Heart of Mine by Hannah Mansfield

Fusion cuisine has had a moment in recent years - that alchemy of taking two established culinary traditions and, through skill and imagination, forging something entirely new.

Needlework has its own fusion moments too, when a clever stitcher takes two well-loved techniques and combines them into something we've never quite seen before. Think along the lines of Crazy Patchwork or Whitework with Colour.

In her latest stunning creation, UK artist Hannah Mansfield takes that idea a step further in Heart of Mine from The Handpicked Collection 7.

In this piece Hannah fuses surface embroidery and beading - two techniques already comfortable in each other's company - and uses them together to conjure a third: lace.

The result is a collection of beautiful floral fillings sitting atop a delicate framework of antique lace trellis, sculptured to form a heart finished with beaded scalloped edging.

Then there is that striking ground fabric Hannah has chosen - the depth of colour in that navy silk satin-backed crepe is nothing short of sublime.

Heart of Mine really is a masterclass in illusion. Trellis couching forms the lattice ‘netting’, while rows of long and short stitch build dimensional petals across the design, and a constellation of beads - from tiny opaque rounds to glinting crystal bicones - stands in for the raised cords and clustered knots of needle lace, giving the whole heart a sense of texture and relief.

And then, just when you think Hannah has shown her hand, she adds a cherry on top.

At the centre of the design, she steps away from both surface embroidery and beading and embraces a third technique altogether - stumpwork - to create a spectacular three-dimensional flower.

Each petal is worked separately onto silk organza around a shaped wire edge, then cut out, gently curved by hand, and secured petal by petal around a beaded stamen centre.

The effect is a flower that anchors the design perfectly and elevates the finish by adding a special dimensional quality that is in perfect harmony with both the beading and surface embroidery.

As you read through the instructions provided inside The Handpicked Collection 7, you’ll discover a treasure trove of step-by-step instructions courtesy of Hannah, who has meticulously photographed every stage of her journey creating this beautiful design.

With the finished piece measuring 18cm x 19cm (7" x 7½"), Heart of Mine is available to purchase as a Ready-to-Stitch kit, which includes everything you need to re-create the project exactly as the original, including the threads, beads, wire, wool felt and fabrics.

Also, do yourself a favour and check out more of Hannah’s amazing work which you can enjoy at her website HERE.