Allium Meadow by Jo Butcher

Jo Butcher’s projects are always gorgeous to look at and a treat to stitch. Each one delights the eye with its subtle colouring and clever use of simple stitches to achieve a wonderfully lifelike effect. Jo can create a landscape on fabric so accurately, you can believe you’re looking through a tiny window onto a garden scene bursting with flowers and grasses.

In Inspirations issue #113 we bring you Allium Meadow. Inside this picture-perfect frame is an embroidery filled with wonderful details to enjoy including tall grass, purple salvia, pink cosmos and, standing above it all, pompom-like allium blooms.

Allium is a flower that is a close relative to the onion. It comes in a huge range of colours including blue, red and yellow, although the alliums in this study display the soft green of new blooms.

The plant is incredibly resistant to dry conditions and offers a dramatic contrast to any garden or meadow with the spherical flowers growing well above the rest of the foliage. Different species will bloom at different times of the year, so it is possible to have alliums flowering in your garden in spring and summer and even through to autumn.

Jo has placed her alliums in a wild meadow of grasses where they take centre stage amongst the smaller flowers around them.

Each allium is formed using a subtle gradation of colour with the darker green underneath through to light green at the top where the flowers would get the most sunlight. The blooms are formed using a cluster of French knots that creates the perfect texture for the fluffy flower.

Jo’s designs require you to be free and relaxed with your stitch placement. Although you are provided with a diagram guiding you as to the placement of the allium flowers and the framing salvia stalks, for much of the rest of the embroidery you are given free rein. Jo suggests where each of the smaller flowers should be placed to ensure you get the right balance, but you are encouraged to just let yourself stitch without feeling constrained.

It is a joyful experience watching your picture appear as each stitch is laid.

Allium Meadow is stitched on a gently painted background to give the appearance of a pale blue, early morning sky. The combination of layered stitches, striking alliums and painted sky creates a sense of perspective that helps you feel like you’re sitting by the window and looking out on to this whimsical meadow. Watch carefully, and you may see the grasses swaying in the breeze.

Allium Meadow is another addition to Jo’s already extensive collection of beautiful designs. You’re sure to enjoy stitching it and we are confident it will leave you looking for more projects by this talented stitch artist. Her designs are certainly addictive, bringing beautiful and colourful landscapes and gardens into your home, no matter what your living circumstances.

Make Your Own Allium Meadow

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Allium Meadow by Jo Butcher is a sun-kissed meadow filled with alliums and salvias growing above grasses sprinkled with cornflowers and cosmos.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Allium Meadow includes everything* you need to re-create this tranquil meadow: Fabric with pre-printed background , fabric stabiliser, 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.