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Embroidery Magazine Mar/Apr issue is out now!

A note from the Editor.

If you’re wondering what 2025 holds for you, wonder no more. Embroidery magazine’s Jan/Feb issue includes a full rundown of compelling exhibitions and events throughout the year and across the UK.

Meet our cover star King Eadwig whose short life story would not have been out of place in the ruthless world of HBO’s Game of Thrones drama. Inside, we bring you the story of seven Saxon kings and Jacky Puzey’s incredible eight-year project to portray them in stitch.

Elsewhere, we delve into garden delights with the work of Janet Haigh and Hannah Louise Egan. Janet’s work looks at ‘Tulip Mania’ and the gardens of National Trust property Hidcote. Hannah tells us how, after tragic family loss, she changed her career to the healing practice of textiles, with pieces incorporating her love of houseplants (she currently has 60).

A retrospective on feminist stalwart Su Richardson looks at 50 years of her work, which often uses humour to grab people’s attention, such as in her Boob Licious series.

‘Offbeat Artist’ profiles Leah Doeland from Australia whose Covid Couture collection is remarkable in rescuing items from the bin that would seem impossible to recycle. She uses them to create jackets – the ultimate in junk couture.

Meanwhile, from New Zealand, Alison Leauanae tells us about her vivid abstract works, partly inspired by her Samoan heritage.

We also meet the new CEO of the Royal School of Needlework and discover her plans to revisit the spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement; and catch up with Jessie Chorley whose major solo exhibition is set to delight. Plus, we’ve got the latest from David Morrish, who has just published a book on digital embroidery and is working on a new style of ‘darker’ pieces.

Finally, we take a peek inside The Sewing Room of award-winning artist Beth Somerville, who is settling into her new studio at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

Table in Landscape – The Dance (Detail) (2023), 60cm x 85cm. Silk reverse of found quilt panel. Appliqué, couching, seed stitch, satin stitch and running stitch.

© Jessie Chorley

King Eadwig banner (detail), 59.5cm x 172.2cm, by Jacky Puzey. Linen backing, embroidery threads, including Madeira Classic, Frosted Matte and Sensa Green. Hand drawing and digital embroidery, including manual stitch programming.

IMAGE TAKEN FROM PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JANIE LIGHTFOOT TEXTILES LLP

Reconstruction (2022), 50cm x 39cm x 4cm. Cotton and metallic yarn.

Courtesy of Richard Saltoun Gallery, London, Rome and New York. Artist Su Richardson