Innehållsförteckning för February/March 2026 från Stitch

Hello, Stitch readers! Welcome to the February/March issue of Stitch, filled with joyful, expressive projects that celebrate love in all its forms. Inside, you’ll find a fun and vibrant raffia wall hanging by Tihara Smith, featuring the word love and bursting with texture and personality. We’re also delighted to share an exclusive interview with Tihara, where she talks about her inspiring, creative journey and how she weaves her heritage into her makes. For those who enjoy a romantic story with a playful twist, Becky Dawes’ intricate toad tote is a real showstopper. Bold, detailed and surrounded by hearts, it’s a project full of charm and character. Continuing the love theme, bead and felt enthusiasts will adore Imogen Melissa’s heart garland — perfect for adding a little love to everyday spaces…

FIND TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 60 If you’re anything like me, you probably have a pile of neglected tote bags hiding at the back of your wardrobe. Why not transform one into a magnificent ‘toad tote’, featuring a Valentine’s-themed, thread-painted froggy prince appliqué and a sprinkling of sparkling golden beads? It’s the perfect way to carry your embroidery supplies wherever you go! YOU WILL NEED: MATERIALS: • Cotton tote bag • Hot pink fabric, approximately 20x20cm (I used Kona cotton in Valentine) • DMC Threads: o B5200 o 310 o 801 o 434 o 939 o 336 o 3847 o 3812 o 702 o 703 o 704 o 550 o 333 o 340 o 26 Note: We will be using one strand of thread at a time for…

RECEIVE YOUR STITCH-FIX FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD! You are now able to subscribe to Stitch magazine in a variety of different currencies making it even easier for you to enjoy your favourite magazine. INSIDE INSIDE TECHNIQUES | TRENDS | TUTORIALS | TIPS TECHNIQUES | TRENDS | TUTORIALS | TIPS • ENHANCING YOUR SKILLS with every issue • FINDING INSPIRATION from upcoming and professional embroiderers alike • STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE with our latest embroidery discoveries • ENJOYING THE CONVENIENCE of having your copy delivered direct to the door EXPLORE OFFERS IN YOUR CURRENCY bit.ly/STCHCURRENCY *T&Cs Apply: Print subscription available to UK and addresses outside of the UK. Print copies will be mailed to you when released.…

FIND TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 59 Being by water has always felt quite magical to me, and I often take an afternoon off to wander around Bushy Park in southwest London. My favourite spot is by a lake in the centre, where, if you sit patiently, a wonderful variety of wildlife drifts past. Spring is always full of swans and cygnets, and since my phone is overflowing with photos of them, I thought it was about time I stitched one too. With this design, I wanted to capture the beauty of nature and the tenderness of a parent–child bond. I’m completely in love with the fluffy cygnets and the gorgeous texture of the lilies and lily pads. I hope you enjoy embroidering this as much as I did!…

FIND TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 61 The brown hare has been part of the British countryside since ancient times, but sadly, it is now under serious threat. Rarely seen, I was lucky enough to watch one circling my house last summer before it sprinted across our meadow with astonishing speed. Hares are solitary creatures that nest and raise their young, called leverets, in open fields or long grass. This makes the young particularly vulnerable to predators and human activity. In this piece, a young leveret waits patiently for its mother to return, amusing itself by watching a bee and pausing to smell the flowers along the way. It’s a gentle reminder for us as well: to slow down, notice the small things, and enjoy the moment. After all,…

Back stitch Bring thread through on the stitch line and take C a small backward stitch through the fabric. Bring D the needle through again a little in front of the first E stitch, take another stitch, inserting the needle at the point where it first came through. Repeat. Beading Secure the bead with a single stitch. Bullion knots Make a back stitch, the length of the bullion knot required. Bring the needle out where it first entered the fabric, but do not bring it out all the way. Twist the working thread round the needle point, as many times as is necessary to equal the length of the back stitch. Holding the left thumb on the coiled thread, turn the needle back to where it was inserted (see arrow)…

