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21 Articles

Have you ever entered an embroidery competition? There are certainly plenty of opportunities and they come in all shapes and sizes ranging from the needlework section at your local show or fair through to international competitions offering large cash prizes. We love competitions. They give us the opportunity to give away lots of fabulous prizes. They also give us an opportunity to see what you are up to and many talented contributors to Inspirations have come to our attention through competitions. We love looking at the entries, examining the details and discovering the clever ways that a needle and thread can be used to create something spectacular. We delight in the imagination and innovation involved and most of all we admire the attitude of ‘I love what I do and I…

Building Bridges

PATEH IS A TRADITIONAL IRANIAN NEEDLEWORK STYLE, embellishing hand-dyed woollen shawls with intricately embroidered traditional patterns in wool thread. The base fabric or ariz is woven with hand-dyed Spring wool from sheep who spend the harsh Iranian winter indoors protected from the extreme weather. This produces a fabric that is soft, luxurious and warm. Natural elements like madder, pomegranate skins, henna and walnut husks are used to dye the fabrics in colours like deep red, burnt orange and soft browns. The threads, spun from the same Spring wool, are dyed in a similar way but also include indigo colours like blues, greens, purple and black. Akhtar lives in Adelaide, South Australia but was born in Rafsanjan in the Kerman province of Iran many years ago. As a married woman she moved to…

Building Bridges

THE HISTORY OF THE BOTEH/PAISLEY PATTERN

The cypress tree, a Zoroastrian symbol of life, depicts eternity, strength, integrity and freedom. After the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century, Zoroastrian people migrated to India and Kashmir where they continued to depict their beloved cypress tree, but now with a bent over top. This symbol became known as a boteh, meaning shrub, bush, or bent tree. This symbolised the duress and hardship of the people, but also their strength and resilience. They will bend but they will not break. The boteh design was incorporated into the Indian lexicon and became a popular design for woven shawls, also known as Kashmir shawls. The Dutch East India Company imported these shawls to Europe during the early 1800's, where the boteh design became extremely popular and Kashmir weavers began adapting…

THE HISTORY OF THE BOTEH/PAISLEY PATTERN

Paper Ink & Stitch

“I recall having an interest in drawing and making from an early age. As a child art and history books appealed to my imagination, and I frequently made drawings of the characters featured in historical paintings. When I was older I began to visit galleries and view artists work. I knew at that point I wanted to pursue a career in the visual arts. I wanted to be an artist and create artworks to exhibit in galleries, museums and public spaces. I maintained an interest in the visual arts throughout my schooling. From school I decided to enrol on an art foundation course particularly motivated by my interest in figure drawing. During the course I was able to develop my drawing skills alongside my interest in textiles and surface design. I enrolled…

Paper Ink & Stitch

NORTHERN TERRITORY The 2017 Alice Springs Beanie Festival will run from June 23–26 in the grounds of the Araluen Arts Centre, 61 Larapinta Drive, Alice Springs and the theme is Weaving the Magic. There will be an extensive range of workshops plus lots of beanies for sale. Further information including all prize categories is available at www.beaniefest.org SOUTH AUSTRALIA The Quilter’s Guild of South Australia Inc. invites all quilt artists resident in Australia to participate in their Quilt Exhibition, Dare to Differ 2017 that will run from September 1–25, 2017 at Gallery M, 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands. Quilts for this exhibition should be original and innovative, predominately fibre and composed of at least two layers stitched together. Further information is available from the convenor Suzanne Gummow, ph. (08) 8268 7005 or email suzannegummow@bigpond.com The museum…

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Stitches to Savor Sue Spargo Martingale 2015 | Hard Cover 144 pg ISBN 978-1-60468-722-4 | RRP US $34.99 Much as we love to stitch fabulous projects, learn new techniques and read about embroidery, sometimes it’s a real pleasure to have a book that simply immerses us in the visual delight of what can be created with a needle and thread. This is such a book, a veritable feast of enchanting images where one can enjoy the amazing designs and fabulous colours of Sue Spargo’s captivating folk art quilts then come back time and time again to spend hours poring over the incredible details. Sue’s quilts are joyous things, full of colour and texture, layer upon layer of fabrics and threads artfully manipulated to create a whimsical and wonderful collection that has been stitched…

