Table of contents for issue 93 in Inspirations

As the projects for this issue began arriving in our office we started to notice a very distinct trend developing. Created using gorgeous colours, beautiful stitches and sparkling threads there seemed to be an abundance of tiny beaks, graceful wings and striking tails – we had a whole flock of birds! Perhaps only beaten in the popularity stakes by flowers, winged creatures, be they birds, butterflies or all manner of other flying beasties, are definitely popular subjects for embroidery and the projects in this issue demonstrate the diverse range of stitching techniques that can be used to depict our feathered friends. In the following pages you will find a superb pheasant worked with shiny metal and silk threads, a tiny, cross stitch cardinal and a splendid thrush with a luscious…

SOUTH AUSTRALIA The museum of the EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC., features embroidered textiles from countries around the world. Museum Open Days are: Tuesdays: 10am – 2pm. Embroiderers’ Guild of SA premises: 16 Hughes Street, Mile End, SA. Ph: 82341104. Further information is available from www.embguildsa.org.au or by email: contact@embguildsa.org.au VICTORIA The SOUTH WEST BRANCH OF THE EMBROIDERERS GUILD OF VICTORIA will be holding its biennial exhibition Seasons of Stitching at the Masonic Centre, Kepler Street, Warrnambool from March 3–5, 2017. Further information is available by phone 0438 018 073 The CASTLEMAINE BRANCH OF THE EMBROIDERERS GUILD OF VICTORIA is holding its biennial embroidery exhibition in conjunction with the Castlemaine State Festival, Victoria’s premier regional arts Festival. Colour Magic will run from March 18–22, 2017 at The Mount Alexander…

This version of fishbone stitch is perfect for working the pheasant’s elegant tail feather with fine silk gimp. The length of the first stitch will guide the angle of the subsequent stitches. For the pheasant, change thread colour when indicated in the article instructions. 1 Begin with a straight stitch along the centre line from A to B. 2 Emerge at C, just below and to the right of A and take the thread to the back to the left of B, following the design line. 3 Emerge just to the left of the centre line, in line with C. Take the thread to the back to the right of B, following the design line. 4 Emerge to the right of the centre line at D, below C. Take the…

STITCHES USED Antique hem stitch Blanket stitch | Blanket stitch eyelet Blanket stitch pinwheel Coral stitch | Cross stitch Detached chain | Double back stitch Fly stitch | Four-sided stitch Framed cross filling | French knot Herringbone stitch | Honeycomb filling Long-armed feather stitch Needleweaving | Peahole corner Peahole hem filling | Pulled satin stitch Reverse chain stitch Satin stitch squares with flowers filling Straight stitch | Wing stitch filling Wrapping A central heart forms a charming frame around a sweet songbird and arching stems, laden with dainty leaves and pretty flowers, curve away from the heart. Featuring a wide hemmed edge, this beautiful mat includes many of the stitch techniques utilised in traditional Schwalm embroidery. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 50cm x 65cm wide (20" x 26") piece of white 32-count evenweave…

1 Trellis. Work long, diagonal straight stitches 3mm ( 1/ 8") apart across the shape. 2 Work a second layer of stitches, perpendicular to the first. 3 Couch each intersection with a short, vertical straight stitch. 4 Filling. Changing colour, emerge at one side of the shape in line with the first row of couching stitches. 5 Changing to a tapestry needle, slide the thread under each couching stitch to form a horizontal line. 6 Take the thread to the back at the end of the row. Run the thread beneath the couching stitches along the remaining horizontal rows.…

THIS DESIGN USES Back stitch | Detached chain Fly stitch | French knot Long and short stitch Outline stitch Padded satin stitch Satin stitch | Seed stitch Split stitch | Star stitch Stem stitch | Straight stitch Birds of all types from a tiny hummingbird and spectacular flamingo to the large, flightless emu are stitched on this handy orts pot and needlefold in shades of denim blue silk onto a natural background. Both the pot and fold are lined with a soft blue print and a handy matching strap and button secure embroidery scissors safely. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 20cm x 90cm wide (8" x 36") piece of natural cotton and linen blend 20cm x 112cm wide (8" x 44") blue cotton print 10cm x 25cm wide (4" x 10") piece of…

