Photography by Neil Godwin. Styling by Jo Gulliver

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1 Photography by Neil Godwin Styling by Jo Gulliver

2 The Big Stitch Left Try using an embroidery needle for the delicate facial features it will give you more control with the small stitches 6 hours Right Save time by stitching the black areas first, then filling the charcoal grey in afterwards Moonlight Advanced serenade Maria Diaz s Art Deco scene will make your home the height of elegance You will need: Stranded cotton as listed in the key Size 26 tapestry needle 16 count white aida, 4x35cm Finishing touches: Frame with a visual aperture of 29x23cm Mill Hill seed beads from Framecraft A fashionable lady reclines on her balcony, overlooking a magical moonlit lake. She s dressed for dancing and we guarantee that while you stitch her you ll be transported to a world of cool jazz and glamorous parties. Delicate lines of metallic thread and gold seed beads give this design just the right amount of 192s glitzy charm and the hint of sparkle really stands out against the Art Decoinspired blocks of dark grey and black. If you wanted to get really creative, why not alter the colours of the dress and stole to match the decor in your home? Whole stitches Backstitch Fractional stitches Beads Metallic threads

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5 The Big Stitch 3 ways to frame your design 1 glass frame for extra glamour? 2 3 There are lots of different high street frames that would really enhance this project. Why not opt for a mirrored or A white box frame, similar to the one featured on the cover, would make another simple yet effective alternative. For a more stylised look opt for a narrow black lacquered frame. It will really set off this design. Step-by-step Beading Tip Save time Work the grey coloured background in half cross stitch and save around two hours stitching time! Our stitcher says I love the metallic thread patterns in this design. I chose to work all the metallic details once the rest of the design was complete so that they really stood out. Nina Jackson Thread your beading 1 needle, or a size 9 or 1 embroidery needle, with a single strand of cotton. To strengthen it run it over a tablet of beeswax or a thread conditioner. Reverse of fabric Secure your thread on 2 the reverse and bring your needle to the front. Thread on the bead and make a diagonal half cross stitch over one aida block or two evenweave threads. Beads can be added 3 singly or in clusters. Keep your thread taut to secure each bead. Once this is done, to finish your thread weave it through the reverse of your stitches.

6 Moonlight serenade DMC Anchor Madeira Cross stitch in two strands DMC Anchor Madeira Backstitch in one strand DMC Light Effects E3821 Tip Unstitched areas Avoid carrying threads across areas that are left unstitched as trailing threads will create shadows on the front of your work. Always try to pass the thread through the back of your stitches instead all other outlines and details hair, bracelet skin outlines DMC Light Effects E3821 wrap, background Attach beads with cotton Mill Hill seed beads ref 557 earrings Our design has been stitched on 16 count aida Design stitch count 157 high x 12 wide Design area 25x19cm (9¾x7½in) Instant expert Your stitching tension Your stitching tension varies from day to day, which is especially noticeable when working a solid block of colour such as the charcoal grey background in this design. Any tension differences you have will be far less noticeable if you come to a convenient finishing point before packing up for the day. Step-by-step Aida fractionals Change your tapestry needle for an 1 embroidery needle and work a quarter stitch to lie diagonally from one corner to the centre of the aida block as shown on the chart. Make another quarter stitch in the second 2 colour from the opposite corner of the aida block and take it down at the same central point as your previous stitch. To complete your fractional stitch make 3 a half cross stitch in the most prominent colour. This stitch should lie diagonally across your two quarter stitches.