Dazzling
dahlias
Make a show of your stitching skills with this glorious
cushion, adorned with dahlias in every colour!
Meet the designer
Amanda Gregory
Based in the West
Country, Amanda is a
talented watercolour
artist, cross stitch designer
and dressmaker. Her work
is suffused with gorgeous
colour combinations and
a great sense of detail,
and her beautiful designs
regularly appear in a
range of popular cross
stitching magazines.
“There are over 40
species of dahlia, and
I’ve included different
colours and varieties
here for extra interest.
Which one is your
favourite, I wonder?”
Stitcher’s guide
This design is worked on 28-count white
evenweave over two threads of the fabric
in 32 shades of stranded cotton. Cross stitch
is in two strands of thread, and backstitch
defines the design in one strand of thread.
This design also uses fractional stitches and
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 stitching
here, working your way outwards.
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 backstitch detail using one
strand of cotton.
4
Check over your stitching and prepare
for making up.
You will need
Fabric Zweigart 28-count white evenweave
measuring 40x40cm (15¾x15¾in)
Threads Stranded cotton as listed in the key
Needle Size 24 tapestry needle
Extras Backing fabric, piping and cushion pad
to fit, from local craft stores
FOR STOCKISTS’ DETAILS turn to page 59
Dahlia cushion