Welcome to X-Calibre Designs and thanks for popping in. We may have met before at a needlework show or at one of my workshops, if so, nice to see you again. If we haven’t met in person, I hope that during your time here you will learn a bit about me, Carol Leather, and what I love to do.

I enjoy designing different types of needlework and you can find kits and charts for blackwork embroidery, hardanger, needlepoint and a little pulled work on these pages. If you haven’t tried one or more of these techniques head over to the free online classes and have a go! You will find free charts and instructions for two blackwork designs, a pretty hardanger piece and some unusual cross stitch projects. Have fun!

To give you more information on blackwork embroidery I am putting together a pattern library, a sort of beginner’s guide to blackwork fill patterns and how to stitch them. Enjoy.

I have to say thank you to all of you who have taken the time to send me photos of your work, especially when you have adapted my designs. Check out Your Gallery to see what others have done also.