What Are You Stitching?

Nature is always a source of inspiration. Whether it is the animal kingdom, the world of birds or insects, or the deeply varied world of plants, there are never ending possibilities in terms of projects, designs and ideas. For our final ‘What Are You Stitching?’ for 2020, this week we’re bringing you some wonderful projects that do a superb job of bringing the beauty of outdoors into the home.

Elizabeth Braun

‘Here’s my latest piece – my version of July in the local country park (Highwoods in Colchester, UK), which I’m lucky enough to live only a short walk from.’

‘I enjoy my stitching so very much more when the room is clean and tidy, the laundry is as up to date as is reasonable and the dishes are done. I can then settle down to my hoop or frame with a clear conscience and find the whole thing so much more satisfying.’

It is great to stitch with a clear mind and a clean house, isn’t it Elizabeth? Your lovely project is evidence of how well it works for you!

Sharlene Jones-Martin

‘I have been sitting in the only room in my house without a view working from home for the past months, and I was tired of not seeing nice things in my garden. So, I decided to stitch myself something green to look at.’

‘I sketched some leaves from outside – Monstera, Peace Lily, some assorted fern fronds, and more. The stitchery is just worked in stem stitch which is ideal for leaves. I am very happy with the result. It’s like a mini-window.’

It really is, Sharlene! What a fantastic way of bringing the outside in. We could imagine you turning your office into a whole, stitched, hanging garden.

Nicole Martin

‘This is Ana Mallah’s Sweet Succulents Pot 2 from A Passion for Needlework | Blakiston Creamery, which I had to ‘ad lib’ a bit. I only had 22-gauge wire and acrylic felt, but I was still pleased with result. I can recommend using book binding glue to adhere the fabric pot, however my son said I had to remember NOT to water it!’

Indeed, your succulent pot is realistic enough that you might just forget, Nicole! You’ve done a fantastic job on this lovely project.

Elsebeth Lagerstedt

‘This is the mood I was in last fall because we didn’t have any snow in Stockholm. It was ‘fall’ all through what normally should have been winter from a meteorological point of view. It also rained a lot, with flooding in parts of southern Sweden. Climate changes!?’

‘I stitched this on a very fine linen using sewing thread and coton á broder in different shades of brownish grey. I used backstitch and long running stitch for the fence.’

You’ve certainly captured the mood, Elsebeth. What a wonderfully atmospheric result from such deceptively simple stitches.

Do you like stitching plants or trees? How about flowers or shrubs? Do you love everything green and are you torn between gardening and embroidery? Or perhaps you prefer your gardens and plants to be managed by someone else while you focus on other subject and design

Whatever it is that inspires you, and whatever you like to stitch, we’d like to see it. Send us photos of your projects along with some information about it and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.au