Strawberry Fayre by Carolyn Pearce

You know what it’s like when you have a secret that you are so excited about, but you’re not allowed to tell anyone? Sometimes you think it’s going to burst out and you have to work so hard to keep it inside. That’s what it has been like for us over the past few months but at last we’re allowed to make the announcement…

We’re bringing back Carolyn Pearce’s magnificent project Strawberry Fayre!

When Strawberry Fayre was first published in Inspirations issue #95, it became an instant favourite. Like so many of Carolyn’s other projects, Strawberry Fayre was bursting with exquisite details, beautiful stitching and stunning construction. The heart shaped necessaire is an heirloom project that offers many glorious hours of stitching using gorgeous threads in an array of jewel-like colours.

At the time it was released, the project was so popular Inspirations #95 sold out almost instantly and we were unable to keep up with demand for the Strawberry Fayre kits.

Unless you were one of the lucky few who owned a copy of issue #95 or purchased a kit, the only way you’ve been able to enjoy this superb design is as a digital pattern. Until now!

Today, for the very first time, we are releasing Strawberry Fayre as a printed patten along with a limited number of Ready-to-Stitch kits.

Carolyn Pearce is perhaps most famous for her project Home Sweet Home that has been loved by stitchers the world over. Strawberry Fayre is another of her grand, heirloom-style designs with stitchers excitedly setting aside the hours and days required to complete this remarkable project.

The details in this design are simply incredible. The necessaire includes four heart-shaped pieces, beautifully laced together, that neatly close up to create an elegant case. Inside are a series of pockets for scissors and tools, as well as a pincushion, felt needle pages and thread holders, all embroidered with delicate flowers and strawberries in a range of surface stitches.

On the front and back of the case are two breathtaking floral designs that are highlighted with beads. Then the entire piece is finished off with a trio made up of a hanging pin wheel, strawberry emery and thimble pip.

It is the overall attention to detail and meticulous design that sets Carolyn’s pieces apart. From the magnificent, beaded cord through to the Dorset button and needlelace strawberry pairing to close the necessaire, you’ll be delighted constantly by the care and thought that Carolyn has put into this design.

Each element will give you immense pleasure to stitch, but when you bring it all together, the completed necessaire will speak for itself.

If you missed out on getting either the instructions in print or a kit when this project was first published, now is your opportunity. This is the type of project that quickly ascends to the top of anyone’s ‘must-stitch’ list. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing so many finished versions of Strawberry Fayre already, proudly sent to us by many of our readers, and we can’t wait to see many more.

Strawberry Fayre is already in our hall of fame along with Home Sweet Home as one of our most popular projects ever published, so we’re thrilled that it’s now available once again.

Make Your Own Strawberry Fayre

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Strawberry Fayre by Carolyn Pearce is a fabulous heart-shaped necessaire with pretty surface embroidery.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Strawberry Fayre includes everything* you need to re-create this heart-shaped necessaire: Fabrics (unprinted), felt, synthetic suede, ribbon, fusible webbing, interfacings, waddings, plastic ring, template plastic, acetate, emery powder, ribbon, mother of pearl button, thread rings, beads, scissor and ruler bead requirements, clear nylon 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.