Chatelaine by Susan O’Connor

There are some projects that have appeared in Inspirations magazine over the years that have become iconic favourites. These projects never date, they never grow old and they never lose popularity. They’re the projects that people love to stitch year after year, and we get enquiries about on a regular basis.

One of those iconic projects is Chatelaine by Susan O’Connor, which was first published in Inspirations issue #89.

It combines some of the finest surface embroidery worked in exquisite silk with delicate goldwork touches and sparkling paillettes. 

The project includes a scissor sheath, an elegant pinwheel and a gorgeous needlebook, with each item bordered with a corded coral stitch and hanging from a gold twisted cord.

Chatelaines were decorative clasps or belt accessories that women wore at the waist so they had all of their useful tools to hand at all times. On the series of cords or chains would hang items such as scissors, thimbles and keys. Over time, the chatelaine has become a useful tool for the needleworker with modern chatelaines including needlebooks and other stitching tools as well, so those essential stitching items are always nearby.

Although the two colour options for this project appear the same, there are subtle differences in the shading on the roses that give a very different effect. This means that you don’t have to choose between creating the set in red or in pink – you can happily do both and enjoy two different accessory sets.

The crisp, elegant design and stunning finish will ensure that you’ll want to create more once you’ve finished a set. It explains why this project has been consistently stitched and loved since the day it was first published.

Our Ready-To-Stitch kit has all of the materials required to create the beautiful red Tudor Rose version of the design, including all of the silk, gold thread and paillettes. 

Whether you stitched Chatelaine by Susan O’Connor when it was first published or you haven’t yet had the pleasure of stitching it, now is the perfect time to select it as your next, must-do project. 

If you have ever tried to purchase a printed copy of Inspirations issue #89, you’ll know that it’s almost impossible, thanks to the popularity of this project. Now you can once again enjoy this magnificent design in premium quality print with the release of the Printed Pattern.

Instructions are also available as a digital pattern, so whether you’re one of the lucky ones who has a rare copy of issue #89 or need to purchase the instructions to go with the Ready-To-Stitch kit, we’ve got you covered.

It is time to stitch one of Inspirations magazine’s most iconic projects and find out why so many others have sung the praises of Chatelaine in the past and continue to do so to this day.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Chatelaine by Susan O’Connor is an elegant collection of scissor sheath, needlebook and pinwheel.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Chatelaine includes everything* you need to re-create these precious sewing accessories: Fabrics (unprinted), wadding, mother of pearl rings, glass-head pins, bead, ribbon, firm card, paillettes, sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the printed/digital pattern.