It’s always really fun rediscovering a technique! Thanks to the September Aurifil Artisan challenge—Cross Stitch & Embriodery, I picked up Aurifil floss and did something I haven’t done since I was a kid…. cross stitch! This portable project was perfect to take with me on trips this summer.

Inspired by my Sew Speedy pattern and new Sew Speedy magnetic pin & needle minder, I drafted the Sew Speedy cross stitch pattern in Adobe Illustrator

next step: picking colors!

Aurifil’s 6-strand 100% cotton floss comes in all 270 of their colors, so it was easy for me to select a beautiful sophisticated rainbow. I used:
• 2535 (Magenta)
• 1154 (Dusty Orange)
• 2132 (Tarnished Gold)
• 2888 (Fern Green)
• 4182 (Dark Turquoise)
• 1243 (Dusty Lavender)
• 5004 (Grey Smoke)

working with the floss

When working on cross stitch as a kid, I remember mini skeins of floss getting all tangled and knotted as soon as I took the tiny paper tubes off. Gone are those days! I love how Aurifil’s floss comes on a beautiful wooden spool—awesome for traveling and pretty to look at. As I did when I was a kid, I separated the six strands of floss into three strands as I stitched.

(not) sew speedy

The phrases “sew speedy” on a needle minder holding mostly handwork needles is totally tongue-in-check. Handwork is slow—that’s one of the great things about it. It allows you to slow down, and I really enjoyed taking this project along with me as a way to relax during my travels. A little over three months after starting it, I finally finished! Now it’s time to find the perfect spot to hang it in my studio in between taking it on the road to share during my Aurifilosophy presentations. I can’t wait to share with other quilters and makers what they can do with this floss!

gather your supplies and give cross stitch a try!

Here are links to the materials I used to make my Sew Speedy cross stitch:
• Aurifil Floss (find a great curated collection by Lori Holt and a great selection in a beautiful box)
• DMC 16 count Aida Fabric
• DMC Tapestry Hand Needles, Size 24
• Sew Speedy needle minder

Cross stitch not your thing but like the Sew Speedy design? Get the mini quilt pattern and make a small wallhanging for your sewing space.

Perhaps a Sew Speedy cross stitch pattern release is in my future? What do you think? Do you cross stitch? Would you want to make this? Let me know!

Go make something great,