What Are You Stitching?

Animals and birds are a common feature of traditional English crewel work and this week, inspired by Phillipa Turnbull’s Jacobean Stag featured in All Stitched Up! #177, we’re sharing some of the animals and birds that are also a common feature of our What Are You Stitching? files!

Hare | Delphine Morris

‘I loved the Leaping Hare design from your book A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII and was in the mood to try something with a calmer colour scheme as I normally like vibrant colours. I’ve sewn some Hardanger and a little bit of pulled thread work, but Casaguildi was a technique I hadn’t tried.’

‘When it came to sewing the border I changed how it looked by using somersault hem stitch with some matching beads, instead of the peahole hemstitch used in the book. Then I added the beads to the border around the hare just for balance.’

Overall, I’m pleased with the final result although I can see the faults – I’m hyper critical of my work and doubt I’ll ever change! Best wishes to all and many thanks for producing such beautiful publications.’

Delphine, you’ve done a beautiful job of recreating Barbara Kershaw’s Leaping Hare! We love that you stayed true to her original design but found a way to incorporate a little of yourself along the way with a change of stitch and the addition of beads.

Hare | Vicky Jackson

‘This is the embroidery I did for last year’s Christmas card. Each year my husband scans and then prints that year’s design. This year I decided to feature a hare which I drew from an image on the internet. Originally the hare was to have a halo of mistletoe around his ears, but after two failed attempts at different stumpwork methods I ran out of time and decided a hanging sprig of mistletoe would have to do instead!’

‘If I were to do it again I would have him peeking out from the branches of a Christmas tree but, so be it, thus are the delights and hazards of creating your own design within a very short time! The most commented upon, and loved, element were his eyelashes.’

Vicky, we think your hare is just gorgeous and that you and your husband make an amazing team! The recipients of your Christmas cards definitely benefit from the time and talent you pour into them each year.

Owls | Pat Armour

‘A very good stitching friend of mine had a significant birthday and I wanted to make something special for her. Christy loves owls and introduced me to the beauty and intrigue of paisley designs. I combined these two elements into a stitching companion, Christy’s Paisley Owl!’

‘There is a needle case and scissors holder on the back. Another good friend had given me some beautiful pale-yellow Shantung silk which I gladly used as the ground fabric. The stitching is done with embroidery floss with the addition of some beads, square sequins, and crystals for a bit of bling.’

‘I’m very pleased with the outcome and I hope you enjoy it too. The arrival of my new issue of Inspirations whets my appetite and urges me to try greater things. Thank you for your continued high-quality projects, articles and inspiration.’

What a fabulous gift Pat! You’ve poured your time and talent into something that is equal parts form and function and has combined Christy’s love of owls and paisley into something that will be both well used and much treasured.

Although animals and birds are usually a common feature of our What Are You Stitching? files, this week’s newsletter has made them all but extinct! If you’ve stitched a little critter or a fine feathered friend, our files are crying out for them. Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com