BETWEEN THE COVERS

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Thank you so much to everyone who supported our 2016 Stitch Your Heart Out needlework competition. With the magnificent full set of Au Ver à Soie, Soie d’Alger threads and a bounty of other fabulous goodies to offer as prizes, we were thrilled to receive more entries than ever before, showcasing a great love for embroidery in a wide range of techniques from around the world. AND WINNER OF DESIGN DIVAS: RAISED EMBROIDERY ZINAIDA KAZBAN (UK) sketched her enchanting design based on her own photographs of a bunny, surrounding him with magical plants and flowers. “The bunny is peeking out of the bushes as he is frightened by a viewer, but still curious about the world opening up on the other side of the frame.” Zinaida has won a full set of magnificent…

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

The Needles Excellency: An exhibition of raised work by students of Ornamental Embroidery

FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING, this project is part of a continuing series of two-day courses in the history of hand embroidered textiles and design run by Ornamental Embroidery through the Ashmolean Education Department. To date, students have explored objects from across the Museum’s collection of European and Asian decorative arts, from the decoration on sixteenth-century Iznik pottery and eighteenth-century Chinese porcelain to Stuart needlework and embroidery patterns designed by May Morris (1862-1938), interpreted in a variety of stitch techniques, including canvas, crewel, silk and gold work, blackwork and raised work. The design for the casket lid (above), which unites all the boxes on display in The Needles Excellency, was adapted from the 1673 panel The Sacrifice of Isaac (left), bequeathed to the Ashmolean in 1947 by the noted connoisseur John…

The Needles Excellency: An exhibition of raised work by students of Ornamental Embroidery

REQUIREMENTS Fabric 23cm x 15cm wide (9" x 6") piece of charcoal wool flannel (front cover) 10cm x 25.5cm wide (4" x 10") piece of persimmon wool flannel (pin cushion, needlecase appliqué and small orange flower) 23cm x 28cm wide (9" x 11") piece of chartreuse wool flannel (needle book) 15cm (6") square of charcoal cotton print (front overlay and flap pocket overlay) 25cm x 70cm wide (10" x 27 1/2") piece of charcoal yarn-dyed cotton (inside pockets and back cover) 15cm x 23cm wide (6" x 9") piece of charcoal linen (inside flap) 15cm x 28cm wide (6" x 11") piece of aqua/yellow spot cotton print (inside flap pocket) 46cm x 28cm wide (18" x 11") piece of turquoise chevron cotton print (inside lining and vase overlay) 46cm x 28cm wide (18" x 11") piece of charcoal yarn-dyed stripe…

MEET SUE SPARGO

MY PARENTS GAVE ME TRAVELLING SHOES; in their early twenties they packed up their home in England and ventured to the bush in Zambia, Africa. From there we moved to South Africa where I grew up and completed my schooling. In my early twenties I spent a few years in England followed by a return to South Africa. My thirties brought a move to the USA where I lived in four different states and am now settled in Ohio. I love to travel and experience new cultures and I feel very fortunate to have travelled the globe teaching others my passion for folk art. I am drawn to the simplicity of folk art along with the naivety and quirkiness of many of the images. I love saturated colour and pairing unusual…

MEET SUE SPARGO

REQUIREMENTS Fabric 35cm (14") square of black velvet Supplies 25cm (10") embroidery hoop (optional) Laying tool or large needle Contrasting sewing thread Fine black pen Tissue paper Needles No. 16 chenille No. 18 chenille No. 20 chenille No. 7 crewel Threads & Ribbons DMC stranded cotton A = 3362 dk pine green Hanah7/16" hand-dyed silk ribbon B = Earth Mother – 2m (2yd 8") Kacoonda 4mm silk ribbon C = 073 green – 1m (40") Kacoonda 7mm silk ribbon D = 052 blush pink – 1m (40") E = 073 green – 2m (1yd 8") YLI 4mm silk ribbon F = 54 gold – 3m (3yd 12") YLI 7mm silk ribbon G = 13 lemon – 3m (3yd 12") H = 156 cream – 5m (5yd 20") PREPARATION FOR EMBROIDERY PREPARING THE FABRIC Neaten the edges of the velvet with a machine zigzag or overlock stitch to prevent fraying. TRANSFERRING THE DESIGN NOTE: As it is extremely difficult to transfer detailed designs…

