Echinacea by Jo Butcher

Our first featured project for this week is all about celebrating the echinacea flower. This vibrant pink flower, also known as a coneflower, is native to North America where the roots, flowers, and leaves are used in traditional medicine. It is believed to decrease inflammation and help build up the immune system.

In this striking piece created especially to appear in the 30th birthday issue of Inspirations magazine #120, designer Jo Butcher’s focus is on the simplicity of the flower and the vibrancy of the pink petals. Using both surface embroidery and stumpwork she succeeds in bringing life and movement to this minimalist composition.

I then paint the cotton background fabric, select my thread colours and start building the background layers.’

As with Jo’s other projects, she works on a hand-painted background fabric, adding another layer of movement and individuality to the design. 

Once the background is painted and the design is transferred, the stitching commences by filling in the cones using a subtle variety of straight stitches underpinning Jo’s philosophy of simplicity:

‘I don’t use hundreds of different stitches, I have a limited selection that I like to use as I know they keep the attention on the effect I’m trying to achieve, rather than the stitch itself. My favourite is the French knot, but others I use are straight stitch, detached chain, fly stitch and bullion knots.’

Once the cones are in place, the next step is to create the leaves and stems, again using straight stitch as well as whipped back stitch. With the background surface embroidery complete, it is now time to create the detached flower using stumpwork techniques including covering paper-covered wire with a combination of couching and blanket stitches, before filling in the leaves and cone with straight stitches. 

This project allows you to try your hand at painting the background fabric, or if you choose to buy the kit, a pre-printed background is included.

Stitching this delightfully vibrant project is enough to boost anybody’s immune system and general well-being without taking any medication!

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Echinacea by Jo Butcher features vibrant coneflowers in surface and stumpwork embroidery against a watercolour background.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Echinacea includes everything* you need to re-create this charming picture: Fabrics (inc. pre-printed panel), wires, embroidery threads and needles.

*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 magazine/digital pattern.