Beth Russell first developed her eye for matching colours to wool whilst working at the Royal School of Needlework in London. She formed Designers Forum (now over 20 years ago) and has built an international reputation for her interpretations of William Morris designs. Beth’s adaptations differ from the Morris originals in that they are to be stitched in needlepoint, whereas Morris’ were meant for a myriad of different purposes – wallpapers, fabrics, embroidery, tapestry, tiles and book decoration. However, in every other way she tries to be essentially true to the great man. The designs are first sketched or painted and then each part is worked many times on canvas before the final shapes and colours are decided. Beth hopes that her needlepoint kits and books might provide a means by which people can exercise their talents and find the contentment that Morris preached is the right of each and every one of us.

Website: www.bethrussellneedlepoint.com

Based in the English Lake District, designer, tutor, and owner of ‘The Crewel Work Company’, Phillipa Turnbull is a British crewel work specialist.

Phillipa’s crewel work combines the designs, colours, stitches, materials and techniques from historic British crewel work. Only the finest materials make up her kits and she goes to great lengths so ensure that the quality of her materials faithfully replicates that seen in the best crewel work pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries: ‘Z’ twist linen twill is woven exclusively for Phillipa’s kits from flax grown in the Scottish highlands far enough away from pollution to produce the natural ‘oatmeal and honey’ colour, providing the perfect medium for Phillipa’s gold-plated crewel needles, which glide effortlessly through the linen, preserving both the material and wool and producing a satisfying ‘popping’ sound as the eye draws the thick wool through. Finally Appleton’s wool rounds off the experience. Only Appleton’s wools can provide the quality of thread to withstand multiple stitches through the heavy linen and the richness of colour to create the truest representation of the historic pieces that inspire Phillipa’s designs. All this combines to ensure that the final piece will become an heirloom itself in generations to come.

Phillipa’s kits can be purchased through her website below, where you can also find information about her luxury embroidery retreats in castles and country houses in the UK.

Website: www.crewelwork.com

Diana Fernsby is the owner of Fernsby Hall Tapestry Kits, which use the designs of painter Catriona Hall (www.catabox.co.uk) to create charming, quirky images of portly creatures including hares, lurchers and unicorns. Diana has been a stitcher all her life and has known Catriona since she was a child; the two of them have created a wonderful range of kits which use an earthy palette ranging through strong terracottas, browns, rusts, greys, yellows, greens and blues. Diana offers lessons in stitching the kits and colours can be altered to customers specifications.

Website: www.fernsbeyhall.com

The Flanders Tapestry Collection was founded in 2014 by Johan Verbruggen. Originally from Belgium, Johan is from a family of textile, lace and embroidery manufacturers.

The origin of The Flanders Tapestry Collection can be traced back to 1876 when Johan’s great-great-grandparents founded their lacemaking business in a small city called Lier, near Antwerp, Belgium. Their company ran for three generations, but it was under the management of Johan’s grandparents, Maria Nevelstein and Jozef De Backer that the business flourished and expanded dramatically offering employment to over 250 crafts men. They specialized in a variety of artisanal needlepoint techniques in particular a fine and delicate type of silk tulle hand-embroidered lace and petit-point.

In his youth Johan often spent time at his grandparent’s house. Surrounded by wonderful textiles, beautifully designed beaded items and intricate embroidery, his fascination and love for this craft grew. The company closed down in 1982 after more than 100 years of trading.

Johan moved to London in 1993 and started his career with Liberty of London. As buyer for Haberdashery, Needlecraft and the world famous Dress Fabrics Department, he found himself in very familiar territory and started developing his knowledge and design skills.

In 2003 Johan moved to become a buyer and product developer for The Royal Collection Trust. He created numerous successful product ranges for the gift shops in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Johan now lives in the South of France near the historic city of Uzes where he dedicates his time to creating stylish tapestry projects. He often uses different shades in a single stitch to create the subtle and detailed colour variations seen in flowers. Using surprising and unusual background colours to enhance his designs, The Flanders Tapestry Collection produces pieces to suit every interior.

Website: www.flanderstapestrycollection.com

Wendy Hope-Falkner is the Owner/ Designer of One Off Needlework.

Wendy’s designs have a simple decorative style with clear areas of colour that are easy to follow on the printed canvas. The kits are packed with generous quantities of Appletons Wool and our canvases are printed by specialists to ensure the greatest possible accuracy and quality.

