Cross Stitch for the Soul: 20 Designs to Inspire

By Emma Congdon

Craft your own comfort with these uplifting cross stitch projects featuring spirit-boosting quotes.

Cross Stitch for the Soul is a collection of beautifully designed motivational and inspirational quotes rendered in easy cross-stitching techniques that will raise the spirits, both during the making process and beyond, as gifts for loved ones or as treasured pictures on the wall.

Cross stitch is a wonderfully calming and mindful occupation, a chance to slow down, embrace the process, and create something beautiful. The twenty designs in this collection feature quotes that will resonate with anyone in need of a little boost.

Designed by leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon, aka Stitchrovia, whose modern styling appeals to crafters of all ages and abilities, these inspiring quotes will provide comfort, motivation, and an all-around positive spin on life, reminding us that we are brave, we are strong, and we have the power to make our own futures—one stitch at a time!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781446379578

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.

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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

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Welcome to Cross Stitch for the Soul!

Hand embroidery, in all of its forms, is a beautifully calming and mindful occupation. It is a million miles away from the fast-paced and stressful lives many of us lead in today’s busy world.

I rediscovered cross stitch as an adult as a bit of an escape and found it to be wonderfully meditative; a chance to embrace slowness and create something beautiful at the same time. As someone who has experienced anxiety and depression, I found the ability to switch off and stitch was hugely welcome.

The 20 designs in this collection are quotes that resonate with me for many reasons and which I have brought to life in cross stitch in my own colourful, typographic way. I hope they bring you joy, both through the stitching process and in whatever you choose to do with them once complete – be it gifting, hanging on your wall, or keeping somewhere special for days when you need a bit of a boost.

Emma

Tools and Materials

Fabric

When it comes to fabric there are so many options, but my lasting love will always be for Aida. The pre-woven holes make stitching a breeze. I’m all about enjoyment when it comes to stitching and, as much as I appreciate