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 […]
Domestic Machine Quilting: Simple Free-Motion Designs
Hello again. We have been discussing heaps of things to do with ruler quilting in the last couple of articles. The last article explored how to combine ruler work with free-motion designs. This issue I am going to show you how to make those simple free-motion shapes to use with your ruler work or on […]
Selvedge: Emily Jo Gibbs
The beauty of making portraits, much like writing profiles, is that it’s a chance to really think about and appreciate the person you are depicting. This is what Emily Jo Gibbs loved about embroidering her first portrait, which was of her son Fred. She then created a portrait of her other son, Bill, which led […]
Designer Edge with tapestry artist Niki McDonald
Forget floral arrangements, fruit bowls and rolling hills — it’s the graffitied laneways of Melbourne, neon signs and tattoos that tapestry artist Niki McDonald turns to for design inspiration. Her bold and brave approach to a traditional craft has led to an eye-catching series of artworks and has generated fresh interest in tapestry. Sydney-based artist […]
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 […]
Getting Cosy with designers Barbara Reinfeld and Amanda Fletcher
Be inspired by out truly amazing contributors! Barbara Reinfeld – Studio Stitches Website: www.studiostitches.com.au “I usually work on tapestry frame, which means I can rest the frame on the arms of my chair and stitch with two hands, one on top and the other underneath the frame, which makes for speedy stitching.” SUCH A PERFECT […]
Selvedge with designer, Lucy Levenson
“Scenes that I see in my head are full of very colourful elements.” If we say to you that Lucy Levenson’s fabric artworks are intoxicatingly lovely, there’s a good reason why – apart from the fact that they make your heart sing. They are produced in the cellar of an old English pub, just north […]
Designer Edge: Sarah Burford
“Nostalgia is very important to some people, and the references to Silver Screen sirens tap into that world of old-fashioned magic.” The Golden Years of Hollywood have a chance to glitter again, not in celluloid but in fabric. And the award goes to … Sarah Burford, who has created a red-carpet line-up of starlet-style dolls. […]
Special Feature: The Needlepoint Beginner with Renee Frank
Renee Frank helps aspiring needlepointers get started on their first project. Preparing the First Stitch: Examine your canvas and select an area with a large expanse of one color to start with. This will help you practise getting into the stitching flow. TIP: Start with darker colors and finish with the lightest colors. Your hands constantly […]
Quick Stitch: Rope Coasters with Cassandra Madge
No, nothing to do with lassos and cowboys. Much more gentlemanly than that! This is simply rope coiling and stitching to create classy club-style coasters. Cassandra Madge shows you the ropes. You’ll need: 5mm (1/4in) diameter cotton rope: about 2m (21/8yd) per coaster – see Note Sewing machine thread in matching or contrasting colours – […]