Innholdsfortegnelse for June/July 2025 i Stitch

Hello, Stitch readers! Welcome to the vibrant and fun-filled June/July issue of Stitch! As summer blooms and we dive into the season of creativity, we’re thrilled to bring you an exciting array of projects and inspiring interviews that perfectly capture the season’s spirit. Whether you’re stitching in a quiet corner of your home or outdoors under the sun, this issue is packed with projects to inspire and challenge your creativity, all while embracing the warmth of long, sunny days and cheerful energy. In this edition, we’ve curated a delightful range of projects that celebrate nature, innovation, and imagination. From intricate animal designs to whimsical floral patterns, there’s something for every skill level and taste. You’ll be able to explore various techniques, from free-machine embroidery to delicate hand stitching, and even…

Introduction My name is Pippa, and I’m the creator of Lemon Pepper Studio, an embroidery studio based in Wiltshire. I initially set up the studio when I was living in London but later moved to the countryside to live on a farm with my now-husband. While embroidery is the core of Lemon Pepper Studio, it’s heavily influenced by my love for the outdoors and gardening. We have two dogs, Evie and Olive, and a beautiful little girl who is my absolute world. The Beginning of My Embroidery Journey I picked up embroidery as a way to keep my hands busy during evenings and days off while I was working as a self-employed set designer. I’m not one to sit still, so I always need something to do, and embroidery was…

Kantha is a simple technique using a running stitch that has been practiced for over 600 years. It’s a relaxing, repetitive method that only requires a needle, fabric, and thread. The key is to be kind to yourself - your stitches don’t need to be perfect. Kantha can be used for both geometric and representational designs, like these honeysuckle flowers, which remind me of the ones outside my studio. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS: • Fabric: ○ White cotton front fabric, 23x18cm ○ Green backing fabric, 23x18cm ○ Patterned cotton lining fabric, 2 pieces of 19x11.5cm ○ Thermore ultra fine wadding, 2 pieces of 23x18cm ○ White cotton muslin (or other such thin fabric), 23x18cm ○ Green cotton casing fabric, 19x12.7cm • Threads: ○ Paint-Box Threads Perlé 12: - Bright pink…

We’re now moving on to more advanced techniques, tackling the challenges of using metallic threads to capture the shimmering iridescence of dragonfly wings. This section also introduces the delicate work of creating smaller detached slips for the waterlilies. As we enter the second half of the year, it’s the perfect time to refine your stumpwork skills, pushing your craftsmanship to new heights while embracing the beauty of these intricate natural forms. YOU WILL NEED… FOR THE FULL PROJECT: MATERIALS • Fabrics: ○ Calico – half a metre (50x120cm) – even if using the pre-printed background ○ White cotton - 2 pieces of 25x25cm ○ Felt: ‐ White – 1 piece of 10x9cm ‐ Enchanted forest green – 1 piece of 6x6cm, 1 piece of 14x13cm ‐ Gold – 1 piece…

This project gives you the chance to experiment with PVC plastic, fabric, cellophane, and free-machine embroidery to craft a beautiful bouquet of flowers. As you trace a selection of blooms and leaves onto PVC, you’ll layer textures and materials to bring them to life. The magic happens when you add free-machine stitching, creating intricate details that truly make each flower pop. Whether you choose to work on a smaller or larger scale, the beauty of this project is that you can make it your own. My finished piece, measuring 18in, showcases how powerful a large scale can be – it gives you space to work quickly and boldly, creating a work of art that feels alive with colour and texture. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS: • Pieces of PVC plastic -…

One of the finest pleasures of summertime is witnessing the riot of colours in gardens as flowers burst forth in all their glory. The heat of the day is mirrored in the intensely bright colours that typically bloom in the hottest of months. I wanted to create a pattern that pays homage to those captivatingly colourful bouquets with this piece, and I hope you enjoy creating it as much as I have. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS: • For the background fabric: 2 10in squares of white kona cotton (to create a double fabric layer) • Card stock cut to 3/4inx2in to be used for wrapping the stitches around • DMC Threads: ○ 956 x3 skeins of this shade only ○ 743 ○ 3345 ○ 907 ○ 3849 EQUIPMENT: • 6in…

This piece blends the peaceful calm of the sea with a touch of creativity and fun. The inspiration for this starfish comes from my 2-year-old daughter, who has become captivated by stories of the underwater world and sea creatures. Her excitement is what makes this starfish so sparkly and pink, and I hope it brings as much joy to you as it does to her. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS: • Fabric: ○ Cotton in sand colour, 28x28cm ○ Silk or cotton in light blue, 25x15cm ○ Lightweight calico, 28x28cm ○ Felt in beige or yellow, 20x20cm ○ Adhesive web/Bondaweb, 30x20cm ○ Backing fabric, cotton (plain or print of your choice), 28x28cm • Thread: ○ Gutermann sewing thread, 416 (yellow), 610 (beige), 800 (white) and 321 (pink) ○ Buttonhole thread, any…

A Rich History and New Beginnings Take a Stitch 2 Durham (TAS-2 Durham) flourished from its roots as the Durham branch of the Embroiderers Guild. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020, the group marked the milestone with the completion of a stunning stitched panel of Durham’s Elvet Bridge, contributed to by over 40 members. Following the reorganisation of the Embroiderers Guild, the group continued under its new name, Take a Stitch 2 Durham (TAS-2 Durham). Norma Goff, a long-standing member, shares her thoughts on the transition: “I have been part of this group for many years and was glad to continue after the Embroiderers Guild could no longer be involved. Meeting like-minded people, enjoying their company, and participating in joint projects is a great pleasure for me.” A Diverse and…

Back Stitch Bring thread through on the stitch line and take a small backward stitch through the fabric. Bring the needle through again a little in front of the first stitch, take another stitch, inserting the needle at the point where it first came through. Repeat. Blanket Stitch Bring the thread out on the lower line, insert the needle in position in the upper line and take a straight downward stitch, keeping the working thread under the point of the needle. Pull up the stitch to form a loop and repeat. Brick Stitch A straight vertical stitch worked as a zig-zag in horizontal bands. Each stitch is offset from its neighbour which is the reason for its name. Buttonhole Stitch Worked as Blanket Stitch with similar decorative variations. However, the…

The Common Blue Damselfly is one of the most widespread damselflies in the UK and a symbol of purity, protection, and equality. This delicate insect invites us to pause and appreciate the intricate beauty of the natural world, calling us to recognise the elegance in nature’s often overlooked corners and celebrate the art that brings this beauty to life. YOU WILL NEED MATERIALS: • Fabric: ○ 56 count light blue hand-dyed linen, or white linen. Cut on thread to 33x38cm if working on a slate frame. If working on stretcher bars or a hoop, cut fabrics to 30x36cm ○ Calico or muslin, cut on thread to the same dimensions as the ground fabric • Water soluble transfer paper, such as Clover’s Charcopy tracing paper • Threads: Cosmo DMC Substitutions 164…

Could you tell us about your background and how you got into embroidery? When did you first start? Up until 2014, I worked in the payments industry for 20 years. However, I was made redundant that year, with very little warning, and was also told I was medically unfit to look for another job due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting connective tissue. I spent about three weeks feeling sorry for myself, but then realised I needed to make a change. I’ve always had a passion for drawing and painting, but due to my condition, I can no longer hold a pencil or paintbrush as I once could. Embroidery and cross stitch, however, has always been a love of mine, and after researching, I found a fantastic software package…

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