{"product_id":"mr-x-stitch-guide-to-cross-stitch-the-isbn-9781782214243","title":"Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch, The","description":"If you think you know what cross stitch is, look again! Jamie Chalmers, aka Mr X Stitch, shows you how to cross stitch using simple step-by-step instructions and also takes you to the frontiers of cross stitch design. The book is aimed at stitchers of all abilities, from absolute beginners looking to learn a new craft to embroiderers and cross stitchers who want to do something different in cross stitching. For many, cross stitch conjures up images of cute kittens and country cottages, but this book shows people that theres a different side to cross stitching  that its an art in its own right, and will encourage them to be a little braver with their art.   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJamies writing style is fun, entertaining and highly inspirational. The book aims to appeal to men as well as women, encouraging one and all to take up the ancient craft. It teaches the basics of cross stitching, including information on materials, tools, techniques and colour blending, but also puts Jamies own individual spin on it, with urban flavours and the introduction of different materials such as glow-in-the-dark threads and stitching on metal. As well as providing exciting designs to stitch, there is guidance on how to create cross stitch designs of your own, for example by using photographs and other images for reference.   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJamie also showcases the work of other contemporary cross stitchers who are pushing the boundaries of their craft, and introduces more than 20 stunning cutting-edge projects to make, showing that beauty, innovation and 'craftivism' are alive and kicking in this inspirational book. | \u003cb\u003eForeword by Julie Jackson 6\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Introduction 8   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTools \u0026amp; materials 10\u003cbr\u003e Making a start 18\u003cbr\u003e How to cross stitch 20\u003cbr\u003e Framing your work 28\u003cbr\u003e The back 32   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eColour 36\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A moment of context 46\u003cbr\u003e Outlier: Zoe Gilbertson 54   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGlow in the Dark 56\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stitching and travelling 63\u003cbr\u003e Outlier: Kate Blandford 72   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMore Than a Hobby 74\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Peace of mind 76\u003cbr\u003e Embroidery as therapy 79\u003cbr\u003e Craftivism 83\u003cbr\u003e Embroidery as an art form 86\u003cbr\u003e Outlier: Severija \u003cbr\u003e Inirauskait-Kriauneviien 90   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePattern Design 92\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Computer design 94\u003cbr\u003e Fabric count 99\u003cbr\u003e Colour 100   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEpic pineapple 102\u003cbr\u003e Outlier: Lord Libidan 116   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThinking Outside \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ethe Hoop 118\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e If its got holes in it... 120\u003cbr\u003e Stitching on plastic 122\u003cbr\u003e Stitching on metal 127\u003cbr\u003e Were all adults 131\u003cbr\u003e Outlier: Les Deuz'Bro 132   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFinal thoughts 134\u003cbr\u003e Alphabet fonts 136\u003cbr\u003e Acknowledgements 140\u003cbr\u003e Index 141   \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProjects\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Back in Black 32\u003cbr\u003e Fleur de Couleur 40\u003cbr\u003e From Ampersand to Bargello 42\u003cbr\u003e Something Meaningful 47\u003cbr\u003e Sqrl! 50\u003cbr\u003e Empire State 58\u003cbr\u003e Winter is Coming 64\u003cbr\u003e Home Sweet Home Network 68\u003cbr\u003e VodkAtomic 70\u003cbr\u003e I Got Yer Mindfulness Right Here 76\u003cbr\u003e I am an Addict 80\u003cbr\u003e #StitchforSyria 83\u003cbr\u003e Mona 87\u003cbr\u003e Introducing the Pineapple! 95\u003cbr\u003e Portrait of a Pineapple 104\u003cbr\u003e Pop Art Pineapple 108\u003cbr\u003e Whitby Abbey at Sunset 112\u003cbr\u003e Bling 120\u003cbr\u003e Silver Devil 124\u003cbr\u003e C-Tron 125\u003cbr\u003e Yellow Blade 126\u003cbr\u003e Look! 127\u003cbr\u003e What The?! 128 | \u003cb\u003eStitcherista YouTube video review\u003c\/b\u003e of Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch is a fantasticpage by page review of the book. Stitcherista is known for her contributions to Cross Stitch Crazy and has a popular channel on FlossTube. Check out the full review:  https:\/\/youtu.be\/w8zMOSSq_Nc\u003cbr\u003e-\u003ci\u003eFeb 18 2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eLibrary Journal 2018\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePopular cross stitch blogger and first-time author Chalmers, known to his readers as Mr X Stitch, brings his irreverent take on this ages-old craft to a wider audience with this clever guide to cross stitch. Chalmers begins with the basics, laying out the supplies necessary to get started as well as an overview of stitching on Aida cloth and finishing and framing completed pieces. Then the fun begins—explorations of color, glow-in-the-dark specialty threads, and an exceptional overview of the differences between fabric counts via variations of a stitched pineapple. Patterns explore the variety of contemporary cross-stitch designs, from fandom themes to typography to vintage-modern style. \u003cb\u003eVERDICT Cross stitch and embroidery continue to gain momentum among crafters, and Chalmers's lively, irreverent style will appeal to crafters looking for edgier fare\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeacock \u0026amp; Fig Review - Feb 27, 2018\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eI was lucky enough to be contacted by the publisher of the newest cross stitch guide to hit the market, The Mr X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch, and asked to give my honest feedback. I was thrilled to be contacted, I’ve been a big fan of his for years and have worked with him on a few projects for his fantastic modern \u003cb\u003eXStitch\u003c\/b\u003e magazine. \u003cb\u003eJamie “Mr X Stitch” Chalmers\u003c\/b\u003e used to have a regular column in CrossStitcher magazine, and his TEDX talk on cross stitch is so good. I knew his book would be good, but I didn’t know how good until I got my copy. