Tomato Seed Packet Counted Cross Stitch

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed making this tomato seed packet in response to the Albion Design Challenge 2023 ‘Grow’

As a group of independent needlepoint designers we support each other in promoting the art of stitch and spreading the message of how joyful it is to take up a needle and thread to make something beautiful with your hands.

‘Grow’ was announced earlier in the year as I was sifting through my seed packets, pottering in the greenhouse and crossing my fingers in anticipation of what might germinate. Nurturing plants is very much like sewing. It is a very tactile process, often you don’t quite know the outcome and there is the gradual growth and development. Every step brings its own joy and, much like making the first stitch on a blank canvas, there is nothing better that checking on recently planted seeds and seeing the first glimmer of green shoots.

My original design was stitched as needlepoint on plastic canvas. However, this kit is for a counted cross stitch stitched on either 14 count Aida or 28 count Cashel Linen. Both fabrics will give a finished size of approximately 14.5cm x 20.5cm.

The kit contains everything you need to stitch your seed packet; full colour chart and instructions, a blank chart and set of numbers to customised the price label, pre-sorted Anchor stranded embroidery threads, John James embroidery needle and your choice of embroidery fabric. You will also need some small scissors and possibly an embroidery hoop.

The frame shown in the photograph is not included but can be bought at IKEA.