AskTheAngels
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know what effect you want to
achieve. This type of floss includes
several colours within one skein,
bringing subtle colour changes to
your stitching. The finished result
will depend on how you use it.
Working groups of whole stitches
across, down or diagonally will give
you different blocks of changing
colour. For a blended look, work
for five jars with screw-top lids –
great for beading on the move.Standing ovation
Q
How can I keep my charts
upright when I stitch?
I currently prop them up against
cushions, which is not ideal!
Barbara Riley, GuildfordA
Many of us have been
there, Barbara, but happily
there are several great chart
holders on the market. If you use
floor stands, Posilock makes an
attachment onto which you can clip
a magnifier or lamp, or a metallic
chart holder. It costs £7.58 from
Sew and So at http://www.sewandso.
co.uk or 0800 013 0150. DMC
produces a Magnetic Board for
holding charts that comes in two
sizes, 28x38cm (11x15in) and
18x26cm (7x10¼in), with a built-in
easel that makes it free-standing.
A handy magnetic ruler keeps your
chart in place, and you can mark
where you’re up to on the chart
with the two skein-shaped
magnets that are included with it.
This chart holder is available from
several stockists, including
Minerva Crafts at http://www.
minervacrafts.com or 01254
708 068 – the large costs £14.99
and the small costs £10.99.A wind up
Q
I’d like to start storing my
threads on bobbins, but
am not looking forward to all thatthread winding. Do you
have any tips, Angels?
Sam Barker, via emailA
Some people like to
use Stitch Bows,
which are holders that let you
decant unused skeins onto them
without winding. However,
bobbins are a good alternative if
you have a lot of partially-used
threads. Pace yourself, transferring
just a few each day – or, for speed,
use a winder. DMC’s Bobbin
Winder, seen above, costs £1.99 at
http://www.dmc.com and fits any bobbin
that has a hole at one end. Attach it
to something steady, slot in the
bobbin and pass the screw fitting
through the hole. Then, secure the
end of your thread and wind away- easy! You could also invest in
a dedicated storage box to help you
stash your bobbins.
Sourcing online
charts for free1
Visit your favourite thread
producers or suppliers
online – some, such as http://www.
dmc.com and http://www.sewandso.
co.uk, often have free charts
available to download.2
Check out the websites
of your go-to designers- many offer regular freebies.
Follow them on Facebook or
Twitter to make sure you don’t
miss out on anything as well.
3
Go to Crazy’s website at
http://www.cross-stitching.com.
We have plenty of charts and
projects, so you can satisfy
your stitchy cravings at no cost.4
Be aware of copyright
issues – any free charts
you find online should not
be sold, mass distributed or
reproduced in any way unless
it’s otherwise stated.5
Pinterest is a quick and
easy way of searching
for free charts across the
internet by theme. Be careful
of bootleg scans of charts from
magazines and books, though!Our top
tips...
half stitches across an area first,
then go back the way you came
to complete them. Tr y different
strategies for different subjects.
For example, if you’re working
a seascape, you’ll achieve a really
wonderful effect if you make whole
stitches in horizontal rows, while
grass will look good stitched in
columns. Most of the major thread
manufacturers, such as Anchor and
DMC, produce their own variegated
floss, while hand-dyed versions are
available from smaller producers.Time to tidy!
Q
I’ve amassed lots of beads
and embellishments over
many years. It’s time to upgrade
from the plastic bags that I keep
them in. What are my options?
Bernie Walker, via emailA
There’s no reason why you
shouldn’t keep your
embellishments in plastic bags,
Bernie – although they can be
fiddly to get out! Look out for
storage boxes with individual
compartments, perfect for stashing
beads, at craft stockists. If you
have a sizeable collection, check
out Hobbycraft’s Clear Plastic
Storage Box, measuring 35.5x22cm
(14x8½in). It has 46 compartments
and costs £7.50 from http://www.hobby
craft.co.uk or when you call
0330 026 1400. For smaller
collections and added flexibility,
we like Siesta Frames’ Clear
Storage Box. It includes 30 jars with
lids and costs £5.99 at http://www.
siestaframes.com. You can remove
the individual pots from the box so
you can keep them with the project
you’re currently working on. Siesta
Frames also sells Stacker Jars
measuring 4cm (1½in), 5cm (2in) or
7cm (2¾in) wide, all costing £1.99Hello, Angels!
Send your stitching problems to Crazy’s Angels and we’ll come to your
rescue! Make your questions as crazy as you like and send them to the
address listed below.
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Date sent ....................................................................................................
Name and address .....................................................................................
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Fill in and cut out this coupon (or photocopy it) and send it to:
Crazy’s Angels... Cross Stitch Crazy, Immediate Media Company Bristol
Ltd, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN or email
your requests to: [email protected]S Variegated threads can
create stunning gradient
effects in your stitchingT Individual jars or pots
are really handy for storing
small embellishmentsS A chart holder
will keep your
chart in sight!