Stumpwork Inspirations

Discover 8 breathtaking stumpwork embroidery projects that bring intricate, raised designs to life with texture and realism.

Take your embroidery to a new level with breathtaking stumpwork projects that bring designs to life in raised, intricate detail. Stumpwork embroidery, also known as raised embroidery, transforms flat stitching with 3D effects using padding, wiring, and slips, creating a strikingly realistic look that captivates and inspires.

Get started with

• clear, step-by-step instructions
• pullout patterns
• a comprehensive stitch guide
• all the essential details to craft each project. 

Whether you're an embroidery enthusiast or new to stumpwork, dive into this art form’s rich history, techniques, and beauty—and create your own masterpiece.

This collection showcases some of the finest stumpwork creations from globally celebrated designers, including Susan O'Connor, Wendy Innes, Susan Casson, Anna Scott, Lesley Turpin-Delport, and Jane Nicholas. With each design thoughtfully curated, you’ll find projects that range from elegant framed art to unique decorative pieces.Australian publisher Inspiration Studios has distilled the best of the best from its issues of Inspirations embroidery magazine for new volumes on crewel embroidery and whitework (a third volume, on Stumpwork, is also being released). Each book begins with an abbreviated historical overview. Crewel, aka wool on linen, began around the seventeenth century and gained popularity during Elizabeth I’s reign. Whitework, with any number of variations on its white-onwhite concept, was first practiced by the ancient Egyptians; since then, Scandinavian and other European needleworkers have contributed their own interpretations—Dresden, Hebedo (Danish), Hardanger (Norwegian), Madeira, and Mountmellick (Irish). Each text then leads into eight patterns. Well thought-out instructions, along with clear color photographs, document every step, with specific stitch how-tos included after the pattern directions. Hints and tips are scattered throughout, like suggestions on needleweaving and the fundamentals of blocking embroidery. The book ends with a perfect “show us” glossary of some 60 stitches, complete with step-bysteps and photographs. Design templates, unfortunately, are stuffed in the book’s back flap, not as accessible to those working on patterns. All designs are geared to the more experienced needleworker, but any enthusiast will admire "mandala musings," "garden of earthly delights," "a fine romance," and "tulip." Each book is appended with a stitch guide. 
— Booklist, May 2020. Barbara Jacobs Inspirations Studio publishes the magazine Inspirations which is recognized as the leading embroidery magazine in the world. Designers features in this collection are designers Susan O'Connor, Wendy Innes, Susan Casson, Anna Scott, Lesley Turpin-Delport and Jane Nicholas. Known for outstanding images of embroidery, the Inspirations series brings together master embroidery from all over the world. www.inspirationsstudios.com