CrossStitcher June 2021

Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 22 high x 26 wide (each hexgon) Design size: 4x4.5cm (1½x2¾in) Stitch time: 5 hours This design was stitched on 14 count aida fabric. EXCLUSIVE READER KITS! You can send off for a handy kit containing all the materials you need to make these projects. Simply visit craftmag.co/crossstitcherkits to order your kit today! You can download your exclusive honeycomb aperture card from www.willowfabrics.com Make a… card Step 1 WORK using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch, one and two strands for the backstitch and one for the French knots on a 12x12cm (4¾x4¾in) piece of white 14 count aida. Step 2 NOTE the hexagon designs are placed on the chart to fit exactly behind the card apertures (see tip above for how to download your card). If this is not…

WHEN WE ASK what you enjoy stitching most, samplers are always high on your lists. You probably know that these lovely designs were originally collections of ‘samples’, often stitched by girls as young as eight years old. Without the luxury of magazines and books, recording motifs for later use was a matter of collecting them on fabric for reference. Stitching an alphabet was often like a job interview, as it proved that they could create the letters necessary to mark household linens in a wealthy household. Sampler making became more of an art in its own right in the late 19th century, but we can’t help wondering if those early stitchers would be a bit puzzled by our favourite leisure activity. At least we don’t have to weave our own…

Wild idea! Rico’s latest embroidery book, no. 173: ACID LEO, features cool leopard patterns in bold statement colours, as well as plain monograms and on-trend block stripes. The repeat patterns are perfect for bath towels, hand towels, wash mitts and bibs and the book also includes details for cross stitch patterns on coloured monks cloth and aida – with some designed to fit Rico’s cool new triangular frames. There are enough ideas here to give your whole home a really wild makeover! www.rico-design.com MY CRAFT ROOM: ELAINE GALLACHER We get to see a glimpse of a designer’s own craft space… “This is my little design/craft corner of the house. Hopefully one day I’ll have a whole craft room but in the meantime I store everything I use the most here… I spend a lot of…

Hullo! One thing I’ve clung to throughout this year as I’ve tried to learn new skills and navigate this ever-changing world is the value of perseverance. Like any skill, perseverance needs to be practised for it to become a habit, but it’s a habit that can change our lives for the better. Luckily, there’s a beautiful flower that represents such a quality in the Victorian meaning of flowers we call floriology – the delicate magnolia. I have two port wine magnolias in my garden and the flowers literally smell like sweets – it brings me great delight whenever the breeze catches their scent and drifts it towards me. Getting my magnolias to flower is also a test in perseverance! They are still young so they don’t flower much currently, but it allows…

THE ART OF EMBROIDERED BUTTERFLIES JANE E. HALL [Search Press] Out in paperback, this book is a gallery of gorgeous creations, for you to enjoy looking at and become inspired by. Jane E. Hall uses her talent as a textile artist to make stunning 3D butterflies from silk thread stitching. There are 12 studies, including the Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and the Brimstone, each shown along with the materials used to create them, and the photographs, swatches, drawings and paintings that inspired them. STITCH AMY BURT [GMC Publications] A must-have guide for anyone interested in cross stitch, embroidery and sewing–Stitch by Amy Burt is designed as ideal for beginner stitchers looking to make stylish additions to their wardrobes and home. There are 25 patterns that are fun and modern, but simple to complete.…

Take advantage of our exclusive offers to UK readers* and receive special discount prices… This great value mixed summer ribbon bag contains 50m of bright coloured ribbon and baker’s twine. Ideal for sewing, crafting, card making, gift-wrapping and ribbon roses. Each pack contains 2m each of 25 designs, all great for summer crafting and finishing off your cross stitch projects. In each pack you will find a mixture of sheer, satin, grosgrain, gingham, printed and spotted ribbons in a wide range of bright summer colours, and at less than 12p per metre there has never been a better time to add to your ribbon stash! Summer Ribbon Pack for £5.90, ref: SUMRB MORE OFFERS FOR YOU! If our ribbon bag offer has tempted you, we’ve lots more offers with UK postage of just £1.90… ROSE GOLD…