Description
Framed design
The design is shown on 14 count Aida fabric, but you may also use evenweave or fabric with a different count.
Grid Size: 15.7″ x 19.7″ (220W x 275H stitches)
Design Area: 14.29″ x 18.29″ (200 x 256 stitches)
Techniques
Stitches required: Backstitch. Single thread for all the design. No fractional stitches.
Floss and Canvas
Monochrome design, DMC 310 or the color of your choice. The pattern is done with a single thread of floss, e.g. DMC 310. There are no fractional stitches in the pattern, but some stitches may intercross for artistic effect.
The pattern is intended for Aida 14, and can also be done on evenweave 28 over 2. It is not recommended to use a denser canvas as the details are likely to be lost. It is crafted to perfectly fit 14-count Aida fabric and effortlessly slides into a standard 40×50 frame, offering you a hassle-free and cost-effective framing solution for your holiday decor.
The Story
Dive into the enchanting world of “Alice in Wonderland” with our latest offering in the Adventale series. This unique advent calendar takes you on a stitching journey through 24 meticulously chosen scenes from Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale, each one offering a window into the whimsical, sometimes absurd, but always captivating world of Wonderland. Inspired by the original texts and paying homage to John Tenniel’s iconic illustrations, our designs blend traditional blackwork embroidery with modern ‘stetching’ techniques—a fusion of stitching and sketching—that brings each scene to life with stunning detail and graphic artistry.
From Alice’s first encounter with the White Rabbit to her final awakening from the dream, the calendar invites you to recreate key moments of the story. You’ll find scenes like Alice’s fall down the rabbit hole, her conversation with the Caterpillar, the mad tea-party, and the Queen’s croquet game, each designed to capture the magic and madness of Wonderland. The scenes are thoughtfully arranged within round frames, echoing the look of a laid out tea party from above, with teacups, saucers, and teaspoons enriching the narrative tableau. Iconic symbols from the story—the White Rabbit’s watch, the ‘Eat Me’ cake, the ‘Drink Me’ bottle, and more—are intricately woven into the design, adding layers of depth and intrigue.
Surrounding this imaginative landscape are two poignant quotes from the story, framing the adventure with reflections on madness, curiosity, and the nature of experience itself. Overseeing the collection is the Cheshire Cat, his grin a reminder of the enduring charm and mystery of Wonderland.
The scenes are based on the original text of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and the illustrations by Lewis Carroll and John Tenniel..
Here are the scenes descriptions to help on the journey through this advent calendar:
(1) The White Rabbit – Alice spies on the White Rabbit in a garden setting, complete with a river, peeking through bushes with a quaint house in the background, inspired by Tenniel’s illustrations.
(2) Down the Rabbit-Hole – A perspective shot of Alice falling, marmalade jar in hand, capturing the initial descent into Wonderland’s mysteries.
(3) The Secret Door – Referencing Tenniel, Alice discovers the door behind a curtain, with a crystal table making a striking appearance in the scene.
(4) Drink Me – A perspective scene where a tiny Alice stands beneath the crystal table, looking up at the towering door and key, with the ‘Drink Me’ bottle also in view.
(5) Eat Me – Alice, with her legs extended, holds the ‘Eat Me’ cake and wipes away tears, as the White Rabbit hurries off. The crystal table and key are visible far below.
(6) The Pool of Tears – Drawing from Tenniel, this scene shows Alice and the Mouse swimming in a pool formed from Alice’s tears, discussing cats..
(7) A Caucus-Race and a long Tale – In this depiction, the Dodo and Alice, drawn from Tenniel’s classic illustrations, capture the race’s whimsical conclusion. Surrounding them, the Mouse, the Eaglet,the Llory, and the Crab represent the chapter’s other characters.
(8) The Rabbit’s Mistake – In this scene, the Rabbit, mistaking Alice for Mary Ann, leads the way to his house with a confused Alice in tow. The background showcases his garden, the house labeled “W.Rabbit,” and a cucumber frame, setting the stage for the ensuing mix-up.
(9) Alice in the Rabbit’s House – Alice grows too large for the White Rabbit’s house, a scene directly inspired by Tenniel’s iconic illustration.
