The first ever National Needlecraft Awards took place on Thursday 1st March, 2018 at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Olympia, London where the UK’s most talented needlecrafters were recognised at the SewandSo National Needlecraft Awards. With nearly 500 entrants across 8 categories, attendees at the Knitting & Stitching Show braved the bad weather to recognise the winners. SewandSo.co.uk is the UKs largest online needlecraft retailer, and from its offices in Exeter and Tewkesbury ships more than 34,000 stitching products internationally. The company’s mission is to celebrate UK stitching and stitchers and believe that crafting makes for happier lives.
Across a range of categories entrants were shortlisted by public vote with finalists selected by a panel of expert judges. The awards were run by SewandSo.co.uk and sponsored by DMC. Among the highlight awards were the Young Needlecrafter of the Year, open to entrants under 16 and won by Jade Kingsman. Kirsty Gowton was the winner of Stitching Hero of the Year for her charitable work with cross-stitch. The Grand Prix prize of Needlecrafter of the Year was awarded for design, complexity, technique and scale of the project. The winner of this flagship award was Victoria Matthewson.
Full list of categories and winners:
Designer of the Year (Cross-stitch): Genevieve Brading
Designer of the Year (Other Needlecraft): Emily Peacock
Best use of Colour (Cross-stitch): Fiona Johnston
Best use of Colour (Other Needlecraft): Emma Astle
Best Contemporary Embroiderer: Eleanor Fredrick
Stitching Hero of the Year: Kirsty Gowton
Young Needlecrafter of the Year: Jade Kingsman
Needlecrafter of the Year: Victoria Matthewson
Click here to find view work from the winners.
