Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i The World of Cross Stitching

Only £5.99 (inc P&P) Don’t miss it! Stitch happy and celebrate all those special occasions with a gorgeous selection of charts. With 102 cards, gifts and makes, we’ve got you covered for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and much more! Get stitching: ❃ Adorable hedgehog by Margaret Sherry ❃ Get ready to party with our invites and fun signs ❃ 16 cards and gifts for baby ❃ 29 beautiful birthday cards and matching gift tags ❃ Hen party accessories, wedding & anniversary cards Plus, cards to celebrate a new year, a new house and a new job. Stitch for Valentine’s, say congrats or very well done! ON SALE 15 MAY 2025 – ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY ONLINE www.ourmediashop.com/favourites41 CALL 03330 162 138+ and quote ‘Favourites 41 Print 1’ +UK calls will cost…

Iuliia Lapteva is an auditor from Cyprus Most recent fave WOXS design? I love travelling and started a new tradition of stitching with a wish in mind. My favourite is the ‘London Snow Globe’ from issue 353 (Special 2024). Right after I finished, I went on a trip there! What’s your favourite project style and why? I enjoy stitching all kinds of designs, but my absolute favourite is houses, especially those with a Christmas theme. I love the cozy and festive atmosphere these patterns create, making them feel truly magical. What do you love most about cross stitching? It helped me during a time when I felt lonely – it pulled me out of that state and led me to new friends. It’s a form of therapy and meditation, a…

Just in time for summer stitching, artist Faye Whittaker’s lovely seaside painting from her signature All Our Yesterdays collection has been converted into an exclusive pattern for you. We’ve featured many of Faye’s beautifully nostalgic pictures over the years and this latest scene is just perfect – two youngsters filled with excitement for all the fun a day at the beach can bring. Full and half cross stitch has been used to create depth to the scene, especially with the waves and sky, to create a softer effect. Plus, while the use of full stitches means it is beginner friendly, be mindful of the French knots for the teddy bear’s eyes – why not practise on some scrap fabric first, or use a seed bead? You could also stitch on…

A trip to the farmers market always makes for a grand day out, especially when the sun is shining and there is an assortment of delicious treats and goodies up for grabs. These bumbling bees are also indulging in a day out to the farmers market, with stalls filled with sweet golden honey, baked treats and fresh smelling flowers. Gail Bussi’s design is stitched on ivory evenweave for a vintage look, accompanied with the rustic colour palette for a homely finished. We turned the design into a layered hanging for a homespun finish, so if you’d like to make your own, then turn to page 32 for a nifty tutorial. Remember to refer to the key carefully when stitching as there are different backstitch colours used for detail. Why not stitch…

PICK OF THE MONTH Pretty portraits SIMPLY GORJUSS Santoro’s iconic character, Gorjuss, is well loved by many people, including seasoned stitchers. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the first Bothy Threads* and Gorjuss partnership and they are celebrating the collaboration with eight brand-new designs! A stitch for every season, rain or shine, enjoy a variety of kits such as ‘Ray of Light’, ‘Rainbow Wishes’, ‘Twilight’ and other precious pieces that will look ever-sew sweet in a little one’s bedroom. The kits include everything a stitcher needs, including 14-count Zweigart aida with pre-printed backgrounds to add depth. Plus, enjoy adding a splash of sparkle to these brilliant designs as you play with beads and sequins for a stellar finish. Discover the full range on the Bothy Threads website. RUSTIC READS…

Welcome back to the SAL, everyone! It’s July, meaning that a well-decorated ice cream is our dessert of choice as we take a trip to the seaside. Covered in sprinkles with a cherry on top, this cone looks good enough to eat. Plus, it isn’t a seaside destination without an iconic, brightly coloured beach hut catching our view. We’d love to learn more about all of your favourite things to do in the summertime, and if you have ever converted any of these interests into cross stitch! Please remember to message us on our Facebook and Instagram pages to show off your hard work, or email in to the magazine for a chance to be featured! Guide to stitching your Stitch-A-Long (SAL) • The key and Shopping List include the…

Q We got a rescue kitten in September and called him Wispa. He is a right cuddle monster and knows he’s handsome. I would love if I could get a chart, it would mean a lot to me and my husband! Nicola Sycz, Banbury A Jenny: Aww, he really is a cute cat, Nicola! I hope you enjoy this chart, it can be used for various things, but turning it into an occasions card, or even a patch for your bag, would be adorable! Cat 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.…

CHARTS Made up of coloured squares containing symbols that represent squares to be stitched on the fabric. A tiny symbol denotes a fractional stitch in the corner of the square in which it’s to be worked. The centres of our charts are marked with arrows on the edge of each side. To find the corresponding centre of your fabric, fold it in half horizontally and then vertically – the point where the creases cross marks the centre. Start stitching here to ensure the design is positioned in the middle of the fabric. SHOPPING LIST Contains type and size of fabric, recommended needle, and details of other products to frame or finish your project in the same way we have. Using another fabric with different HPI will alter the finished size…

× Issue 359, June 2025 Enjoy an exclusive Wrendale Designs of this dynamic doggie bounding for treats, alongside a pretty-in-petals jigsaw heart designed by Emma Congdon. Have fun with perforated paper with a set of fruity bookmarks and stitch part two of Margaret Sherry’s seasonal kitty SAL. Decorate the garden shed with a rustic hanging and make vintage dress cards for your girl friends. Your gift: Wooden bobbin organiser × Issue 358, May Double card kit pack, Sweet garden fairy, cute capybaras, delicate bluebell set, vibrant funfair cards, scenic seaside promenade and dress-up crowns CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY ☎ 03330 162 137† × Issue 357, Apr Puffin bookmark kit, Whimsical Easter gonk, painterly kingfisher, colourful tote bags, bespoke wedding calligraphy, daffodil canvases and grandma’s sweet pantry × Issue 356, Mar…