NEW AND IMPROVED We've collected everything you will need, reduced your costs by including only the quantities required and will deliver directly to your door. PHEASANT Page 12. Glorious pheasant with superb silk and metal threads 93–1 Kit contains: Fabric and felt with pre-printed designs, fusible webbing, metallic mesh ribbon, beads, sequins, paillettes, sewing threads, embroidery threads and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $136.00 REGULAR PRICE $160.00 TALL YEAR SQUARE Page 20. Stunning etui with counted thread designs for each season of the year 93–2 Kit contains: Fabrics, felt, interfacings, interlining, buttons, plastic rings, beads, embroidery threads and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $188.70 REGULAR PRICE $222.00 FORBIDDEN FRUIT Page 32. Colourful crewel bird with purloined strawberry 93-3 Kit contains: Fabric, beads, sequins, paillettes, embroidery threads and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $56.95 REGULAR PRICE $67.00…

Kaffe Fassett’s Bold Blooms Kaffe Fassett with Liza Prior Lucy Abrams 2016 | Hard Cover 224 pg ISBN 978-1-4197-2236-3 | RRP $50.00 Throughout his long, colourful career in textiles, Kaffe Fassett’s passion for flowers has been gloriously evident and his latest book is bursting with the blooms that he uses as inspiration for his wonderful quilt and needlepoint designs. Unlike many of his previous titles that have been solely project based, this book also gives a fascinating insight into his design processes when working with flowers. The first part of this lavish, hardcover book focusses on various aspects including finding inspiration, using flowers in needlepoint, developing designs for fabrics and ribbons, using floral fabrics in patchwork and painting cut flowers. The second part of the book introduces eighteen quilt and…

Once the connecting twisted cords are released the etui falls open to reveal a cube pincushion at its centre and storage for needlework tools in the interior panels. A tasselled scissor fob is also included and the richly ornamented lid is finished with a barrel button at each corner. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 12.5cm x 35cm wide (5" x 14") piece of 32-count Permin linen in rain, waterlily, purple and golden needle 15cm x 25cm wide (6" x 10") piece of antique white 32-count Permin linen 12.5cm x 28cm wide (5" x 11") piece of sandstone 32-count Permin linen 12.5cm x 18cm wide (5" x 7") piece of silk dupion in blue, green, gold and lavender 15cm x 25cm wide (6" x 10") piece of ivory silk dupion Supplies 5cm x 7.5cm…

I began embroidering as a Queensland schoolgirl. My Grade 5 and 6 teacher, Miss Peacock, introduced me to the delights of this beautiful art form as part of the Clermont State School’s curriculum. After working my way through the stamped doilies, rosebud booties and embroidered handkerchiefs so typical of the 1960s, I then rarely touched embroidery until moving to Canberra in 1991. Here I discovered the embroidery shop Affinity Plus, and Paddy Hornsby, who introduced me to talented embroiderers like Dianna Lampe and Kaye Pike. I attended many different classes that year. In 1992, I moved to Perth and joined The Embroiderers’ Guild of Western Australia, where I taught new members in the local Claremont branch. I also taught floral embroidery in three needlework shops in Perth, while exploring many…

O = over U = under PATTERN ONE PATTERN TWO PATTERN THREE PATTERN FOUR PATTERN FIVE hints NEEDLEWEAVING Woven cloth consists of two distinct sets of threads: Warp: The warp threads run the length of the cloth and are put in place first to enable the weft threads to be woven in. Weft: The weft threads run across the cloth and are worked at right angles to the warp. It is the weft stitches that create the pattern. Perlé and tatting cottons are the best threads to use for needleweaving as they provide good definition. Work a practice piece to ensure that you understand the weaving sequence. When working the warp > Work the warp stitches first. > Leave a gap of approximately one thread width between each…

STITCHES USED Blanket stitch Bullion knot Couching Detached chain Fly stitch French knot Running stitch Satin stitch Split stitch Straight stitch Whipping Stitched onto printed panels these delightful little brooches showcase the striking black and white colouring of the magpie, the brilliant yellow crown of the sulphur-crested cockatoo and the subtle plumage of the dainty little silver-eye. REQUIREMENTS Fabric Inkjet printable cotton (1 sheet) Supplies for each brooch 38mm self-cover button form (with shank or flat back) 25mm (1") brooch finding Matching lacing thread 10cm (4") embroidery hoop 7cm (2 3/4") square of firm card Craft glue (suitable for fabric, plastic, leather and metal) Side cutters (strong wire cutters) if using a shank button 7cm (2 3/4") square of white felt (cockatoo) 7cm (2 3/4") square of black felt (cockatoo)…

