Mr. X Stitch Guide to Cross Stitch

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. Showcasing colleagues who are pushing the boundaries of this ancient craft, Mr X Stitch introduces more than 20 lovely, cutting-edge projects to make, and shows that beauty, innovation and 'craftivism' are alive and kicking in this inspirational book.

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 there’s a different side to cross stitching – that it’s an art in its own right, and will encourage them to be a little braver with their art.

 Jamie’s writing style is fun, entertaining and highly inspirational. The book will attract readers of all ages, and is aiming to appeal to men as well as women. It will teach the basics of cross stitching, including materials, tools, techniques, colour blending, etc., but will also put Jamie’s own spin on it, with urban flavours, and the introduction of different materials such as glow-in-the-dark threads. There will be several exciting designs for the readers to stitch, and Jamie will arm people with the skills and inspiration to create cross stitch designs of their own, for example, by using photos and other images for reference. 

Jamie is particularly interested in typography and there is a good balance of typographical and pictoral projects to stitch. The book is split into 5 themes: Colour, Glow in the Dark, More than a Hobby, Using Computer Software and Outside the Hoop. Colour explores techniques such as ombre design, inverting colour and using geometric shapes; Glow in the Dark looks at how to use glow-in-the-dark threads to achieve different effects; More than a Hobby considers the idea of mindfulness in cross stitch, including black work, backstitch etc.; Using Computer Software looks at photorealism and how to originate your design on a computer; and finally, Outside the Hoop explores projects not stitched on canvas.

The final spread of each section features an Outlier - the work of another stitcher to illustrate a different aspect of cross stitch made on a surface other than canvas. The book will be informative, fun, instructive and inspirational.

Jamie Chalmers took up cross stitching ten years ago and he’s never looked back. Since 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. He is the current Acting Chair of the Young Embroiderers Guild and is one of the craft celebrities at the Knitting and Stitching Show and The Handmade Fair, getting second billing after Kirstie Allsop and before Poppy Chancellor (paper cutter) and Annie Sloan.

Jamie is an accomplished and internationally exhibited artist in his own right, and the curator of PUSH Stitchery, a series of books published by Lark showcasing the work of contemporary embroidery artists from around the world. He has also written articles for textile publications across the world, including Fiber Art magazine and Surface Design Journal, and is the regular columnist in CrossStitcher magazine.

 Jamie Chalmers is an active leader in the on-line stitch community and what he has dubbed ‘the new embroidery movement’ and is active on various social networking platforms.