Peace &
serenity
Soak up the sunshine and relax into this beautiful
lakeside scene – a treat for experienced stitchers
Meet the designer
Maria Diaz
Maria has always had a
passion for needlecraft,
since learning to sew
as a child on her great-
grandmother’s Singer
machine. After art college
she landed a job as a
printer, which led to her
becoming DMC’s first
in-house designer. She
is now an independent
designer and lives in the
Midlands with her two
sons, Lincoln and Hudson.
“Just like this girl and
her little dog, I love to
be by the water. This
looks like the perfect
spot for some stitching,
a good book, or simply
some peace and quiet.”
Stitcher’s guide
This design is worked on 28-count white
evenweave over two threads of the fabric in
30 shades of stranded cotton. Cross stitch is
in two strands of thread, as is the half cross
stitch for the sky and background. Backstitch
defines the design in one strand of cotton,
while fractionals add extra detail. This project
is recommended for experienced stitchers.
How to stitch the design
1
Find the centre of your fabric by
folding it in half both ways. Find the
centre of the chart and start here.
2
Work the cross stitch over two threads
of the fabric using two strands of
cotton. For every tiny symbol you see on
the chart, work a fractional stitch.
3
Work the half cross stitch in two
strands of cotton.
4
Add the backstitch detail using one
strand of cotton.
5
Check over your stitching and prepare
for framing.
You will need
Fabric Zweigart 28-count white evenweave
measuring 36x44cm (14¼x17¼in)
Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key
Needle Size 24 tapestry needle
Extras Frame and mount of your choice with
a minimum aperture of 21x28.5cm
(8¼x11¼in)
FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page 59
Lake scene