Table of contents for Issue 115 in Inspirations

RESILIENCE refers to a person’s capacity to recover quickly from difficulties – flexibility and strength. It also refers to materials’ (fabric, in this case) ability to yield to pressure and then spring back into shape – elasticity and pliability. This book is a continuation of the concepts Claire explored in her first book Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art (Batsford, 2015). The book offers ideas and strategies for considering the materials and processes that might make resilient textiles – piecing and patching, making and unmaking, mending, tying and binding, revisiting old work, and growing colour. Claire looks at textiles and stitching in the context of community, history, and the environment, and she explores how the concept of resilience as it applies to these themes are interpreted through fabric and…

Ghörżah ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE IN NEEDLEPOINT Natalie Fisher | Artweave Originals 2021 | Softcover 176pg ISBN 978-0-6452332-0-9 | RRP $59.00 Ghörżah is the Arabic word for ‘stitch’ and is the name of Natalie Fisher’s first exhibition in the Middle East, where she fell in love with the stunning tile designs used in Islamic architecture. In this book, Natalie takes us on a tour through the beautiful locations that inspired her large-scale needlepoint stitching, and shares images of the work featured in her exhibition that relate to each place. The tour takes us to special buildings with amazing, tiled exteriors, interiors and courtyards, including iconic mosques and tombs in Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan. The geometric nature of the tile designs on walls, pillars, floors and fountains are perfectly suited…

A range of shades of coral, garnet and grape stranded cotton is used to stitch the elegant petals and the leaves are worked with lustrous stranded silk threads. Columbines are also commonly known as Granny’s bonnets and belong to the genus Aquilegia, the name being derived from the Latin aquila, meaning eagle, a reference to the unusual, spurred petals. 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 French knot Long and short stitch Satin stitch | Split stitch Straight stitch requirements Fabric 30cm (12") square of white silk organza Supplies 20cm (8") embroidery hoop with inner ring bound 20cm (8") embroidery hoop for display Dark wood…

Living in groups of up to ten birds, these stunning colours are enhanced by the relatively drab feathers of females and young males. Stitched with a combination of stranded cotton and silk threads onto a ground of silk dupion, this magnificent study captures the radiant beauty of this shy little bird. this design uses Bullion knot | Colonial knot French knot Long and short stitch Padded satin stitch Split stitch | Straight stitch Whipped back stitch 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 15cm (6") square. requirements Fabric 34cm (13 ½") square of ecru silk dupion 34cm (13 ½") square of lightweight calico (muslin) Supplies Slate…

Primroses & Violets Page 18. Dimensional silk ribbon flowers worked onto printed linen Kit contains: Printed fabric panels, fabrics, fabric stabiliser, wires, stamens, yarn, silk fibre, silk ribbons, embroidery threads, beads and needles Subscriber price: $193.80 Regular price: $228.00 Red Columbine Page 28. Vibrant threadpainted flower stitched on silk organza Kit contains: Fabric, felt, embroidery threads and needle Subscriber price: $54.40 Regular price: $64.00 Golden Moth Orchid Page 34. Superb stumpwork study of the golden moth orchid Kit contains: Fabrics, wire, embroidery threads and needles Subscriber price: $124.10 Regular price: $146.00 Sweet Stitches Page 42. Drawstring pouch featuring exquisite Hedebo embroidery Kit contains: Fabrics, ribbon, sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles Subscriber price: $67.15 Regular price: $79.00 Blue-Breasted Fairy Wren Page 54. Colourful fairy wren depicted with threadpainting Kit contains:…

CLAIRE WELLESLEY-SMITH is an artist, writer, and researcher based in Bradford, UK. She is the author of Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art (2015), and Resilient Stitch: Wellbeing and Connection in Textile Art (2021). An antique textile dealer friend once gave Claire an old quilt to repair. She unpicked it layer by layer, revealing seventeen different layers made up of scraps of old clothes, blanket remnants, and other pieces of cloth. Dissecting it was almost like textile archaeology. Each piece telling a story and revealing the history of both the fabric and the maker. In many ways, this quilt is an analogy of Claire’s work and that of her community projects. Each endeavour revealing another layer of history and society. Claire grew up in Northern England in West Yorkshire,…

