Tabla de contenidos para Inspirations Issue 103 en Inspirations

Embroidered Treasures: Birds Dr Annette Collinge | Search Press 2018 | Hard Cover 128pg | ISBN 978-1-78221-132-7 | RRP $49.95 Along with flowers, birds are a universally-loved motif for embroidery and so it is fitting that they receive their own focus in Dr Annette Collinge’s second book showcasing items from the collection of the Embroiderer’s Guild in the UK. Her first book in this series, Embroidered Treasures: Flowers, looked at pieces with floral motifs in the collection. The birds in the second volume have been stitched in a wonderfully diverse range of styles and techniques in pieces from the early 17th century to the 21st. There are also two fragments of weaving from Egypt dated to the 6th century. As with the Flowers book, the bird embroideries are organized into…

TAMAR MASON sits on the stoep of her family’s artist studio outside White River, South Africa, looking out across their farm in the fertile Heidelberg valley, a stone’s throw from the Kruger National Park. The giant knobbly fig tree at the bottom of the garden is heavy with fruit. The pungent smell emanating from the carpet of overripe fruit underneath the tree wafts across the garden and duckpond beyond. Although the fruit is edible it is not very tasty, a fact that does not seem to bother the cacophony of birds feasting in the branches. Just like this tree, Tamar’s roots are firmly grounded and spread widely in her African heartland. After many years in Johannesburg, Tamar moved to this valley with her family in 2003 to set up The…

Worked entirely in couching, the diminutive size makes this a perfect introduction to this technique, also known to many as or nué. The gleam of silver passing thread shines out between the stitches of bright, filament silk, catching the light and bringing the surface alive. A sparkling crystal rests at the centre, reflecting the colours and completing the design. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article and instructions in the pattern download See the pattern download for the circle template All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Couching requirements Fabric 16cm (6 1/4") square of white silk shantung 30cm (12") square of white cotton Supplies 6cm (2 /8") square of silver kid leather 6cm (2 /8") square of thin, fusible…

Stitched using the Italian technique of Deruta Sfilato, the stitches appear to hover above the surface of the open, linen grid, adding an almost magical quality to the embroidery. Featuring stylised flowers, this lovely design would be equally at home in a traditional or contemporary décor and changing the colour of the cushion insert can vary its appearance. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the embroidery chart All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread this design uses Canvas stitch | Crochet | Double running stitch Half-cross stitch | Italian four-sided stitch The finished cushion measures 39cm (15 3/8") square. requirements Fabric 50cm x 100cm wide (20" x 40") piece of fango (mud) Bissone linen, 9 threads per cm Supplies…

Cut an 80cm (32") length of B and thread it into the chenille needle. Take the needle through the centre of the six Venetian double half-hitch knots and pull through until both ends of the thread are the same length. Take both ends of the thread through the collar then, one at a time, up through the centre of the head with the chenille needle, using the pliers if necessary. Pull the threads firmly so that the collar sits against the base of the head. Secure the head to the covered board with the t-pin. Using the two threads, work fourteen Venetian double half-hitch knots. Using the chenille needle, take the two tails back down through the head, leaving a loop. Tie a tight overhand knot with the threads and…

Indigenous to Australia, this tiny bird is often seen amongst a group of brown companions, some female and some young males. The vivid colouring, erect tail and dainty size of this sweet little bird is perfectly captured in this charming hooped embroidery, worked with stranded cotton onto poplin fabric. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for embroidery design All embroidery is worked with TWO strands of thread unless specified this design uses Back stitch | French knot Running stitch | Satin stitch Straight stitch requirements Fabric 20cm x 40cm wide (8" x 16") piece of white cotton poplin Supplies 17cm (6 /4") square of cream felt Cream sewing thread 15cm (6") wooden embroidery hoop Tracing paper Fine black pen Fine water-soluble fabric…

