I subscribe to this magazine (I now see that Amazon is selling the subscription cheaper then if you do it through the magazine) and it is a very good place to get really beautiful cross stitch patterns in color. In fact, I like a certain artist named Joan Elliott who always posts her new cross stitch patterns here. Later you have to pick them up through her web site at .00 each.
Yes, it does come later than if you try and pick it up at Borders or Barnes & Noble but you get it at 1/2 the price by subscription then at the store! Also, if it is a good issue, it sometimes is sold out. So everyone should weigh out the good with the so called bad.
I have to say that I take great offense to what this person "Bookworm4" said about Americans. ("Why oh why do Americans always have to dumb everything down?" ) My goodness, this is NO place to express your dislike of Americans!! If you are American...shame on you! If you are English or whatever, from a foreign country and live in America...double shame on you! I am from Ireland but I am now an American citizen. It is people like you , who make comments like this, who should "Love It or Leave it" Go move elsewhere if it is so horrible here. I think the USA is the BEST and so is Amazon for giving us the great prices they do!!
STITCH Magazine was started in 1999 by The Embroiderers' Guild (of England) in response to its members' requests for a practical, project-oriented magazine. Since its inception, the magazine has encompassed both traditional needlework and artsy fiberart, and recently has settled into a good blend of the two.
Issues are consistently filled with small projects in which a new technique or a twist on an old technique can be tried out. In this respect, this is a "must-have" magazine for every needlework guild chapter who plans a program for monthly meetings, or for fiberart teachers working with teen to adult students.
Additionally, there are season-long workshops on color or images & dyeing, or similar fiberart issues by renowned teachers.
Line drawings and clear, close-up photography showing how to do techniques, and a clear "supplies" list at the start of each project are helpful although since the magazine is geared to the European reader, we Americans often need to hunt to find comparable products. Also, measurements are metric which we must remember to convert.
Each issue also includes an article written by the curator of the EG's Museum concerning an item or type of embroidery depicted by an item belonging to the EG. Beautiful photos are eye candy for me, and inspire me to try the small project which follows the article, emulating the museum piece in technique or style.
All advertisements are clustered in the rear of the magazine, which is also where the page of "Basics" is, which describes basic needlework techniques.
There is no comparable magazine to this one in the English-speaking world, which combines the knowledge and expertise of The Embroiderers' Guild, with the experience and creativity of the teachers (called tutors) which most often have certificates from City & Guilds, the Royal School of Needlework, and/or from textiles programs. I give it only 4 stars instead of 5 because of its consistency, or inconsistency, which is to be expected in any periodical or business venture still in its infancy as this one is. I expect "Stitch" to be around for our grandchildren to enjoy!
I love this magazine! I cross-stitched in the 70-80s before my eyes were less co-operative which led me to beading. This magazine combines both beading and cross-stitch! The terrific patterns are varied: blackwork, 3D (ex. Santa, mobile, lizards) mixed media (cross stitch paper, box) and of course the usual jewelry (great amulet bags), wall hangings, pillows. They have good instructions-although occasionally the Australian terms for products makes you have to search for that item. They aren't cutesy like many cross-stitch mags. The stitching patterns have a good amt of depth/detail. The paper quality is wonderful and charts are easy to enlarge if you need to. The most recent issue addressed why she added beading. Plain and simple--it kept her magazine alive. Cross-stitching is not quite as popular as it was and beading is going strong so it made sense to combine the two. Her results address both well and as another reviewer suggested, you can use many patterns for both! SO I really recommend this -you won't go wrong!