One Off Needlework is based in the village of Billingshurst in West Sussex and their catalogue reflects an easy going rural life-style which Wendy brings to her designs. Those designs on the whole, have a countryside theme, treated in a simple but decorative way because Wendy understands and appreciates the pleasure and therapeutic effect of stitching.

Website: www.oneoffneedlework.co.uk

Fei Trapnell is a self-taught British designer and stitcher based in Gloucestershire. Fei has an innate aesthetic approach to creating her work.

Fei launched her tapestry kits known as “The Fei Collection” in 1997 and the collection consisted of just 3 designs. There are now 58 designs which are available in a variety of sizes. All are original and timeless and created in-house by Fei. Fei designs and stitches each piece with love and passion. Her unique and timeless style has resulted in an enthusiastic following by discerning stitchers of all levels and ages. The tapestry kits are meticulously produced by hand to ensure customers will enjoy stitching today’s treasures and tomorrow’s heirlooms.

Website: www.feicollection.co.uk

Yasmeen studied Fashion and Textiles at Middlesex University and spent 15 years working as a ladieswear fashion designer for high street brands.

During this time focussing on fashion she continued to develop her love for textiles by creating her own tapestry projects, experimenting with colour and stitching. With a view to move on from the fashion industry, she started Thread and Mercury to enable others to make her new and contemporary designs to put into their own homes.

Yasmeen’s tapestry designs are influenced by graphic design showing a love for nature and style. As with fashion, she finds her inspiration from what’s on trend but keeping a timeless element. Thread and Mercury was only established in 2020 but Yasmeen has exciting plans for the future for large and small kits that can be made into cushions or framed pictures.

There are 3 large kits available to buy on Etsy, The Toucan, The Cactus and The Deco Diver. There are now 3 large kits to buy on the Appletons website - the Leopard, the Lemur and the Zebra. These come under the generic heading of Wild Things.
Yasmeen is conscious about the environment by keeping her packaging plastic free and using recycled materials. Everything is sourced locally to support UK businesses.

Website: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ThreadandMercury

SurlaStudio is a family of keen and enthusiastic needle pointers who have totally immersed themselves in designing unique tapestries.

Since their parents came over from Eastern Europe, they have been heavily inspired by home crafting, folk art and the Arts & Crafts movement, especially needlework. Together they have become a micro-factory and have designed many tapestry designs for cushions, pictures, wall hangings or stool coverings. It had been a dream of theirs for over 20 years to create their very own designs, as a family.

Their designs are very often inspired by mythology and nature. Their love of patterns and decorative borders are intricately executed with a unique approach with colour. This said, there is something still intrinsically traditional about making the tapestries into perfect gift items for every style of home.

They use Appleton Wools as these offer a wide selection of hues and tones, giving the completed tapestries a professional finish that will last for many years. The kits include plain canvases with full colour charts, in order to reach the fine details within each design, a needle and a set of instructions.

They are in the process of creating smaller designs and look forward to sharing these with you soon.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SurlaStudio

Alex designs modern crewelwork patterns and kits with easy to follow tutorials and instructions that make stitching a stunning embroidery a breeze.

Many of Alex’s designs are inspired by her love of nature and often feature animals. She enjoys exploring stitch and colour to create texture, depth and impact. Making the wide range of colours available in the Appletons collection the perfect choice!

Alex is passionate about spreading the joy of embroidery and it’s mental health benefits. It’s amazing how restorative a few moments of stitching calm can be. Plus you get the great satisfaction of making something beautiful with your own hands.

On Alex’s website you can find tutorials and inspiration along with her range of embroidery kits and patterns.

Website: www.elaraembroidery.com

Dorset based Designer Sarah Stevens studied at the Royal School of Needlework, graduating in 2002 gaining a Diploma with Distinction. Since then Sarah has worked as a freelance textile and embroidery kit designer. In 2010 she founded her company, Melbury Hill. Sarah’s Embroidery kits and materials are available to buy through her website and are bought by customers all over the world.

All Melbury Hills Crewel work kits are designed by Sarah using the finest British materials, Appleton Crewel Wool and Linen Twill woven in Scotland. All the designs are inspired by Historical pieces with Sarah’s own ideas and interpretation.

Website: https://melburyhill.com/