Recommended Free Tools
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Free scan · under a minute
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Free scan · no reinstall
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
Free scan · exact hardware match
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Major Alexis Casdagli reportedly hid “God Save the King” and “Fuck Hitler” in the border of an ordinary-looking cross-stitch sampler, using stitches to represent Morse-code dots and dashes. The account comes from Carla Sinclair’s 2011 feature for Make:, which draws on a Guardian article and interviews with Casdagli’s son, Tony; it should be read as secondary reporting rather than independently verified archival fact.
How the cross-stitch messages reportedly worked
According to Sinclair’s account, Casdagli used the border of a sampler to encode two phrases in Morse code: “God Save the King” and “Fuck Hitler.” The dots and dashes were represented by cross-stitches, allowing the border to look like decorative needlework to someone who did not know to read it as a message. The feature does not provide a full stitch-by-stitch key, so the precise pattern cannot be reconstructed from its description alone.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The reported method suited a POW’s constraints: Casdagli worked on scraps of canvas with bits of thread. Sinclair says the pieces were displayed in four camps without the German captors recognizing the messages. She also reports that Casdagli organized a needlework school for 40 officers. Those camp and school details are claims in the 2011 feature, not details independently confirmed here against camp records.
#1 Best Overall
- [ INCLUDES EVERYTHINGS YOU NEED ] Exquisite gift box contains 4 embroidered fabrics with patterns, 20 color threads, 4 instructions, 9 needles, 1 pair of scissors, 1 embroidery thread board, 1 embroidery hoop, 1 needle threader, 1 seam ripper,meeting all your needs in the process of advancing your embroidery skills!
- [ 4 STAGES FROM BEGINNER TO EXPERT ] Master embroidery step by step with our cross stitch kits for beginners,Dive into 38 important stitching techniques on four fabric levels, from easy to challenging. Watch your skills grow as you tackle each level!
- [ DETAILED INSTRUCTION & VIDEO ] We've got you covered with detailed instructions and video tutorials for every stitching technique and pattern on our embroidered fabric. Just smooth sailing as you dive into the world of embroidery for a better learning experience!
- [ EXCELLENT GIFT FOR HER ] Beneath the stunning gift box lies a world of vibrant embroidery! Our beginner embroidery kit for adults is the perfect gift for girls and women aged 14 and up, suitable for any occasion like birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. Enhance fine needlework skills, unleash creativity, and make lasting memories with family and friends.
- [ QUALITY PROMISE ] Customer complete satisfaction is very important to us. If you find any problem with our craft kits for adults, please feel free to contact us. We promise to give you a satisfactory solution within 24 hours. Thank you for supporting our brand Cyanfour.
Who was Major Alexis Casdagli?
Sinclair identifies Casdagli as a British soldier imprisoned by the Nazis from 1941 to 1945. The needlework was more than a vehicle for coded defiance: his son Tony recalled that his father found comfort in stitching while guards made their rounds. As Tony is quoted in the Make: feature: “It used to give him pleasure when the Germans were doing their rounds. He would say after the war that the Red Cross saved his life but his embroidery saved his sanity. If you sit down and stitch you can forget about other things, and it’s very calming.”
The quotation is Tony Casdagli’s recollection as printed by Sinclair in 2011; it is not checked here against a recording or the family book. It gives the sampler a personal dimension alongside its political message: repetitive handwork could offer a measure of focus and calm in captivity.
Rank #2
- COMPLETE EMBROIDERY KIT FOR BEGINNERS: 5 pre-printed floral embroidery patterns, a 7-inch adjustable embroidery hoop, 19 vibrant threads, 9 needles, a threader, a seam ripper and 5 detailed instructions.
- STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES & VIDEOS: Detailed instructions and clear online video tutorials that walk you through every stitch and pattern. No guesswork, no stress, just smooth sailing as you learn and create with confidence!
- EXCELLENT GIFT FOR HER: Our beginner embroidery kit for adults is the perfect gift for women, suitable for any occasion like birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.
- UNLIMITED CREATIVITY, ENDLESS BEAUTY: Our embroidery kits come with plenty of vibrant threads, allowing you to freely unleash your creativity. Decorate, frame and refresh your living room, bedroom or craft wall with handmade art.
