Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i The World of Cross Stitching

ON SALE NOW! JUST £9.99* inc free UK P&P WHAT’S INSIDE! ⨯ 132 pages of cross stitch inspiration ⨯ Heartfelt greeting cards to match every occasion ⨯ Designs suitable for all stitching abilities Order your copy today! ORDER ONLINE www.ourmediashop.com/xstitchcards24 OR CALL 03330 162 138+ and quote ‘Ultimate Cross Stitch Cards 2024’ + UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Lines open weekdays 9am to 5pm. Overseas please call +44 (0)1604 973 746. Price. *EUR price £11.99, ROW price £12.99. All prices include P&P. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Offer subject to availability. This magazine was previously published in 2020 with…

Be on the panel! ⨯ Get a sneak preview ⨯ Appear in the magazine ⨯ Receive a stitchy gift Michelle Macfarlane is a medical receptionist from Insch, Aberdeenshire What’s the best stitching tip you ever heard or read? Put masking tape around the edge of the material to save it from fraying and use thread when you’re trying to mark where the middle of the fabric is. Tell us about a WOXS design that you love… The Forever Friends design of the bear in the teacup from issue 343 (March 2024) was my favourite. I just love Forever Friends! One of their designs was the first pattern I completed. What has been your favourite cross stitch project so far? My husband and I went to Venice for our honeymoon. When…

With the enduring popularity of period films and TV shows, we can’t help but fantasise about a life filled with beautiful dresses and balls, which is why we knew Maria Diaz could bring the Victorian era into stitches not only accurately, but dazzlingly. These two ladies are embarking on an afternoon walk ready to be seen by society in their extravagant dresses and they’ve been stopped by a well-mannered admirer who has a bundled bouquet of fresh flowers from the gardens! You’ll bring this scene to life on 28-count tranquil grey evenweave, which is revealed on the ground area and gives added depth to the scene. There are 37 thread colours all in vintage hues, alongside delicate metallic threads to make their stylish dresses sparkle. We framed our piece in…

Not only are these cute animals known for sleeping almost all hours of the day and eating their body weight in eucalyptus leaves, but did you also know that they can also make for a mesmerising cross stitch design? If you’re familiar with Meloca Designs’ work, then the repetitive, intricate patterns of different kinds of animals are no stranger to you. They’re always a treat to stitch when you want to unwind and do something mindful. This project is a great place to start for beginners who are looking to use whole stitches only, though be careful not to get the similar thread colours all in a muddle as that won’t be relaxing at all! Instead, we suggest pre-sorting all of your cottons beforehand to stay organised. While we mounted…

Q Hi there, Jenny! Please can I request a chart that has a visually impaired person using a white mobility cane? I want to make a card for someone who teaches Orientation and Mobility to visually impaired people. Katharina Brandes, via Facebook A Jenny: Here’s a simple design, Katharina! This small motif can be turned into a card or a patch and will show your appreciation. You can stitch it with or without sunglasses, it’s up to you! 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. Visually Impaired Person key STITCH COUNT 30 high x 21 wide  DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 5.5x4cm (2¼x1½in) QUICK Q&A I'm beginning a pattern in…

Stitching on coloured fabric can enhance the project, but sometimes it can be tricky to find the perfect shade that complements a design. The right fabric can add dimension by providing a ready-made colour background to your scene, and also help cut down on stitching time if you’re in a hurry to finish the piece. Hand-dying fabric is one way to create a colour not readily available in stores, but with limited colours or control over how it’ll turn out, you might fancy getting creative. Fabric painting is an imaginative way to make a unique background for your project – and adds a fun skill to your repertoire to boot! Good quality aida, evenweave and linen fabrics are typically made using natural cotton fibres, which makes painting on them a…

Out in the wild TAKE THEM ON YOUR TRAVELS Don’t halt stitching for your holiday plans! The beauty of cross stitch is that it’s small enough to put in a carry-on for on-the-go stitching. Vivid Stash* has recently launched new patterns for its Wild Scotland collection, a series of exclusive tartan certified designs with a range of wildlife and symbols native to Scotland. The latest designs are ‘Callum Crab’, ‘Larry Lobster’, ‘Sinclair Seahorse’ and the ‘Scottish Anchor’. With how unpredictable the weather can be, we think these kits are great to have on hand. Each kit costs £18 available on Vivid Stash’s website, or visit their Etsy Page to purchase PDF patterns instead for some last-minute buying. CUTENESS OVERLOAD If you have a teen looking to get into craft, why…

We don’t like to pick favourites, but this issue is certainly one of our best-loved of the year so far (although you haven’t seen our fabulous Christmas designs yet!). We absolutely adore Maria Diaz’s Victorian Promenade scene (p10) and it contrasts brilliantly with our latest Smurfs exclusive (p20), so there’s something to stitch whatever your mood! Also to highlight is the cool koala (p28) from Meloca Designs, the latest in our seasonal sampler series by MiruMakes (p58) and a creative mermaid project (p52) on painted aida. There are plenty of smaller designs too, including Durene Jones’ back-to-school design library (p39), which includes motifs for home schoolers and university students too! Lesley Teare’s chic ladies cards (p72) will be quick and easy to stitch and Amanda Gregory’s beautiful Assisi-style alphabet (65)…

