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/

As a practicing artist based in Royal Leamington Spa, Nicola makes intricate drawings and paintings informed by natural forms, and English embroidery and decoration. Her work is held in private collections in the UK and Europe. In 1991, Nicola trained as a professional hand embroiderer at the Royal School of Needlework and developed a teaching career there. Between 1998 and 2004 she used her design and embroidery knowledge in a freelance capacity to produce embellishments for the British fashion industry. Returning to higher education in 2004, Nicola completed a BA (Hons) and MA in Fine Art, during which she participated in the Royal School of Needlework Foundation Degree course writing team for two years and was subsequently hired as Head of Technical Learning on the new course in 2009. Having relocated to the Midlands in 2011, Nicola runs an outreach centre for the Royal School at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum and continues to research art and embroidery. Nicola staged a solo exhibition at the William Morris Gallery from July to September 2013, entitled ‘The Art of Embroidery: Nicola Jarvis and May Morris’. The show received Heritage Lottery Funding from Arts Council England and toured William Morris homes around the UK..

Website: www.nicolajarvisstudio.com

Tracy is an internationally renowned freelance specialist embroiderer, dedicated to the delivery of fine embroidery. Originally working as a costume maker in London, she continued her career in embroidery training at the prestigious Royal School of Needlework, before embarking on a freelance career in 2001. Working from studio 3 in Fowlers Yard, Tracy is an acknowledged embroiderer, artist, teacher, designer, author, and leader of the Durham Cathedral Broderers. Tracy dedicates much of her time to teaching the Royal School of Needlework course, and running STITCHBUSINESS, a successful City & Guilds centre. She is the author of three publications, ‘New Ideas in Goldwork’, ‘Contemporary Whitework’, and self published, ‘Crewel work’. Telephone: 0191 3844263/07946 401368 Email: tracy@tracyafranklin.com

Website: www.tracyafranklin.com