Referred to by readers as 'the World's most beautiful embroidery magazine', Inspirations is where you find the best classic hand embroidery by leading embroiderers throughout the world. Complemented with superbly styled photography and captivating stories, each issue brings a diverse collection of timeless projects from home wares and bags to gifts and accessories. A wide variety of embroidery techniques is presented with detailed and easy to follow instructions, step-by-step tutorials and full size patterns, making each issue a valuable resource for people new to embroidery and seasoned needleworkers alike.

from the editor

Pins and Needles

The Zay Initiative

BETWEEN THE COVERS

The Needles Art • The Bodleian Library in Oxford hosted an eight-week long exhibition of contemporary work by students of Ornamental Embroidery, stitched under the direction of its founders, LYNN HULSE and NICOLA JARVIS . The display, which comprised over thirty embroideries, was inspired by an early Tudor pattern book in the Bodleian Library.

Dasher • Thriving in cold climates, reindeer first became associated with the Christmas story in the 19th century when Clement Clarke Moore published his poem, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ that later became known as ‘The Night before Christmas’.

PEARL PURL – JOINING ENDS

CHIPPING

STRING PADDING

PURLS OVER STRING PADDING

O, Tannenbaum • The evergreen fir tree is perhaps the most internationally recognized symbol of the festive season, its branches laden with colourful decorations and the apex crowned with a gleaming, golden star.

SATIN STITCH DOTS

PADDED SATIN STITCH

Persian Bounty • Glowing globes of warm orange contrast with soft green leaves in this delightful study of a pomegranate plant and dragonfly.

SINKING WIRE TAILS

Bright Baubles • Take a handful of stranded cottons and reels of gleaming metal thread and stitch some pretty coloured baubles that can be enjoyed all year round.

Relax! • If you are looking for the perfect gift to stitch, look no further than this delightful, scented sachet.

CRETAN STITCH

UP AND DOWN BLANKET STITCH

FERN STITCH

CROW’S FOOT STITCH

Christmas Robin • The association of the red-breasted robin with Christmas harks back to Victorian England where red-liveried postmen, or ‘robins’ as they were known, delivered cards with the season’s greetings.

LOOP STITCH

Peace Dove • For centuries the pure white dove has been revered as an important symbol of peace and love across many cultures and beliefs.

ATTACHING PLATE STRIPS

HERRINGBONE STITCH

Castle Keep • Have you ever dreamt of living in your own fairytale castle with graceful towers and crenellated battlements?

ATTACHING PLATE

SINKING METAL THREAD TAILS–LASSO METHOD

SCOTCH STITCH VARIATION

Inspirations

ready-to-stitch kits

loose threads • Welcome to Loose Threads. Join Ansie every issue as she shares inspirational stories about all things needle and thread.