I often pick up inspiration even when I'm not looking for it. A colourful pattern in tiles outside, paintings, fashion or interior design. Sometimes the initial stages flow quite easily and ideas for a new pattern seem to come together quickly, then othertimes, I suffer with a creative block as many do! I often pin scraps of paper or pencil sketches up in my office and gaze at hundreds of DMC shades at the same time to try and image how the colours will go together to make up the final look.
I often sketch out a design plan on a huge piece of graph paper, make changes and edit the design using cross stitch software directly. I'll decide on the overall size of the piece and the aida count that works best. The specific shades of threads will change at the last minute before stitching starts when I can see them all together for one final check. I have been known to be very particular over how blue a specific shade of grey is!
Once the pattern is complete (this can take anywhere from a few weeks to months!) I print off the chart and get stitching the sample. Its not unusal to stand back and change the printed chart by hand with pencil (or directly onto the software) as I'm stitching to get the final perfect shape or curve of that 'R'. I am lucky enough to have a team of experienced test stitchers who have helped with some of the samples too.
Once the stitching is complete, I triple check every stitch and correspond this to the pattern both printed and digital then mount the piece on foamboard (using Prym glass head pins). The piece is sent for framing and then photographed before appearing in the online shop!
Brand NEW 'North American Adventure' SAL opens for pre-order on Friday 12th April at 5pm UK time and we're so excited to share the details with you.
Calling all cross stitchers! Come with us on a stitchy road trip around North America, where creativity meets adventure. Join a supportive community of crafters, celebrate milestones, and share the joy of creating a fun, travel-inspired masterpiece.
Maybe you're a crafting fanatic, or maybe you're a complete beginner looking for a new, creative hobby? Either way, you will adore the fuss-free Caterpillar Club subscription boxes!
The quirky design features decorative bookshelves where colourful novels, a plant, and a globe, are wearing adorable happy faces. The project is complete with easy-to-follow instructions, an A4 colour printed pattern, DMC stranded cotton, 1 DMC branded needle, white Zweigart 14 count aida fabric (recommended for beginners), and a pre-sorted Carlos the Caterpillar thread holder.
Caterpillar Cross Stitch are honoured to be the next crafty small business chosen to help raise money for Cats Protection! We have designed 3 unique, wooden, cat-shaped decorations for you to personalise with little cross stitches.
You'll have heaps of fun, learn a new, crafty skill, and have a beautiful, finished craft project to show off to your family and friends, all while raising vital funds for the UK's leading cat charity.