At the moment, cross stitch seems to be so much more than just a crafty hobby to us. Cross stitch is something to escape from every day life and the stresses and challenges that we face during the current pandemic.
I've written before about how awesome crafts in general and particularly cross stitch can be for anxiety and calming the mind. Giving you something to accomplish and focus on daily. There are many creative souls out there right now looking to take up the craft and there's never been a better time.
The brand new mystery Positivity Rules stitch-a-long starts in May 2020 and it's perfect for beginners. Equally, if you're already a seasoned stitcher, I hope you're also going to find plenty in this pattern to delight and entertain you! Pre-order opens on Friday 24th April 2020 and £3 from the sale of every full priced kit purchased during the pre-order period goes directly to the NHS (National Health Service) and those fighting the coronavirus.
If you love all things cross stitch, positivity, kindness and colour, this is the cross stitch kit for you! The theme is positive modern typography and you'll come away at the end of this exciting community project with a cross stitch piece to be proud of that you can cherish and show off for years to come!
We'll be using the 13 gorgeous shades of DMC thread/floss (shown above on my bobbins and ring). The colours remind me of little sherbet sweets! I spent quite some time choosing the perfect name. 'Positivity Rules' can be both a list of amazing qualities, but also an affirmation that positivity always shines through!
If you're new to stitch-a-longs, don't worry because help is on hand. If you're considering this as your first ever stitch-a-long, well I would be honoured to have you with us! Positivity Rules is a mystery 5-month project where one small section of the overall pattern is revealed and emailed to you as a digital PDF file once every month.
The full kit materials are shipped to you right at the beginning but the patterns are slowly revealed over the duration. All members stitch the same pieces at the same time (although there's absolutely no pressure to stick to any strict deadlines, simply enjoy and stitch at your own pace!)
You can choose from colour/black and white PDF patterns only (where you would source your own kit materials from elsewhere separately) or full kit options with everything you need including gorgeous blush pink Zweigart fabrics, silky smooth DMC threads (lovingly cut by hand and pre-sorted on to a special Carlos the Caterpillar thread holder for ease), a DMC branded needle, full instructions and colour key. Here's all you need to know...
The feedback from stitchers is amazing and I've yet to meet someone who doesn't love making new friends, posting images of their work in progress or getting that little surprise when each new part arrives! Join thousands of other stitchers worldwide for this exciting project. It really does feel pretty cool being a part of something so special.
Especially if you're a beginner, you're only facing stitching a small pattern section at a time. And there's absolutely no rush to keep up if life gets in the way! Many stitchers keep up while others take a break or work on other projects and catch up further down the line.
Its different to your job, looking after the kids or doing work around the house. This is time out for you. Peace at the end of a stressful day and a chance to really zone-out! When you start off small but after a while see you've actually stitched a beautiful section that's appeared out of nowhere, it gives such a sense of achievement that money can't buy!
We also have a special magnetic rainbow needle minder to complement this SAL. It has two super strong magnets on the back so it stays in place on your fabric and the needle that's held on top that won't be going anywhere! These little delights come presented on thick backing card and were designed using the same colours as the stitch-a-long threads.
To find out more about needle minders, watch this quick guide HERE.
A stitch-a-long is a wonderful way to make new friends, really feel part of a community and find your crafty tribe! Join over 5,000 stitchers from all over the world in our dedicated Facebook group HERE. We share photos of our stitching, tips, chat about our day and support each other. If you have any stitching questions, this is the place to be!
The Positivity Rules stitch-a-long starts on 29th May 2020 and the final part is released in September 2020 so this is a great project to get your teeth into during lockdown or quarantine, turning this challenging time into something, hopefully far more positive when you come to look back on it.
The Coronation of King Charles III will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the morning of May 6th, 2023 at Westminster Abbey. The ceremony will see the King be crowned alongside Queen Consort Camilla.
Why not mark this notable day by crafting something special?
