Inspirations

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

KEEPINGF AITH • “I enjoy capturing photos to tell stories. While many people may have beautiful scenery around their homes, the photos of my neighbourhood depict recycling plants, incinerators, and car graveyards. My work reflects the reality of where I live and resonates with my own life.”

THE ART OF EMBROIDERY • The Broderers’ Exhibition: The Art of Embroidery was held in London between February 25 and March 2, 2025.

the embroidery of ROBERT JOHN HODGE

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Scarlet Glory • Jacobean crewel embroidery is characterised by a profusion of richly coloured flowers and leaves, each one vying equally for attention but this gorgeous cushion gives centre stage to a large, single flower.

Gardening with Silver • The second in an exquisite set of three designs, this elegant garden combines the sharp coolness of silver metal threads, outlining the formal beds, with French-blue and soft grass green silk, adding colour to the flowers.

Reindeer’s Wish • Christmas is a time for wishing and hoping, laughing and sharing and who could wish for a cuter ornament to hang on the tree or gift to a loved one? Perhaps longing for a chance to help pull Santa’s sleigh, a noble reindeer gazes upwards, his splendid antlers spreading the length of his body. Tiny sequins and beads are scattered along a garland of fir branches, gathered at the centre with a red bow and pinecone charms.

Plume • Found along the east coast of Australia, the Rainbow Lorikeet is a spectacularly coloured parrot with plumage that ranges from rich red through orange, golden yellow, green to a purple-blue. Borrowing from this beautiful bird, this single stunning feather is stitched onto white cotton with a combination of stranded cotton and gleaming metal purls in traditional gold and copper plus vibrant lime, sweet apple, clover and scarlet.

Nuts & Berries • With a hard shell representing protection and the nutritious kernel symbolising reward and the promise of new life, the walnut has a long association with the festive season. Replace the tasty nut with a spray of stumpwork berries, worked onto silk and gathered over a handful of stuffing, and you have a delightful decoration and a handy little pincushion to tuck in with your stitching supplies. Each design is offered in two colourways and the tiny fruits are accompanied by a curious ladybird.

Butterfly, Butterfly

Adorn • More commonly known as the Chinese lantern plant, the red abutilon displays a flower with vibrant petals that hang beneath a bell-shaped calyx, almost concealing the cluster of stamens at its centre.

A Fine Table • Laying a spectacular table is a time-honored tradition when treasured guests are expected and a beautiful serviette ring adds a little extra panache to a special occasion.

Inspirations

“START where you are. USE what you have. DO what you can.”