Inspirations Magazine 2024

Each year we publish over 30 of the world’s most beautiful needlework projects across four issue of Inspirations magazine. With a global readership spanning more than 70 different countries, we love that needlework is the common thread that joins us all together.

You might be interested to know that the top three needlework techniques that we saw trending in 2024 included counted work, three-dimensional embroidery (including stumpwork) and felt embroidered projects.

Here’s a re-cap of the four issues of Inspirations magazines that came out in 2024:

Issue #121 | Natural Rhythm

2024 kicked off with issue 121, which featured the stunning project Arts & Crafts Hellebore by Margaret Light on the front cover. This project would become a fitting tribute to Marg, who sadly passed away in January.

The most popular projects from this issue included the The French Birdcage by Christine P. Bishop and Arts & Crafts Hellebore.

**Issue #122 | Bright and Beautiful **

The cover says it all for issue #122, which showcased the stunning Papilio zalmoxis by Martina Frank, a three-dimensional swallowtail butterfly. It was every bit bright and beautiful as the cover suggested.

Papilio Zalmoxis and Richelieu Butterfly by Joanna Jakuszewska were the popular picks from this issue.

**Issue #123 | Go With The Flow **

Who could forget meeting Floe for the first time as she adorned the cover of issue #123. This fabulous felt fairy penguin is the creation of Carolyn Stanton who is rumoured to have another fantastic project that she is working on for us all to enjoy.

As you would expect Floe the Fairy Penguin was one of the most popular projects from this issue as was Buttercups by Hannah Mansfield.

Issue #124 | Joyful, Joyful

The current issue #124 is an all-singing and all-dancing embroidered Christmas extravaganza with a parade of projects that have delighted us all.

With so many beautiful designs to choose from we’ve been spoiled for choice, but to date some of the most popular include Betty Beetle by Tania Cohen, Christmas Treats by Betsy Morgan, Mistletoe & Holly by Anna Scott and Rana by Maria Clara Warschauer, just to name a few!

Book Releases for 2024

In addition to releasing four issues of Inspirations magazine, our incredibly talented and hard-working publishing team somehow find the time to produce several books every year as well.

In 2024 we were spoiled with a very special debut, a special sequel and a special Handpicked revolution.
** Life in Seasons | Winter & Spring by Nicola Jarvis**

It was our great honour and privilege that the incredibly talented UK artist Nicola Jarvis entrusted us to publish her first ever book.

With her beloved golden retriever Quince by her side, early each morning Nicola would embark on a daily adventure exploring the Warwickshire countryside. This daily ritual inspired Nicola to create a series of stunning embroidered pieces capturing the changing seasons around her.

Life in Seasons | Winter & Spring has captured the imagination of stitchers the world over and with Nicola currently working on the second volume to this series, we can’t wait for the release of Life in Seasons | Summer & Autumn.

The Art of Bead Embroidery Japanese-Style 2 by Margaret Lee

When it comes to acknowledging and celebrating the great embroidery artists of our generation, Margaret Lee is without doubt in contention to be among the best of the best.

Margaret is one of the best-selling designers we publish and it has been our great joy to work with her and her husband David to produce four remarkable books, including her latest release The Art of Bead Embroidery Japanese-Style 2, which came out earlier this year.

Discover the artistry of Nuido - 'The Way of Embroidery' - as Margaret guides you through mastering Japanese-style bead embroidery, blending tradition, creativity, and technique to create nine extraordinary projects.

Handpicked Books 1,2,3

Ever since releasing our first Handpicked project back in 2019, our range of these designs, chosen specifically for their beauty, creativity and flair, have continued to become more and more popular.

In 2024 we made three exciting announcements about this series:

1/. – We are now curating the projects into collections 2/. – These collections will now also be available in book format 3/. – We’re increasing our releases from 4 to over 30 new projects a year

Collection 1, 2 & 3 are all now available as printed books, printed patterns and digital patterns. Many of these projects are also available as Ready-to-Stitch kits.

Handpicked Collection 4 is currently being printed and due for release in March 2025 and Collection 5 is now in production.

Also, don’t forget that all Handpicked Ready-to-Stitch kits include printed instructions making them more accessible, more affordable and more giftable.

What About Wares in 2024?

Just as we were putting the final touches on this issue of All Stitched Up!, one of our team commented about how much they enjoyed reading the magazine and book highlights for 2024 and learning about the most popular projects. They also wanted to know about the most popular wares in 2024.

If you too are curious about such findings, you might like the following summary of what wares were hot in 2024:

**Tins **

Our range of adorable, practical and giftable tins were a hit in 2024 with Peter Rabbit stealing the show overall.

Milward Cantilever Storage Box

After writing about how much we loved the Milward cantilever storage box that we have here in the office HERE, it seems many of you also felt the love with this engineering marvel appearing in our top sellers list this year.

Koma

The rush on orders we saw for these wooden wonders gives you an idea of just how popular Margaret Lee’s projects are. If you’re not familiar with a Koma – a traditional Japanese wooden tool used to help couch threads with even tension – you can read more about them HERE.

Pewter Laying Tool

Another tool that was in high demand in 2024 was the Pewter Laying Tool.

Whether you’re working with silk ribbon, metal or gimp threads, this tool is perfect for ensuring your stitches sit exactly where you want them to.

Needle Guides

If you have a stack of rogue needles in your stash that you’re not sure what family they belong to or what size they are, turns out you are not alone!

Our super handy needle guide cards came to the rescue for quite a few people this year, so you can relax… it’s not just you that needs one.

June Godwin | A Tribute

Recently, Carolann Aartsen got in touch with us to let us know that long-time Inspirations contributor June Godwin is sadly no longer with us.

Her delicate yet wonderful projects featured in multiple issues of Inspirations magazine dating all the way back to issue #37 and right through to issue #77 and were always adored by all.

June was a friend and teacher to many, never turning away an opportunity to share her knowledge or learn something new herself.

Joining the Maitland Embroiderers Group in 1989, she quickly became a core member and tutor and was quoted as saying, ‘I was taught a lot of stitches and styles I wouldn’t have otherwise known if it wasn’t for learning together.’

In 2000, the group’s exhibition was opened by none other than Margie Bauer, Inspirations’ original founder and Editor-in-Chief at the time, and June’s thirst for learning and quality of work caught Margie’s discerning eye.

Shortly thereafter, Inspirations magazine became a core component of the group’s library with June becoming somewhat of a local celebrity as her gorgeous embroidery was often published in the magazine, as well as featuring in A-Z of Crewel Embroidery and A-Z of Thread Painting.

June sourced great inspiration from botanicals, and she loved threadpainting with long and short stitch.June sourced great inspiration from botanicals, and she loved threadpainting with long and short stitch.

Always favouring soft colours, particularly soft pinks and blues, her pieces have a warm, gentle feel to them.

Though we are all deeply saddened to hear of June’s passing, we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have featured her work in so many Inspirations publications. We take comfort in the knowledge that her stitching legacy and creative spirit will live on and continue to be enjoyed by many, thanks to the gorgeous projects she has left with us.

Special thanks to Carolann Aartsen for helping put this tribute together.