I have just completed the Butterfly Garden cross-stitch kit by The Drawn Thread. I started it three months ago having fallen for it at the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show on the Nimble Thimble stall last year. They had a beautiful display of samplers which really sold it for me.
I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching it, partly because of the variety of stitches involved. There were lots of new stitches to learn but the instructions and the charts were very clear. The subtle colour variation from the Caron Waterlily threads were very effective with the flowers in particular, I always felt they were rather expensive before but I must admit I would be tempted to buy them now. Chris from Nimble Thread in Oswestry was very helpful when I ran out of a couple of threads, sending out more than I had asked for and very promptly too.
Buddleia were stitched in Smyrna cross-stitch, which is like a double cross, phlox were in lazy-daisy stitch, tansy were stitched with French knots.
Buddleia, phlox, tansy and campsis
Bergamot, salvia and campsis were stitched with a variety of backstitch combinations. Sunflowers were stitched with lazy-daisy and French knots, verbena with Smyrna cross-stitch.
Salvia, campsis and sunflowers
Mallow flowers were a mixture of a broad cross-stitch for the centre, surrounded by woven satin stitch. Blackberry flowers were double cushion stitch and the berries were in square boss-stitch. The little bumble bees were very cute, they were stitched in cross-stitch but over a single thread of linen.
Verbena, lantana, mallow and blackberry
I had it framed down at Artworks in Otley, they always do a fantastic job of framing and just as importantly I trust them with my embroideries. I just need to find somewhere to hang it now!
So if you fancy doing a cross-stitch kit that grows quickly and has lots to keep you interested, I can recommend the Butterfly Garden.
The Butterfly Garden
thecraftycreek 
Very pretty. Would be cute for a bathroom or kitchen.
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Thank you, I’d be worried about steam damage in a kitchen or bathroom so I might find room on the landing.
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That’s incredibly pretty, and I just love the detail. I’ve never had the patience for cross stitch, though I’ve bought kits that caught my eye, storing them for some future time when I think I will make the time. This inspires me to try again!
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Thanks for your comment, this grew fairly quickly so it got quite addictive, I got a sense of achievement each time I finished a flower. Go for it, have a go!
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I really like the this. I’ve got a large ‘portrait’ on linen that I’ve put aside, incomplete, for around 15 years now, but I think it’s the sheer size that makes it so hard to pick up again. I’ve just picked up the sewing needle again and am sewing the seams on my first (little) Alabama Chanin top and really enjoying it. This also looks like something I’d enjoy as each plant is it’s own little piece. It’s lovely, thank you for sharing.
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Hi, thanks for your comments, I’ve also cross-stitch pictures that are just solid stitches so I know exactly where you’re coming from, I think that’s why I now like sampler style cross-stitch so much – not as much actual stitching! This was a delight to do as I felt I’d made progress with each flower. Glad you’re enjoying sewing again.
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Hi – I’m working on this now and nearly finished! I wondered what order you did the mallow flower heads in? Did you work from outside in, or vice versa? Thanks!
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Hi Amber, it’s a few years since I stitched the Butterfly Garden, still love it, I can’t remeber which order I stitched them in but I would think I did the central cross-stitch first and then the satin stitch petals. Hope that helps.
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