Stitch

Essential Workers Lydia Needle’s bees may be small, but they are mighty. Since 2017 they have been the rock stars in her rolling collaborative art project, FIFTY BEES: The Interconnectedness of All Things. Each year, barring pandemics, Lydia creates fifty individual bee art pieces using wool and stitch, then houses them in tiny, lovingly-sourced vintage containers. Alongside this, another fifty artists, makers, writers, or musicians make a brand new companion work in response to the ecology of one of those bees. They become collaborators in this thrilling story and champions of their bee. Each FIFTY BEES exhibition creates a narrative between works and artists. It makes clear how pollinators are completely interlinked with our ecosystem, and our role in their protection. At present, Lydia is busy working on bees 201…

Project Tickled Pink Enjoy an exquisite botanical study that’s pure stumpwork delight! Simply follow all the steps to capture the delicate beauty of a lace cap hydrangea. BY ANA MALLAH You need 82 stumpwork petals in total. This number may seem overwhelming, but they do make up pretty quickly. I usually put together a little case filled with a square of the fabric in a hoop, the thread colours for a particular shade of the petals, ready-shaped wires, needle, and scissors. I carry the case with me wherever I go. And whenever a spare 5 minutes pops up, I’ll work on a petal or two. Before you know it, they’re all done! YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Quilter’s muslin: 60 x 60cm • Wool felt, white: 20 x 20cm •…

Project What’s On NORTH WEST 31 MAY – 26 JUNE 2022 ODYSSEY Chester Cathedral, Chapter House, Chester CH1 2DY Textile 21 are a nine strong contemporary textile group with the aim of producing and exhibiting high quality, innovative work throughout the North West. Their latest exhibition was inspired by Chester Cathedral’s theme of journeys. textile21.co.uk 3 - 22 APRIL 2022 TEN PLUS @ DIDSBURY The Old Parsonage, Stenner Lane, Manchester M20 2RQ A new exhibition presented by Ten Plus Textiles featuring their usual eclectic mix of techniques and inspiration. These demonstrate that the skills with fabric and thread used by this long-established group continue to develop and grow. Open daily, but please call ahead to check best time to visit (0161 445 7661). didsburyparsonagetrust.org.uk EAST MIDLANDS 30 APRIL – 24…

Project Flight of Fancy The sky’s the limit with these swooping swallows and their life-affirming words. Let the upbeat retro feel inspired by vintage tattoos add decorative flair to your home! BY ALISON CARPENTER-HUGHES In folklore, birds are said to fly between worlds. In many cultures they are seen as messengers to and from the celestial world as they can travel between earth and sky. Swallows, in particular, are a perfect symbol of freedom, carrying a message of hope while announcing the coming of Spring and Summer. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Paper: 40 x 40cm • Light to medium blue cotton velvet: 40 x 40cm • Coordinating medium weight fabric for cushion cover back: 45 x 45cm • Medium weight fusible interfacing: 40 x 40cm • Fine or medium…

Project KNOW HOW FREE-MOTION EMBROIDERY Free-motion embroidery needs a consistent fast foot pressure, but with calm hoop and needle movement on top. Essentially be Zen with your mind and hands as you sew! Regularly trim any loose threads on the underside of your work so they don’t get caught as you sew. Pull any thread so it’s taut and angle the scissors downwards for a close cut. Regularly check the tension of the fabric in your hoop and tighten when needed. Try to follow the template lines as closely as possible, but don’t worry about perfection. This is about enjoying the process, creating something bespoke and don’t forget, little mistakes can always be sewn over. Sometimes the Solvy can tear, particularly in densely stitched areas. If this happens on a design…

Focus HOW-TO Make a Knife-Pleat Ruffle 1 To make the knife-pleat ruffle to finish your cushion project from page 13, you will need: 2 Each ruffle will measure 1in and each pleat will be made with 3 layers of ribbon, meaning 3in of ribbon is needed to complete one ruffle. 3 Make sure the feed dogs on your machine are engaged and fit the straight stitch foot. Thread with matching thread, top and bobbin. 4 Taking the 1in strip of card, place it in line about 1in from one end of the ribbon. 1 5 Fold the ribbon over the card strip, so there is one section of ribbon under the card, and 2 sections on top. 2 6 Flattening the ribbon down, gently remove the card.…