Magical Cross Stitch: Over 25 Enchanting Fantasy Designs

by Claire Crompton, Joan Elliott, Ursula Michael

Contains 10 magical chapters featuring a range of designs including the Celtic fairy queen, Chinese dragons, beautiful mermaids and a majestic unicorn. Glittering metallic threads and gleaming beads are incorporated into many of the designs for a truly magical finish. The projects range from full-sized pictures to cushions, greetings cards, sachets and bags, and quick-to-stitch gifts and accessories. It also features easy-to-follow colour charts and complete step-by-step project making-up instructions.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

112 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I strongly recommend viewing a physical copy over reading this on Kindle. While I appreciate the patterns themselves being included in the ebook - often it's a weblink and often such links are defunct - the resolution for the images is far too low and, as such, when I zoomed in to try and view the thread colours used, I couldn't make them out. Also, albeit less significantly, many of the designs will say, 'refer to x page for instructions'. This simply does not work on Kindle, as the page number will differ by device used and text size. It is quite possible to set up clickable links to sections of text and I question why the publishers did not do this.

Outside of the formatting, my biggest concern is the frequent use of metallic thread. Cross stitch is generally a beginner friendly craft but using metallic thread can be tricky - I've been sewing for 25+ years and I rarely use it for more than couching. It's doable, but it is more temperamental than most embroidery threads and I think more advice than just to use short lengths would not have gone amiss.

The designs themselves are not all to my taste but are nonetheless mainly well detailed and attractive. My favourite by far is Carol Thornton's phoenix, as shown on the front cover. I had assumed that it was sewn on black fabric, but actually the black is also stitching. This might make it easier to stitch as sewing on black is not the easiest on the eyes.

Some of the display ideas are particularly well done, for example the oriental-style wall hanging for the Chinese dragon embroidery. I appreciated that some of the designs included suggestions for how to separate out parts of the design and use them for other projects.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some really beautiful designs in this book, and I started Earth Goddess as soon as I got hold of it, but the chart doesn't match the model stitch. In looking for a correction online I found someone else had discovered errors in one of the other two matching designs, so I'm a little dubious about the rest of the book.

That said, it's still well worth getting just for the little designs that accompany each of the larger ones, and hopefully an email to the designer will clear up the problem with the chart I'm currently stitching.

[Shamina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can’t read patterns

There are some really nice patterns in here, unfortunately if you’re trying to read them with kindle they’re not usable. It looks like they’re purposefully blurred. Why even have a kindle version of the book?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely designs and a bunch of ideas and instruction to make projects beyond wall art such as sachets, journal covers, cards, coasters, napkins, etc.

Designs include (not a comprehensive list):
Pegasus
Sleeping beauty
Small scenes from the story of sleeping beauty
Earth goddess
Floral garland
Phoenix
Sorceress
Solar motifs
Three Chinese style dragons
Fairy in purple
Celtic motifs
Wizard’s table covered with magic related items
Mermaid with fish and shells
Rose fairy
Poppy fairy
Buttercup fairy
Waterlily fairy

The idea to add stars to a blue towel is cool (like the ceilings you often find in European churches) and there were quite a few beautiful designs in this book.

[Stephanie Verdigris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The phoenix rises above the rest

I was drawn in by the cover design. Though this book has a nice variety of designs varying in size and detail, none were as inspiring (to me), as the cover design.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some beautiful designs with easy to understand instructions

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

some interesting patterns to come back to.

[Max Liam Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

Lots of fun patterns, but not all of them have the pattern set up for use. Recommend this, though. Thank you!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic premise: Cross stitch patterns for fantasy creatures.

There is a lot of content in here. If you are a fan of mixing and matching little bits to make your own art, this is an ok book. There are also some nice larger, complex works if you are more inclined to just follow a pattern. Not as impressive as some other books, but not bad.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical Cross Stitch is full of beautiful designs. I especially loved "Sleeping Beauty", which is going to be the first big project that I want to stitch after I become more proficient with a variety of stitches.

Very recommended.

[Gwnhwyfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical cross stitch included some of my favourite designers, so how could I not like it! I want this book! Included are 10 large designs (from fairies to magic to mermaids and mythical creatures), as well as 2-4 small patters accompanying each main design.