“Women on both sides of my family were big on traditional needlework–I don’t think I ever slept on a pillowcase that did not have embroidered flowers on the end flap.” “When I look back, I see that their work was motivated by practical needs, but it was also an art form. They didn’t just need a pillowcase, they wanted one that was beautiful and unique. They did those things at night after busy days, and that became a model for me.” As an adult, Laura naturally gravitated towards books and craft. It was destiny. She worked as a librarian for many years. “Many books passed through my hands, and I would take home the ones that caught my eye. Those were usually art books, both those that inspired with photos…

Every sewing kit needs a Point 2 Point Turner and this slender resin wand will help you turn out perfect corners and seams, and can also be used to create sharp, smooth creases in fabric and paper, making it the ideal accessory when making Perfect Love (pg. 40). The Hold It Precision Stiletto will do just that, hold tricky fabric folds so that you can iron accurately without risking a burn. The grey silicone tip not only grips fabric firmly but is heat resistant. The curved, pointed end is not only perfect for positioning threads but is indispensable for any task that requires a deft, precise touch.…

Who can resist a plump, red apple, splashed with flashes of gold and crowned with two green leaves and a stout brown stem? Just don’t bite into this one as it will leave a distinctly furry taste in your mouth! Stitched with woollen threads onto a base formed from felt and fibre-fill, this delicious looking piece of fruit will stay just as enticing forever. Stitch one for a special place or fill a bowl with as many as you like to create a truly spectacular display. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the apple and leaf templates All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread this design uses Couching | Blanket stitch Long and short stitch Stem stitch | Straight…

Employed here on the cover of an artist’s book, these superb flowers are realistically depicted with threadpainting on the front and back covers and in a graceful, simpflified form on the spine and interior flaps. Ideally suited to being worked as framed pieces, the embroidery combines wool, silk, cotton and metallic threads on a black background to glorious effect. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article and instructions in the pattern download See the pattern download for the embroidery design All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Back stitch | Beaded forget-me-not | Bullion knot Closed chevron stitch | Coral stitch | Couching | Fly stitch German knotted blanket stitch | Hungarian braided chain stitch Knotted pearl stitch |…

Ideal for adding the perfect finishing touch to a pretty key, these enchanting bundles of knotted threads could also be used as blind pulls or simply displayed in a group on a wall or in a bowl. Worked with linen thread of varying weights, each one utilizes a unique knot, onion, Turk’s head or capuchin, to form fabulous clusters that are attached to a ceramic bead or covered felt ball. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article All knotting is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified these designs use Capuchin knot | Detached back stitch | French knot Onion knot | Turk’s head knot | Venetian double half-hitch knot Vertical lark’s head knot | Weaving | Wrapped knot requirements Supplies Padded support board 3cm…

Maria Katarin’s Reticule Page 16. Counted work pouch with scissor fob, thread winder and ruler Kit contains: Fabrics, interfacing, interlining, button, bead, embroidery threads and needles Subscriber price: $151.30 Regular price: $178.00 An Apple a Day Page 28. Three-dimensional red apple using wool threads Kit contains: Fabric, wool felt, wires, embroidery threads and needles Subscriber price: $87.55 Regular price: $103.00 Prism Page 36. Brooch worked with Italian shading over silver passing, finished with a Swarovski crystal Kit contains: Fabrics, kid leather, wadding, brooch finding, embroidery threads, crystal and needles Subscriber price: $106.25 Regular price: $125.00 Perfect Love Page 42. Book cover with thread- painted tulips Kit contains: Fabrics, interfacing, bag batting, wool felts, fusible webbing, embroidery threads, beads and needles for the embroidered cover only Note: Lining fabric, beaded tassel…

FABRIC AND NEEDLEWORK ARE FRAGILE AND EPHEMERAL. They have a lifespan, like a living being. They start out new and fresh, become worn, lived-in and comfortable, then fade, degrade and finally disintegrate. Archaeologists rarely find textiles in their digs. Sadly, it is not just the material that disappears over time. It is also the society and environment in which it was made and used. Cultures change, communities disperse or are displaced. Famine, natural disasters or economic circumstances change how people live. New technologies and fashion trends replace old traditions. It is the cycle of life. As displacement, immigration and expat life become more common, barriers between languages, countries and cultures are broken down by social media and the internet, resulting in the disappearance of our textile heritage at an increasing…