Needles & Notions Your stitching, top tips, online chat and more!
Season’s Greetings
Dear CrossStitcher, I enjoy adapting patterns from previous issues to make gifts for friends and family. Each year I make Christmas decorations for my family and this year have adapted the ‘Good Morning Sunshine’ banner from issue 385. I’m very pleased with the result.
Happy Christmas to all cross stitchers!
Wendy Hall, Solihull, West Midlands
This is such a clever idea, Wendy! Considering the original design was very much a summery project, it’s inspiring to see how you’ve given a festive twist to it. A lot of hard work, but we bet your friends and family were delighted with their special gifts!
Martin & Susan, CrossStitcher Editors
Birthday Balloon
When I saw the balloon alphabet in issue 396, I knew that it would make the perfect card for a very special person who grew up in Bristol. Some years ago Nick took me there on the weekend of the Balloon Fiesta, but it was so windy that the balloons could not take off. Now he has a balloon drifting over the Avon Gorge whatever the weather! He was delighted with his card, which he said was the best yet!
Susan Halstead, Oxford
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
Courtesy of Willow Fabrics, our Star Letter writer will win a materials pack of their choice from those on offer for the projects in the current issue. Please note that packs for the Landmarks and British Houses SALs are not included in this prize selection.
PLUS! The writers of every letter or tip featured each month will also receive a mystery prize!
Peak Practice
I was so happy to find this alphabet cabin in issue 390. I live high up in the Rocky Mountains. I couldn’t resist stitching the letters to spell my name. I used beads for the Christmas lights and I changed the letter ‘H’ cabin into a church by stitching a star onto the door and adding a bell charm on top. Thank you for publishing Fiona Crouch’s beautiful patterns. Sincerely,
Jenny Minichino, Utah, USA
READER TIP Try not to carry your threads too far"
To avoid any tension issues with your stitching and prevent fabric distortion or getting caught while stitching, I recommend not to carry your thread too far across the back of a stitched area without catching it down through some stitches across the back.
Christine Matthews, Darlington
Blanket Love
Hello! Just wanted to show off my latest stitching. I fell in love with this chart f
