Out now… available from WH Smith - the August/September 2017 issue of Stitch magazine.

The essential hands-on magazine for creative stitchers, STITCH with the Embroiderers’ Guild brings you traditional embroidery techniques and also a wealth of creative contemporary ideas.

Through how-to-do-it projects and articles from many of the world's leading embroidery tutors and designers, get STITCH-ing and discover contemporary free-machine embroidery and explore traditional techniques like canvaswork, goldwork, crewelwork, stumpwork, blackwork and Hardanger.

Our mixed-media projects combine stitching with all sorts of materials and techniques – the list is endless and the only restriction is your imagination.

Our mission is to take you on an exciting, creative, textile journey…
• Suitable for beginners and experienced embroiderers
• How-to-do-it projects with clear instructions
• Explore traditional techniques and stitches
• Give your work the ‘WOW’ factor using innovative products

Stitch can be sent anywhere in the world so treat yourself, friends or family to the perfect gift that lasts all year. Inspiration delivered to your door!

You can still get your copy of Stitch 108 if you cannot get to a branch of WH Smith or your local branch has sold out. All you have to do is:

Telephone Stitch Subscriptions on 01778 392088. Have your debit/credit card to hand. Single copy of Stitch £6.09 (UK), £8.69 (Europe) £9.64 (Rest of the World) or you can

Post your order to FREEEPOST Warners Group (Stitch) (you do not need to put any other information on your envelope) and enclose a cheque for £6.09 (UK only, includes p & p) for a single copy

Here's what our new editor of Stitch, Sally Saunders, says:

Welcome......or should I say bienvenue? We're off on an exciting journey around the world this issue, visiting Africa and Asia, Europe and even Orkney, for an embroidery magical mystery tour. I'm Sally, the new editor of Stitch, and before I tell you about all the exciting things we've got in store, I'd like to say a huge thank you to my predecessor Kate for all the great work she did during her time in charge. She has modernised the whole magazine, overseeing the redesign, introducing new sections and features, and creating some really memorable issues. Her hard work and dedication has really moved Stitch forwards and I am sure you will join with me in thanking her for all her efforts.

And now it is an absolute pleasure for me to join Stitch at such an exciting time, when it seems that you can hardly pick up a newspaper or turn on the television without someone telling you what a hip hobby embroidery is! Whether it's hundreds of thousands of people signing up to see the latest embroidery superstars on Pinterest (like Kelly Fletcher and the Stitchsmith, both of whom we're very excited to be featuring in this issue), or TV programmes telling us about the restorative power of stitching, it seems like the rest of the world is catching on to something we've known for years - when all else fails, sew!

We're kicking off with our coverstar puffins in beautiful Orkney, then it's off for a minibreak to Bruges with our painted cityscape, then south through the Med into Africa to weave a basket using Shwe Shwe. Next it's back up through the Middle East, stopping off in Syria, then a lengthy sojourn in the subcontinent for kantha and finally we stop in New Zealand where we have some early Christmas embroidery.

I hope you enjoy the issue. I'd love to hear what you have to say, and what you want from the magazine in the future. I can't wait to hear from you. Happy Stitching!

Sally Saunders, Editor

In this issue:

	The New Zealand Christmas Tree - Folksy hand embroidery from the Stitchsmith
	Star of Syria - Brilliant beading and soutache combine
	Beautiful Bruges - Enjoy a citybreak from your sofa with our Little City machine embroidery
	A Wild World - Upcycle your old papers and trimmings into our stunning stitched collage
	Elephants on Parade - Pack your trunk with our fun wall hanging

Guarantee your copy in the future by taking out a subscription to Stitch. You can subscribe by clicking here subscribe online or by post or telephone as above

No postage or packing charge for the UK for subscriptions. For any enquiries please email subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk

Subscription rates inc p&p: UK £26.40, EU £32.70, The Americas £39.60, Rest of the World £42.00.

Our Facebook page also shares more images of past and present projects and features - like us at www.facebook.com/stitchmagazine

Subscribe to Stitch and receive a free 32-page bonus e-gift packed with 15+ gorgeous makes, both practical and gift projects including a laundry bag, a Sashiko bag, a button Heart pillow and a tote bag.

(offer applies to new and recent subscribers only (issue 98 onwards). Your e-gift will be emailed to you when payment has been taken. £12.49 will be taken every 6 months by direct debit, minimum term one year)

email: stitcheditor@embroiderersguild.com. Like us at: www.facebook.com/stitchwiththeeg