(10) The Rabbit sends in a little Bill – Bill the Lizard’s flight, propelled by Alice, is humorously captured, with Tenniel’s influence clear. The scene is set in a garden where the White Rabbit, in shock, drops a barrow of pebble cakes.
(11) Alice and the Puppy – This scene captures the delightful moment Alice encounters a curious oversized puppy, referencing Tenniel’s original artwork.
(12) Advice from a Caterpillar – Referencing Tenniel, this scene shows Alice stretching to break off mushroom pieces, with the Caterpillar perched atop. A forest and path, added for richer chapter context, serve as the backdrop.
(13) Alice and the Pigeon – In this scene, Alice’s neck stretches to the treetops, where a panicked Pigeon guards her nest. Drawing inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s own illustrations, Alice’s neck takes on the perspective of the surrounding tree trunks, merging seamlessly with the forest backdrop.
(14) The Fish Footman and the Frog Footman – This scene meticulously recreates Tenniel’s depiction of the Queen’s letter being delivered to the Duchess. It honors the historic fashion and perspectives of Lewis Carroll’s era, showcasing liveries, powdered hair, short trousers, vests, epaulets, high collars, and bow ties.
(15) Pig and Pepper – Inspired by Tenniel’s illustration, this scene shows Alice with the pig baby moving away from the kitchen’s turmoil to the garden’s edge. The background captures the chaos as the Cook throws kitchenware at the Duchess.
(16) Cheshire Puss – Inspired by Tenniel’s artwork, this scene captures Alice standing under a tree, gazing up at the Cheshire Cat perched above.
(17) A Mad Tea-Party – Drawing from Tenniel’s iconic imagery, this scene showcases the March Hare and Mad Hatter in the midst of their attempt to stuff the Dormouse into a teapot during their eternal 6 o’clock tea-party.
(18) Painting the Roses – This scene, inspired by Tenniel, shows the Five and Seven of Spades as they head towards the rose bushes with a brush and a bucket of paint. While Carroll’s text doesn’t specify the gardeners’ suit, his own drawings reveal them as spades, a detail that Tenniel later refined in his famous illustrations, emphasizing the connection to the gardeners’ labor.
(19) The Queen’s Croquet-Ground — Inspired by Tenniel, this scene captures Alice on the croquet ground, poised with a flamingo mallet, as hedgehog balls dot the background. Notably, one hedgehog is already making its escape towards the bushes.
(20) A Cat May Look at a King – In this scene, the King of Hearts points furiously at the Cheshire Cat’s disembodied head in the air. The executioner, depicted by Tenniel as belonging to the suit of clubs-a choice that mirrors the Tarot’s suit of swords, symbolizing weapons and fitting for an executioner-holds his axe on one shoulder, scratching his head in confusion about how to proceed with a beheading when there’s no body.
(21) Alice and the Duchess – Drawing inspiration from Tenniel, this scene depicts Alice walking alongside the Duchess, with a flamingo mallet tucked under her arm. The Duchess links arms with Alice, engaging her in tales. While the Duchess’s attire stays true to Tenniel’s original illustrations, both figures have been completely redrawn, offering a fresh take on their classic exchange.
(22) The Lobster Quadrille – This scene showcases Alice strolling beside the Gryphon and the Mock Turtle as they perform the Lobster Quadrille by the seashore. Both characters are chimeras: the Gryphon, by its mythical nature, and the Mock Turtle, a nod to Victorian culinary substitutions, depicted with a blend of turtle and calf features. The portrayal is grounded in Tenniel’s illustration.
(23) Who Stole the Tarts? – Based on Tenniel’s iconic imagery, this scene features the White Rabbit blowing his trumpet, setting the courtroom scene into motion. It expands to include the Mad Hatter rising to the stand as the first witness, alongside the depiction of the jury box
(24) Inspired by Tenniel, this final scene captures Alice attempting to escape the flurry of flying cards, with the White Rabbit seen scurrying away in the background. In the foreground, the cards begin to morph into leaves, symbolizing Alice’s transition from her dream back to reality as she awakens
Digital cross stitch / blackwork pattern
No physical items will be shipped. A PDF pattern will be emailed to you within 1 working day.
No fabric, floss, or other materials are included in the listing. The finished embroidery shown in the photos is for demonstration purposes only.
