Cross Stitch Gold - UK (2020-03)

Afternoon tea

1

Paint your outer hoop

white and leave to

dry, then fleck away some

areas to create a shabby-

chic effect if desired.

2

Trim your stitching

to approx. 5cm (2in)

larger than your inner

hoop, then cut a piece of

felt slightly smaller than

the inner hoop.

3

Insert your fabric into

the hoop, making

sure the design is straight

and central, with the

screw at the top. Tighten

the screw, keeping the

stitching taut like a drum.

4

Gather the edge of

the fabric at the back

using running stitch, then

secure your thread.

5

Tack the piece of felt

to the back of the

stitching and hang with

ribbon to finish.

“I think Amanda’s tempting

scene would look gorgeous in

the kitchen, bringing colour

and cheer as you set about

baking or making

a pot of tea.”

Fiona Baker,

Technical Editor

How to make up the hoop

Garden in bloom

As you know, I’m a great lover

of flowers, so I’ve added various

floral elements to different

parts of this design – from the

hanging wisteria and vase of

blooms on the table, to the

flowery tablecloth and china.

Jam or cream first?

Some people like to put cream on

their scone before the jam, but

as you can see if you look quite

closely, I’m a believer of jam first!

Whichever way you take them,

scones are an absolute must for

afternoon tea on a sunny day.

AMANDA GREGORY’S

Designer Secrets

Bottom left

Bottom right

50

60

Stitch the pretty pink

teapot and matching

teacup on their own as

a greetings card for a

summer birthday

Stitch tip