Original cross stitch patterns and beginner guides
30 tutorials published
An original modern tile of nested diamonds and corner triangles in navy, teal, mustard and coral. Stitch one tile on its own or repeat it edge to edge for a seamless pattern.
An original small songbird perched on a leafy twig, with a blue back, rust orange breast and pale belly, charted in seven colors.
An original daisy with eight white petals, a shaded golden center, a slim stem and two leaves, charted for sky blue Aida so the white petals stand out.
Five original repeating borders in full crosses: zigzag, scallop, vine, checker and diamond chain. Learn how to repeat each one to any length and how to turn the corners of a frame.
Nine original tiny motifs, each fitting inside a 9 x 9 square: heart, leaf, star, house, cup, flower, moon, sailboat and tree. Stitch one on a scrap or all nine as a small sampler.
An original sitting cat with a white bib, green eyes and a curled tail, charted in five colors with optional backstitched whiskers.
An original single tulip with a shaded red bloom, a sturdy stem and two long leaves. The design is symmetrical, so it is quick to count and forgiving for newer stitchers.
A simple original heart chart in full crosses only, with a dark outline, a pale highlight and a soft shadow. Includes the color key, size table and stitching order.
The slips most beginners make in cross stitch, from mixed top legs to fabric cut too small, with a practical fix for each.
How firmly to pull each stitch, how a hoop changes things, why floss twists, and how to fix puckered fabric or loose stitches.
What backstitch adds to a cross stitch design, how to work it one block at a time, and the order to follow for clean outlines and lettering.
How to find the center of fabric and chart, count safely across empty squares, grid your fabric and put a miscount right.
