About The World in Stitches

Welcome! The World in Stitches supplies original cross stitch kits and patterns, handmade in Southend-on-Sea by me, Colleen Carrington.

I make each kit with best quality DMC or Zweigart fabrics, genuine DMC thread, John James cross stitch needles, and the colour charts are printed on thick matte paper for readability and longevity. All designs are model-stitched before I put the kit together to check for chart readability and thread usage. My kits are all traditional counted cross stitch where you read from a chart and stitch onto blank fabric.

The fabric in my kits is cut generously to allow for spare fabric left all around your stitching. This allows easy use of a hoop for hand sewing and easier framing when the time comes. I cut the fabric square, and neatly fold it to show the centre, where possible. You can start stitching right away!

Where kits are supplied with a hoop, or if you have chosen to add one to your order, it will be a high quality flat-edged European Beechwood hoop for a good working grip and a beautiful natural finish to compliment your stitching. These won't mark your fabric or crush your stitches like a plastic hoop can.

I always use genuine DMC stranded thread direct from where it is made in France. Your thread will be cut and sorted for you onto thread cards - all you have to do is select your strands and start stitching! I put a minimum of 30% extra thread on top of what is needed in with my kits to allow for stopping and starting. For beginner kits, and highly detailed kits, there's even more extra thread supplied to allow for tangles and all the thread changes that are necessary with more advanced designs.

My kits are all supplied with steel John James cross stitch needles. These are beautifully made blunt needles with long eyes, perfect for easy threading and for reducing hand-strain as they glide through the fabric. As the designs increase in detail, extra needles are added to your kit.

I stitch all of my designs before they are offered for sale in order to test the readability of the chart, the thread usage, how the colours look together and because I just love to cross stitch. I am a very experienced cross-stitcher and my charts are some of the best you'll ever use! I am always available for any inquiries or help you might need, please just get in touch.

My Learn How to Cross Stitch kits make great gifts - they come with a tutorial booklet with everything you need to know about getting started, as well as the equipment you'd find in a proper cross stitch kit. 14 count Aida, DMC thread, a needle and a needle threader, and a 5-inch hoop to get started right away.

I have loved cross stitch since childhood, and my enthusiasm and ideas for patterns led me to start selling my products online in 2012. I have also designed for various cross stitch magazines, and have a cross stitch book published as well. Now here's my website where you can find my latest designs for sale. Don't forget to have a look at my blog while you're here for news, tips and free patterns. See what I'm working on right now on Instagram.

Happy Stitching!