Embroidery magazine

Editorial

Where do you like to stitch? Over the years that I've been interviewing textile artists, I've found that their homes and studios are often as inspiring as their work. Some artists and makers are fortunate enough to rent a dedicated space where they can leave all their equipment and the piece of work they're working on in situ - much better than having to clear everything off the kitchen table before the kids get home from school. For others, their studio is a spare room, or simply one corner of a room where they can fit a sewing machine and some shelves. Big isn't always better and these cosy nooks and crannies are often delightful, packed with collections of inspiring finds, postcards, fabrics and threads.

With this in mind, this issue kicks off a new series exploring the workspaces of textile artists, starting with a visit to the studio of Rachael Howard who works from a large, bright room on the top floor of her home. Like Rachael, textile artists tend to surround themselves with the things they love so we couldn't resist including some images from a new book, Creative Walls. We all have a hoard, and we loved the way this book encourages you to get creative in your home with your stash. With profiles of innovative work by Diem Chau and Nora Fok, the ethereal charm of Michelle Holmes' embroidery gracing the cover and our gallery spot this month and our new spotlight on our readers' work, we hope you'll be inspired too.