Inspirations

Referred to by readers as 'the World's most beautiful embroidery magazine', Inspirations is where you find the best classic hand embroidery by leading embroiderers throughout the world. Complemented with superbly styled photography and captivating stories, each issue brings a diverse collection of timeless projects from home wares and bags to gifts and accessories. A wide variety of embroidery techniques is presented with detailed and easy to follow instructions, step-by-step tutorials and full size patterns, making each issue a valuable resource for people new to embroidery and seasoned needleworkers alike.

FROM THE EDITOR

Only Natural • Sue Rangeley's work is the epitome of nature-inspired fine art fashion. In a career that spans almost fifty years, she has developed her iconic style combining machine embroidery, hand stitching, 3D sculptures, and other textile techniques to create whimsical yet avant-garde works; ephemeral yet sculptural; fragile yet bold.

SUE'S BOOKS

Best Lives– Safe Spaces • “I find myself drawn to people living their best lives in their own safe spaces.” The timing of Anuradha Bhaumick's decision to become a full-time embroidery artist in late 2019 turned out to be serendipitous. People living their best lives in their own safe spaces became the norm during 2020 and 2021, giving Anuradha's work a pertinence she could never foresee.

CATHERINE BUDDLE • “THESE THREADS UNDERGO A SERIES OF PROCESSES BEFORE I LAY MY HANDS ON THEM. THE SILK IS SPUN, THE PAPER IS HANDMADE, THE METAL IS HAMMERED, AND THEN ALL THESE ARE COMBINED TO MAKE THE MOST LUXURIOUS, FINE, AND PRECIOUS THREADS. IN MY HANDS, THIS PRECIOUS CRAFT JOURNEY ONLY CONTINUES. I BUILD ON AND CELEBRATE THE TALENT AND CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT CAME BEFORE ME.”

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Arts & Crafts Hellebore • The principles and characteristics of the 19th century Arts and Crafts Movement have had a positive and lasting effect on design and this beautiful study of the striking Hellebore is a testament to the enduring appeal of this style.

The French Birdcage • A classic French palette of red thread on natural linen is used to create this stunning etui, fashioned in the guise of an elegant, hexagonal cage displaying an assortment of birds that are worked with Sorbello knots.

Perfect Pink • Often taking pride of place in a garden, pink flowers have an undeniably magical appeal, the showy petals glowing against a background of fresh green foliage.

Conversations • Things never stay very quiet when birds get together and this group of five, feathered friends look ready to have a chat as they rest amongst a spray of flowers.

Fleurs Sauvage • A joyful circlet of wildflowers surrounds the centre of this handy pincushion, sure to bring a smile to the face of all those who use it.

Jacobean Flower • Borrow a spectacular, stylised flower from the 17th century, assemble a range of sparkling glass beads and a metal frame, gather up needles, thread and some cotton fabric and you can create this fabulous coin purse!

Constable Country

Hummingbirds • This delightful, symmetrical design depicts a pair of hummingbirds about to feed from petunia flowers while another meal of honeysuckle and trumpet flower nectar waits below.

Inspirations

LOOSE THREADS • Welcome to Loose Threads. Join Ansie every issue as she shares inspirational stories about all things needle and thread.