Selvedge: Get to know Emellie Ferris
One of embroidery artist Emillie Ferris’ favourite quotes is a Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” Since teaching herself to embroider with a handful of materials (a hoop, thread, needle and an old pillowcase), Emillie has been passionate about embroidery and passing on […]
Designer Edge: Georgie Emery
From her home in the United Kingdom to the countryside of southern France and the lush region of Southeast Asia, embroidery artist Georgie Emery has been inspired by butterflies from across the globe. Her embroideries are the result of careful design planning, meticulous stitching and a deep appreciation for these beautiful creatures. “They represent peace […]
Armchair Travels of a Textile Lover: Chris Jurd goes to India
Well-known Australian quilter, regular Quilters Companion contributor and textile lover, Chris Jurd was the guest leader of the 2019 Quilters’ Tour of India. Organised by Quilters Companion and Travelrite Australia, the group set off from Sydney mid November and returned 16 days later – after a trip of a lifetime. We asked Chris to share […]
The spectacular work of Lily Adelaide Upton
Lily Adelaide Upton’s work is a contemporary celebration of Aussie natives. Drawing on her diverse surroundings, she captures the essence of Australia’s spectacular flora and fauna in rich embroidery. While riding her bike to work, she spots rainbow lorikeets, honeyeaters, rosellas, galahs, corellas and many eucalyptus varieties, which fill her head with lots of creative […]
Hand Embroidery Workshop
Embroidery uses a needle and thread to make stitches to create a design. You need to learn a number of stitches, which you can find on the Homespun website: www.homespun.net.au/stitch-guide. There are more than 70 stitches in the online stitch guide. The basic stitches most commonly used are backstitch, blanket stitch, satin stitch, French […]
Selvedge: Meet Louise Newton
“I’ve always loved daisies. I grew up with them as they covered our garden at home. Perhaps they give me a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of making daisy chains with my sister and picking them for my mum when I was younger. She would use an egg cup as a vase to put them […]
Selvedge: Fenny Suter
Sometimes it takes long hikes through dense greenery to find the perfect spot for a refreshing swim — a hidden lagoon with crystal-clear water surrounded by lush foliage. Fenny Suter’s vibrant embroideries capture this idyllic scene in thread and fabric. They’re a little piece of paradise, but without the sweat and exhaustion of hiking. Her […]
Tutorial: How to frame hand-embroidery
MATERIALS AND TOOLS Picture frame Cardboard (1.5mm thick) Crafts knife Cutting mat Needle and sewing thread Step 1 Disassemble the frame. Depending on the frame, there will be a glass or acrylic protection. Some embroidery, such as Ribbon embroidery, is too dimensional to be framed under glass. However, no protection means dusting problems, so […]
Selvedge with designer Lauren Porter
After a long-haul flight, Lauren Porter’s winged creatures seek antique tools for their stopover spots. A nightingale perches on a pair of scissors, a swallow swings on an embroidery hoop, a coal tit rests on a metal key and a wren admires the view from a hammer. The birds seems very content with staying there […]
Selvedge with designer Megan Griffiths
Take a step inside Megan Griffiths’ creative studio, where “more is definitely more”. The space is filled with collections of evocative and tactile objects – nature and children’s books; jars with buttons and feathers; Indian textiles; and miniature objects. She says she likes to be surrounded by lots of curiosities. But the beauty is that she’s […]