Innehållsförteckning för February/March 2024 från Stitch

What does your group name mean… Stitch-ED is a name to reflect where we are located – East Dunbartonshire, as ED is used by a variety of local organisations. How long has the group been running and how many members are there? We currently have 20 signed-up members and also have occasional visitors who join us for single meetings. The group was formed from the ashes of Kirkintilloch Embroiderers’ Guild in 2021, and I think it is fair to say that we are faring much better as an independent stitch group, and have wider appeal as our remit is much less rigidly embroidery focused. Where do you meet and how often? We hold our meetings twice a month from September to May at St. Ninian’s High School in Kirkintilloch, with…

SEE PAGE 62 FOR THE TEMPLATES FOR THIS PROJECT As a graduate many moons ago, I stepped into designing and making little handmade bags from my own unique handmade fabrics for galleries. Over recent years with students we’ve explored creating textiles through several processes including devoré and stitch manipulation to create your own fabrics for bags. Clip frame bags have been a popular vehicle to show off creative skills without getting too lost in bag making. Here we have a post-winter blues cutie, with a little zing of transfer paints. Enjoy! YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Heat transfer paints (concentrated dyes for synthetic textiles). If you have never used this paint try a test sheet of the colours so you know how the colour appears when its transferred to fabric.…

A digital subscription is a super money-saving, inflation-busting option! OWN IT! ✔ Indulge in your embroidery passion wherever you are. ✔ Enjoy the flexibility and convenience, access all your easy to follow, high resolution projects from any of your devices. ✔ Can’t wait to get started with your next embroidery project? Don’t worry, you’ll have early access straight to your devices before the magazine even hits the shops. SCAN ME! Take a look at all the great offers we have waiting for you… bit.ly/STCHPM…

SEE PAGE 60 FOR THE TEMPLATES FOR THIS PROJECT Coming out of the waves, Arya is a majestic mythical dragon representing water. Bring her to life with imitation leather and simple goldwork techniques for a truly striking effect. The use of organza and pearl purl reinforces the transparency of water. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Fabric: - Calico – enough to frame your slate frame - Cotton background – Moda Grunge in colour Peacock – enough to frame your slate frame - Iridescent imitation leather, Peacock, 20 x 20cm - Pearlescent imitation leather, Gold, 12 x 12cm - Felt, Turquoise or Blue, 20 x 30cm - Organza – Champagne and Teal green – 30 x 30cm, x 2 • Pearl purl (1mm), Cream (EM133), 4m • Threads: - Passing –…

TURN TO PAGE 33 FOR JOYCE’S HEDGEHOG PROJECT! The hedgehog you created for Stitch is so sweet – what did you enjoy the most about creating it? It has to be the making of the spikes! When it comes to silk shading, sometimes it’s more tricky to make the stitches look random than to make them smooth. In this design, I tried to create a smooth fur with the darker colours and use contrasting colours for the spikes so that they stand out. It was really fun and satisfying to see the spikes popping from the hedgehog’s fur, one by one. What would be your top tips for any readers yet to try silk shading who’d like to stitch your hedgehog? I think readers with less experience in silk shading…

FIND THE TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 63 The quetzal bird is such an amazing creature! I first encountered one on holiday in Costa Rica. A group of us got up in the early hours of the morning in the hope of spotting one. Thankfully, we were rewarded! His bright turquoise feathers and incredibly long tail feathers make for quite a sight, especially when in flight! I’ve wanted to capture this beautiful bird’s vivid colours and spectacular tail in embroidery for a while. I hope you have fun stitching it and that you enjoy bringing some tropical colour into your home! YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Fabric: - Linen twill fabric, Natural, 35 x 35cm • Appletons crewel wools: - 432, Very light green - 433, Light green -…

Leaves are featuring increasingly in my work. So many varieties are readily available at all times of year so this project is ideal for any season and any types of leaves that inspire you. They all have different textures, shapes and sizes so I couldn’t possibly pick out a favourite. For me this project could change quite significantly according to the leaves that are available at any particular time. Pick the ones that you love the best and create this lovely wall hanging to remind you of seasons past, present and still to come. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Selection of fresh leaves from your locality • Fabric: - Cotton or polycotton fabric, White – 1⁄2m will be plenty (something that’s nice and soft to stitch into) • Felt, light…

FIND THE STITCH CHART FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 45 Before the advent of elastic, smocking used embroidery stitches to hold fabric in pleats which allowed bodily movement. Used in Britain since the Middle Ages, the main use was practical rather than decorative. This design uses a sampler approach to use and display a few of the classic smocking stitches, then gives a practical use for the finished panel in the form of a cosy book cushion. I finished my cushion by adding a few Dorset Buttons – I think the ‘cottage industry’ link between the two traditional techniques brought me to that final embellishment. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Fabrics: - Cotton fabric – Gingham or Polka Dots with a consistent 6mm square pattern are perfect. Approx .75m, in…