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eFirst off, I have to give a shout out to the wonderful photographer Stacy Grant, her photos are so awesome (I’m very jealous and wish I could take such nice photos of my own work). The whole vibe of the book is fun and relaxed, and definitely there’s no trace of being pretentious or “precious” as some craft books can be. Jamie’s personality shines through in his writing, and many times I laughed out loud at the way he phrased something. This section about the back of your work really made me lose it…\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"There’s a myth going around town, an urban legend that says the back of your work should be as neat as the front. Usually started by a friend of a friend who knew an old lady with loads of cross stitch, who said that unless your back is really tidy, you’ll all be sent to hell and your children will all have gills.\"\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003eBut what’s in the book you say? Jamie has done a great job of not only covering the techniques and materials of cross stitch (with really clear photos and easy to understand instructions), but a wide variety of other topics that are part and parcel of stitching. He covers basic colour theory (perfect if you’re wanting to experiment with colours in your projects or make your own), how to frame your projects, and explains how glow in the dark threads are seriously under-utilized and how to use them more easily. He even goes into why stitching is important in our lives, whether it’s purely as a means to relaxation or connecting with our traditions of the past, but also as a means of “craftivism” and making change in your community and society.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe book also contains a ton of useful information if you’ve ever considered making your own patterns (including a variety of examples of one pattern produced at different sizes). He also delves into stitching on non-traditional materials, whether that’s by using waste canvas or soluble Aida, or drilling holes into materials like leather, wood, or metal and stitching on that.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eJamie also features some really innovative cross stitch designers, and shows how they are pushing the boundaries of this craft. \u003cb\u003eLord Libidan\u003c\/b\u003e‘s work in 3D stitching is featured, as is the fantastic metalwork stitched art of Lithuanian artist \u003cb\u003eSeverija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė\u003c\/b\u003e (cross stitched car, anyone?). Also featured is embroidery artist \u003cb\u003eZoe Gilbertson\u003c\/b\u003e with her beautiful abstract colourful pieces, heavy metal inspired UK designer \u003cb\u003eKate Blandford\u003c\/b\u003e, and street installation artists \u003cb\u003eLes Deuz’Bro\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThroughout the book, there are sample patterns with full colour photos of the finished projects, and they are labelled according to difficulty level. There is a wide variety of fun projects, from a simple question mark that’s meant to be displayed with the back showing, to a little version of the Mona Lisa. No matter your stitching level, there is something in this book for everyone, and I learned a lot reading it. If you’re interested at all in cross stitch and its context in modern society, I’d highly recommend picking up a copy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFull review - https:\/\/peacockandfig.com\/2018\/02\/review-the-mr-x-stitch-guide-to-cross-stitch\/?utm_source=newsletter\u0026amp;utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_campaign=something_special_for_you_this_week\u0026amp;utm_term=2018-03-14\u003c\/i\u003e | Jamie Chalmers took up cross stitching fifteen years ago and hes never looked back.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince establishing the Mr X Stitch website in 2008, he has been showcasing new talent in the world of textiles and stitch and has curated a number of stitch-based exhibitions in the UK and Ireland. Jamie is an accomplished and internationally exhibited artist in his own right, and the curator of PUSH Stitchery, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cu\u003epart of\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e a series of books published by Lark showcasing the work of contemporary embroidery artists from around the world. He writes articles for textile publications across the world, including Fiber Art magazine and Surface Design Journal and is the founder of the game-changing XStitch cross stitch design magazine.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJamie Chalmers is an active leader in the online stitch community and what he has dubbed the new embroidery movement and is active on various social networking platforms. He is a regular feature at the Knitting and Stitching Shows and The Handmade Fair, appearing alongside craft celebrities like Kirsty Allsopp, Poppy Chancellor, Patrick Grant and Annie Sloan. He loves introducing new people to the benefits of embroidery from a creative and wellbeing standpoint and is proud to be an ambassador for this ubiquitous craft.","brand":"Search Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300244639973,"sku":"NP9781782214243","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781782214243.jpg?v=1767733057","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/mr-x-stitch-guide-to-cross-stitch-the-isbn-9781782214243","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}