Diagram 1STEPH’S ACCURACY
TIP There are lots of diff erent ways
of determining the order in which you work
a cross-stitch project. Some stitchers like
to work on a particular motif of the design
and complete it before moving to the next.
Others prefer to work all the stitches in a
particular thread colour across the entire
design and then move to the next colour. My
preferred approach is to focus on an area and
do all the stitches before moving on. I’ve found
that this highlights any mistakes in my stitching
before I’ve gone very far and that I’ll only ever
have to unpick a small number of stitches.Embellishment
8
Trace the cat silhouette
printed on the Pattern Sheet
on to the paper side of the fusible
web. (It has been printed in
reverse for your convenience.)
Cut it out outside the traced line.9
Using the wool setting on your
iron, lightly fuse the web to
the felt. Use a pressing cloth to
ensure that you don’t damage
the felt. Cut the shape out on
the traced line. Peel the backing
paper off the web, and position
the cat on the cross stitch,
referring to the photograph.
Check that you can’t see any
unstitched Aida fabric around
its lower edges.10
Once you’re satisfi ed with
its position, fuse the cat to
the cross stitch: again, use the
wool setting on your iron and a
pressing cloth.11
Scatter three-wrap French
knots worked in Dark
Carnation (891), Dark Lavender
(209) and Medium Rose (899)
close to the top edge of the
greenery in the window box
at the base of the design.Finishing
12
Your work is now
ready for framing, or
for incorporating in another
project such as a cushion.13
If you’re framing it
yourself, unfasten the clips
at the back of the frame and
remove the backing board. Trim
the cardboard to match the size
of the backing board. Place the
embroidery face down on a towel.
Centre the cardboard rectangle
on the wrong side and fold
opposite edges over to the
back, checking that the design
remains centred on the front.
Referring to Diagram 1, use
strong thread to lace back and
forth between the edges of the
fabric, putting tension on the
thread so that the work is taut
and smooth, but not so much
that the cardboard bends. Repeat
the lacing on the other two sides,
folding the corners in neatly
as you go.14
Insert the laced stitchery
in the frame, replace the
backing board and fasten the
clips to fi nish.STEPH CHARD
What’s your family structure? I live with my
partner, Dane, our lovely four-year-old son,
Ollie, and our cat, called Puss. The easiest
way to impress Ollie is to stitch something
cute and fluff y.
Why this particular craft? Funnily enough,
Ipicked up cross stitch thanks to stumbling
acrossHomespun magazine! For many years,
I had been painting and drawing while never
venturing into crafty territory. After seeing
all the beautiful pieces in Homespun, I was
inspired to try cross stitch, as it’s something
that’s very accessible and easy to get into.
I now love designing and stitching pieces
(secretly more than painting now).
Have you tried plenty of others? I am in awe
of embroidery and all the different beautiful
stitches. I have set my sights on mastering
as many as I can and hopefully incorporating
more embroidery into my work.
Is it hard to find time to do your stitching
or is it a profession? Cross stitching is great,
as you can always find time here and there
to add to the piece without a lot of hassle.Do you think of your craft as passion or a
spare-time-filler? There is a part of my brain
that is constantly nagging me to do something
creative (to the detriment of housework).
I am always thinking about my next project,
although this often makes me impatient to
finish the one I am working on.
From where do you draw inspiration? My
cross-stitch designs are based on drawings
of mine. My artworks are inspired by nature,
femininity and beauty. I think artists can play
many important roles in the world, and adding
a bit more beauty to the world is something
that I hope to contribute.
What is your advice for beginners? There
are plenty of tutorials online, and you will find
it doesn’t take you very long to get started
at all. Don’t be too obsessed with how messy
the back of your stitching is – remember,
no one will see it! Also, don’t necessarily be
intimidated by bigger cross-stitch designs.
Most of the time, the only difference between
a beginner’s kit and a non-beginner’s kit is
the amount of time it takes to complete.Gett ing to know ...
Homespun 65