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

Connect with Stitch

THE BRADFORD COVID-19 JOURNAL PROJECT

RESILIENT STITCH • Wellbeing and Connection in Textile Art

NARRATIVES IN CLOTH • In the remote bushveld of Southern Africa, on the South African side of the Zambesi river, lies Blouberg, or Blue Mountain. It is a remote, under-developed, and densely populated region where poverty and HIV are rampant, belying the natural beauty of the surrounding African bushland. These contradictions between outward beauty and inward struggle are evident throughout the community.

Stories in Stitch • Researcher. Writer. Creative. This is how Dr Elbe Coetsee describes herself on her website. But those three words are deceptively simple. Elbe Coetsee is much more than that. She holds a PhD in Social Entrepreneurship, she is the founder and driving force behind Mogalakwena Art Craft Development Foundation and has written two authoritative books on craft in South Africa. She is also a maker, a community builder, and a storyteller.

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Primroses & Violets • The soft buttery petals of yellow primulas contrast beautifully with rich purple violets in this delightful silk ribbon embroidery.

Working with Silk Ribbon

Red Columbine • Worked onto silk organza, this ethereal study of a red columbine glows against its translucent background.

Golden Moth Orchid • Endemic to Victoria, the striking Golden Moth Orchid (DIURIS PROTENA) is just one of almost seventeen hundred orchid species native to Australia, with some being found nowhere else in the world.

Sweet Stitches • Perfect as a wedding accessory, this charming Hedebo pouch is worked onto fine, white linen with pristine white cotton threads.

Blue-Breasted Fairy Wren • Spectacular with its plumage of vibrant blue-violet, dark blue and rich, burnt orange, this tiny, male wren only develops its bright colouring once it begins to breed.

Floral Symphony • Pretty flowers, in all the colours of the rainbow, dance across the surface of this sweet little cushion, perfect for adding colour and charm to any décor.

PALESTRINA STITCH

WHIPPED RUNNING STITCH

Daffodils & Violas • Few flowers herald the arrival of spring as well as members of the NARCISSUS genus and when the first daffodils poke their golden heads through the earth it is a sure sign that warmer weather is coming.

CUTTING OUT A WIRED SHAPE

SINKING WIRE TAILS

Ophelia’s Fox • Crewel embroidery designs often include all manner of creatures - from whimsical birds with elaborate tails, ferocious lions and cheeky monkeys to noble stags, dogs, horses and other inhabitants of the forest.

Inspirations

kits Ready-to-Stitch • PREMIUM QUALITY READY-TO-STITCH KITS with everything sourced and measured to size so your project is as beautiful as the original.

GROUNDED