy of WOXS with a picture of a woodland creatures sampler on the front. What do you like to stitch? Designs commemorating family and friends’ likes and pastimes. Which three words describe you best? Dog-lover. Chocoholic. Creative. Who’s your favourite designer? Lucie Heaton for small projects and I really like Durene Jones’ designs, especially the elf ABC Christmas stockings from issue 327 (Xmas 2022). What’s your proudest or most memorable stitching moment? Winning second place at a local craft fair for a piece of my stitching. Hayley-Roxanna Banford is a dance teacher and crafter from Bloxwich What’s your proudest stitching moment? My proudest stitching moment is when I sold my first cross…

Inspire the next generation of tiny dancers in your family with the cutest picture to hang and admire. These children have donned their fanciest costumes to put on a show for everyone to enjoy. You may even be tempted to don some ballet shoes yourself, or practise your plié in-between stitching sessions! The range of stitches in this design will really stretch your skillset, but with easy shading in pretty pastel colours, don’t let the long key put you off. Blended threads are used to recreate the translucent voile outfits, which simply involves using two different coloured strands of thread in the needle at the same time – then just stitch as normal. Half-stitch shadows help to ground the figures, and there are also some French knot details for a…

I have been stitching for almost 15 years. It has always been my favourite activity as it gives me rest and peace. In 2020 I had a stroke. I was 36 and it was a horror for me and an extremely hard time. Now I’m ok but my left hand still doesn’t work. I can’t do many things which I loved before – dancing, playing the guitar and playing video games. I was also afraid that I wouldn’t be able to stitch again, but I met someone who encouraged me to try and, because that person was very important to me, I decided to stitch the emblem of his favourite football team. It was my first cross stitch after my stroke. I finished it, maybe slower than I did before,…

Hands up, who loves a nice cocktail? From a tequila sunrise that transports you back to that beachside bar, to a vodka martini worthy of 007’s approval, we’ve got all your favourite tipples covered in this colourful alphabet. The designs use 23 vibrant hues in total, but each motif only uses a few colours, so you won’t need to change threads too often when stitching each letter. Fractional stitches and French knots add to the difficulty of this project, but we’ve got a handy guide to these stitches on p87 and the small size of each letter makes this a great first project to stretch those skills. Over the page you’ll find instructions to make this fabulous tropical hanging, but you could stitch all 26 motifs together as a sampler…

Q How can I sell things in your Etsy shop please? I see you have other designers’ charts in there and I would like to be considered, if possible. Abigail Loos, via Facebook A Fiona: Thank you for your interest in the WOXS Etsy store*. We’re afraid at present, we can only include designers’ work previously featured in our published magazines or sister titles due to contract restrictions. You may wish to set up your own store instead; then you have full control over what gets posted and how much you sell it for, and ultimately the earnings, too. It’s easy to set up an Etsy store and start selling – aside from a small listing fee, you won’t get charged anything until you make a sale.…

On Saturday 6 May 2023, Westminster Abbey in London will play host to the biggest world stage of a generation as King Charles III is crowned, alongside his wife Camilla as Queen Consort. Many won’t want to let this special occasion go by without a commemorative stitch, so add Durene Jones’ wonderfully symbolic pattern to your to-do list. You’ll find all four national symbols of the United Kingdom in the corners to make for an inclusive design, representing His Majesty’s commitment to the country he reigns. Looking glorious in an ornate gold frame, the King’s head is fashioned as an Assisi-style pattern with backstitch in both one and two strands. Regal purple stitches add to the background, and there’s a golden border worked in DMC Diamant thread for a sparkly…

There is over 1,200 Dimensions kits available to buy on the Maries Cross Stitch* website – from starter kits to challenging projects, such as ‘Frederick The Literate’ (£38.36) and ‘Rocky Point’ (£59.58) below. WOXS readers can enjoy 20% off the entire range of Dimensions kits, just go online to www.mariescrossstitch.co.uk and quote discount code WOXSDI20. Offer available until 3 May 2023. Prices and info correct at time of printing…

Clear your stitching schedule – you won’t be able to resist making these fabulous floral bunting flags before your first outdoor event of the year! Resplendent with colour from the decorative ribbons, pretty lace trim and colourful aida fabrics, these designs are sure to be the talk of the party. Beginners will love these whole-stitch-only patterns, and more experienced stitchers will no doubt enjoy an easy project to relax with, too. The flags are so simple to make by cutting out along the line indicated on the charts with pinking shears. Select your most vibrant ribbons and ric-rac for the occasion to add between the flags and you’re ready to go. The colourful DMC fabric we’ve used is a little stiffer than other fabric, which helps the flags to hold…

How did you first start designing cross stitch? It came into my life during Covid-19. The days when we could only go for a walk in our neighbourhood and nature walks brought lots of beautiful moments compared to our previous fast-living lifestyle. Spring in Cyprus is rich with flowers and plants: Cyprus bee orchid, anemone, trixago bartsia, carob tree, Cyprus gladiolus, rosemary, tassel hyacinth and winter wild oat are just a few examples. During that spring, I had an amazing experience capturing the flowers and looking for their specification, together with discovering legends and myths, meanings, and the power that they hold for healthy living. With a huge collection of flower photos, I came to the idea of creating cross stitch floral charts and making my book, The Blooming Treasuries.…

ISSUE 333 ON SALE 19 APRIL POSTCARD PERFECT Daydream about your next trip with this snapshot of a Cornish paradise LA PROVENCE Susan Bates captures the essence of France’s finest lavender-filled fields TOGETHER FOREVER Personalise this beautiful wedding sampler for a special couple’s big day BUTTERFLY SILHOUETTE Swing into action and create Perry Abdel-Hadi’s fun summer scene MATILDA This exclusive Roald Dahl design features everyone’s favourite brilliant bookworm! EXCLUSIVE FAMILY TIME Stitch Lisa Reakes’ witty cushions for Mum, Dad, Grandma and Grandad! CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH Stitch this colourful pride flag ABC to show solidarity with the LGBT+ community PLUS MUCH MORE Eight customizable and easy-to-make friendship bracelets Join in with part 6 of Durene Jones’ Sweet Treats SAL Don’t miss our summery Kawaii Design Library Your cross stitching queries answered…