Inspirations Inspirations Issue 106

from the editor

CAN EMBROIDERY BE ART? WHAT IS ART ANYWAY? The meaning of this short, but controversial, word has, in fact, changed significantly over the centuries. Up until the 1600s it referred to ‘skill; its display, application or expression’, but after this time, when aesthetic considerations became paramount, it came to mean ‘the expression or application of creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting, drawing, or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.’ Oxford English Dictionary Its meaning and the validity of its application will always be a point of contention, best left to those with the energy and wisdom to argue the point, but for an embroidery, there is certainly potential for both meanings to be applied. While some embroidery may not…

imagine

Yoshimasa Takakura , a third-generation kimono maker from Kurume, a small city in southern Japan, dreams of using his craft to create harmony and a world as one. The Imagine One World Kimono Project was launched in 2014 with the aim to create 206 unique kimonos – one for each country in the world. The idea was born while Takakura-san participated in a fashion show in Paris in 2013. His kimono, fusing images of flowers by 18th century Japanese painter Ito Jakuchu with art-nouveau designs, received praise and positive feedback and he understood the ability of Japanese culture to respect others. The future of the kimono is under threat. Not only do fewer people wear kimonos today but the experienced artisans and kimono makers are ageing and dying out. Very few young designers…

threads of life

Clare Hunter is a community artist, curator and banner maker from Glasgow, Scotland where in 1986, she set up NeedleWorks. Here she works with people from all ages and cultures, using sewing as a way to celebrate local history, document community experiences and share personal concerns through the creation of wall hangings and banners. Clare’s stitching journey started with her mother who taught her to embroider as a young girl. “I loved the rhythm and the feel of it in my hands. Throughout my teenage years I carried on embroidering but also mastered the sewing machine and made most of my clothes from cheap remnants.” When Clare began working in theatre, she helped to design and make the costumes for these mostly cash-strapped companies. Later, when she started working as a community…

between the covers

Threads of Life– A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle Clare Hunter | Sceptre 2019 | Soft Cover 306pg ISBN 978-1-473-68792-9 | RRP $32.99 A needlework book without pictures may seem an unusual and unappealing idea but this engrossing paperback is so richly illustrated with wonderful stories that you will hardly notice. Clare Hunter has spent much of her life deeply immersed in textiles and her community, helping people express social and political concerns through banners and wall hangings. Recognising the power of stitch to give voice to those who would otherwise be unheard and the value of needlework in recording historical events, both large and small, Clare has gathered a fascinating collection of tales from around the world and across time. Collected in chapters with titles such as Captivity, Identity,…

words in stitch

Sydney-based twins and design duo, Maricor and Maricar Manalo were born in the Philippines but have called Australia home since they were two years old. “We had this crazy 1970s house, where there was different wallpaper in every room. The carpet was a crazy floral mishmash. We used to look at all the patterns and tried to see different things. It made us visualise things a bit differently – we saw things in patterns.” They both completed a Visual Communication degree at the University of Technology in Sydney, studying graphic design, animation, photography and illustration. At this stage they had no knowledge or experience of embroidery and had no idea that this would be their future. It was early in their career as graphic designers that they had the opportunity to work on…

pomegranate

The Chinese name, Luan Zhen Xiu, translates to ‘chaotic needle embroidery’, but the straight stitches in different colours, crossed and layered in a planned, strategic and structured manner, are worked in a way contrary to that implied by the name. Visual texture of any nature can be created, and the desired colour shading is produced with carefully considered layers of stitching. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the embroidery design All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Straight stitch The finished design measures 6cm x 5cm wide (2 3/8" x 2"). requirements Fabric 20cm (8") square of ivory silk taffeta Supplies Slate frame to fit fabric Lacing thread Tracing paper Fine black pen 0.3mm HB mechanical pencil Needles No. 12 crewel Threads Chinese filament silk A = salmon B = vy lt mauve C = lt…