20 to Stitch: Mini Cross Stitch

Michael Powell

Informations

• Publié par: Search Press
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 0001
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9781781260364
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Twenty to Make
Mini Cross Stitch
Michael Powell
First published in print 2013
First published in electronic format 2014
Search Press Limited
Wellwood, North Farm Road,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Text copyright © Michael Powell 2013
Photographs by Paul Bricknell at Search Press Studios
Photographs and design copyright © Search Press Ltd 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this book, text, photographs or illustrations may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means by print, photoprint, microfilm, microfiche, photocopier, internet or in any way known or as yet unknown, or stored in a retrieval system, without written permission obtained beforehand from Search Press.
Print ISBN: 978-1-84448-657-1
EPUB ISBN: 978-1-78126-036-4
Mobi ISBN: 978-1-78126-091-3
PDF ISBN: 978-1-78126-145-3
The Publishers and author can accept no responsibility for any consequences arising from the information, advice or instructions given in this publication.
Readers are permitted to reproduce any of the items in this book for their personal use, or for the purposes of selling for charity, free of charge and without the prior permission of the Publishers. Any use of the items for commercial purposes is not permitted without the prior permission of the Publishers.
You are invited to the author’s website at:
www.michaelpowellart.co.uk
Suppliers
If you have difficulty in obtaining any of the materials and equipment mentioned in this book, then please visit the Search Press website for details of suppliers: www.searchpress.com
Dedication
To my family: Lesley-Anne, Molly and Elinor, for their patience and understanding during the long process of creating the designs for this book.
Contents
Introduction
Stitching instructions
Simple Daisy
Heart with Jewels
Garden Shed
Cupcake Hearts
Orange Tree at Sunset
Chapel in Moonlight
Queen of Hearts
Cottage with Orange Trees
Mountain Cottage
Heart Border
Border with Flower
Hearts in Tall Glass Vase
White Village
Heart Dangle
Sunny Windowsill
Christmas Tree with Snow
Bunch of Flowers
Birthday Cake
Country Cottage
Daisies
Introduction
I am delighted to be introducing my first book. The designs are a reflection of many of the things that I love: architecture, the great outdoors, beautiful warm countries, and colour! All of these designs began life as a piece of my artwork – some come from early sketches, while others come from full watercolour paintings – and it is this firm foundation that gives these designs their quirky feel. All of the pieces are ideal for the beginner, but they will also appeal to the experienced stitcher who is looking for a small, quick piece to stitch.
I would encourage you to visit your local needlework shop to buy your materials. There will always be an expert on hand to help you get the very best out of your cross stitching experience.
What can you do with your masterpiece when it is finished? You can do the obvious thing and frame it as a picture, or you can use the piece as the focal point of a needle case, card, bag, bookmark or anything else that you fancy. We hope that working through the designs in this book will inspire you to go on to larger and greater things.
You have read enough from me now, so off you go and enjoy this lovely little book!



Some examples of Michael’s enchanting original artworks.
Stitching instructions
Fabric preparation
The designs in this book were stitched on 14 count Aida fabric. Other fabrics such as evenweave and canvas can be used as an alternative. On occasion, your fabric can fray slightly round the edges. You can prevent this by oversewing or placing masking tape over the raw edges.
Throughout this book, I have used Anchor embroidery thread, and the numbers accompanying the colour keys refer to this brand’s threads. Should you wish to use a different brand of thread, such as DMC or Madeira, then conversion charts are readily available.
Before you start stitching, find the centre of your fabric by folding it in half lengthways and widthways, and mark the centre with a pin. The centre of the design can be found on the charts that accompany each project by following the arrows on each side, top and bottom. Mark the centre of the chart and begin stitching at the centre of the design.

Reading the charts
One symbol on a square represents one full cross stitch worked in the colour specified. One full stitch on Aida is worked over one square, while on evenweave it is worked over two threads.
Getting started
You will need a tapestry needle in size 24 or 26. This is a special blunt needle that will not split your stitches.
To secure your thread, use the loop method: fold one strand of thread in half, then thread the two ends through the needle. Take the needle up through the fabric at the given point and work the first half of the cross, being careful not to pull the thread right through. Before completing the second half of the stitch pass the needle through the loop of the thread at the back of the work.
How to work cross stitch


Cross stitch
All cross stitch is worked in two strands except where indicated on the key. Each cross is made up of two stitches that together form an ‘X’. The bottom stitch is worked from lower left to upper right, and the top stitch is worked from upper left to lower right.
How to work back stitch and long stitch
Back stitch is a continuous line that adds outlines and details to your cross stitch. You must work all the cross stitch before adding back stitch. The black lines on the chart indicate where to work back stitch. Use either one or two strands according to the instructions on each design.
Long stitch is worked in the same way, but each stitch is longer, crossing several squares at once.


Back stitch


Long stitch
How to work French knots
Bring the needle up through the fabric and wrap the thread twice around the tip of the needle as close to the fabric as possible. Keep the thread taut around the needle as you put the needle back into the fabric very near where you came up. Make sure that your needle goes through next to the thread, and not in the same hole. This stops your knot disappearing down the hole! Now put your finger on top of the knot and pull the needle through gently. Be careful not to pull too far.


Bring the needle up and wrap the thread around it twice.


Keep the thread taut as you take the needle down.


A finished French knot.
Finishing your work
When you have finished stitching your design, wash it gently in warm water and washing-up liquid, trying not to crease the fabric. Rinse the piece thoroughly and roll the fabric in a towel to soak up the excess water. Place it face down on a towel and press with a hot iron, being careful not to distort the fabric.
Simple Daisy

Colour key:

Navy Blue ultra vy lt (129)

Tangerine lt (313)

Pink vy lt (48)

Topaz ultra vy lt (305)

White bright + Pink vy lt (1 + 48)

White bright + Lavender lt (1 + 108)

White bright (1)

Dusty Violet vy lt (103)

Stitching notes:
Stitch count: 20 × 20.
Design area: 3.6 × 3.6cm (1½ × 1½in) at 55sts per 10cm (4in).
Where two colours are shown against a symbol, use one strand of each colour.
Outlines
All of the outlines are in long stitch with one strand of Black (403).
Heart with Jewels
Colour key:

Navy Blue vy lt (129)

Burnt Orange It + Burnt Orange ultra vy It (301 + 386)

Tangerine vy It (311)

Burnt Orange ultra vy It (386)

Gold vy It (874)

Old Gold It (891)

Gold vy lt + Old Gold lt (874 + 891)

Terracotta lt (338)

Pink lt (49)