FIND TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 61 This raffia embroidery wall hanging is a bright and joyful celebration of love, created using my signature tropical colours inspired by the Caribbean. Once you’ve finished, you can hang it up to bring a touch of sunshine into your space. I hope you enjoy stitching it — it’s a perfect introduction if you’re new to working with raffia! YOU WILL NEED: MATERIALS: • Woven natural raffia fabric fused with fusible stretch interfacing, 60x60cm • Cotton drill or canvas fabric, 40x40cm • Thick wooden dowel, approximately 1.5x47 • Twine • Raffia ribbon in pink, yellow, orange and light blue EQUIPMENT: • 12in quilting hoop • Carbon paper • Toothed tracing wheel • Fine-tip permanent marker, brown • Chenille needle • Fabric scissors •…

FIND TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 62 As we enter the Year of the Horse, which represents energy, freedom, and vitality in Asian cultures, I’ve designed this horse in goldwork to celebrate the occasion. The design features delicate outlined stitching and basic ribbonwork, creating a relaxing and enjoyable springtime project. YOU WILL NEED: MATERIALS: • Fabric: o Silk or cotton in light green, 26x30cm o Lightweight calico, 26x30cm o Backing fabric - cotton (plain or print of your choice), 26x30cm • Thread: o Gutermann sewing thread: 416 (yellow) o DMC: 580, 471 o Buttonhole thread: any colours (for plunging), and beige (for finishing the back) o Silk ribbon: peach (4mmx60cm), apricot (2mmx60cm) • Metal thread: o Japanese thread, gold, K4 (No8), 5m o Gilt passing, No6, 1m o Gilt…

Hello, I’m Joan Ratcliffe, a self-taught freestyle embroidery artist. I grew up in the south of England and spent a fulfilling part of my career working for Mappin & Webb jewellers in London. In 2004, I made the move to the beautiful East Yorkshire coast, which I’m proud to call home. I’m fortunate to have the beach and sea just at the end of my road. I’m also a proud mother to three creative grown-up daughters, and now a joyful grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren who bring so much happiness to my life. How I got into embroidery My love for embroidery began around the age of eight. I vividly remember being captivated by my mother’s embroidery box, sorting through her handmade card bobbins filled with beautiful, soft threads in…

Tihara Smith is a London-based fashion designer and textile artist specialising in raffia embroidery, a distinctive practice rooted in traditional Caribbean crafts and inspired by the stories of the Windrush Generation. Her work is joyful, bold and deeply connected to heritage, celebrating Caribbean culture through colour, texture and storytelling. Since graduating, Tihara has built a multifaceted creative practice that spans embroidery, fashion, workshops and community engagement. In 2021, the London Museum acquired an outfit from her graduate collection, recognising the cultural and historical significance of her work. She has since led workshops for major cultural institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum and Somerset House, and in 2025 she was named one of ‘35 Under 35’ by The King’s Foundation. Through partnerships with community groups and corporations alike, Tihara continues…

FIND TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 60 In the Capricorn pattern, I’ve used strong, bold colours with striking golds to capture the stability and determination of this earth sign. Capricorn is known for its ambition, patience and steadfast focus — a sign that builds slowly, steadily and with purpose. Whether you’re stitching it for yourself or gifting it to a Capricorn in your life, this design is a true statement piece. YOU WILL NEED: MATERIALS: • White cotton drill fabric, or organic calico with a cotton back, 10x10in • Black felt to back your work (before your start your embroidery, trace a circle around the outside of the inner hoop in order to give you the correct size for your backing circle.) • DMC Threads: o Gold E3852 o…

I loved beading these hearts! It was so much fun to play with both beadwork and embroidery, experimenting with a mix of new and traditional techniques on the felt hearts. Each heart can be enjoyed as a little decoration by adding a ribbon – and you can even personalise them with an initial, making them perfect for gifting this Valentine’s Day. YOU WILL NEED: MATERIALS: • Wool felt hearts (in bright pink, pale pink and red. Roughly 2.5-3cm) • DMC Threads: o 225 o 8024 o 817 • Coats Moon Threads: o M0057 o M0093 o M0217 • Various seed beads and sequins of your choice • 2m of 7mm crystal organza ribbon EQUIPMENT: • Beading needle, size 10 (long or short) • Embroidery needle, size 12 • Scissors •…