Cross stitch – Smash the Patriarchy with Stitching Handmaids Tale

This feels like it goes with the feminist cross-stitch book a little bit (that giveaway is still open by the way, so go enter if you haven’t yet!) and husband and I have been watching The Handmaid’s Tale, so I couldn’t resist.

Wild Violet Stitches on etsy has a Handmaid’s Tale-inspired pattern, complete with a handmaid, a house and designs out of an old-time sampler and the famous phrase Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum (sort of fake Latin for “don’t let the bastards grind you down”).

The pattern is actually really pretty, and great to stitch while you watch. Believe me, you’ll need something to do with your hands, and angrily stabbing a cross-stitch project is as good as anything.

The PDF pattern runs $5.

[Photo: Wild Violet Stitches via etsy.]

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Celebrate International Women's Day with Cross Stitch

If you’re a fan of detailed and colorful cross stitch patterns, Design for Cross Stitch might have a pattern you want to try. This Etsy shop is based in Spain and has more than 50 designs with a focus on animals, holidays and landscapes.

I’m just going to start with the first pattern that caught my eye when I visited the site, which is this Sakura by the Lake project. This pattern is 200 by 200 stitches and the whole background is stitched, so it’s definitely not for a beginner, but it’s stunning and would be amazing to make for someone who loves Japan. Despite the detail it only uses 24 colors. Worked on 14 count fabric it will measure 14.64 inches, or 37.19 cm.

There are a few other landscape designs, including a canal in Venice and a few cabins in the woods.

The shop also has some cute animal cross stitch, with big, round faces and often holding a warm beverage. Holiday projects focus on Christmas and Halloween. Most of the patterns have a cute, chibi-like feel, but there are some that are more detailed and realistic as well. Take for examples the flower patterns, which are full of details and soft colors.

You’ll also find some fun bookmark cross stitch patterns with a watercolor feel, as well as some that look kind of like paint pouring turned into stitches.

If this sort of stuff sounds like fun to you, check out their Etsy store at Design for Cross Stitch.

Do you have a favorite cross stitch designer who I haven’t featured yet? Let me know in the comments or share more about them by clicking on “suggest a DIY” at the center top of the page and let me know the details. I’d love to share the designers you’re enjoying with a wider audience.

[Photo: Design for Cross Stitch]

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