HEATHER NUGENT, LOVE EMBROIDERY MAGAZINE
Cross stitch newbie
Q I’ve just started embroidery and picked up your magazine for the first time. It’s quite different to expected. The designs are beautiful, but I hadn’t realised I would need special fabric and different stitches to those I’ve tried before. Does this mean there are different types of needlework and how do I know what to use when?
Elaine Michael, via email
A Heather says: While both are types of hand stitching with needle and thread, cross stitch and embroidery are unique crafts in their own right. Counted cross stitch, which is exclusively what you’ll find in this magazine, uses ‘cross’ shaped stitches and gridded fabrics. You’re required to follow a pattern and key which indicates which colours and stitches to use, and where to place them, in order to form the picture.
Embroidery usually involves transferring a template directly onto a fabric of your choice, then filling the outlines and shapes with various stitches. There are many more types of stitch than found in cross stitch, although you will notice some cross over between the two.
Check out my full guide on this topic at www.gathered.how (search for “cross stitch vs embroidery”).
Wonderful works of art
Q I am reaching out as I am wondering if you might have a list of issues in which you included cross stitch patterns designed by Michael Powell?
Carina Elliott, via email
AFiona: Michael Powell’s intricate artworks have long been a fave with stitchers, and we’ve featured a few charts by the popular artist over the years. You’ll find ‘Peacock Heart’ in issue 224 (January 2015), the ‘Hill Top Farm’ landscape in issue 289 (January 2020), and ‘Amsterdam Scene’ in issue 306 (May 2021), all of which are available on our app. You’ll also find patterns that feature a Greek island and winter village, in issues 114 (September 2006) and 196 (December 2012) respectively. Sadly these are too old to be digitised, but keep a look out in second hand or charity stores, or on marketplaces such as eBay – just remember that the copying and selling of individual patterns is prohibited by copyright
