‘Hope is the thing with feathers’

Featured in Autumn 2025 Just Cross Stitch Magazine

It’s such an honour to have a design featured in Just Cross Stitch! I was asked late last year to contribute to their “Inspired by a sampler” series, and my mind (typically going sideways) took the brief in a slightly different direction.

Although I am constantly inspired by samplers, I’m also inspired by all kinds of needlework, including this darling baby’s bib.

I was so touched by the artistry and care that went into the original and created my design to honour all the anonymous stitchers who make the world around them more beautiful, stitch by stitch. You can read more about my inspiration in the magazine article.

Just Cross Stitch can be found in hard-copy in North America, and digitally via your library app or magazine app. It will be available as a pattern in my Etsy store later in the year.

If you would like a threadpack, featuring the four Cottage Garden Threads colours from our ‘Bookshelf’ Edit, you can find them in my Etsy store or directly from Cottage Garden Threads.

I hope you enjoy stitching this little piece, with hope and beauty in your heart.