Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 45 i Love Embroidery

One of the best things about the holidays is being able to deck the halls with Christmas treasures. We just love delving into boxes filled with bubble wrap, tissue paper – and all of our fave decorations! Plus, sitting down to stitch in a space that’s filled with fairy lights and tinsel makes our hobby feel all the more magical. This issue, we’re amping up the cosy factor with a covetable collection of stitched, Christmas designs. From a bright festive doorstep (complete with hanging wreath, of course) to a trio of quick-stitch felt trees, to this charming portrait capturing last-minute dashes through the cold to ensure everyone’s presents get to them on time (p32) – it really is the most wonderful time of the year to get stitching……

Template for digital readers on p84 Elegant linens COMBINE STITCHING AND RIC RAC TO CREATE CHIC NAPKIN RINGS FOR YOUR DINNER TABLE Quick-stitch gifts ADD A FLOURISH TO CANDLES USING SIMPLE LINEN WRAPS ADORNED WITH BERRY SPRIGS BECKI CLARK Becki is a talented, multidisciplinary designer based in the New Forest and with over ten years’ experience in the creative industry. She finds inspiration in her surroundings, the changing seasons and the colours that reflect them. When she isn’t roaming with her sausage dog, Reggie, you’ll find Becki teaching workshops on painting and calligraphy, coming up with ideas for her latest book, or in the photo studio styling up new products and projects. www.beckiclark.com Napkin ring MATERIALS • Your gift – Festive Foliage embroidery transfers • Cotton fabric: 15x15cm, light peach…

“It felt like society didn’t value creative people. Like I was trying to fit into a box that wasn’t for me...” For Shikira Alleyne, founder of embroidery pattern and workshop business, Kreative Pursuit, the path to creative fulfilment never did run smooth. After completing her studies at the University of East London, the designer decided to take some space from the arts. Creative opportunities, as the textiles grad came to discover, are hard to come by: “When I left university, it wasn’t so easy to find work in that area. All the graduate programmes were in banking, property…” Shikira remembers. Instead, she spent the years that followed higher education donning a variety of professional hats – starting with recruitment, moving into holistic beauty, and finally landing herself a position at…

quick tip LEARN MORE Visit our website www.gathered.how for a step-by-step guide to Running Stitch MATERIALS 🟠Tablecloth (either bought or handmade) 🟠Sashiko thread: indigo 🟠Paper, paper and thin cardboard 🟠Sashiko needle 🟠Sewing machine with matching thread (optional) 🟠Basic embroidery kit STITCHES USED Running Stitch NOTES 🟠Find the template on p76. 🟠We used sashiko supplies from www.susanbriscoe.com 🟠Ensure your threads are colourfast before stitching. You can test them by wetting a short length and leaving it to dry on a white tissue or scrap of paper. 01 This project can be created with a ready-made tablecloth. We used a length of hemp canvas fabric cut to fit our table. If you are making your own, make sure that the fabric is large enough so that it hangs over the table edges…

MATERIALS • Wool felt sheets: A4, mint green, light blue, turquoise and white • Glitter felt scrap: gold • Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of white, pink, red, green • Metallic stranded thread: 1 skein each of green, silver • 4mm sequins: pink, gold and silver • 12mm sequins: gold, turquoise • 3cm sequins: purple • Seed beads: size 11, silver, gold, red • 6mm bugle beads: silver, green • Fabric scraps for stuffing • Beading needle • Scallop or pinking scissors (optional) • Basic embroidery kit STITCHES USED Backstitch, Blanket Stitch, Fly Stitch, French Knot, Scallop Stitch, Straight Stitch, Whipped Backstitch NOTE • Find the template on p79. 01 Trace the cutting templates onto a piece of paper and then use them to cut the tree tiers and base…

