Allotments

The theme for this year’s National Allotments Week, from 11 to 17 August, is Wellbeing. Five women reveal how their lives have changed for the better by spending time on their plot

Have you ever turned your cross stitch into a wearable badge or jewellery? If not, then now’s the chance. You’ll find buckets of inspiration for turning sweet motifs and bold lettering into statement

You will need ■ Background fabric – 1¾yds ■ Fruit and vegetable fabrics* – a variety of colours and prints and sizes ■ Lining fabric – ⅔yd ■ Batting – 24in x 36in ■ Medium sew-in interfacing – ⅔yd ■ T

We are loving Emma Horan’s gorgeous new Coastal Poppy collection of cross-stitch kits. They are available all together as a premium Poppy set and also individually as three separate cross stitch kits

Design solutions

Reader Steve Watkin from County Durham explains why new skills and sustainability make growing such a joy