We always love to hear from our readers about the projects we’ve featured that you loved stitching. We’re so happy to welcome back a classic artist to grace our cover and get us all excited for summer beach fun. Artist Faye Whittaker is well known for her All Our Yesterdays paintings, many of which have been converted into cross stitch kits over the years. We’re delighted to feature a brand-new exclusive chart which will be a pleasure to stitch! There’s even more to shout about this month, including a big and beautiful woodland scene by Amanda Butler and the third in our snow globe series by Emma Congdon – this time we’re off to Rio. Our fun hot air balloon by Durene Jones is packed with cute animals and perfect…

There is nothing better than inviting all of your friends and family around for a ravishing garden party while the tennis is on, everyone huddled around the TV to watch incredible sets, smashes and volleys. Elevating your afternoon party with Fiona Baker’s tennis straws makes for fun conversation and you can reuse them again and again! Each of these six marvellous motifs have been stitched on plastic canvas and carefully cut out following the guidelines on the charts, with large holes top and bottom to thread through your straw. Your garden party guests’ cooling drinks will be instantly recognisable by its sporty straw topper. Choose your favourite from a classic strawberry dipped in cream, to a tennis ball, trophy, player, champagne bottle or pair of rackets. These toppers are such…

Flying halfway across the world, our needle has landed in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. Packed with vibrant colour as the city is decorated for the carnival, Emma Congdon has showcased the best of the celebrations and the landscape. Samba dancers parade along Copacabana beach, with Rio’s signature landmarks behind, including Christ the Redeemer, Catedral de São Sebãstiao and Sugarloaf Mountain. This project is a great place for beginners to start their first big project as it is free of fractionals and French knots. There is minimal backstitch used for details on the buildings and figures, but take your time when working on these. The sky blue aida amplifies the jewel-toned palette of Rio’s colourful skyline. While perfect as a standalone piece, expand the snow globe series by stitching…

ISSUE 361 ON SALE 11 JUNE Contents subject to change. Gift(s) only with print edition, and overseas gift(s) may vary. PLUS MUCH MORE × Luxury holiday getaway with our newest Design Library × Make a mini heart cushion to share the love × ‘A Year of Joy’ SAL – part 8 × Your cross stitching queries answered by our experts × Your stories, inspiration & letters… plus much more NAUTICAL CARD KIT Stitch this pretty all-occasions card for family and friends. Designed by Emma Congdon, this anchor surrounded by pretty florals on a printed card will be a delight to receive. Your gift includes: • 14-count aida • 20 lengths of stranded cotton • Printed card and envelope PERFECT WEEKEND STITCH Darling dancer for the nursery THE WORLD OF Cross…

FAYE WHITTAKER Artist Faye paints from her studio in Brighton. Her nostalgic All Our Yesterdays scenes work beautifully in cross stitch and you’ll love our brand new chart on page 10. AMANDA BUTLER We challenged the talented Amanda to create a beautiful woodland scene featuring some of our favourite British trees in bloom – see page 20. THE CAETANOS California-based Sosae and Dennis work together on fun-to-stitch designs, creating charts for magazines, books and kits. See their hiking motifs on page 39. STITCHING HELP! Don’t forget to send all your stitchy questions and design requests in to us! Email us at: theworldofxstitching@ourmedia.co.uk Write to: Ask the Experts, The World of Cross Stitching, Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Send in queries via social media: www.facebook.com/theworldofcrossstitching www.instagram.com/worldofcrossstitching We will try…

While summer has its brightly coloured flowers, we thought an ode to the seasonal trees would make for a stunning project, especially for people who enjoy a wander through a beautiful arboretum accompanied by local wildlife – can you spot any? Amanda Butler’s idyllic forest encompasses a variety of trees, such as tall firs, wide oak, silver birch, Japanese maple and a rowan adorned with berries. This large, dense piece with 32 shades of thread and multiple stitch types is recommended for experienced stitchers. The different strand amounts add depth, while the blended threads are used to create natural texture to the foliage. You’ll also find split backstitch to create precise details within the scene. Break up this large project with smaller designs to encourage stitching momentum, and be sure…

Commemorate the happy occasions, the monumental moments, by sending a handmade card just for them. With Perry-Abdel Hadi’s shoe cards, congratulate loved ones on their successful milestones, all the while incorporating their favourite things. Although simple looking, each contains a lot of hidden detail. Choose from six cards depending on your recipients’ interests – a sweet toothed friend, a beach lover, a footie fanatic, a keen gardener, a floral fashionista, or an all-rounder athlete. Worked on evenweave to make the French knots and fractionals easier, these cards are ideal for intermediate stitchers, or those looking to improve. Be sure to turn to page 56 on how to use pin stitch to avoid trailing threads for the confetti-style stitches. Mount in an aperture card and add colourful washi tape, or get…

Card making query Q I’m quite new to cross stitching and have started making cards with my finished pieces. However, it’s often fallen off the card by the next morning! I use double-sided tape which I stick onto the card around the four sides then press down hard. What am I doing wrong? Karen Palmer, via email Hannah: We recommend using high-bond double-sided A tape, sometimes known as redline tape, which you can find at local craft stores or online. When choosing, always check for acid-free tape to avoid the fabric discolouring – this will help your cards last. You could also try adding more of the tape to the reverse of your stitching, instead of just around the edges – this increases the surface area of what’s being stuck down.…

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…