Some Thoughts on the Latest Just Cross Stitch Magazine and Digital Technology in General

The Spring 2024 issue of the Just Cross Stitch Magazine just became available.

I have had a digital subscription for several years - mostly for the Christmas issue. 

Aside from that one issue and the previews in the fall, I haven't been very impressed with the quality of the patterns. My understanding is that the designers are not paid for their work and most of the well-established or popular ones no longer submit their work to this publication. Understandably, artists like to be paid for their work just like anyone else. Now that social media gives folks lots of exposure through their own blogs, FlossTube, Instagram, Etsy, etc., they no longer need to rely on JCS to become known.

All that being said, I did note a couple of interesting things in the latest issue:

• The back page now has images of all the projects contained in the issue, along with the page numbers. 
• There are several very useful pages outlining 'Cross Stitch Basics' with excellent, instructive photos.
• There were a couple of articles about FlossTube (stitching vlogs/channels on YouTube) with QR codes for ease of finding the channels.
• an article on Chantelle Deimling's finishes - lots of ways to finish items other than framing or making a pillow
• a request for readers to submit the URLs of some of their favourite FlossTubers.

In this era of publications going completely digital, hopefully these changes will help maintain subscriptions for both print and digital formats. I, for one, was quite pleased to see this more modern, updated direction. We are almost a quarter of the way through the 21st Century. Many folks of my demographic (65+) are uncomfortable with digital content and resist keeping up with the times.

One magazine I know of that is going completely digital has irked many of the subscribers after the announcement there will be no more print editions. Subscribers threatened to cancel their subscriptions, however, the content is still there.  I would venture to guess most of these folks are just venting, making their opinions known, but ultimately will continue to access the content. I know my public library carries many digital magazines which are accessible (and free) to all.

Change is difficult for many to embrace, but times are always changing and we need to get over it through the stages of loss/grief quickly and get to the acceptance stage and be open to learn new things and technologies. 

I like routines and familiar things as much as the next person but I find it so interesting to learn new things and how to do new things. Maybe it's the educator in me - always looking to expand my horizons - being a lifelong learner. Regardless, the Internet provides so much opportunity to access so much information and knowledge. Folks who can't or won't take advantage of these opportunities really miss out.