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

PATTERN DOWNLOADS

Pierre Fouché • South African artist and lacemaker, Pierre Fouché, believes it is a real pity that bobbin lace lives in the popular imagination as an antiquated tradition. “However, a growing number of textile artists, designers and makers are taking the craft to new heights, illustrating its maturity as an artistic medium capable of representing any concept in any style.” Pierre recently moved into a new studio in Cape Town from where he discussed his work and art practice with us.

MOROCCAN BUTTONS • Small and seemingly insignificant, yet on closer inspection, spectacularly intricate, colourful, abundant, the heartbeat of Sefrou society:

BETWEEN THE COVERS

TWELVE SECRET VOICES

Seeing Red • The lavish costume embroidery so loved by the Elizabethans in the 16th century contrasted lush polychrome designs with the delicate tracery of blackwork, a combination that produced stunning results.

Spring Song • Spring is a time of reawakening and renewal, and some of the joys of the season are captured in this wonderful scene.

Note

The Holly and the Ivy • Celebrate Christmas in style with this superb table runner, stitched with sprigs of holly and ivy and finished with a dainty pin stitch hem.

Invermay Wildflowers • With 24,000 species of native plants, Australia is home to a unique and unusual variety of flowers and this stumpwork study of three colourful examples is a wonderful introduction.

Buon Natale • With its origins in the 15th century, reticella is an exquisite form of needlelace that can be worked with a fabric or thread ground.

My Embroidery Journey

Colours of Christmas • Complementary shades, red and green have been the colours of Christmas for many centuries and the association is thought to have originated with the ancient Celts who decorated their homes with berry laden holly to celebrate the winter solstice.

Rose and Honeybee • Keep your scissors and needles safe and secure with this sweet needlebook and matching fob, wonderfully decorated with sparkling glass beads using Japanese-style bead embroidery.

Bright Butterfly

Inspirations

BREATHE IN – STITCH OUT • Welcome to Loose Threads. Join Ansie every issue as she shares inspirational stories about all things needle and thread.