Stitch Life Magazine Issue 1

together and I work out how I can fill each new space. If
I’m working on a commission or an element that requires
more detail, I will sketch directly onto the fabric with
a heat erasable pen so I can easily remove the outlines
afterwards. Sometimes I’ll make a quick note on my
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phone of colour combos, leaves or flowers that I’ve seen
outside so that I can save my ideas for future works.
When I’m out on walks, I’ll take photos that I can refer
back to for inspiration.
Louise
EMBROIDERY
My project to make
FLOWER CUSHION
Many of us have faced challenges over the past year so
I wanted this design to be all about positivity. It’s often
the little things in life that get you through difficult times,
such as comfy cushions, bright autumn berries and
flowers beginning to bloom in spring. I wanted to create
a wildflower design that’s bursting with optimism and that
celebrates the bright range of florals and foliage in bloom
throughout spring and summer.
I’ve loved being able to apply my designs to a cushion
rather than just a hoop. It’s given me lots of inspiration
about what else I could apply my designs to – clothing
and bags would be so cool! Anchor stranded cotton is
my favourite to work with. There are so many different
colours to choose from and the quality of the threads
really shows in my work.
I advise beginners not to get too anxious about
learning all the different types of stitches and techniques
at first – you don’t need to know everything to start.
As long as you’re enjoying yourself, you can’t go wrong,
the rest will follow.
Embroidery is an incredibly forgiving art form, too. If
you do go wrong don’t worry, you can snip stitches out
and start again as if nothing ever happened.
Stitch Life
113