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

GOLD WORK BOOK COMPETITION

Changing Lanes

EXUBERANCE

NATURAL REMEDIES

BETWEEN THE COVERS

STITCHING TO THE EDGE

OFF THE HOOK • The pinnacle of the art of fly-tying is the creation of ’fully-dressed’ flies, delightfully colourful concoctions of feathers, fur and fibre that were once used to lure unsuspecting fish but now serve to demonstrate the particular and exacting skill of the tyer.

ROSE & DAISIES • Looking like they have been picked fresh from the garden, this stunning pink rose and stem of cheerful white daisies are wonderful examples of the potential of three-dimensional stitching.

BETWEEN THE LINES • Fragrancing linens with sweet smelling petals is an age-old practice and dainty sachets, filled with lavender or rose petals, are still a welcome addition to a bedroom closet or traveller’s suitcase.

THE QUEEN’S POMEGRANATE • Rich in symbolism, the fruit of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) was the personal emblem of Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII of England. Indigenous to the Mediterranean, the globular fruit contains hundreds of juicy seeds surrounded by a leathery skin and is a popular motif in decorative arts.

GOOD MORNING • Monochromatic embroidery has a subtlety and elegance that is greatly enhanced by the play of light and shade.

RICH HARVEST • Bunches of luscious purple grapes, strikingly shaded leaves and a stitched trellis cover the surface of this gorgeous, crewelwork pincushion.

FROM THE HEART • Embroidery from the Schwalm region of Germany abounds with charming folk motifs rich in symbolism and this beautiful cushion, worked with white thread onto a natural fabric, includes some of the most popular ones.

RARE BLOOM • Pick up a needle and thread and let your imagination run riot as you stitch this spectacular flower, filled with an array of stitches and techniques in shades of cranberry, royal blue, mint and teal.

Inspirations

Mindful Creations • That soft friction when the thread pulls through the fabric invokes the same sense of pleasure in me that I get when I hear the gentle abrasion of a pencil on paper. That quiet vibration that echoes through my fingers, up along my arm and into my brain, brings with it a sense of calm and a curious satisfaction.