Create a cross-stitch coat-hanger cover

• How to sew darts
• How to insert a concealed zip
• Simple sewing repairs: make do and mend
• Watch 'Great British Sewing Bee' how-to-sew videos
• How to use bias binding
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to make and apply bias binding
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew an invisible zip
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew curved seams
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew a straight seam
• 'Great British Sewing Bee' video: how to sew on a button
• Create it with cross-stitch
• How to insert a zip
• How to make piping
• How to make fabric ties
• How to make inverted pleats
• How to sew a plain seam
• Hand-sewing: how to do slipstitch, hemstitch and running stitch
• How to do free machine embroidery
• Make a patchwork needle case: free sewing pattern
• Machine-embroider a handmade card
• Make a lightweight summer quilt: free sewing pattern
• Get started with embroidery
• Add appliqué hearts to hand towels
• Sew a memory heart
• Sew a patchwork pin cushion
• Sew a patchwork-trimmed pillow case
• Sew appliquéd egg cosies
• Make a cross-stitch toadstool pincushion
• Create a tailor-made towel - with cross-stitch
• Create a cross-stitch coat-hanger cover
• Create a cross-stitch heart cushion cover: free sewing pattern
• Create a cross-stitch lavender bag
• Make cross-stitch baby booties
• Sew a 'home' appliqué cushion: free sewing pattern
• Make a patchwork throw
• Sew a patchwork scarf: free sewing pattern
• Sew a patchwork quilt bedspread
• Sew an appliqué boat cushion: free sewing pattern
• Sharpen up your dressmaking skills
• Create an embroidered picture
• Add appliqué to a cushion
• How to make a patchwork cushion: free sewing pattern

For the coat-hanger cover

Make a paper pattern by drawing around the top of a hanger. Add on 5cm below hanger and 1.5cm seam allowances. Cut out twice from white linen. Cut a 20cm x 7cm rectangle of Aida. Following the chart, cross-stitch three hearts, equally spaced. Press under 1cm on all edges. Pin and stitch to one hanger piece. Press and stitch a tiny hem at the top of both hanger pieces where the opening for the hook will be. With right sides together, pin and stitch pieces together across the top, taking 1.5cm seam allowances and leaving an opening for the hook. Trim seam allowances and neaten them together. Turn up and stitch a 1cm hem around lower edge. Turn right side out, press and insert hanger.

Guide to cross-stitch

Cross-stitch is worked following a design from a chart on to even-weave fabric, by counting the threads in the fabric to position the stitches accurately. It can be worked from left to right or vice versa – the top diagonals of each cross should slant in the same direction throughout. We used two strands of DMC embroidery thread in Red 321 and 18-count Aida fabric.

Feature: Kirsty Robertson. Photos: Richard Burns. Illustrations: Terry Evans

DMC Aida and embroidery threads, C&H (01892 773600). Linen, Cloth House (020 7437 5155). Lavender, Neal’s Yard (01747 834634)

You might also like...

See lots more cross-stitch patterns

Take a coat-hanger - and turn it into something gorgeous