Fairy Tales in Stitches: Little Red's Pears

I happened across this one by accident since the title doesn't make as easy a reference to Little Red Riding Hood. But it is her and there's the wolf, too. The pears, well, I can't explain that. But perhaps there's a story there? This one is out of print, I found a copy at Cobweb Corner which I have not ordered from before myself.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Fairy Tales by Miranda's Needle

Here are Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella in cross stitch as interpreted by Miranda's Needle. I don't know if there were more in this series. The reference sites on cross stitch patterns tend to only list what is for sale currently, whether out of print or currently in print. Finding comprehensive lists is difficult at best.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: DMC Fairy Tale Classics Series

Today we have a series of fairy tales kits by DMC with three tales by Hans Christian Andersen. I tried to discover if there were more of these, but three is fun considering we get a Snow Queen and an Emperor's New Clothes along with the ever popular Princess and the Pea. I also like the usage of quotes in the design since words are always important to me. I found most of these on Ebay through international sellers which makes me wonder if they are a European exclusive.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Wicked Witch Wear

Here is another cross stitch pattern for today, Wicked Witch Wear. I took one look at this and thought of ABC's OUAT, especially that cape/cloak. Yes, it uses some Halloween stereotypes but there is some humor and fun here, too, that are more reminiscent of Snow White's Wicked Witch. This one is still in print and avaiable through sellers like 123stitch.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Princess and the Pea by Cross Eyed Cricket

I shared a strange Princess and the Pea cross stitch pattern yesterday and here's another that is currently in print and available from most sellers. I found it originally at 123stitch. Well, it's not strange as much as unusual, too. What is going on with her hair? She really is having a white night. But that bed is awesome. And the image is too small to see what she is holding in her hand. I like the "Seek the Genuine" message, too. Although I've always taken issue with what is genuine in this tale, of course.

Here's another version of the same image that shows a little more detail.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Princess and the Pea?

Here's a mish mashed fairy tale if I've ever seen one.

This is an older design, certainly before this century, probably the 80s or 90s although I am unsure of the maker. I found the design on Austintatious Offerings and was tickled by it. We all know I love Princess and the Pea designs, but for once, this is NOT a favorite. I like the bed well enough but what is up with that sleeping cap? And the window and chest? They rather overwhelm the bed.

And why do I look at this and expect a wolf and Little Red Riding Hood to suddenly appear? Because for me, this looks like Granny climbed into the princess's bed. Perhaps that's the true story--the wolf didn't eat Granny, she just ran away and climbed into someone else's bed Goldilocks-style to get a good night's rest because that pea is obviously not disturbing her sleep.

I take it back, I do like this one a lot for the humor factor alone. I have a whole story in my head for this one, a story I haven't read before!

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Red Riding Hood Babushka

This pattern is available through an Etsy seller, cupcakecutie1. It's a Red Riding Hood Babushka, of course, and I love the synergy of Russia with a more western European tale. Here's the seller's description:

My love of Little Red Riding Hood and russian dolls have combined in this cute cross stitch/embroidery pattern.

This listing is for the pattern only of the Red Riding Hood Babushka design shown and will be emailed to you as a pdf.

In the last photo you can see I have stitched the design using 14ct waste canvas on to a piece of heavy brown linen.

I love the raised effect and the contrast with the dark fabric.

This pattern is suitable for both cross stitch and tapestry/needlepoint as the pattern is based on a grid system with one square equalling one stitch.

You can stitch on any size aida/canvas that suits you. The design itself measures 100 stitches wide by 70 stitches high at its widest and highest points.

You will receive all the details you need to start stitching including a full colour chart, key, notes on fabric size and quantity of thread etc

I have included the DMC colours as a reference but of course you could easily change all the colours and any combination would look fabulous.

This is a great project to use up all those left over threads that we stitchers always seem to end up with!

Your pdf will be emailed to you within 24 hours of purchase, if not sooner. You will require Adobe reader to open the files which is available free from adobe.com (reader).

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Patterns by Heidi Kenney at My Paper Crane

Here is another fairy tale cross stitch series, this time by Heidi Kenney for My Paper Crane. There are only two patterns listed at SuperBuzzy, but again I imagine there are more. The designer, Heidi Kenney, is American, but her Etsy shop was closed for vacation when I checked and so I shared what I could for this post. Her designs have a definite Japanese influence, especially her other crafts.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Patterns by Olympus (Japan)

Here is another series of Japanese cross stitch patterns for a few different fairy tales this time by Olympus. I imagine there are more in this series, but this is what I discovered at SuperBuzzy and had images to share.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Unexpected Patterns by Gera

The Three Bears by Gera

You are probably aware by now that the Japanese enjoy European fairy tales and have many unique and fun interpretations of them, especially in fabric and stickers and other craft related items. One charming series of several cross stitch patterns is by Gera of many of the less popular fairy tales for cross stitch interpretations--no Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty here in other words. 