FOR MORE GREAT BOOKS SEE PAGE 6! STUMPWORK EMBROIDERY & THREAD PAINTING By: Megan Zaniewski Publisher: C & T Publishing ISBN: 978-1644034149 RRP: £18.99 Unlock a new level of beauty and realism with the art of stumpwork embroidery! Here you can discover the breathtaking techniques of thread painting and create 3D elements that take your embroidery beyond the hoop. With Megan Zaniewski’s nature-inspired pieces and projects, learn how to stitch adorable creatures, intricate insects and lively botanicals. Whether you’re an experienced stitcher or a beginner, Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting is your ultimate guide to creating unique accessories that can decorate your wardrobe and home. The book covers essential skills, finishing techniques, and tips to make your final project shine with finishng touches. If you’ve yet to explore three-dimensional embroidery,…

Dragon’s Gold Page 48 A WORD ON COPYRIGHT Sharing may be encouraged in many aspects of life, but when it comes to original material, you have to be wary of copyright. By all means, copy the project or demonstration for your OWN PLEASURE, but no part of this magazine may be published, reproduced, copied, or stored in a retrieval system without the prior permission in writing of the publisher. Even where permission is gained, it’s still courteous to credit the original source and designer. Any activity used to benefit commercially from the magazine is not permitted. By respecting copyright, you ensure that we, as publishers, can continue to provide you with the content you want. For more on how you can navigate this tricky area, visit hobbies-and-crafts.co.uk/information/copyright. For any further…

What is your needlework background? I trained originally in Fashion Design but after working in London for a clothing design company I decided to do a degree in Embroidery at Nottingham & Trent University. In 1995 I was awarded a Graduate Showcase Award from the Embroiderers’ Guild which enabled me to exhibit at the Knitting & Stitch Shows in London, Dublin and Harrogate. These shows started my freelance career and I could share my love of educational outreach, nature and textiles with others. After this I worked freelance for many high street stores including Liberty Plc, London, John Lewis and Takashimaya in Japan. I also exhibited my work in the UK and sold at many art & craft fairs including Art in Action at Waterperry, The Knitting & Stitch Show,…

SCOTLAND EDINBURGH MUSEUMS SCOTTISH FOLK ART EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP WITH KAREN THOMSON SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2024, 10:30AM City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE This workshop will take inspiration from details in our Shifting Vistas exhibition. Take a break from the hustle and bustle everyday life in this slow hand stitching workshop. Slow hand stitching is all about stitching with intention and being absorbed in the moment. In this workshop we will use the simple and ancient embroidery method of Kantha Stitching. www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk MIDLANDS NEC CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW 14 – 17 MARCH 2024 NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT The Creative Craft Show, Sewing For Pleasure and Fashion and Embroidery invite you to celebrate inclusion with us this Spring! We’re coming together to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our creative community…

FIND THE TEMPLATES FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 63 Spring is just around the corner and what’s more joyful than feasting our eyes on the beautiful blossoms? Join me in stitching this little hedgehog who enjoys the spring crocuses as much as we do! The hedgehog is padded and silk shaded for a realistic look and the ribbonwork crocuses provide the perfect foil. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS • Fabric: - Cotton, Light pink, 20 x 20cm (background) and 7 x 7cm (hedgehog) - Lightweight calico, 20 x 20cm - Beige felt, 10 x 10cm - Backing fabric, cotton (plain or print of your choice), 20 x 20cm • Threads: - DMC stranded cotton, 739, 3033, 3782, 3790, 839, 3371, 3031, 310, 3021 - Machine sewing thread, Beige - Buttonhole thread,…

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOU! PLUS! ✶ Pretty Parterre: Garden-inspired needlebook and pincushion by Brenda Sortwell ✶ Geo Patterns: Chris Yates shares a new technique for ‘parabolic zentangling’ in stitches ✶ Green Fingers: Lisa-Steed Davey’s topiary design combines punch needle with classic embroidery stitches IN SHOPS THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2024 DIGITAL & SUBSCRIPTION COPIES AVAILABLE THURSDAY 21 MARCH 2024* FOR OFFERS VISIT WWW.STITCHMAG.CO.UK SIGN UP TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT! SEE PAGE 54 FOR HOW! Contents may be subject to change. * ‘Date refers to the day our subscriber copies are posted, not the date of receipt.…