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Inspirations issue 74

A few words from Anna Scott...

Do you ever dream of travelling to far away places, meeting inspiring embroiderers and seeing amazing needlework along the way?

I certainly dream of such a trip and hopefully it will happen one day. In the meantime, I am excited to meet embroiderers from around the world when they visit us in Adelaide to share in a week of fun, friendship and of course, lots and lots of embroidery at Beating Around the Bush.

So that you too can be part of this international experience of stitchers and enthusiastic tutors from afar, we have unearthed a treasure trove of wonderful stories and embroidery projects from around the globe for you to enjoy.

The strong and diverse traditions of Italy and Japan are beautifully represented in counted thread and silk embroidery techniques. The essence of the French countryside is captured in stitches of charming surface embroidery, and the lushness of the garden is reflected in an award-winning silk ribbon picture from South Africa. An exceptionally talented artisan from Russia who specialises in pearl embroidery has designed an elegant boxlid and tells about her journey into this rich and alluring artform.

Sharing their knowledge and preserving needlecraft traditions are both the weavers at Stirling Castle near Edinburgh, who are painstakingly recreating a series of very large medieval tapestries, and an enthusiastic self-taught metal thread embroiderer who is doing what she can to bring goldwork to a new audience.

It seems that one thing the needleworkers we meet from around the world all have in common as well as talent, is generosity. Patricia Girolami from Italy not only contributed a beautiful ring cushion for you to stitch, but donated her original to be raffled for charity. By purchasing a ticket, you can be the lucky owner of this magnificent piece and help raise funds for the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa.

I may not have travelled very far, but finalising the pages of this issue still feels a bit like the end of an amazing expedition. I hope you too will enjoy the journey even if it is in the comfort of your home.

A special thank you to Philicia’s Antiques, our gorgeous model Lottie, Ruth Irwin of Al-Ru farm and other wonderful friends who let us use their stunning gardens for our photograhy.

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