Ann Alcorn

‘I thought I would share with you my most recent stitching. I've always admired goldwork embroidery, and so during the pandemic I took advantage of online workshops and seminars to learn more about this style of needlework.

However, as with all good intentions they lay half-done until earlier this year, when I decided that I really should get back to it.’

‘I had a very enjoyable spring/summer reconnecting with these pieces. Each one contains several goldwork techniques, some of which I had never done before:’

‘The Elizabethan Moth, designed by Zina Kazban, where the wing tips and antenna are done in Elizabethan twisted chain stitch, will be a Christmas gift for my daughter.’

‘The little lizard, designed by Georgina Bellamy (nicknamed Glossilla), is a 3D piece with lots of purls who zips around my house pausing in various locations to admire the view.’

‘The Opus Lady, designed by Tanya Bentham, is a traditional Opus Anglicanum piece, done using only split stitch and underside couching in silk and metal threads. I'd love to attach her onto an item of clothing so that she gets out and about into the world.’

‘The Or Nué dragon, designed by Helen McCook, is just that with lots of bright check purls in his wings. He is an apt tribute to 2024, the year of the dragon, and to getting all my goldwork projects finished.

I'd like to thank the designers for their creativity in keeping this ancient craft alive so that we can learn more about its history and enjoy stitching it ourselves. Looking forward to seeing what delights are in the next issue of Inspirations!’

Ann, it is so lovely to hear you reconnect with your embroidery especially after you took the time to learn the new technique during the pandemic. Your beautiful pieces showcase all the wonderful techniques you have mastered spectacularly! Your Or Nué dragon is so striking with the bright check purls and marks the year and your goldwork achievements superbly.

Kareen Stockton

_‘I have done hand work most of my life. My most treasured hours are when I am working on a project - quilting, needlepoint, and embroidery. _

My inspiration came from my mother, Helen. She was artistic her whole life with painting and needlework. Over the decades she used many different mediums to feed her passion.’

‘In her later years she turned to threadpainting. The photo is a design she put on her favourite denim jacket. I came to visit her one day in the 1980s and she had her jacket spread on the kitchen table and was sketching on it with a pencil. Beside her was her basket of thread. Though she was full Italian, she always was interested in Native American culture.’

‘The other photo is my mother wearing that jacket a few years before she passed away. After the denim jacket hung in my closet for a number of years, I had her artwork professionally framed and preserved.’

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story about your mother, Helen, and her wonderful stitching. Preserving her embroidery is such a meaningful way to honour her work and passions. So good to see that her love of stitching has been passed down and become a treasured part of your family history.

Ann Baseden

‘I saw some amazing, stitched boxes in All Stitched Up! recently and it reminded me of one I had done 40 odd years ago.’

‘I made one for my mother-in-law’s birthday. The cross-stitch embroidery, a monogram of her initials, was done over a piece of needlepoint canvas and, on completion, the threads of the canvas were removed to leave the embroidery slightly raised.’

‘I inserted this into the aperture in the lid of the box I had obtained. The box was covered in fabric and lined with silk. The ‘feet’ are four shank buttons.’

Your stitched box is divine, Ann and such a lovey gift for your mother-in-law. The raised effect you have created makes the embroidery standout and give the boxes a wonderful texture. Although made 40 years ago, it is a timeless piece that still holds a special place in your memory through to today which is priceless.

Have you mastered a new technique? Have you had a loved one’s work preserved? Or have you got a project you made long ago that is still in good use?

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com