34 The World of Cross Stitching http://www.cross-stitching.com
Your Questions Answered
In the spotlight
AMANDA BUTLER, DESIGNER
Champion stitching
Q
I just received your December issue
287 and I saw Judith Bissett’s
absolutely beautiful cross stitch of three
race horses. I’m a big fan of horses and
would love to stitch this too. Could you
please let me know where I could
purchase this kit?
Mrs Walton, via phoneA
Amanda says: This is such a
striking design called ‘Three
Champions’ (PCE731), which I designed
for Anchor. The pattern features the
profiles of three famous racehorses:
Desert Orchid, Red Rum and Best Mate,Looking for Flower Fairies
Q
Are you able to tell me which past issues had DMC
Flower Fairy patterns?
Marsha Patterson Raymond, via FacebookA
Hannah says: The World of Cross Stitching issue 204
(July, 2013) featured a DMC Flower Fairies design – ‘The
Yarrow Fairy’, which is available as a digital back issue via our
Android and Apple apps. Issues 187, 164, 138, 112 and 98 are
among some others in which we’ve featured them in the past
as well, but I’m afraid are too old to be available as digital
editions. Turn to our preview (page 94) for the next issue of
WOXS however, for a new Flower Fairy surprise! If you’re
looking for more though, you could ask your fellow stitchers
on our Facebook page if they have a spare copy they can post
to you, or check out reputable third-party sellers on eBay.What size bead for cross stitch?
Q
I am completely and utterly obsessed with cross stitching
and always stitch on 14-count aida. When using beads, is
there a certain size I should be using? Thank you!
Debbie Duquette, via FacebookA
Katriel says: Great to hear you’re so passionate about
your craft, Debbie! Beads are a great way to add
embellishment, and usually all our designs state which beads are
used – most often Mill Hill seed beads, which are a standard size
of 2.5mm diameter. They usually come in packs of approx. 500
(or 4.54g) and are available from Lakeside Needlecraft*. Other
bead brands and sizes are available, but these Mill Hill seed beads
are the perfect size to fit one per square of your 14-count aida.and is available to
buy from Stitcher*
for £29.85 RRP. The
kit contains 16-count tan aida, Anchor
stranded cottons and a needle.
Measuring 20x38cm (8x15in)
when stitched on the
supplied 16-count fabric, this
is sure to take pride of place
when on display.
When I was asked to
design this piece I was
working for Coats Crafts
UK design studio, where I
was lucky enough to create
a number of patterns alongWashing away the grid lines
Wash your stitching as normal to
remove special grid guidesChampion stitching
Amanda’s race horse design is an absolute classic
and will make a stunning picture for your homeQ
I was given a cross stitch
kit at Christmas featuring
the Great Wall of China that’s
2m long. Will it be safe to
soak the completed work in
my bath to remove the grid
lines printed on the aida?
Edward Myer,
via FacebookA
Heather
says: It
sounds as though
your kit has either
Zweigart Easy
Count or DMC
Magic Guide aida- similar products
from different
brands, which have
a 10x10 stitch grid
guide printed on
the fabric that helps
with counting
stitches. Usually the
lines are easily removed by just
washing as normal in warm
water with a mild detergent.
Presumably your threads are
colourfast if they came with
the kit, but to avoid possible
colour transfer I’d recommend
testing them first.Washing away the grid lines
with various licences they held at
the time. Whilst I no longer work on
these brands, I still love designing my
own projects and of course for The
World of Cross Stitching too. You
can find more of my work on my Etsy
store: AmandaJButlerDesigns*.Looking for Flower Fairies
This sweet ‘Yarrow Flower Fairy’
was featured in our issue 204