Cross Stitch for the Earth: 20 Designs to Cherish

By Emma Congdon

Stitch for a greener future with this stunning collection of environment and nature focused designs from leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon. 
Whether it’s a plea to save the bees, clean up the oceans, appreciate nature, or unplug from technology, this celebration of the green movement in thread will remind us of the need to come together to build a brighter future, one stitch at a time. 
Emma's iconic designs are universally loved by her fans who have bought over 40,000 of her patterns on Etsy, and who have set up a dedicated fan group on Facebook, where they share their work in progress and proud finishes. 
This collection features 20 exclusive designs, each with an easy-to-read full colour and symbol chart. Alongside the designs, Emma shares her thoughts and inspirations for each one, with a detailed materials list and instructions for stitching. Beginners to cross stitch will find a helpful guide to the stitches and techniques used – and the beauty of cross stitch is that if you can sew one cross you can sew all these designs!
The designs range in size from mini hoops to larger scale samplers, so there are options to suit everyone – and they all share Emma's skill with colour, typography and design which have made her one of the world's best-loved cross stitch designers.
Sentiments include:

• We don't inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children
• Pardon the weeds, we're feeding the bees
• Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
• Live gently on the Earth
• Never underestimate the difference you make
• The Earth has music for those who listen
• All good things are wild and free
• Take care of the Earth and she will take care of you
• Between two pines is a doorway to a new world
• The world is full of magic  

Cross Stitch for the Earth is printed on FSC paper, is recyclable, and every purchase includes a donation to Friends of the Earth, an environmental campaigning community dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of the natural world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David & Charles
• Release date: Apr 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781446380680

Emma Congdon

Emma is a multidisciplinary designer based in London. Her cross stitch designs are featured extensively in magazines in the US and UK such as Cross Stitcher, World of Cross Stitch and Cross Stitch Crazy. Alongside her commission based work she also owns and runs her own cross stitch design business, Stitchrovia.

Book preview

www.davidandcharles.com

Contents

Introduction

Tools and Materials

Design 1

Design 2

Design 3

Design 4

Design 5

Design 6

Design 7

Design 8

Design 9

Design 10

Design 11

Design 12

Design 13

Design 14

Design 15

Design 16

Design 17

Design 18

Design 19

Design 20

Techniques

Conversion Chart

About the Author

Environmental Resources

Acknowledgements

Welcome to Cross Stitch for the Earth. The natural environment is so precious, and full of the wonder of both living and non-living things. With all the variety and beauty on offer it’s a constant source of inspiration for so many cross-stitch designers, including myself.

At a time when we are increasingly being made aware of threats to our natural world from pollution, climate change and habitat loss, I wanted to create a series of patterns dedicated to celebrating and caring for our Mother Earth. Her protection is essential for the air we breathe and the food we eat, as well as the survival of all other living beings.

These 20 patterns include those that celebrate many of the things we hold dear about our planet, as well as some that are designed to inform and help encourage us to change our habits and be more environmentally aware in our day to day lives.

I'm delighted that my publishers, David and Charles, have committed to donating five per cent of the net receipts from this book to Friends of the Earth, an environmental campaigning community dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of the natural world and everyone in it.

Tools and Materials

Fabric

When it comes to fabric there are so many options, but Aida is a great choice. The pre-woven holes make stitching a breeze. I’m all about enjoyment when it comes to