Make a… scissor keeper
Step 1 STITCH
the design onto 13x11cm (5¼x4¼in) of 14 count aida, adding your chosen letter from the alphabet provided. Use two strands for the cross stitch, one for the backstitch and one for the French knots.
Step 2 USE
the templates to cut one keeper shape out of a 21x8cm (8¼x3¼in) piece of blue felt, plus the top smaller section of the keeper, marked above the line on the template. The rest of the felt should be used to cut two small heart shapes for the fob.
Step 3 FOLD
over the edges of the aida to the wrong side, so that it is the same shape as the felt keeper. Press the seams in place. Using two strands of one of the stranded cotton colours, buttonhole stitch across the top of the stitched aida, leaving approximately four blank squares above the stitching.
Step 4 PIN
the smaller felt top onto the felt keeper – this will make the keeper top stiffer once the scissors are inserted. On top of the assembled felt sections, place the aida, matching the point and the side seams. Buttonhole stitch around the edge of the keeper and the felt – you will be working on two layers of felt at the top, and a layer of aida and felt at the bottom. Make sure you keep the tension even and the stitches the same size. Secure the thread ends firmly.
Step 5 WORK
freehand, and on one felt heart, to cross stitch the bird design. Try to make the stitches roughly the same size, and as even as you can while stitching freehand. Place the other felt heart on the back, and then buttonhole stitch around the edge, but leaving a small gap at the top. Fill with cotton wool or toy stuffing, and then with 26cm of 3mm ribbon folded in half, insert the cut ends into the top of the heart. Complete the buttonhole stitch and secure the thread. Attach the heart to your scissors.
Turn over to find your alphabet to personalise your scissor keeper Buttonhole stitches catch a loop of the thread on the surface of the fabric, the needle is then returned to the back of the fabric at a right angle to the original starting place