- QUALITY PROMISE: Customer complete satisfaction is very important to us. If you find any problem with our embroidery kit, please feel free to contact us. We promise to give you a satisfactory solution within 24 hours. Thank you for supporting our brand Cyanfour.
The stitched letter to his son
The feature also describes a stitched letter Casdagli sent to Tony when the boy was 11. Sinclair reproduces its wording: “It is 1,581 days since I saw you last but it will not be long now. Do you remember when I fell down the well? Look after Mummy till I get home again,” The number belongs to the letter as reproduced in the article; it is not a general statistic about Casdagli’s imprisonment.
The family book and the V&A exhibition
Sinclair identifies the family book as A Stitch in Time: God Save the King? Fu*k Hitler! by Captain A. Casdagli. The 2011 feature says it brings together a synopsis of Alexis’s wartime experience, accounts reprinted from his diary, and color photographs of his work. The article linked to a Lulu listing at the time, but that does not establish present-day availability.
Rank #3
- 【Beginner Embroidery Kit With Step-by-Step Guidance】New to embroidery? This embroidery kit for beginners includes clear instructions and QR-code video tutorials, so you can follow along easily and start stitching with confidence—even if you've never stitched before.
- 【Everything Included – No Extra Shopping】This all-in-one embroidery kit includes patterned fabrics, threads, hoops, needles, seam ripper, and instructions—perfect for beginners who want a stress-free start.
- 【Learn Real Embroidery Skills】It includes video tutorials for beginners on foundational skills, such as using embroidery hoops, separating threads, threading, knotting, and basic stitches—content that most kits do not teach.
- 【Relaxing Craft & Stress Relief Hobby】Enjoy a calming embroidery project that helps improve focus, reduce stress, and create a sense of accomplishment—perfect after a long day.
- 【Looking for a Screen-Free Family Activity?】A meaningful hands-on activity that encourages creativity and quality time—away from screens.
The feature also reports that Alexis’s sampler and Tony’s Tree of Life were shown together in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Power of Making exhibition. That exhibition ended on January 2, 2012, according to the feature; it is historical context, not a current opportunity to view the work.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is established—and what remains a reported account
The available account supplies a coherent story of coded stitches, constrained materials, family correspondence, and the solace of needlework. Its source is Carla Sinclair’s December 21, 2011 Make: feature, which refers to a Guardian article and includes interview material from Tony Casdagli. The Guardian and V&A pages linked by that feature were not available for separate review here, and the account has not been checked against archival records. The details should therefore be attributed to the feature rather than presented as independently corroborated fact.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Complete DIY Cross-stitch Kit: You will receive 6x cross-stitch aida fabric with pre-printed pattern (20x6 cm）, backing felt, enough thread, needles, threader, scissors and instruction which is enough to complete 6 cross stitch bookmarks
- Suitable for Beginners: There is a pre-printed pattern on each aida fabric which same as in the detailed instruction that helps you accurately find the corresponding embroidery thread through the numbers. It's a great help for beginner adults
- Flower Bookmark: The 6 pcs cross-stitch bookmarks are designed with wildflower, sunflower, tulip, etc. The rich colors and attractive patterns make the cross stitch bookmark kit more beautiful and exquisite.
- Reliable Material: The cotton thread is soft yet durable, featuring vivid colors. The cross-stitch aida fabric is thick and long-lasting for stable stitching. Note: The pre-printed pattern uses washable ink—avoid water until stitching is complete
- With Backing Felt: After you finish the cross stitch, you can stick the backing felt on the back of the bookmark, which would make the back of the bookmark neat, and the bookmark would be thick and rigid.
Rank #4
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY : Easy embroidery kits with pre-printed sunflower design and foolproof instructions makes hand embroidery easy for first-timers
- VIBRANT & LONG-LASTING COLORS: Premium colorfast threads ensure your sunflower Embroidery Kit stays bright and fade-resistant for years
- BEST GIFT: Beautifully single-piece DIY Embroidery Kit ideal for birthday gifts, activities, or home decoration projects
- EVERYTHING-INCLUDED : Embroidery Starter Kit contains 1 embroidery hoop (8"), Embroidery fabric with sunflower pattern, 2 embroidery needles, color threads, and Step-by-Step instruction
- Relax CREATIVE OUTLET: Embroidery Kit for adult perfect stress-relief activity for adults seeking mindfulness or seniors wanting to maintain dexterity
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors
