What Are You Stitching?

Sometimes the projects we feature in What Are You Stitching? follow a common theme – whether it be project type, subject or technique – but this week we’re sharing an eclectic mix of projects that have been created with the needles and threads of the Inspirations Community.

Booties | Judith Crabtree

‘I’ve been working on some embroidered booties and thought your readers might enjoy seeing them in their various stages of development!’

‘I make lots for the reborn doll ladies, mainly in the USA, and occasionally a pair are purchased for a Christening.’

Judith, somehow the smaller the item the more endearing it is, and these booties are no exception! They are beautifully stitched and carefully constructed.

Cards | Ann Martin

‘While reading through my Inspirations Magazines I came across the project ‘Cutie Pie’ by Kris Richards. Well, instead of putting the embroidery onto clothing, I’ve done small embroideries and made them into cards! The first has been gifted to newborn Nerys. These wee patterns are so cute – thank you so much for making them available for us to use.’

Ann, you’ve done a fabulous job of taking Kris’ designs featured in Inspirations issue #59 and converting them from baby’s clothes to baby’s cards! They’ll make a lovely keepsake to celebrate some very special arrivals.

Mermaid | Patricia Smith Gardner

‘I recently made this mermaid doll for a dear friend’s baby shower as she is crazy about mermaids! I know her nursery is ivory, grey and pink, so didn’t want to make her in the usual blues and greens. I have a lot of old laces in my collection and as I played with them, they became a natural material to use for a filmy, romantic mermaid.’

‘She has an embroidered face with grey eyes done in a variegated floss, with actual fake eyelashes from the drugstore! Her hair is all pearl cotton #5 in ivory, pink, beige and silver.’

‘My own daughter was the inspiration behind having real legs inside as she would have been upset with a doll who only had a tail, so I made her a tutu over the tail and when you take it off, she has legs and little lace ballet slippers.

She sits in the nursery as decor at the moment, but when dear little Frida is old enough, she might just get to play with her!

She was a joy to make and will be treasured by my friend.’

Patricia, your collection of lace became the perfect inspiration for the most romantic of mermaids! She will be a treasured addition to Frida’s nursery and will be most loved for years to come.

Wedding Bouquet | Jenny Whiteside

‘My daughter asked me to make her wedding bouquet and eight posies for her closest friends to carry. As the wedding took place on May 4th which is Star Wars day (as in May the 4th (force) be with you) the temptation was too great and I added a few tiny images to the bouquet.’

‘I also made eleven decorated Stormtroopers, and for the top table, a Darth Vader. Then Katie decided she would like her wedding car to be her much loved camper van, so I have been busily making hearts, flowers and bunting to decorate the interior.’

‘I am not complaining in any way and have had an absolute ball exercising my creative juices! Best wishes to you all and thank you for your newsletter which I look forward to reading and of course for Inspirations – the best magazine in the world ever!’

Jenny, never have we seen a more beautiful interpretation of a Star Wars theme! We hope Katie’s special day was simply stunning and can only imagine the number of compliments you must have received for the very creative way your stitching time and talent added to the day.

Have you stitched something that sits outside of the usual embroidery ‘box’? 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