Stitch Your Own Christmas Bookazine - Preiview

Seasonal crafts for you to make DEBBIE SHORE FESTIVE

CD-ROM Worth £14.99

UNIQUE

PROJECTS INSIDE EMBROIDERY

DECORATIONS

SOFT TOYS PATCHWORK

APPLIQUÉ

FELTWORK

& MUCH

MORE

COSY QUILTS

to snuggle under

TA COVER S

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PUBLISHER: Julie Brown PRODUCTION: Holly Munro, Charlotte Fairman, Tracey Barton SUB EDITOR: Pauline Hawkins ADVERTISING: Sandra Fisher 01507 529 sfisher@mortons.co.uk PUBLISHING DIRECTOR: Dan Savage ISSN 1743 - 5838 PUBLISHED BY MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED, MEDIA CENTRE, MORTON WAY, HORNCASTLE, LINCOLNSHIRE LN9 6JR. TELEPHONE 01507 529529.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM GIBBONS & SONS OF WOLVERHAMPTON. DISTRIBUTED BY COMAG.

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Christmas is a time full of joy for anyone who loves handmade goodies, whether you’re the one doing the making or are fortunate enough to be receiving a handmade gift from someone else. Starting a new Christmas project is quite magical; maybe it’s the anticipation of open fires and soft snow covering the landscape or of getting your hands on the gorgeous Christmas fabric and trimmings adorning the shelves of the sewing shops.

Wh Whatever h your crafting passion, in this very special Christmas issue we’ve put together a delightful and inn nnovative n range of projects to make, design gned n by some of the world’s best crafters. If

you enjoy quilting, embroidery, appliqu ué, felt crafts or even garment making, we have something for you here.

Our Christmas prresent to you is a free festive CDROM by celebrity craftfter t Debbie Shore which has five lovely projects with video tutorial als l and an n step-bystep instructions in n for each one. We hope you enjoy it.

Have a very merry Christmas and an n a lucky ky y an and n creative 2017.

Editor

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When children are fast asleep on Christmas Eve, dreaming of a visit from Santa Claus, a certain festive koala descends from the fork of her comfy eucalyptus tree to join in the fun.With a sprig of holly in her fur and a bag of gum-leaves at the ready, Anthea Christian’s merry-making marsupial is ready to feast and party with friends.

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Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a good sprinkling of twinkling stars, and Michelle Marvig has put on a splendid show to be enjoyed 24 hours a day, not just against a night sky.

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'Do you hear what I hear?' Maybe top designer Amy Sinibaldi had this Christmas-themed song for peace in mind when she created her gentle white bunny.

With his fine whiskers, twitchy little nose and proud ears, he offers comfort and joy in the shape of a cuddly, squishy cushion to delight children and adults alike.

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Light up your Christmas table setting with this sparkling idea from Cintia Gonzalez. It’s bright, it’s beautiful and it will set the tone for some electrifying yuletide entertaining.

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Materials

Q 50cm (5⁄8yd) of 140cm (55in) wide upholstery weight, backed linenlook fabric (runner top) – see Cintia’s fabric tips Q 13 assorted print fabric scraps, minimum size 8 x 15cm (3 x 6in) (light bulbs) Q 12cm (5in) square of grey solid or check fabric (light bases) Q 1m (11⁄8yd) cotton print fabric (backing) Q 25cm (1⁄4yd) green floral print fabric (binding) Q One 50g ball of dark green yarn – Cintia used 8 ply (cable) Q Machine-sewing threads to match the yarn and appliqué fabrics Q Quilt-basting spray or temporary appliquéadhesive spray Q 25mm (1in) bias maker Q Tracing paper and pencil Q Rotary cutter, ruler and mat Q Sewing machine Q General sewing supplies Finished size: 45 x 140cm (173⁄4 x 55in) Note: Read all the instructions and tips before starting the project. Requirements are based on fabric 107cm (42in) wide unless otherwise stated.

The appliqué method used is spray adhesive and machine satin stitch.

CINTIA’S FABRIC TIPS

Heavy upholstery fabric is ideal for this project as it doesn’t require any interfacing or stabiliser to prevent the satin stitch from puckering. Look in the curtain section of your fabric store for linen-look fabrics that have a block-out layer bonded to the back as they’re ideal for a runner: the weight of the fabric keeps it from sliding around the table. Don’t turn your nose up at synthetic fabrics: they’re hard wearing and can be spot cleaned, but remember not to iron them (or only iron on a cool setting) or you’ll end up with a sticky mess of melted fabric.

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It's not only Santa who is resplendent in red at Christmastime. Prue Scott celebrates the season by stitching the bird that often features on the cards we send to loved ones – the feisty and festive robin.

The north wind doth blow And we shall have snow And what will poor robin do then, poor thing ?

He’ll sit in a barn, To keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing!

In summertime my branches were a place for birds to nest, In autumn my branches were their place for food and rest, And now that wintertime is here, I hope to be all glistening Bright with snowflakes...

The little birds' Christmas tree!

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Raquel Blasco wishes everyone a Meow-y Christmas! Her delightful silhouetted cats are basking in silvery moonlight on a beautiful bag in multicoloured felt. A purr-fect Christmas gift in the making...

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Colourful calling birds, fabulous French hens, touching turtle doves ‌ and a patterned partridge in a pear tree. Linda Guy's flight of feathered fancy has resulted in designs for yuletide which flock together to make the perfect wallhanging decoration.

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This Christmas, Hansel and Gretel can stay right at home, rather than venturing into dark and threatening forests, thanks to Sedef Imer’s gingerbread house. Her design is not only a surface-protecting placemat and cutlery storer, it also comes without calories or witches!

All I want for Christmas is‌ a dollygram!

Allison Dey Malacaria sends you the right yuletide message with hand stitched gingerbread embroideries (that come in fabric envelopes) and matching tree ornaments, all made from repurposed clothing and household linens.

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Just as separate musical instruments merge for stirring concert performances, Val Laird’s individual blocks create a crescendo of orchestrated style. This colourful piece would make a treasured Christmas gift, especially for musicians or music lovers.

Merry Chrisstmas from these sweet embroidered carollers and their maestro stitcher/ creator, Melissa Grant. Some yuletide projects are worth singing about!

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MELISSA’S CONTINUITY TIP At the end of the

day, I like to leave my work with a fully threaded needle and the first few stitches of the next section sewn. Next time, it’s so easy to pick up my project and begin stitching and I always know exactly where I left the needle.

Jemima Flendt is all heart when it comes to her latest quilt design. Imagine snuggling up with a loved one on a winter's evening in front of a roaring fire under this delightful quilt, made from the prettiest-ever Liberty florals.

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At Christmastime we pile our plates with seasonal vegetables – parsnips, Brussels sprouts – and sometimes even the traditional turnip makes a festive appearance. Simone Gooding’s piglet is of moderate means, so she's turning to the turnip patch for sustenance. But just because you’re a more humble harvester doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be beautifully turned out!

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