Inspirations magazine is a pleasure to look at and read. Top needlework, smocking and sewing designers from Australia and around the world publish their projects here. Lovely photography complements layouts that are clean, elegant and decidedly feminine. Advertisements are restricted to the very back, leaving the main section content uninterrupted. Even the cover is printed on a nice, heavyweight stock closer to a book's quality than a magazine's.
What's really important to me in a crafting/artisan type magazine however is that the projects are actually do-able. In a publication of Inspirations' caliber, you'd expect such charming, intricate embroideries to be beyond the ability of the casual needleworker. Surprisingly, that's not the case at all! With each featured item there are embroidery keys and directions that guide each step, with clear illustrations. Full-sized patterns are found in the pull-out center section. If you have trouble coming up with materials and notions you can order project kits directly from the publisher. Everything is arranged to be as easy as possible, and the results are exquisite.
Every other month the arrival of Inspirations magazine spawns a new list of projects for my stash. For example, my favorite issue of 2002 had the following lineup: a charming measuring tape holder that looked like a little country cottage covered with flowers, a matching thimble holder, bullion roses paperweight, hedgehog pin cushion and needlebag, ribbon roses cushion, roses and daisies lap blanket, beribboned baby bunting, girl's overall with flowers, an elegant white ladies'linen shirt and a Victorian stitch book. Even if you are a beginner you will find several things inside that are perfectly adapted to your ability, but which look like they require decades of experience. These are the kinds of unique items that strangers would inquire about.
Recommended for every skill level - but caution: you may find yourself spending all your free time in embroidering bliss!-Andrea, aka Merribelle
I can't wait for the next issue to arrive. The projects are beautiful, and do-able. I think any one could do them from novice to experienced. Even the advertising is great. I love to get on the internet and surf through the sites of the advertisers.
I can't think of a single negative thing about this magazine except I wish it came more often!! If you subscribe you won't be disappointed.Inspirations: a most appropriate name for this magazine For those who like stitching in any of its forms, this magazine is simply superb! I've subscribed to this magazine for some years and can't envisage not receiving it. Glorious embroidery projects beautifully presented in a high quality glossy magazine: the pictures alone are enough to keep me subscribing. The projects are well laid out and clearly presented. As an added bonus, you can buy many of the projects in kit form and subscribers can do so at a discounted rate. Highly recommended to those who love the visual feast of craft work. Jennifer Cameron-Smith
