Stylish Succulents by Renette Kumm

While not all of us are good at gardening, there are probably very few of us however, who don’t admire a beautifully laid out garden with flowers bursting from every bed and perfectly selected plants providing a stunning contrast to one another. But there is a difference between admiring and achieving.

For those of us who don’t have green fingers, succulents can provide the solution. Known for their hardiness, their ability to thrive even in the driest of climates, and their wonderful immunity to neglect, succulents can fill a garden with a riot of colour and some of the most brilliant flowers imaginable without requiring the magical green fingers of an accomplished gardener.

The name ‘succulent’ comes from the Latin ‘sucus’ which means sap or juice.

They store water in their chunky leaves which makes them drought-resistant and tolerant to even the most neglectful custodian who only remembers to water once in a blue moon.

So, not only does this fabulous range of plants represent the hardiest of little characters, they are also incredibly varied in size, shape and, most importantly for those of us with an artistic eye, colour.

This wonderful variety makes succulents the ideal subject for embroidery. Renette Kumm, herself from a country known for its dry climate (South Africa) has been inspired by the huge and varied range of succulents and has translated them into a stunning threadpainted tote.

Appearing for all the world like a bunch of flowers, the colours and tones of this project are all in the leaves of the particular varieties which Renette has chosen to stitch. The eye is drawn to the blues, purples and blue-greens of the central plants, and then sweeps outwards along the greens to whites of the outer varieties.

As well as colour variation, each plant offers slightly different textures, from the sharp pointed leaves in the centre, to the fat, round, bubble-like leaves on the outside of the group.

It is only when you look very closely at the shading Renette has employed that you’ll truly appreciate the vast array of colour which serves to create the effect of Stylish Succulents.

Each leaf has its own tonal range with no two being exactly the same, just as in nature. This provides the stitcher with endless variety and enjoyment, and results in a brilliant piece, all ready for making up.

Although this project would look stunning on the wall of any home, why would you hide it away? Renette has designed Stylish Succulents to be finished as a hardy tote bag, complete with hand quilting and shaped to fit any on-the-go stitching project, trip to the grocery store or, dare we say, visit to the garden centre to buy some more succulents for the garden?

Stylish Succulents from Inspirations issue #107 is a project with a difference. With all of the many flower projects available to stitch, it is wonderful to come across a project with just as much colour but without the same flowers we so often see. And best of all, we guarantee that no gardening experience is required!

Make Your Own Stylish Succulents

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Stylish Succulents by Renette Kumm is a roomy tote bag with a threadpainted arrangement of colourful succulents using wool threads.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Stylish Succulents includes everything* you need to re-create this stunning bag: Fabrics (excluding lining fabric), fusible wadding, 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 magazine/digital pattern.