Welcome to our monthly look at what’s new in the needlecraft department here at Wool Warehouse. July has been busy and, at times, it’s been very hot too – perfect for a little stitching in the shade. New cross stitch kits from Vervaco have really captured our hearts this month, along with some fun stick and stitch transfers from The Crafty Kit Company. Whether you’re a dedicated cross stitcher, an embroiderer, or keen to personalise a piece of clothing or a bag in a quirky way, we think you’re going to love our picks for July.

Beginning with two gorgeous Vervaco cross stitch kits, we are so happy to introduce to you Girl with the Moon (on the left) and Girl with the Sun (on the right). Shades of blues and purples, with bright splashes of pink and orange for the flowers, really bring to life the Girl with the Moon. The moody, dusky tones are highlighted beautifully by the twinkles of greys and white in the stars and the moon. The girl’s long hair has real movement and shows up strikingly against the full moon. The flowers in her hair match the ones against her dress. bringing symmetry and cohesion to the design. The Girl with the Sun is a riot of golden tones, a mix of oranges and yellows, placed perfectly against the brightly beaming sun. Her long dark hair tones beautifully with the golden shades of the design, whilst the splashes of cool blue in the sky and butterflies, along with the strong reds of the flowers, give richness and vibrancy to the project. Maybe the sun is actually a sunflower? We’re not sure, but we are sure that we love it! Both Vervaco kits include 14 count white aida, pre-sorted cotton threads, a needle, a large-squared charted design and front sheet picture, and the finished size of each is 16cm x 28cm (6.4″ x 11.2″). Whether it’s the daytime picture of the sun girl in her golden dress, or the moody night landscape of the moon girl, which captures your imagination, we are sure either of these two designs will make a stunning addition to your project list! (And they would, of course, look gorgeous hung together on the wall!)

Onto two more choices from Vervaco’s new additions now – Cats on Fence (on the left) and Deco Heart – Happy Summer (on the right). Cats on Fence is a fun, colourful cross stitch design, brought to rich life on dark blue aida. The row of cats perched cheekily on the fence, with their differently coloured and patterned backs towards us, would make such a delightful project for the summer, sure to keep your stitching interesting with the colour changes and new designs for each feline friend. With their tails curled nonchantly down the fence, and the flowers coming up from the grass to meet them, the design is balanced perfectly between a riot of colour and the cool, dark tones of the aida on which it is stitched. The aida (which is included in the kit) is 18 count, and you will also find all the thread colours you need, along with instructions and guidance for stitching. The finished size of this charming, fun project will be 31cm x 11cm (12.4″ x 4.4″) – perfect for some fun stitching in the summer sun!

The Deco Heart – Happy Summer embroidery kit, also from Vervaco, would be an ideal choice for someone beginning their embroidery journey, as it is classified as an “easy” stitch. Simple and sweet, the little heart is embroidered onto a natural coloured cotton fabric, which is included in the kit, and can be hung with the addition of a matching ribbon, which is also included. The lilac and blue flowers are simple but beautfiully designed, giving them a three-dimensional impression. The addition of the words “Happy Summer” make this an ideal choice for the warmth of July and August. The design is printed onto the fabric, and will wash out after stitching, so there is no need to worry about the exact placing of your stitches over the printed version. Stitches used in the Happy Summer heart are loop stitch, satin stitch, back stitch and stem stitch, and the approximate finished size is 10cm x 11cm (4 x 4.4 inches). So, whether you are an experienced embroiderer looking for a sweet and simple summer project, or perhaps a cross stitcher who is keen to try out some new techniques, this little heart might be just perfect for you.

And finally, two new, cute ideas from The Crafty Kit Company – Stick and Stitch kits. Why not transform your crafting projects effortlessly with these embroidery designs? They have been created specifically to make pattern transfer easy and mess-free, and we think they could be the perfect solution for both beginners and seasoned stitchers. You can discard your tracing paper for transfering designs to your fabric – with these little kits you can simply stick, stitch and wash away the fabric stabiliser. Each pack contains both large and smaller motifs, allowing you to create your own custom designs on fabric, bags, garments – and anything else you want! We have selected the Floral Alphabet and the Meadow Grasses packs to highlight here, but you will find a whole range of the charming sheets on our website to select from. The packs contain an A4 Stitch and Stitch sheet, and a Beginner’s Guide to Embroidery Booklet. Other supplies, such as a hoop, needle, fabric and thread, are not included but can, of course, be found on our website too. Why not add a little quirky personalisation to your favourite bag or shirt, or make a gift extra special for someone by including their initial?

We really hope we’ve highlighted some needlecraft goodies which will take your fancy this month – don’t forget to visit Yarn and Fabric to see our picks there! See you in August for another look around the warehouse! 😎🌞