Sweetheart Mouse key STITCH COUNT 40 high x 37 wide DESIGN AREA 14 HPI (28-count evenweave) – 7.5x6.5cm (3x2½in) Striking a pose for all to see, Lizzie Mouse is dressed to the nines for her 1950s themed school dance. She’s wearing a gorgeous green dress with a pink heart in the centre. If your teen is looking for some style inspo, then look no further and turn Lizzie into a patch they’ll love just as much as this sweetheart. Missed a chart? ISSUE 348 Grandad mouse is spending his time gardening outside in the sunshine. ISSUE 347 Charlie is out for a quick round of tennis get stuck in to summer sports. ISSUE 346 In all the colours of the rainbow, Monty shows his support for Pride Month. For back…

Every letter writer gets a prize! Star Letter FEELING STARSTRUCK My daughter Grace has been a huge fan of boyband JLS for a long time, so last year I surprised her with meet and greet tickets in Bournemouth. I decided to cross stitch a picture for her and get the lads to sign it – six weeks furiously stitching wasn’t easy, especially when I work 12-hour days. The final stitch out of 66,000 was done the night before the concert, however, imagine my dismay when we were told the band wouldn’t be signing anything! After all that hard work, I decided to sneak the finished picture in. They were the nicest lads you could ever meet and were amazed by the design. Before I even said anything, they whipped out…

GET IN TOUCH FOR STITCHING HELP Don’t forget to send all your stitchy questions and design requests in to us, we love to hear from you: Email us at: theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk Send in queries via Facebook: The World of Cross Stitching Write to: Ask the Experts, The World of Cross Stitching, Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Having fun on the farm Q Have you done any farm animal designs before? I’m looking for the perfect pattern to make a nursery sampler for my daughter. She’s growing up on our family farm. Hazel Harriett, via Facebook A Fiona: We may have the perfect design for you in our Etsy shop www.worldcrossstitching.etsy.com. Designed by Joanne Aston, this detailed Farm Animals PDF chart features all your favourite farmyard friends in one beautiful project.…

GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE: • Trial your first 3 issues from as little as £5*• Save up to 41% after your trial period• Enjoy easy and convenient delivery direct to your door• Never miss an issue• Perfect summer reading YOUR TWO EASY WAYS TO ORDER Order online at ourmediashop.com/SS24SP Call 0330 053 8660† quote OFFER code SS24SP This offer closes on 31st August 2024 and is valid for UK delivery addresses and by Direct Debit only. The discounts shown are savings calculated as a percentage of the full shop price. For overseas rates visit www.ourmediashop.com. Should the magazine ordered change in frequency; we will honour the number of issues and not the term of the subscription. You are free to cancel your subscription at any time – if you cancel…

Leaves in rusty shades of orange and red crunching underfoot, the smell of pumpkin spice wafting in the air, an abundance of festivals to wrap up for as the weather begins to get crispier – there’s no better way to invite the cosiest season into your home than with a sampler showcasing autumnal activities. Each square will only take a few hours of your evening to stitch up, which is the optimum amount of time for you to nestle into your sofa as the weather begins to get cooler. However, do be mindful of all the different backstitch colours used in this pattern – we recommend to check the key carefully as some shades look similar to each other. When framing your finished piece, you can either opt for a…

Simple yet full of character, each individual portrait imbues a drop of style and are so versatile that they can be given for many occasions. If you’re looking for a fast-to-finish birthday card or just want to do something kind for a loved one, no matter where you send these fashionable ladies they’ll look fabulous sitting on their mantel. Following backstitch-heavy designs can be tricky, so a way to make it easier is by carefully tracing the lines on the chart as you stitch to ensure your positioning is correct. If you’re a beginner, or someone who doesn’t feel confident in using French knots in stitching, why not swap the French knots for beads instead? Not only will you get a similar textured effect, but it can add extra glitz…

We are The World of Cross Stitching and we want our magazine to reflect the world we live in. We’re committed to creating content that is inclusive and celebrates the diversity of the cross stitch community. Stitching is for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, faith, culture, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. We have begun work on a plan to drive meaningful change, but we know it’s a work in progress. We want to listen to you, our readers. If you have any questions or thoughts, get in touch at theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk…

The beautifully playful and nostalgic paintings of Faye Whittaker have been delighting stitchers for many years. Under the banner of All Our Yesterdays, | The World of Cross Stitching and former sister magazine, Cross Stitch Crazy have published many charts based on her designs. In this lovely supplement, we bring you six complete charts and keys alongside the original artwork. We are really happy to be able to bring Faye’s creations to newer members of the WOXS community. Digital readers will find the supplement at the end of the main issue. They are great for beginners looking to try larger designs. We hope you love them as much as we do! ORIGINAL ARTWORK Faye Whittaker’s illustrations encapsulate childhood nostalgia in dreamy scenes TOP TIP Remember to take plenty of breaks…

