Liz kindly bought me a magazine the other week - I chose "The World Of Cross Stitching". I thought it would give me something to do as well as to read, as there were a couple of kits included. I first got really keen on X-stitching in the 80s when we lived in London. My friend Brenda worked in the local haberdashers and gave me odd bits and pieces- and my brother bought me a Jo Verso book for Christmas.
I did a few large pieces, mostly as special gifts - but the greater part of my output was little items- cards, bookmarks etc. This magazine first came out in 1997, by which time we had moved to Leicestershire. Occasionally I would treat myself to a copy when I was on holiday.
If a magazine costs £6.99, I think it has to be worth the money - and I have to say this one did not disappoint. The two kits included were for cards and gift tags. Thus far I have stitched up the four greetings cards. These will be useful I am sure - and the mounting cards and envelopes come in the kit. All I needed was some double-sided tape to stick the stitching in place.
There was plenty of fabric, and adequate thread for the four cards- in fact I have enough supplies left over to make up 4 of the gift tag designs - I've done one already.
Overall I was very impressed with this publication. There are 100+ charts inside - around 80 smaller projects [up to 3" square] and the rest are larger pictures.
I liked the factboxes which gave approximate times, level of difficulty and type of stitches used. And the shopping lists so you could see what you needed and what it would cost. That dragon from the front cover would take 70 hours, and is approximately 9" x 12". The fabric and thread come to £30 [plus a frame] I'm not doing a dragon! But there is a little unicorn on p51... For novice stitchers there is a helpful starter tutorial at the back - and the website has more to offer, in terms of advice and free charts and projects. I think this represents good value for money - you would need to check on the contents of the 'free kit' though. When I was Rosie's age, I used to make little mats like this using wool and 'Binca' 6-count canvas. Perhaps it's time I taught Rosie to cross-stitch?
If a magazine costs £6.99, I think it has to be worth the money - and I have to say this one did not disappoint. The two kits included were for cards and gift tags. Thus far I have stitched up the four greetings cards. These will be useful I am sure - and the mounting cards and envelopes come in the kit. All I needed was some double-sided tape to stick the stitching in place.
What a great magazine with kits, perfect for an away from home visit. I think I may have done some cross stitch in the past but I was put off embroidery when someone gave me a very fine petit point kit of roses and it took so much concentration and in the end I left it and one day found that the fine canvas had deteriorated where it was folded and I got rid of it, with some relief. I love your little mat sampler. You obviously were born with talent for embroidery and maybe Rosie will take to it as well. She certainly seems a very smart little girl.
ReplyDeleteI have ordered some Binca, ready for her next visit
DeleteIt is a gorgeous looking dragon, though! I'm sure Rosie would like to learn how to cross stitch. I taught my daughter when she was about 5 years old and she still loves to cross stitch.
ReplyDeleteYou are your daughter are both skilled needlewomen
DeleteMy sister did cross stitch when her children were very young. Money was tight, and she'd make special gifts for our mother and others. Now, when I see framed cross stitch in antique shops and thrift stores that obviously took many hours of work, I buy them. It's such an admirable and enviable skill.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is somehow sad that hours of work is often discarded. When we moved, I removed some of mine from their frames and I'm trying to work out a way to repurpose them.
ReplyDeleteI bought some of that magazine many years ago when I was cross-stitching a lot. I have a beautiful framed cross stitching with pattern i found in the magazine. It is animals and the text from the song "All creatures great and small".
ReplyDeleteThat sounds beautiful. I have enjoyed seeing the bags you make from old tapestry stitching - perhaps I could make something similar (but smaller) with old cross stitch pieces. You have inspired me, Marit
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