What Are You Stitching?

While flowers are a perennial favourite, there are other fruits of nature which embroiderers love to stitch. Indeed, ‘fruits’ is the important word here, as we have several projects to share with you today that feature fruits and vegetables in glorious colour. From the humble strawberry to the intricate artichoke, nature produces natural art that translates perfectly into fabric and thread.

Kim Springhall, Carolyn Fewtrell and Dynesse Swan

‘Three of us bought the kit for Strawberry Fayre from Inspirations issue #95 as soon as it came out. We decided we could all do it together and help each other out with the tricky bits.’

From left to right: Carolyn’s, Kim’s and Dynesse’s finished projects

‘We met every Tuesday for a year, almost finishing before COVID-19 restrictions took hold. Even then, our little group (which grew larger with other stitching friends joining the fun) would meet via Zoom on our regular Tuesday for a chat and final finishing advice.’

‘It was a challenge for us and there may have been words uttered at times (not specifically mentioning our left hander!), but it was lovely to have each other to problem-solve all of the issues we faced. We gained so much from this project and have used the new stitches we learnt in subsequent projects.’

‘Our group is still going, spurred on by the experience, with other projects from our stashes or new creations.’

What a marvellous way to finish a complex project and to cement your friendship to boot. Kim, Carolyn and Dynesse, you should be very proud of such a wonderful achievement.

Julie Harvey

‘When I saw Julie Kniedl’s Grapes highlighted in All Stitched Up! issue #281 it prompted me to send in some pictures of my latest finish. This is Julie’s An Apple a Day.’

‘I’m usually a counted thread stitcher, but I love stumpwork and I’m always up for a challenge. The directions were very easy to follow and as I had purchased one of the Ready-to Stitch kits for this design, I had all the supplies I needed.’

‘I have kits for more of the projects from the Botanica book so now I need to decide which one I should do next!’

This looks so realistic Julie, you’ve done a superb done. We’re glad you enjoyed stitching it and we look forward to seeing what other delights you produce from Botanica.

Sally Randle

‘This is my canvas embroidery of an artichoke. I took the original photo of artichokes growing in the kitchen gardens at Hampton Court Palace in the UK and then developed a design and stitched the piece on 18 count canvas using Appleton’s crewel wools.’

‘The technique is called Tapestry Shading and is one of the modules I have recently completed while undertaking the Future Tutors course at the Royal School of Needlework.’

It’s a fantastic depiction of an artichoke, Sally, that looks so effective completed in the tapestry shading technique. We trust you’re enjoying your course at the RSN and a shout out to all the team there who do an amazing job.

Susan Osborne

‘I’ve just finished the Elizabethan Sweetbag from Inspirations issue #36 which I bought as a digital pattern. I dyed the silk fabric in coffee as suggested in the instructions to give it a traditional look.’

‘This is a project that will never be used but will be handed down in the family. I’m also hoping that I can enter it into our local flower show and try to win a cup!’

Congratulations on a magnificent finish Susan, you most certainly have created an heirloom project to be admired for years to come. We look forward to hearing how you go entering it in the flower show – hopefully you’ll be rewarded with a much-deserved win!

Do you love the rich colours and shapes of fruits and vegetables as subjects? Or do you prefer other kinds of food (to stitch, of course!). Or are you definitely sold on flowers, preferring them to nature’s other bounties?