modern cross stitch | Mr X Stitch

It is arguable that the mainstream cross stitch market is a little bit stuck in a rut. The common perception of modern cross stitch as being mostly cute animals and flowery designs is reinforced by a mainstream bias for designs that perpetuate that mindset, tailored to an audience that have little choice in the content they receive. At XStitch Magazine it is our view that there is an absence of innovation in the current offerings of the most popular magazines in the UK, and the following piece of research supports this argument. We decided to analyse at the covers of the three most popular UK cross stitch magazines for 2018. For each month, we looked at Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching to identify the main design offered and consider the overall variety in themes. We sought to understand what Modern Cross Stitch designs are featured in mainstream publications and therein determine what new ideas emerge from these publications for their large audiences. It's important to note that we respect these magazines and know that a lot of people get a lot of pleasure from them. They are good publications with a passion for cross stitch and we are not criticising the designs presented. This is an exercise in examining Modern Cross Stitch and observing the common themes that appear in the most popular cross stitch magazines. Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for January 2018 When identifying themes, we chose broad topics that would enable us to keep the categories to a small number. We also chose to focus on the main design on the front cover, rather than use all the designs. Future analyses of these covers may drill down into more details. Cute Animals - 1 Landscapes - 1 Florals - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for February 2018 In some instances, such as Cross Stitch Crazy for February, we note the overlap of two themes - in this instance, cute animals and love - and we will highlight those as they arise. We also note the first instance of the anthropomorphic theme (animals doing human things). Cute Animals - 3 Landscapes - 2 Florals - 1 Love - 1 Anthropomorphism - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for March 2018 In March, the use of pattern as design appears for the first time. Cute Animals - 4 Landscapes - 2 Florals - 2 Love Hearts - 1 Anthropomorphism - 2 Pattern - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for April 2018 In April, the traditional sampler style of design appears for the first time. Cute Animals - 6 Landscapes - 3 Florals - 2 Love Hearts - 1 Anthropomorphism - 4 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for May 2018 In May, slogans and typography make their first appearance. Cute Animals - 7 Landscapes - 3 Florals - 5 Love - 2 Anthropomorphism - 5 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 1 Slogans - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for June 2018 In June there is the first fantasy based design. Cute Animals - 9 Landscapes - 3 Florals - 5 Love - 2 Anthropomorphism - 5 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 1 Slogans - 2 Fantasy - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for July 2018 In July, the first piece of transport appears. We also add the nature category to distinguish from designs where animals are made deliberately cute. Cute Animals - 10 Landscapes - 3 Florals - 6 Love - 2 Anthropomorphism - 6 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 1 Slogans - 2 Fantasy - 1 Transport - 1 Nature - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for August 2018 In August, the first portrait appears combined with florals. Cute Animals - 11 Landscapes - 3 Florals - 7 Love - 2 Anthropomorphism - 7 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 1 Slogans - 2 Fantasy - 2 Transport - 1 Nature - 1 Portraits - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for September 2018 In September, no new themes are presented, while CrossStitcher's design combines landscapes and slogans. Cute Animals - 13 Landscapes - 4 Florals - 7 Love - 2 Anthropomorphism - 8 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 1 Slogans - 3 Fantasy - 2 Transport - 1 Nature - 1 Portraits - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for October 2018 No new themes emerge in the October issues. Cute Animals - 13 Landscapes - 4 Florals - 8 Love - 2 Anthropomorphism - 8 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 2 Slogans - 3 Fantasy - 3 Transport - 1 Nature - 1 Portraits - 1 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for November 2018 In November, the Christmas theme appears. Cute Animals - 13 Landscapes - 5 Florals - 8 Love - 3 Anthropomorphism - 9 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 2 Slogans - 3 Fantasy - 3 Transport - 1 Nature - 1 Portraits - 1 Christmas - 3 Cross Stitch Crazy, CrossStitcher Magazine and The World of Cross Stitching covers for December 2018 And in December, there are no new themes. Cute Animals - 14 Landscapes - 5 Florals - 8 Love - 3 Anthropomorphism - 10 Pattern - 1 Sampler - 2 Slogans - 3 Fantasy - 4 Transport - 1 Nature - 1 Portraits - 1 Christmas - 6 This is what the most popular magazines choose as themes for Modern Cross Stitch patterns. Presented in order of popularity, across the 36 cross stitch magazine issues of 2018, the reader is offered 13 different themes for the main design: Cute Animals - 14 Anthropomorphism - 10 Florals - 8 Christmas - 6 Landscapes - 5 Fantasy - 4 Love - 3 Slogans - 3 Sampler - 2 Nature - 1 Pattern - 1 Portraits - 1 Transport - 1 It is arguable that this is a limited scope of idea, and it is also arguable that these themes cater to a very focused demographic. While we are certain that these designs will bring pleasure to the stitcher, we think that Modern Cross Stitch can offer a lot more variety in design, content and can appeal to a wider audience. This is why we create XStitch Magazine. Our themed issues celebrate the diverse dynamics of an international cohort of cross stitch designers. We deliberately provide an eclectic mix of designs to ensure that people of all ages, backgrounds and attitudes will find something they want to stitch. We believe that the medium of cross stitch is a vibrant craft that can reflect all aspects of life, and we will continue to challenge the mainstream mindset on Modern Cross Stitch. Will you join us? Subscribe now to get each new quarterly issue delivered to your inbox and collect our five print editions while stocks last!