GETTING STARTED For this project we will be using free-motion embroidery – you will need to attach an embroidery (aka darning) foot to the sewing machine, and lower the feed dogs so that the fabric isn’t being pulled by the machine when embroidering. Using an embroidery hoop, some backing fabric and a scrap piece of material similar to your t-shirt, make a few free-motion tests to check you’re happy with the tension before you start on your garment. You are aiming for the threads to be taught, but without the bobbin thread coming through to the top of the fabric. Mount you stitching in you hoop upside down so the fabric lays flush with the machine plate. When embroidering thin, stretchy materials like t-shirt jerseys, be very careful not to…

Thank you for making these projects from Love Embroidery. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project (and/or Our Media). The magazine and all of its contributors work extremely hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute these patterns without seeking permission first. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party, or copy it multiple times without our permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help.…

Thank you for making these projects from Love Embroidery. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project (and/or Our Media). The magazine and all of its contributors work extremely hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute these patterns without seeking permission first. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party, or copy it multiple times without our permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help.…

Hands up if you’re ready to make this your best hand-stitched Christmas yet! We’ve got magical hoops to adorn your walls, chic homewares to impress dinner guests, clever gifts for even the hardest people to buy for on your list and, of course, part 2 of our Cosy Christmas Stitch-along (see p59). Getting things started this issue is Georgie Emery’s timeless festive doorway hoop on p16, which beautifully captures the spirit of the season in thread with its warm colour palette and oodles of decorative details, including the sweet little wreath on its door. And if that’s got you in the mood to stitch up some more festive foliage, then you’re in luck. This issue’s gift is a stunning selection of iron-on, modern greenery designs by illustrator Becki Clark, that…

MATERIALS ⚫Calico fabric: 150x110cm,natural ⚫Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of dark grey ⚫Tapestry wool: 1 skein of green, dark green, grass green, mint green, sage green, dark brown, light brown, white ⚫Embroidery hoop: 10cm diameter ⚫1.5cm wooden dowel: 50cm ⚫Soft pencil and tracing paper ⚫80cm string (or cord) ⚫Sewing machine with matching thread (optional) ⚫Basic embroidery kit STITCHES USED Backstitch, French Knot, Stem Stitch, Straight Stitch NOTES Find the templates on p72. RS = right side(s). Measurements listed as height first and then width. 01 01 Cut a rectangle from calico, measuring approximately 20x50cm. In the middle of the rectangle, measure out and draw a 16x47cm rectangle. To transfer the tree template, draw over one of the trees with a soft pencil onto tracing paper, then position it on the…

MATERIALS 🟢Cotton fabric: 25x35cm, cream 🟢Felt sheet: A4, cream 🟢Fabric scraps: green, red 🟢Felt scrap: white 🟢Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of black, cream, green, light green, gold, dark gold, red, light red 🟢Bondaweb: A4 🟢Pearl cotton: no8, red 🟢Pressing cloth and quilting clips 🟢Small buttons: x2 🟢Pinking shears and cotton bud 🟢Basic embroidery kit STITCHES USED Backstitch, Lazy Daisy Stitch, Satin Stitch, Split Backstitch, Straight Stitch, Whipped Backstitch NOTES 🟢Find the template on p77. 🟢Unless otherwise, use three strands throughout. 01 01 Trace the envelope shaped template onto a piece of paper, then pin it onto a piece of cream felt. Carefully cut it out with fabric scissors and use the water erasable pen to draw a dot on the inside of the top of the envelope. Trace the…

Welcome back to our new threepart Cosy Christmas Stitch-along with Kseniia Guseva! We hope you enjoyed Part One as much as we did, and that you’re now feeling suitably festive? Don’t worry if you missed it – you can grab a copy of issue 44 via our Back Issues site (turn to p56 for more info) or as a digital download via our app. In Part Two of Kseniia’s stitch-along, you’ll get the chance to practise your Seed, Satin, Split and Straight Stitch as you sew the colourful rug and comfy sofa, as well as a pile of brightly wrapped pressies. Next issue, Kseniia will show you how to put the finishing touches to your design – including a shining star for the top of your tree, gorgeously bright red…

