April Flowers by Di van Niekerk
8th April 2022
Everything old is new again! One of the many beautiful things about embroidery is that styles and techniques wax and wane in popularity, but you can be assured that none ever vanish completely.
Sometimes, particular types of embroidery seem to disappear for a while, but when they come back there is so much pleasure in rediscovering them and getting the opportunity to either learn something new or put those past skills to use again.
We have seen more ribbon embroidery appearing in the magazine over the past few months, which we know a lot of you have been thrilled about. Our latest Handpicked project picks up on that resurgence and then adds to it.
In years past, one of the ways that ribbon embroidery was displayed in its full glory was by stitching it on a pre-printed background.
You would buy a stunning print that had been transferred on to fabric and then use a range of silk ribbons, threads and embellishments to turn the print into something extra special. Some of you may even remember a time when whole magazines were devoted to this style of embroidery, and you’ll even find a few embellished, pre-printed fabric projects in earlier issues of Inspirations magazine.
April Flowers by Di van Niekerk is the welcome revival of that gorgeous technique. This design starts out with a stunning print on linen. While the print is beautiful in itself, when you then start to add silk ribbon blooms to highlight and embellish specific elements of the print, it becomes something else entirely.
Di offers you all of the instructions you need to guide you on which stitches and colours to use and where to place them in order to create a tiny masterpiece using this wonderful embroidery technique.
We are happy to announce that we now have the printed fabric available to purchase individually, which is a must for anyone who is looking to re-create this stunning project, especially if you have already purchased the digital or printed pattern.
Alternatively, you can buy the complete Ready-To-Stitch kit that includes all of the ribbons and other materials you need, as well as the printed fabric on which to stitch.
Either way, you are going to get the chance to rediscover the joy in creating an embellished, ribbon embroidery – something we feel has been missing from our lives for far too long.
There is no doubt that some of the embroidery and needlework techniques from years gone by are enjoying a resurgence.
Ribbon embroidery and embroidery on a pre-printed background image are two of those techniques. Each of them alone is wonderful to do, but when combined, as Di van Niekerk has done in April Flowers, you are sure to be reminded just how fabulous this type of embroidery really is.
Make Your Own April Flowers
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions
April Flowers by Di van Niekerk is a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers worked over a printed background using hand-painted silk ribbons.
April Flowers – HP Print
April Flowers – HP Print
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit
The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for April Flowers includes everything* you need to re-create this beautiful bouquet: Fabric with pre-printed background, lining fabric, embroidery threads, ribbons and needle.
April Flowers – HP Kit
*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the printed/digital pattern.