The isolation and remoteness that separate the people from proper services and employment opportunities are also what creates their sense of community, their mutual support, their sense of compassion and understanding. Their Ubuntu. These are the people of Mogalakwena. Named after the local river, meaning ‘fierce crocodile’, the Mogalakwena Craft Art Development Foundation (MCADF) was founded by Dr Elbe Coetsee in 1994. With a background in social entrepreneurship and a natural affinity for the tactile qualities of the handmade, she saw the dire need for employment and empowerment in the community bordering her family’s cattle farm. Today, the Mogalakwena Craft Village is the MCADF’s hub from where artisans create their embroidery, weaving, pottery, and beadwork. But MCADF is so much more. It supports and assists in the restoration, development, and…

Stitched onto a linen print, the flower petals are worked with a technique that creates a three-dimensional appearance and adds a unique realism to the scene. A variety of stranded cottons and metallic threads combine with hand-dyed ribbons and beads to bring this enchanting image to life. before you begin 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 | Couching | Detached chain | Double ribbon stitch | Fly stitch French knot | Overcasting | Padded ribbon stitch | Ribbon loop stitch | Ribbon stitch Running stitch | Seed stitch | Split stitch | Stem stitch | Straight stitch Twisted straight stitch | Whipped back stitch requirements Fabric 28cm (11") square…

The dainty yellow flowers appear on tall stems that rise above narrow, sword-like leaves and the plant takes its common name from its resemblance to the flying insect. Superbly reproduced using stumpwork techniques with silk threads onto a background of hand-dyed twill, this charming plant is typical of the delights to be found in the Australian bush. this design uses Blanket stitch | Couching Long and short blanket stitch Long and short stitch Overcasting | Overtwisting Pistil stitch | Split back stitch Straight stitch before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the embroidery design and templates All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified requirements Fabric 33cm (13") square of hand-dyed silk twill 33cm (13") square of quilter’s muslin…

Stitched with lustrous, stranded silk threads onto a linen ground, each section is filled with different flowers that are worked in varying styles and separated by patterned bands. The rectangular cushion is edged with leaf green corduroy piping and closes at the back with a zip. this design uses Back stitch | Detached chain | French knot Long and short stitch | Padded satin stitch Palestrina stitch | Satin stitch | Split back stitch | Stem stitch Straight stitch | Whipped running stitch 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 unless specified requirements Fabric 45cm x 40cm wide (18" x 16") piece of sand linen 4.5cm x 112cm wide (1…

When detached shapes are added to a ground fabric, the wire tails are inserted through the fabric and secured to the wrong side of the work. 1 Complete the stitching following the instructions. 2 Maintaining tension on the fabric, cut out, angling the blades of the scissors as close as possible under the blanket stitch edge. 3 Scratch the edge of the shape to lift any short fabric tails. 4 Retrim as needed, working from the back of the shape. 5 Wired, detached shape ready for use.…

Wherever in the world I meet embroiderers and people working with threads and textiles, their connection and relationship with the earth and with nature are evident and central to their craft. Thread binds them to the earth. It grounds them, and us. Throughout the ages, the threads used to clothe our bodies, to create shelter, to decorate our surroundings, and to protect us against the elements have always been made from either plant or animal material. It is only in recent history that synthetic thread became an alternative. Whether it is animal wool or hair, silk, or plant fibres such as cotton, linen, hemp, and others, thread comes from nature, and to grow, harvest, and process these fibres we live closely and in balance with nature. Again, it is only…

When using 13mm ribbon, cut a piece only long enough to work two or three stitches. Use 20cm-30cm (8"–12") lengths when using 7mm ribbons to prevent fraying. Use 30cm–45cm (12"–18") lengths of 2mm ribbon as it does not fray as easily. Iron ribbons with steam before use to make them brighter and softer. Work with a gentle tension and allow the ribbon to spread on the fabric before commencing the next stitch. Do not make the stitches too tight as the ribbon will fold and sit flat on the fabric. Stitches worked with ribbon should have greater volume and dimension than those worked with thread. When working a new stitch, avoid piercing previous stitches on the back of the work. Move the ribbon aside with your needle and take it…

Graceful, cutwork petal and teardrop shapes are filled with needlelace and surrounded by delicate sprigs of stems and leaves, eyelets and gleaming satin stitch dots and droplets. The pouch is edged with thread rings and closes with twisted cords that run through ribbon loops along the upper edge. 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, templates and pouch shaping All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread this design uses Double running stitch Eyelet | Hedebo stitch Padded satin stitch Stem stitch requirements Fabric 30cm x 60cm wide (12" x 24") piece of white fine linen 30cm x 60cm wide (12" x 24") piece of ivory fine linen 20cm (8") square of…