YOUR BASIC EMBROIDERY KIT For the majority of the projects in this issue you will need the following items. There are different types available, so read on to choose the correct materials for each project. •Fabric • Thread • Needles • Scissors •Embroidery hoop • Transfer pens/pencils FABRIC Embroidery can be worked on a wide variety of fabrics or ready-made items. It’s best to choose fabrics with a fairly smooth surface as heavily-textured surfaces will prevent the stitches from lying flat. For beginners, it’s best to start with 100% plain-weave cotton. When choosing fabric, consider its intended use, how much wear it will get, and how often it will need to be washed. Fabric can be categorised by its weave and fibre content. Plain weave is the most common…

Leigh has been stitching and selling her work for 12 years – and there’s still nothing she loves more than surprising people with her cheeky (and occasionally explicit) designs... Tell us a little bit about yourself! I’m based in Macclesfield, UK with my illustrator partner Dick and our 18-month-old, Eddie, and I live with chronic pain and illnesses. I always watched my nanny and mum sew, but really fell in love with stitching while studying Fine Art at uni! I love the history of femininity and female stereotypes, and the way embroidered art can be used to explore these topics. Your designs juxtapose pretty style with punchy, stitched sayings – how do people react to your work? It varies, often depending on the saying! Many double-take, then laugh. I do…

Hoops of joy Sometimes, less really is more – and we think this beautifully simple, one-word design by Stella Caraman (@WhyKnotStitches) is the perfect example. Scattered Seed Stitch perfectly captures the warm glow of colourful string lights in this joyous, beginner-friendly pattern that we just can’t wait to stitch! It’s one of many stunning Christmas patterns available in Stella’s store. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WhyKnotStitches It’s showtime The Knitting & Stitching Show Harrogate is back! For festive crafting workshops and Christmas shopping opportunities galore, head to Harrogate Convention Centre from 16-19 November, 2023. Better still, you can grab yourselves discounted tickets by using the code LOVEEMBROIDERYMAG at checkout. But don’t hang about, because this offer expires at 11.59pm on Wednesday 15th November. Get booking! www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com Editor loves  Let’s get one thing straight: no matter…

MATERIALS • Cotton fabric: 25x25cm, cream • Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of beige, black, green, dark grey, red, dark red, brown, white • Embroidery hoop: 15cm diameter Felt sheet: 14cm diameter, cream (optional) • Basic embroidery kit STITCHES USED Double Fern Stitch, French Knot, Split Stitch, Straight Stitch NOTE • Find the template on p74. 01 01 Transfer the design from the template onto the fabric using your preferred method. We used a heat erasable pen and a light source. Then, mount the fabric into a hoop with the design central and the fabric taut like a drum. 02 02 Outline the bird using Split Stitch in two strands of dark grey for the beak, black for the face, neck and mouth, brown for the feet and dark red…

Loud Christmas jumpers are one way to show your appreciation for the holiday season, but here at LE we prefer something a little less shouty and a little more stitchy! Cue Connie Mabbott’s cute festive t-shirts tutorial. She’s created three sweet little motifs – a robin, a wreath and a holly sprig for you to whip up on your sewing machine (or by hand if you prefer), that are an altogether more subtle and stylish choice for a winter wardrobe update. Connie is also sharing a handwritten alphabet so you can embellish your mini Christmas motifs with stitched monograms, nicknames, seasonal phrases or whatever else you fancy, making them ideal gifts for your loved ones. Source the tees from your local charity shop, and you’ll ensure they’re sustainable too!…

HOW TO TRANSFER TRACING Place light-coloured and fine fabrics over the design and trace over it. For thicker or dark-coloured fabrics, a light source such as a window or lightbox makes this process much simpler. TRANSFER PENS AND PENCILS Choose a colour that will show up on the fabric. Use a permanent marker if the stitching will cover the lines, or a removable marker if you need to erase the lines afterwards – test on a scrap of fabric first so you know it can be removed. IRON-ON TRANSFERS Press your fabric, then place your transfer sheet ink side down on top and press with a hot, dry iron (taking care with heat-sensitive fabrics). You can reuse the transfers three to four times depending on the type of fabric you…