Small containers are handy for so many things: somewhere to leave your watch and jewellery overnight, a place to keep embroidery accessories close at hand or a safe place to leave your keys when you come in the door. Add a little style to your storage by creating this delightful fabric tray, stitched with an elegant punt’e nù heart design onto ivory linen with matching thread. Featuring both interior and exterior motifs, it is completely hand sewn as a flat piece then ties at the corners with grosgrain ribbon to create a tray. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 30.5cm x 61cm wide (12" x 24") piece of ivory 28-count evenweave linen Supplies Ivory sewing thread 2m x 1cm wide (2yd 8" x 3/8") ivory grosgrain ribbon 20cm (8") square of firm non-fusible interfacing Needles No. 10 crewel No. 24 tapestry Threads DMC no. 8 perlé cotton A =…

Antique shades of silk ribbon, softly variegated thread, lush velvet and a lacy border of tiny glass beads combine to create these delightful flower brooches. Delicate roses, cleverly worked with fly stitch and French knots are held in a bouquet with a pretty pink ribbon bow. Spires of hollyhocks in shades of rose, mauve and berry rise up from a carpet of ribbon leaves and a tiny enamelled bee zooms in for a closer look on a golden trail. The back of each brooch is finished with co-ordinating silk and each one fastens with a gold pin. HOLLYHOCK BROOCH REQUIREMENTS Fabric 15cm (6") square of silk velvet Mary Jo Hiney Designs – green algae 11.5cm x 15cm wide (4 1/2" x 6") piece of antique mauve silk dupion Supplies 7.5cm x 10cm wide (3" x 4") piece…

SIZES THREE AND SIX MONTHS REQUIREMENTS Fabric 95cm x 150cm wide (38" x 60") grey and white fine check cotton Supplies 20cm x 45cm wide (8" x 18") piece of lightweight fusible interfacing 3 x 11mm ( 3/8") self-cover buttons 2.3m (2yd 18") fine piping cord Matching sewing thread Contrasting sewing thread White popper studs (7) 10cm (4") embroidery hoop 20cm (8") square of water-soluble film Heat-soluble fabric marker Dressmaker’s awl or large needle Tracing paper Fine black pen Ruler Needle No. 8 crewel Thread DMC stranded cotton 415 soft grey PREPARATION FOR EMBROIDERY PREPARING THE FABRIC Cut a piece of check cotton 23cm x 36cm wide (9" x 14"). Transfer the front bodice cutting and stitching lines onto the fabric using the heat-soluble pen. Tack along the lines using contrasting sewing thread. TRANSFERRING THE DESIGN Choose the required letters from the alphabet. Rule a straight line onto the tracing paper with the black pen. Measure…

I AM LUCKY ENOUGH to wake up every morning knowing that I will be doing exactly what I love for the rest of the day. I spend my days constructing garments and in the evenings I am either smocking or embroidering. My love of embroidery started 25 years ago when I joined a group of lovely ladies who met every Tuesday at a little cottage in the Barossa Valley owned by Annie Humphris. Some of you may remember Annie who was a contributor to Inspirations for many years and although she has passed away, will always be fondly remembered. We were given the opportunity to do a smocking weekend retreat, so we all decided to give it a try. I think my life changed in those two days when I realised that…

HEART’S DELIGHT

Pulled thread embroidery can magically transform a plain piece of fabric into the most delicate lace with nothing more than a needle and thread. Working carefully placed stitches and tensioning them firmly distorts the fabric weave, opening up holes and altering the angle of the embroidery stitches to create a vast array of beautiful patterns. REQUIREMENTS Fabric 30cm (12") square of antique white 28-count evenweave linen Supplies 20cm (8") embroidery hoop Light coloured sewing thread Sharp embroidery scissors Needles No. 22 tapestry No. 24 tapestry Threads DMC no. 8 perlé cotton A = blanc DMC no. 12 perlé cotton B = blanc PREPARATION FOR EMBROIDERY PREPARING THE FABRIC Neaten the raw edges of the linen with a machine zigzag or overlock stitch to prevent fraying. Using the sewing thread work lines of tacking over and under four threads to mark the vertical and horizontal centres of the fabric…