Most of my images came from a seller site where several Japanese crafts are available for international customers--it's in English and makes for easier buying in other words. It is SuperBuzzy and really quite a charming site. I haven't ordered from them yet so this is not an endorsement but I will be trying them in the future when I decide which of these patterns I want the most. My birthday is coming in May and there may be a self-gifting of some of these patterns I've been discovering.

Bremen Town Musicians by Gera

The Giant Turnip by Gera (The Giant Turnip!)

Thumbelina by Gera

Tortoise and the Hare by Gera

The Three Pigs by Gera

Hansel and Gretel by Gera

Little Red Riding Hood by Gera

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Princess and the Pea Quilt by Angela Yosten

So, after cross stitch, I felt like returning to quilts. Not the first thought in spring, but I had an image in my mind for a Princess and the Pea quilt. And then I went hunting and found something very similar with full instructions by Angela Yosten at Moda Bake Shop. I don't quilt, but this quilt makes me wish I did. I love this one and it would be a top pick for me as a quilt and it's not overly difficult.

I also found someone else's interpretation. Here are some images of the quilt as interpreted by Shelly at Little Meanderings. I love her color scheme, too.

The button is the pea.

She also put the tale on the back of the quilt.

Someone whip one of these up for me right away, okay?

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Three Billy Goats Gruff by The Prairie Schooler

Now I bet you didn't expect a cross stitch pattern for Three Billy Goats Gruff did you? I didn't. Most of the charts I am sharing are out of print, some over a decade or more out of print. But this one is still available through many cross stitch retailers and etailers. The publisher, The Prairie Schooler, doesn't appear to have any more fairy tale themed patterns but this one is charming and quite unexpected. I adore this tale--not just thanks to my Norwegian bloodlines--the pattern appeals to me although I don't usually choose the country influenced taste in my own decor. Here's a closer image--I found this at 123stitch.com which I have no affiliation with but have happily placed several orders with in the past.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Princess and the Pea from Enchanted Forest

So I found this pattern on Ebay this week for a reasonable price (below $10 including shipping) and bought it. I doubt I will ever sew it, but I loved the artwork and wanted to add it to my personal collection. I own a few fairy tale cross stitch patterns--the only sewing I ever do besides button repair is cross stitch but the urge comes and goes in spurts that last months and then disappear again. With a new nephew on the way in September, I will need to pull out the materials again after my move.

I haven't received the pattern yet so I don't know if there was more fairy tale inspired work in this Enchanted Forest series.  It's no secret around here that I adore Princess and the Pea illustrations and other art, so it's not surprise that this unusual interpretation caught my overfilled eye this week. Enjoy!

I have two images that are larger, one from my Ebay seller and another from Etsy although I can't find it again either. Oh well...

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Princess and the Pea by Lula Chang

This is another vintage fairy tale cross stitch pattern, this time for Princess and the Pea by Lula Chang. This is a fun one. I found the images at Yester Years Goodies. Another one I would love to have! But it is on hold and unavailable, darn it.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Patterns by Teresa Wentzler

Yesterday I featured rare, out of print and now expensive (if you can find them patterns). Today I am sharing two patterns by Teresa Wentzler which have been reprinted and can now be downloaded for just $6.99 each online. That's savvy and the joys of the internet all at once. Love! Wentzler has many fantasy oriented patterns available through her online distributor. Cinderella (Stroke of Midnight) and Rapunzel are the two fairy tale themed ones. Rapunzel is a very popular inspiration for cross stitch patterns--and these predate Tangled so we can't blame/thank Disney for it. This Rapunzel reminds me very much of Lady of Shalott.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Patterns by Sandy Orton

These are two long out of print patterns by Sandy Orton which Austintatious Offerings has listed at a hefty price that still tempts me. The Rapunzel pattern is my favorite--there's even the scissors details that delights me--but I like the Sleeping Beauty as well. Actually, even Rapunzel's expression appeals to me since she appears to know exactly what is going on. I would love to own both, but the price is a little out of my price range right now. Too bad they haven't been reprinted during all of this fairy tale popularity right now.

There was one more pattern in the series from the late 1990s, a Cinderella naturally. I could only find a good picture of it through a defunct listing on iOffer. Nevermind that all three characters look alike in this series.

Fairy Tales in Stitches: Fairy Tales Collections from The Floss Box

Here is a collection of fairy tale cross stitch patterns available through Etsy seller Theflossbox. The Princess and the Pea and Rapunzel ones are my favorites. These would make a great series on a nursery wall. I like them because they are simple enough to finish fairly quickly. And they'd be very easy to adapt to a desired color scheme, too.