Love Embroidery Issue 61

love embroidery FRESH IDEAS WITH THREAD As the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on all of the wonderful stitches and projects you have added to your repertoire over the past 12 months… and start thinking about all of the fresh colour palettes, patterns and techniques you’re going to try for 2025! Cue this stunning bird design on p36 by illustrator and maker, Matilda Smith, which is worked in a dreamy mix of cornflower blue, warm yellow and orange hues. It’s an ideal project for lifting the spirits during the cooler winter months, honing essential stitches and getting your embroidery year off to a soaring start!…

After a busy few months of preparing for the holidays, I don't think anyone would blame us for wanting to indulge in some selfish stitching time. And we have just the projects for the occasion. From our bold floral cover star cushion, to hoops filled with mindful phrases, realistic-looking animal portraits, and a cherry-picked wash bag. There are plenty of makes in this issue that will delight and stretch your stitching skills in equal measure. Including Matilda Smith’s charming collection of 28 cat-and-dog-themed motifs. These sweet whiskered pals will help you brush up on your small-scale stitching, and they also lend themselves well to being displayed in teeny tiny frames to create your own adorable miniature pet gallery – just like we've done on p11!…

Winter charm Our Christmas decs may be on their way back to the loft for another year but that doesn’t mean our halls have to be bare! In fact, we think with a little help from The Hoop In Hand’s new winter felt pattern collection, we’ve found a way to bring renewed cheer to our homes during even the season’s coldest months. Based on some of our most fave winter animals the range includes a captivating polar bear and sequin-embellished hares, and is ideal for stitching whilst snuggled up under a blanket. Enjoy! www.etsy.com/uk/shop/thehoopinhand New shoots You may recognise the name Lucy Freeman – she’s a regular contributor to LE! – but did you know she also sells her own stitching kits as well as finished pieces of her work…

Templates for digital readers on p85 Sweet sidekick WORK WITH TEENY TINY FRAMES TO MAKE YOUR OWN MINIATURE PET GALLERY Best in show IMMORTALISE YOUR FAVE POOCH USING SIMPLE STITCHES AND A STRIKING GOLD FRAME Kitten & fish MATERIALS Your gift – Pampered Pet embroidery transfers Cotton fabric: 15x15cm, cream Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of light beige, black, dark blue, light blue, brown, light brown, light orange, light cream, white, yellow, light yellow Mini embroidery hoops: 5cm, 4cm diameter Strong craft glue Basic embroidery kit STITCHES USED Backstitch, Long and Short Stitch, Satin Stitch, Straight Stitch 01 Stitch the box using Satin Stitch in two strands of light beige, brown, and light brown. 02 Stitch the cat’s body using Long and Short Stitch in one strand of light orange.…

MATERIALS Cotton cushion cover: 45x45cm, light coral Stranded cotton: 1 skein each of 472 (light green), 554 (light violet), 676 (light gold), 746 (cream), 720 (dark orange), 906 (bright green), 961 (pink), 972 (yellow), 976 (golden brown), 3809 (teal), 3816 (turquoise), 3861 (grey) Yarn: cream, light green, lilac, yellow Standing embroidery frame: 55cm wide (or a large embroidery hoop) Cushion pad: 45x45cm Fusible interfacing Machine thread: light coral Basic embroidery kit Tailor’s chalk With primroses comes the cheerful promise of spring, and this year we’re inviting the new season – and these wonderful woodland blooms – into our homes a little bit sooner, with help from a sunny statement cushion by Lucy Freeman. Carefully crafted with stranded cotton and yarn in an uplifting palette of oranges, pinks and yellows, her…

YELLOW FLOWERS AND BUDS Petal outline: Couching Stitch, yellow yarn/light gold, 2 strands Petal fill: Satin Stitch, yellow, 3 strands Petal fringe: Turkey Stitch, golden brown, 6 strands Flower line detail: Straight Stitch, dark orange, 6 strands Bud petal line detail: Straight Stitch, light gold/yellow, 2 strands/3 strands Centre fill: Satin Stitch, bright green, 3 strands Centre detail: Straight Stitch, light gold, 2 strands Centre outline: Full Knot Stitch, light green yarn STEMS, FRONDS AND LEAVES Stems: Couching Stitch, light green yarn/light green, 2 strands Curly fronds: Split Stitch, light green, 12 strands Leaves: French Knots, turquoise, bright green, 12 strands FLOWER AND BUD BASES Outline: Split Stitch, teal, 6 strands Fill: Satin Stitch, turquoise, 3 strands LILAC FLOWERS AND BUDS Petal outline: Couching Stitch, lilac yarn/grey, 2 strands Petal…