Inspirations Issue 120 – 30 years

To celebrate 30 years of Inspirations, eight designers were asked to create a project incorporating some favourite
elements from their own embroidery journey. The result? Exciting dimensional work, exquisite threadpainting,
meticulous goldwork and contemporary needlelace, alongside a delightful array of embroidery stitches and
beading techniques.
Also enjoy a fascinating article by Ansie van der Walt looking back over the past three decades comparing how
techniques, designs and the needlework community has evolved. And a profile piece featuring one of the most
significant needlework artisans of our generation, someone who has been with Inspirations since its inception,
current Editor-in-Chief Susan O’Connor.
PROJECTS:
Busy Bees by Susan O’Connor
Honeybees gathering pollen adorn a unique pincushion and etui with red gerbera flowers.
Echinacea by Jo Butcher
Vibrant coneflowers in surface and stumpwork embroidery against a watercolour background.
Nature’s Realm by Trish Burr
Threadpainted panel of flowers and pollinators using an analogous colour palette.
Bertie by Tania Cohen
Fabulous beetle brooch in soft, silk shades with shimmering metallic highlights.
Bella Dama by Ana Mallah
A cottage garden beauty with pretty, stumpwork petals creating dimension.
Cinnamon & Sugar by Hazel Blomkamp
Small cushion with an elegant motif showcasing four needlelace patterns.
Grapevine & Ladybird by Jane Nicholas
A golden trellis supports a stumpwork vine with beaded fruit and a visiting ladybird.
Favourite Things by Betsy Morgan
Counted thread sampler featuring favourite stitches, motifs and colours.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Dimensions: 297mm x 230mm | 92 pages, tear-out pattern sheet