Aquile by Maria Rita Faleri

Projects that we feature in our publications resonate with different people for myriad different reasons.

Technique, finish, colour scheme and design are some of the main deciding factors, but there can also be an element of answering the question ‘who could I stitch this for?’

Our own Editor in Chief, Susan O’Connor, has created several designs featuring slightly more masculine themes that have become popular with some stitchers who gifted the finished embroidery to their husbands, sons, brothers etc.

Gone Fishing and Off the Hook are two such designs that come to mind.

Aquile is Italian for eagle, a noble bird used for centuries as an enduring symbol of strength, courage, freedom and immortality, which Maria has cleverly stylised to create a repeated motif on this elegant cushion cover.

Worked in Catherine de’ Medici stitch, this powerful bird is transformed into a delicate, lace-like pattern, accompanied by zigzag lines, smaller birds and floral motifs.

Aquile has been stitched onto Burratto linen with a sparse thread count of six threads per centimetre, with the finished cushion cover measuring 40cm (16″) square and finished with a blanket stitch picot hem.

Coming back to the question ‘who could I stitch this for?’ we love that Aquile combines a somewhat assertive and confident geometric design with the softness of a beautiful cushion, giving rise for placement on perhaps a leather chair in a study, den or dare we say it, man cave?

That said, it would be equally at home as a soft furnishing on a sofa or in a bedroom, such is the versatility of this contemporary piece.

Wherever your finished cushion finds its home, Aquile is sure to bring a touch of beauty and boldness.

All the materials you need to re-create this project have been sourced for you in our Ready-to-Stitch kit. As this project is part of our Handpicked Collection, the kit includes the printed instructions.