A note from the Editor.

Starring on our cover is the work of Louise Saxton from Australia, aka The Embroidery Vandal, who has one of the most enviable needlework stashes, which she cuts and pins to create striking new compositions. Louise explains what led to her launching an artist’s monograph.

Elsewhere in the magazine, the Knitting and Stitching Shows in London, Belfast and Harrogate promise to inspire. We have seven pages of coverage, starting with the work of Jessie Chorley, who has been quietly stitching away in her studio eyrie but is now ready to reveal her new book and new work. Included is a preview of this year’s exciting textile gallery line-up and a look at Cas Holmes and Deena Beverley’s new title on how to find creativity in times of crisis.

Marcia Bennett-Male tells us about her exhibition for Black History Month in October, which promises to be intense. At the Walker Art Gallery Karen McLean centres on Liverpool’s connections with the slave trade, while Indigenous American artist Jeffrey Gibson at the Venice Biennale creates a wholly inclusive show.

For lighter ‘Indian summer’ fare, we reveal the inventive practice of embroiderer and teacher Alexandra Waylett, which is anchored in life beneath the surf, while Penelope Williams’ pictures are harvested straight from the veg plot via a fabric stash full of wonders.

We also meet a doyenne of Welsh quilt collecting; preview the 62 Group’s new exhibition; talk to an artist whose research of witch trials feeds her practice; discover the red thread in Japanese culture; and the artist releasing moths into a university library.

There’s something for everyone. We hope you enjoy it!

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Amanda Cobbett began life as a designer but is now wowing a whole new audience with her hyperreal take on the natural world, in particular her machine embroidered 3D sculptures of fungi. This feature was written by Deena Beverley and published in the November/December 2019 issue

Ann Goddard was announced as winner of the inaugural Vlieseline Fine Art Textiles Award in 2019 and was interviewed by Jo Hall for the January/February 2020 issue.

Rozanne Hawksley found her métier whilst teaching at Goldsmiths in the 1970s. She developed a singular art practice that reflected upon the subjects of war, loss and the abuse of power. June Hill spoke to Hawksley as part of Embroidery’s ‘pioneer’ series, which examined the careers of leading embroiderers of the late 20th century.