HEART’S DELIGHT

RIBBONS & Rainbows

Beginning with a base of pieced silk strips, each seam is embellished with a collection of thread and ribbon stitches then further enhanced with beads, sequins and mother-of-pearl buttons. Edged with a border of pearl and glass beads, this charming purse is the ideal way to use up all those textile treasures you have secretly stashed away! REQUIREMENTS Fabric 7 colours of silk dupion, each 6cm x 37cm wide (2 3/8" x 14 1/2") Jennifer has used golden yellow, lilac, lt terracotta, dk olive, shell pink, lavender and lt olive 30cm x 37cm wide (12" x 14 1/2") piece of purple silk dupion 40cm x 50cm wide (16" x 20") piece of calico (muslin) Supplies 40cm x 50cm wide (16" x 20") piece of fusible thin wadding Assorted mother of pearl buttons, 6mm–10mm ( 1/4"– 3/8")…

RIBBONS & Rainbows

An introduction to the delights of hand embroidery to many, this clever arrangement of bullion knots in graduated shades of pink has endeared itself to embroiderers all over the world. Stitched onto softly shaded silk with stranded cotton thread, delicate roses, buds and foliage form a delightful embellishment for these pretty silk and organza sachets. Each sachet is tied with an organza ribbon and the top edge is finished with a gentle scallop. REQUIREMENTS FOR ONE SACHET Fabric 16cm x 30cm wide (6 1/4" x 12") piece of pale green, pale pink or pale blue silk dupion 8cm x 40cm wide (3 1/4" x 15 3/4") piece of ivory silk organza Supplies 75cm x 15mm wide (30" x 5/8") ivory organza ribbon 10cm (4") embroidery hoop Ivory sewing thread Sharp embroidery scissors Tracing paper Fine black pen Heat-soluble fabric marker Needles No. 8 crewel No. 8…

NEEDLECRAFT DIRECTORY

CLASSES / TOURS AMERICAN NEEDLEPOINT GUILD Wisconsin, USA Tel: 608 443 2476 Tel INT: +1 608 443 2476 membership@needlepoint.org www.needlepoint.org INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR TEXTILE ARTS Am Bahnhof 8 Tel: 08 5519 141 480 Tel INT: +49 8 5519 141 480 hota@house-of-textile-arts.eu 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 Tel: (415) 604 1104 Tel: +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 delma@blackberrylane.com.au www.blackberrylane.com.au EMBELLISH–SUSAN PORTER 116a Victoria Street, Grafton New South Wales 2460 Australia Tel: 0427 447 498…

INSPIRATIONS kits

PERFECT PETALS Page 30. Lush silk ribbon roses on a velvet ground 94-1 Kit contains: Fabric, embroidery thread, silk ribbons and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $69.70 REGULAR PRICE $82.00 ALL TIED UP! Page 36. Fabric tray worked in Sardinian embroidery 94-2 Kit contains: Fabric, interfacing, ribbon, embroidery threads and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $46.75 REGULAR PRICE $55.00 VICTORIANA Page 44. Silk ribbon brooches with beaded edging 94-3a Hollyhock kit contains: fabrics, interfacings, batting, brooch pin, bee charm, beading thread, embroidery threads, silk ribbons, beads and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $63.75 REGULAR PRICE $75.00 94-3b Rose bouquet kit contains: fabrics, interfacings, batting, brooch pin, beading thread, embroidery threads, silk ribbons, beads and needles SUBSCRIBER PRICE $55.25 REGULAR PRICE $65.00 FIRST MATE Page 52. Baby romper with embroidered monogram and crown 94-4 Kit contains: Fabric, interfacing, piping cord, self-cover buttons, popper studs, water-soluble film, embroidery thread and needle SUBSCRIBER PRICE $46.75 REGULAR PRICE $55.00 HEART’S DELIGHT Page 60. Charming…

INSPIRATIONS kits

LANGUAGE of the needle

Whenever I get the opportunity to travel to a place I’ve never been to before, the first thing I research is the traditional textiles and needlecraft of the area. Spinning and weaving, natural dyes, intricate embroideries, or a specific style of fabric – the way people interact with textiles, how they wear them or use them in their homes and during their ceremonies, reveal so much about their traditions and way of life. Some people are foodies. They define a place by the ingredients or style of cooking of the area they visit. They take photos of their food, buy exotic local produce to try at home or buy cooking books and tableware depicting that specific style of food. They taste their way through their journey. Other people follow the music –…

LANGUAGE of the needle

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