Poppies

A spray of poppies worked like a watercolour: two open red flowers in the foreground and, around them, pale white blooms that blend into the fabric, whose background is softly printed in colour. That printing creates the painterly effect, while the stitching concentrates on the red flowers and the foliage, with a few long stitches for stems and details.

Linen of this count is usually worked over two threads with one strand of stranded cotton for the cross stitch; a hoop or frame helps keep the fabric taut. The threads come ready sorted on the organiser, so you can start straight away. A frame is not included: once washed and pressed from the back, the finished piece is ideal for framing.