What Are You Stitching?

Inspired by the beauty of Trish Burr’s tulips as featured in this week’s All Stitched Up!, this week we take a walk through the gardens that have been created by the needles and threads of the Inspirations ‘family’…

Ann Martin | New Zealand

‘Having purchased this kit from Inspirations several years ago, I put it in the too hard basket. Well, having attempted several other Inspirations projects it was time to start this one! Although each project is a learning curve for me, it took no time at all from start to the finished item. I’m now in the process of collecting threads and fabric for many more beautiful Inspirations embroidery projects. Keep up the interesting newsletter, Ann.’

Ann, your version of ‘Lilac and Linen’ from Inspirations Issue #51 is picture perfect and must be a lovely addition to your home décor. We look forward to seeing what’s next from your needle and thread!

Annette Rich | Australia

‘This is a Supper Cloth I embroidered in 1949/50. The fabric is linen with a stamped design on each of the four corners. The fabric is 121cm square and the design was worked using two strands of thread.’

‘I was quite young when I worked this cloth and I’ve never been able to bring myself to use it.’

‘My other piece is more modern in origin as it’s from the late 90’s. It was designed by myself and worked with Edmar threads. I enjoy designing projects using our amazing wildflowers which give me continual delight and inspiration.’

Annette, we love that your stitching journey has taken you from stitching with a stamped design all the way to designing your own pieces!

Betty Fikes Pillsbury | USA

‘When I was recovering from ankle surgery, hand stitching saw me through. I created the damask rose with 32mm silk ribbon and the background in silk velvet. Dyed lace, cup chain, crystals, silk ribbon, glass pearls, glass seed beads, glass bugle beads, crystals and crystal findings round out the materials I used. The peonies in the vase I added for the photo had just finished blooming.’

Betty, what picture-perfect flowers you’ve created with needle and thread and we love that stitching was your companion through a difficult time!

Ellen Schellekens Tilburg | Netherlands

‘My whole stitching life I had stitched antique samplers in cross stitch, but after taking a workshop on Crewelwork with Jessica Grimm in Germany, this became my new love! I lived in the USA for 18 months because of my husband’s job and as I wasn’t working, I had lots of time to spend on my hobby – so, I did! I bought a slate frame and a pair of trestles and got started on these flowers.’

‘I printed them from the internet and drew them on a piece of yellow/beige linen. I had a stash of Au Ver à Soie threads and stitched these pieces with just one thread of silk, which was more difficult than using Appleton’s Wool on linen twill, like they usually do in Crewelwork. I really needed my glasses and a bright light, but it was addictive! I worked for three months on each flower for several hours each day using one thread.’

Ellen, was there anything better you could have done with your time in the US than indulge your love of needle and thread?! We think not. Your results are simply spectacular, and the time invested in each piece is well worth it.

Do you have something to add to our flower garden? If so, we’d love to see it! Email through what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com