Issue
98 Part one of our beautiful alpine flowers collection
in Cross stitch. Stitch an Egyptian-style bell pull,
plus part two of our duck family sampler. Also in
Cross stitch: a magnificent view of Clifton suspension
bridge. The Masterclass demonstrates the versatility
of Coton à Broder. Discover the world of Wessex
stitchery, create a luxurious pastel Hardanger tablecloth
and explore Blackwork variations.
Feature Designs
Land
of the Pharaohs
Hewn from the local rock, many of ancient Egypt's
monuments blend in with the dusty desert. But
venture inside one of the surviving tombs and
the vivid paintings are a vibrant contrast. Turquoise,
lapis blue and jade greens complement the terra
cottas and golds that surround them. This bell
pull features typical ancient Egyptian motifs
such as stylised lotus flowers and papyrus and
the hippo goddess of pregnancy, Taueret, as well
as colourful borders which adorned the ancient
Egyptians' furniture, jewellery and homes.
Lavender
Blue
Discover a lost form of embroidery and create
a beautiful keepsake with this decorative lavender
bag. This project combines the key attributes
of Wessex Stitchery; simple stitch patterns
and passages of text. The embroidered panel
is quickly built up with blocks of familiar
stitches in complementary shades that form variegated
patterns within patterns.
Alpine
Collection Part 1
Above the tree line and below the snow-capped
peaks, somehow these delicate blooms survive.There
is a tremendous variety of fragile-looking alpines,
all of which thrive in the exposed terrain and
pockets of soil. Stitch these miniature marvels
on fine Congress cloth and have a permanent
display of alpines all year through.
Clifton
Suspension Bridge
Spanning the river Avon 250 feet above the floor
of the gorge stretches the Clifton Suspension
Bridge. Work on the bridge began in 1836 but it
was not completed until nearly 30 years later.
Isambard Kindon Brunel's design was submitted
as part of a competition and the imposing pillars
were to be adorned with sphinxes and Egyptian
motifs. One of the most awe inspiring and familiar
sights of the south west, this feat of engineering
has been admired by all those who travel over
it or live at its feet.
Pastel
Panache
The subtle shading and delicate tones of Caron
thread makes it ideal for Hardanger embroidery.
As the colour changes it also imparts a gentle
sheen that catches the light when used to stitch
traditional Hardanger motifs. The tablecloth can
also be worked on the pink fabric and the table
mat on the green if you prefer, just make sure
you have the right amount of thread in the appropriate
shade.
Use It or Lose It
Part 2
Canvaswork is often thought of only in connection
with woollen threads and canvas of around twelve
threads to the inch gauge. For furnishings and
cushions, this is, of course, a very good weight
at which to work, producing a durable and attractive
finish. However, there is no reason why the
same stitches should not be used on a variety
of canvas counts, larger or smaller than the
norm, and in threads other than tapestry wool.
For smaller items such as purses, glasses cases,
pincushions, bags, box tops and so on, this
is often desirable. Coton à Broder on
canvas weights of 24 threads to the inch or
greater can give wonderful results, and, as
a single rather than a stranded thread, is easy
to use and control.
Blackwork Squares
Blackwork is such a versatile and adaptable
technique that it can have many different looks
with just a change of thread colour. These Romanesque
squares can be worked on different count fabrics
for different sizes and these patterns can be
effectivley highlighted with a touch of gold
Kreinik metallic thread for a rich look. Experiment
with colours from your workbox or any shimmering
threads you may have saved for a rainy day with
these multipurpose designs.
Duck
Tales Part 2
Some of these breeds are permanent residents
and others are seasonal visitors to our shores.
All of us, not just ornithologists, enjoy watching
these characters as they change from graceful
gliders on the water to ungainly waddlers on
dry land. This sampler features a selection
of waterfowl and their reflections in Cross
stitch, perfect for twitchers or riverside homes.
Each duck can also be stitched on its own for
cards and smaller pictures.