Whether you loved The Smurfs in your younger years or have been introduced to the little blue friends through the latest films and TV shows, this design will tick all your boxes! This nostalgic and dynamic pattern will look great either in an office or playroom, with its bright, bold colour scheme. Thanks to the simple block colours, this is a great beginner project for newer stitchers, but keep an eye on the key when it comes to how many strands are needed for the backstitch detail. This pattern also uses just one strand to add depth behind the characters and half stitch to add shadow and dimension. Look how well they pop out of the circle! We’ve chosen to display this vibrant stitch using a wooden magnetic hanger for…

Sirens of the sea, mermaids appear in many fairytales where they help lost and weary sailors find their way, moreover drawing artistic inspiration for those who paint, write and now for those who sew. Fiona Baker has created a stunning silhouette of a mermaid, golden conch in hand, as well as the painted backdrop which mimics the deep waters of the ocean. Painting fabric using acrylics may be tricky for those who haven’t done it before, so do read our brief how- to on the next page before you start stitching. If you’d like a more in-depth tutorial, check out this issue’s Fiona’s Focus on page 56 on the different ways to use fabric paint – you can even use the leftover paint for other projects for a creative spin.…

Even though cross stitching is done by hand, that doesn’t mean we can’t include a sewing machine – after all, it’s there for us when we have our making up to do! This stunning sewing machine adorned in blooms is for all of us stitch-obsessed crafters. Find everything you need to know on how to stitch part 9 of the SAL in these pages. If you haven’t worked on a SAL before, we’ll guide you step-by-step. I can’t wait to share the final three instalments with you all! Please keep me and the team updated on your SAL progress by sending your photos to us on the WOXS Instagram and Facebook pages! Guide to stitching your Stitch-A-Long (SAL) • To start stitching your SAL, make the top left stitch on…

Do you enjoy creating patterns and motifs in cross stitch, and are you keen on discovering new techniques? Then you will love Assisi work, a fun variation on cross stitch that Amanda Gregory used to create the alphabet in this issue! WHAT IS ASSISI WORK? In Assisi designs, the motif or letter is reversed, so the areas where you would normally expect to stitch are left blank, while the background is filled with stitches. The negative area is often, but not always, outlined in Holbein, or backstitch, to emphasise the shape of the motif or letter. This combination of ‘reversed-out’ cross stitch and outlining is simple and effective, and you can use it to create beautiful designs. Assisi work originated in the Italian town of the same name. For centuries,…

FALL INTO BLOOMS Amanda Gregory’s floral series comes to an end with autumn’s pretty petals SPOOKY STITCHES Fiona Baker’s blackwork Halloween cards are sure to delight with fright! FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Celebrate Diwali with a sampler featuring traditions for bringing luck and fortune JEWELLED BEAUTY Jenny Barton has designed a beautiful beetle in jewel tones Forever Friends TM & © Hallmark, used under license HAVE A HOOT Durene Jones’ owl wreath hoop will be a wh-owl lot of fun to make up! PLUS MUCH MORE ⨯ Bright and bold graffiti ABC by Emma Congdon⨯ Spread positive reminders with Cheryl Mckinnon’s Design Library⨯ Stitcher’s Paradise – part 10⨯ Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts⨯ Your stories, inspiration & letters… plus much more Sweet and spooky carving fun You’ll adore…

CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY 03330 162 137† Issue 348, August 2024 Celebrate a happy occasion with Margaret Sherry’s newlywed mice and stitch a majestic lion by Jenny Barton to make up into a cushion. Indulge in Fiona Baker’s 3D beach cabins, all the while elevating afternoon tea with a poppy table runner. Travel the extra mile with some vintage transport cards and personalise your little one’s belongings with our roar-some dragon ABC. Your gift: Balloon hoop by Stitchrovia Issue 347, July Stitcher Lizzie Mouse, Elmer having fun in the sun, stunning dancer silhouette, idyllic lavender fields, farm ABC, regal European castle and seasonal summer wreath Issue 346, June Cute Papa Smurf card, otter-ly adorable Wrendale Designs, floral sewing set, beautiful blackwork turtle, dapper moustache cards and dreamy sailboat hanging Issue 345, May…

Faye is a painter based in Brighton, whose artwork is a celebration of coastal life and nostalgic childhood. The All Our Yesterdays brand can often be recognised by its depictions of children from behind, often wearing bonnets and hats. The little girls in many of Faye’s paintings were based on her own daughter as a young child. Cross stitch patterns featuring her designs have been available for many years through DMC as well as books and magazines, and this special supplement is a celebration of Faye’s work, opening up her artwork to a new community of cross stitchers. “Nothing makes me happier than painting,” says Faye. “I always have a commission to do on my easel and you’ll never find me without a small set of watercolours and a pad…