Designer Spotlight: Notforgotten Farm

Notforgotten Farm is an Etsy shop dedicated to primitive needlework patterns and supplies. Based in Virginia, the shop has patterns for counted and uncounted cross stitch, embroidery, punch needle and appliques, as well as a couple of hand-sewing patterns. They also sell wooden notions such as spool caddies and needle boxes, and embroidery hoops.

But we’re here to talk about cross stitch so let’s get into it.

To start with, if you’re wondering at the difference between counted and uncounted cross stitch, an uncounted design is transferred x by x onto the linen or other fabric that you’re going to stitch on. That way when you’re stitching you don’t have to do any counting.

As an example of what the finished project looks likes, check out their Mary’s Wild Ride design. I think it adds a bit to the primitive charm and immediately makes these projects look older than they are because they’re not as even and perfect as projects made with counted cross stitch fabric.

When it comes to counted cross stitch patterns, Notforgotten Farm has a lot of patterns inspired by classic samplers, lots of patterns with animals and rather a witchy vibe. Some patterns are PDFs and some are paper patterns, so keep an eye on that while you are shopping.

For example the project shown above, Tea Time, is a printed pattern. It’s worked on 18 count fabric and is 55 by 70 stitches. There’s something about this lady I really like, and she’d be fun to stitch up and hang in your kitchen.

I also have to share this cat on the moon cross stitch pattern (because you know I love cats!), which is just so funny and I love the way it’s been styled into a bag. (Note this one has text about being a printed pattern but it’s actually digital.)

If you like primitive patterns with Halloween vibes all year long, check out Notforgotten Farm on Etsy!

[Photo: Notforgotten Farm]

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35+ Sunflower Cross Stitch Patterns

The designs from Bella Rose Craft look like they would be good for beginner cross stitchers and others who like relatively simple and small designs that are quick to finish for gifts or decor.

I’ll mention up front that this Etsy shop based in Indiana has no organization whatsoever. There are two categories: kits and patterns. So it’s a bit of a treasure hunt to find what you might be interested in.

As mentioned there are lots of minis and small looking projects with simple lines and minimal colors. There are holiday projects, animals, summer motifs like palm trees and beach umbrellas, a bathtub with a rubber duck, some text based designs (like hoppy spring and merry and bright), some biblical and religious designs, flowers, bunting and more.

On a site like this its difficult to pick something representative of the whole page, but I liked this bees and beehive design, so it’s the one I picked to share. This one illustrates a lot of my general points about the patterns from this shop. It’s small (2.79 by 2.57 inches, or about 7 by 6.5 cm on 14 count fabric), it looks like it’s all whole cross stitches and probably uses only six colors, and a couple of colors are only used for a handful of stitches.

Of the 300 plus cross stitch patterns available as of this writing, 140 are also available as cross stitch kits. These would be great to give as gifts if you’re trying to get someone interested in cross stitching. The kits include the pattern, fabric and floss, and you can choose to have it include a needle or not. The hoop is not included but the patterns explain what kind of hoop is shown if you want to get one to match.

So if you’re looking for cute, beginner friendly patterns for yourself or you’re trying to be a crafty enabler for someone else, check out Bella Rose Craft on Etsy.

[Photo: Bella Rose Craft]

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