Weekend workbox

64 June 2013

Tempt your taste buds with these super-sweet cupcake designs from Angela Poole

These buttercream-loaded

cupcakes are so enticing, we

challenge any reader to stitch them and

not immediately head off to their nearest

bakery for a sugar fix! They all look so

good, if they were real we’d have to try

one of each. Luckily for our waistlines,

they’re not – but we know you’ll enjoy

stitching the cakes as much as you would

eating them. Then just make them up into

these gorgeous party accessories and ask

your friends round for afternoon tea!

Stitching the designsThe three designs are worked in the same way.

Fold your piece of linen in half both ways to find

the centre and start stitching at this point. All the

cross stitch is worked in two strands of stranded

cotton over two threads of the linen fabric. They

are worked in full cross stitch, so your stitching

will grow quickly.

Adding the detailsWhen the cross stitch is complete, you can

add the backstitch and long stitch outlines

and details. These are worked in one strand

of grey stranded cotton.

When working the long stitches, take care

to keep the tension correct, so they don’t sag

across the fabric.

Let them eat

Making the buntingStitch the number of cupcakes you need, each

on a separate piece of linen, to make your

required length of bunting.

Creating the triangles

1. Trace around the large triangular template on

page 66. This is one half of the final template

you need, so fold your paper down the 190mm

side, then cut along the other two sides. Note,

this doesn’t include the seam allowance.

2. Position the template centrally over the back

of one stitched cupcake and draw around it.

3. Place the stitched linen right sides together

on your cotton backing fabric and pin. Stitch

✦ 28HPI linen (or 14HPI aida), flax, Zweigart Cashel Ref: 3281/52Bunting: 12x12in (30x30cm) for each triangleBag: 12x10in (30x25cm)Card: 8x8in (20x20cm) for each card

✦ Stranded cotton as listed in the key

Bunting:✦ Cotton backing

fabric 8x7in (20x18cm) for each triangle

✦ Cotton print bias binding see instructions for details

Bag:✦ Cotton backing

fabric 10x5in (25x13cm)

✦ Cotton print bias binding 16in (41cm)

✦ White cotton fabric small scrap for embroidered name

Cards:✦ Card 64mm circular

aperture Ref: AP54U-59, natural white, from Craft Creations – visit www.craftcreations.com or call ☎01992 781900

✦ Sewing kit – usual essential items plus matching thread

✦ Fabric for the stitched piece supplied by Willow Fabrics – visit www.willowfabrics.com or call ☎ 0800 0567811

✦ Turn to page 70 for hints and help!

Shopping list...

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June 2013 65

Let them eat cake!

➤

together down the two sides of the triangle

along the drawn lines, leaving the top open.

4. Trim the linen and cotton fabric ¼in (6mm)

outside the drawn lines down the sides. Then

cut along the drawn line across the top. Turn

right sides out and press.

5. Repeat this with all of your stitched cupcakes

to make individual triangles.

Assembling the bunting

1. Place your triangles in order on a flat surface.

We have left a 2in (5cm) gap between our

triangles but you can adjust this if you like.

2. Cut bias binding to the same length as the

line of triangles, including the gaps, with

The cakes are worked in full cross stitch, so your stitching will grow quickly. Take care to keep a good tension in the long stitches, so they don’t sag

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66 June 2013

Weekend workbox

Let them eat cake! Anchor DMC Madeira Colour

Cross stitch in two strands002 White 2402 White

073 151 0607 Very light pink

074 3354 0606 Light pink

075 3733 0605 Medium pink

076 3731 0604 Dark pink

095 153 0801 Light purple

096 554 0802 Medium purple

097 553 0711 Dark purple

264 3348 1409 Light green

266 470 1502 Dark green

292 3078 0102 Medium yellow

293 727 0110 Dark yellow

361 739 2013 Light tan

362 437 2012 Dark tan

386 3823 2511 Light yellow

1060 3811 1014 Light blue

1062 598 1110 Medium blue

1064 597 1108 Dark blue

Backstitch/long stitch in one strand401 3799 1713 Grey

all outlines and details

Stitched using Anchor threads on 28HPI linen

over two threads

Card stitch count 28x24

Design area 2x1¾in (5x4.5cm)

Max bunting stitch count 42x31

Design area 3x2¼in (8x6cm)

Bag stitch count 42x31

Design area 3x2¼in (8x6cm)

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Let them eat cake!

073 151 0607 Very light pink

074 3354 0606 Light pink

075 3733 0605 Medium pink

➤

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Trace the template below, then fold your paper down the 190mm line before cutting along the other two sides. When you open the paper out, you will have a template of the correct shape (below, right) for your bunting

10in (25cm) extra on each end to allow you

to hang the bunting.

3. Fold the bias binding in half lengthways right

sides out and press along the fold.

4. Place the top edge of each triangle inside

the folded bias binding. Pin into place.

5. Sew through the bias binding and triangles,

close to the edge of the binding. Keep sewing

where there is a gap between the triangles.

6. Work a running stitch near the edges of the

two long sides of each triangle using two

strands of medium purple stranded cotton.

80mm

160mm

190

mm

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June 2013 67

Making these cakes up into bunting, cards and gift bags works so well, but they would look just as great decorating a variety of different accessories, so don’t be afraid to try other ideas

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Weekend workbox

68 June 2013

Making a drawstring bagWe have personalised our bag so it can be used

as a small gift bag or for party favours.

Personalising your bag

1. Draw or print out the name you want, then

place a piece of white cotton fabric on top

of the paper and trace over the name.

2. Using two strands of stranded cotton in a

co-ordinating colour, backstitch carefully

over the drawn lines. Make sure you keep

your stitches small, so they flow neatly round

the curves.

3. Trim the edges of the cotton fabric then turn

them over to the wrong side and pin the patch

to the linen ½in (1.5cm) centrally below the

cupcake. Stitch into place using a running

stitch and one strand of stranded cotton.

Making the bag

1. When you have finished stitching, trim the

linen to 10x5in (25x13cm), positioning the

bottom of the cake 2½in (6cm) up from

the lower edge and centrally widthways.

2. Place the linen and cotton backing fabric

right sides together and stitch down the sides

and across the bottom using a ½in (1.5cm)

seam allowance.

3. Turn the top edge over ½in (1.5cm) to the

wrong side, then fold it over again 1½in (4cm)

to form the top frill and casing.

4. Stitch the lower folded-over edge down, close

to the fold, then work another line of stitching

½in (1.5cm) above this to form a casing.

5. Turn the bag right sides out and press.

6. Fold the bias binding in half and stitch

together close to the edges, turning the

short ends under and stitching them down

to neaten.

7. Undo a few stitches on the seam between the

casing lines on the right side of the bag then

thread the bias binding through. Tie the two

ends in a knot and draw up to finish your bag.

Next month...Angela Poole’s fun fish bathroom

accessories feature in our July issue (224).

Find out more on page 72-73!

➤It’s easy to add a name to your gift bag – simply draw the letters onto a material scrap, backstitch over the lines and stitch your patch into place

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