Tabla de contenidos para Issue 123 en Inspirations

LUCY NEWMAN The inception of Lucy Newman's latest series was influenced by her observation of the post-Chernobyl mutations in plants and animals. “I saw images of daisies that looked glitched and stretched like an image manipulated in Photoshop. It made me ponder a distant future where technology merges with the natural environment. When I learned about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating imagery, I was eager to explore how AI might visualise this theoretical technological oil spill.” With her ‘slightly unconventional education’ – being homeschooled since the age of thirteen – and the influence of a perpetually creative mother, it was inevitable that Lucy would become an artist or a designer in some form in her grown-up life. “I am not sure if I'm grown up yet, but…

BUTTERCUPS The spring-flowering buttercup, with its simple, five-petal flower and pretty, lobed leaves, makes a perfect subject for this spectacular goldwork brooch, worked with gilt and silver-plated purl threads. Stitched onto silk organza, each petal is fashioned separately then wired and backed with gold leaf before being combined with others and a cluster of golden stamens to create each dainty bloom. Wrapped with tissue paper, then silk ribbon, the flower stems are joined to the sparkling silver leaf and a brooch pin is added to create a wonderfully wearable, three-dimensional embroidery. TECHNIQUE Goldwork The finished brooch measures 9cm x 6cm wide (3 ½” x 2 ⅜”). THIS DESIGN USES Chipping | Couching | Wrapping BEFORE YOU BEGIN See the pattern download for the leaf and petal templates We recommend that…

STRAWBERRY FEAST Twining stems culminate in clusters of pretty, white flowers with some worked on the surface and others added as detached elements. Large leaves, filled with fly stitch in varying shades of green contrast with the vibrant red of the fruit and a hovering bee and hungry snail add a perfect finishing touch. TECHNIQUE Stumpwork BEFORE YOU BEGIN See the pattern download for the embroidery design and templates We recommend that you read the complete article All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified THIS DESIGN USES Back stitch | Blanket stitch | Chain stitch | Couching Detached blanket stitch | Detached chain | Fly stitch Fishbone stitch | French knot | Ghiordes knot Long and short blanket stitch | Needlewoven bar | Overcasting Pistil stitch…

GREATER BIRD OF PARADISE Celebrating 20 years of publishing her work with Inspirations, Helen has stitched the magnificent Greater Bird of Paradise beneath an arched branch of guava, her trademark silk filament stitching glowing against a background of sombre black. TECHNIQUE Silk embroidery The finished design measures 35.5cm x 26cm wide (14” x 10 ¼”). BEFORE YOU BEGIN See the pattern download for the embroidery design We recommend that you read the complete article All embroidery is worked with THREE strands of thread unless specified THIS DESIGN USES Couching | Encroaching outline stitch | Outline stitch | Seed stitch Stem stitch | Straight stitch requirements FABRIC 55cm x 45cm wide (21½” x 17¾”) piece of black fine polycotton SUPPLIES Slate frame or stretcher bars to fit fabric Lacing thread…

NATURAL AFFINITY As a child Hannah always had a project in progress. Her interest in creative pursuits from a young age meant she explored many different crafts but she particularly loved sewing and embroidery. After finishing a textile design degree at Bath School of Art and Design, she attended day classes at The Royal School of Needlework and Hand & Lock to learn the specialised embroidery techniques of goldwork and tambour beading. Both are traditional techniques with long histories that Hannah now frequently uses to embroider her designs. In goldwork, Hannah favours cutwork techniques that involve cutting specialist goldwork wires to specific lengths and applying them in a variety of patterns. She uses tambour to swiftly apply beads and sequins and also for cutwork created from layers of silk organza.…

50 ESSENTIAL BLACKWORK PATTERNS: BOOK 2 Chrissie Juno Mann Self-published 2022 Soft Cover 108 pg RRP $51.95 The use of blackwork for shading in a counted work design seems as limitless in potential as there are possibilities for geometric combinations of short, straight lines and, following on from her first book, Chrissie Juno Mann brings us a further fifty blackwork patterns. Historically, blackwork is best known for use on garments thanks to 15th and 16th century portraiture of the nobility and royalty. Linen collars and cuffs of a smock or chemise decorated with black silk thread in geometric patterns peek out from beneath lavish fabrics, or, as in portraits of Elizabeth I, voluminous sleeves or skirts showcase organic shapes filled with blackwork. Today, blackwork tends to be used to create…

Like most working mothers, CATHY JACK COUPLAND'S life was busy. Taking care of her home and family left little time for anything creative. It was only during a time of intense grief and loss that she decided to leave work and focus on living. “I reconnected with my creative side which, in hindsight, was the best decision I ever made. It gave me focus and direction at a time when I was desperately low. It was uplifting, plus it gave my hands and brain something to do.” Signing up for the Proficiency Certificate with the Embroiderers Guild of NSW set Cathy's creative career in motion. Spending twenty months focusing on a single technique – Cathy chose patchwork – the course required historical research, written work, traditional and innovative sampling, introspective…

FLOE THE FAIRY PENGUIN Stitched with wool, stranded and perlé silk, using a variety of linear and filling techniques, the subtle thread palette of black, white, pewter, forget-menot and sky blue is an ideal accompaniment to the monochrome wool felt used to create the body. Complete with a handle to help her move about, Floe's body is weighted with beans or rice to ensure she stays exactly where put. TECHNIQUE Surface embroidery The finished penguin measures 23.5cm x 13cm wide (9 ¼” x 5 ⅛”). THIS DESIGN USES Back stitch | Blanket stitch | Blanket stitch pinwheel | Coral stitch Couching | Detached chain | French knot | Fly stitch Ladder stitch | Needlewoven picot | Palestrina stitch Reverse chain stitch | Running stitch | Stem stitch | Straight stitch…

Capture a little of this miraculous change with this charming group as they tumble down to rest on the earth below. Worked with hand-dyed silk and stranded cotton threads onto cream silk, a beautiful reminder of this amazing transformation need never be far away. TECHNIQUE Threadpainting THIS DESIGN USES Long and short stitch | Split stitch READY TO STITCH KIT See page 93 BEFORE YOU BEGIN See the pattern download for the embroidery design We recommend that you read the complete article All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread The finished design measures 17cm x 15cm wide (6 ¾” x 6”). requirements FABRIC 35cm x 30cm wide (14” x 12”) piece of ivory silk dupion SUPPLIES 25cm (10”) embroidery hoop Tracing paper Fine black pen Fine heat-soluble fabric…

Welcome to Loose Threads. Join Ansie every issue as she shares inspirational stories about all things needle and thread. UFOs The benefit of stitching a design featured in Inspirations or one of our many books is that you have all the information neatly set out and handy. Full stitch instructions and a complete list of materials and tools makes focusing on the actual making much easier and less stressful. And you always have a record of the materials you used and how you did it. But what happens if you create something from scratch, or try out new ideas, or play around with colours and stitches? Do you keep a record? Do you document everything – the thread names and numbers, the stitch choices, the thread count of that piece…