Thread symbolizes time. New threads are used to make new items, representing the future - hope for events, generations, and joy to come. Old thread unravels from old items, worn away by use and time. It symbolizes years of use, hours of joy, and generations gone by. The word thread refers to a fine cord. String, yarn, or fibre. As embroiderers this is our medium. We use it to create a design and add texture and colour. We stitch onto a background of woven threads, creating more layers of thread. But the word thread also refers to something which acts as a continuous link or theme. A storyline, a train of thought. An idea which flows through time and space. I have a needlework thread which is both a medium…

STITCHES USED Back stitch | Beading | Couching | Detached chain | Fly stitch French knot | Or nué | Outline stitch | Raised fishbone stitch | Satin stitch Stem stitch | Straight stitch Inspired by the intricately detailed mosaics found in ancient Roman ruins, this superb study of a male, ring-necked pheasant is stitched with a range of colourful metal and silk threads, beads and paillettes. The soft browns and greys of the wing and tail contrast beautifully with the rich jewel tones of the head and the strong defining lines of the pearl purl outlines. Resting on a mossy hillock edged with tall grasses, the bird is surrounded by an oval of decoratively couched gold passing thread. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 25cm (10") square of fine, natural linen 30cm…

STITCHES USED Back stitch | Beading Chain stitch | Couching Detached chain | French knot Long and short stitch Satin stitch | Satin stitch padding Seeding | Split stitch Stem stitch | Straight stitch Trellis couching Designed for fabric and registered in 1883 by William Morris, the ‘Strawberry Thief ’ was originally inspired by the thrushes that Morris saw stealing strawberries from his kitchen garden. One of his most popular repeating designs, it has been available as a Liberty of London fabric for decades and can now be found on bed linen, stationery, crockery and other homewares. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 35cm x 40cm wide (14" x 16") piece of ivory cotton furnishing fabric Supplies 25cm (10") embroidery hoop Red sewing thread Gold sewing thread Laying tool Fine black pen Tracing paper…

PATTERN ONE Row 1: Working left to right work two detached blanket stitches into each back stitch. Weave down through the back stitch on the right-hand side to position the thread for the next row. Row 2: Working right to left work one detached blanket stitch into the first loop, miss two loops, work one detached blanket stitch into the next two loops, miss two loops. Continue the sequence of work two, miss two to the end of the row. Weave down through the back stitch on the left-hand side to position the thread for the next row. Row 3*: Working left to right work three detached blanket stitches into each large loop and one into each small loop to the end of the row. Weave down through the back…

1 Emerge at A. Take the needle from B to C. 2 With the thread above the needle, slide the needle from right to left beneath the stitch. 3 Pull the thread through and slide the needle beneath the stitch a second time. 4 Pull the thread through. Take the needle from D to E. 5 With the thread above the needle, slide the needle from right to left under the first and second stem stitches. 6 Pull the thread through and slide the needle beneath both stitches a second time. 7 Pull the thread through. Repeat steps 4 – 7 to the end of the row. 8 To end off, take the thread to the back beneath the wraps of the last stitch.…

CLASSES / TOURS ALPINE EXPERIENCE Dundee, United Kingdom Tel: 0033 450 580 184 Tel INT: +44 7907 695 009 info@the-alpine-experience.com www.the-alpine-experience.com INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR TEXTILE ARTS Mauth, Germany Tel: 08 5579 730 030 Tel INT: +49 8 5579 730 030 hota@house-of-textile-arts.com www.textile-arts-international.com NEEDLEWORK TOURS Victoria, Australia Tel: 1300 385 080 Tel INT: +61 3 9021 8192 enquiries@needleworktours.com.au www.needleworktours.com.au SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK AND DESIGN (SFSNAD) 360 Post Street, Suite 604 San Francisco, CA 94108 +1 415-604-1104 info@sfsnad.org www.sfneedleworkanddesign.org THE CREWEL WORK COMPANY Cumbria, England Tel: 017 6835 3683 Tel INT: +44 (0) 1768 353 683 admin@crewelwork.com www.crewelwork.com DESIGNERS ALISON COLE EMBROIDERY Victoria, Australia Tel: 03 9747 0648 Tel INT: +61 3 9747 0648 alison@alisoncoleembroidery.com.au www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au BLACKBERRY LANE Victoria, Australia Tel: 03 5797 2922 Tel INT: +61 3 5797 2922…