inspiration | ɪnspɪˈreɪʃ(ə)n
the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

vocabulary.com goes onto suggest that inspiration is ‘the process of breathing life into something’ and we love that definition, as isn’t that exactly what we do with our needles – breathe life into fabric simply by using threads and clever techniques?!

As we pondered the concept of breathing life into things, we realized how many layers of inspiration are contained within the pages of Inspirations publications and we think they’re all the richer for it.

Initially, capturing the world’s most beautiful needlework in print was the inspired idea of Inspirations’ founder. The baton of inspiration then becomes our Editor’s as they commission the designers to create something for publication. Each designer uses not only their own inspiration, but also that of countless others as they employ fabric, thread, needles and techniques all inspired by people who have gone before them and produced the tools of their trade. Once their piece arrives in the Inspirations office, our team are inspired to think about how each piece will be best captured in photography and written about in a manner that will allow you to recreate them picture-perfectly with your own needles and threads. It’s then our Stylist and Photographer who add their unique layer of inspiration as they prop, style, light and capture each piece. Finally, it’s our Graphic Designer who adds the final layer of inspiration to the photography selection and page layout and somehow, almost seemingly magically, all these layers of inspiration come together as if they were one!

The same is most likely true of your own needlework – the layers of inspiration run deep. No doubt your initial inspiration for picking up needle and thread can be attributed to someone or something, the tools of the trade you choose to employ will be inspired for a specific reason and then the inspiration for using your time and talent on a certain project, well the inspiration for that is seemingly endless! Subject, colour, size, technique, history, emotion…

We’d love to hear where your inspiration for all things needle and thread comes from, so email us what it is that inspires you to breathe life into your fabric at news@inspirationsstudios.com, we can’t wait to be inspired by your inspiration!

I fell in love with the picture in the catalogue, but I’ll admit I didn’t take in the full description of the class, so eager was I to work with Nicola and try out the piece. So, when I received an email from Nicola prior to the conference asking if I wanted her to send me the silk to frame up before the class, I agreed. What a wonderful surprise when it arrived and what a lot I had to learn.

I hadn’t realised that the design was pre-printed onto the silk, so I arrived at the class with my silk tightly laced to my slate frame, having no idea at all what we were going to do with it. And then I saw the original. Oh, my goodness! I couldn’t stop looking at it, exploring every detail with my eyes. The piece ticked every single box in my list of embroidery loves – sparkles, colour, stitch variety, beads, sequins and bling. What more could a girl ask for?

Nicola’s instructions were detailed and comprehensive, but she kept emphasising to us that if we wanted to stitch more or less, we were most welcome to do so. Because of the underlying colour, if you felt that a part of the design didn’t need as much embellishment, you could leave it off without detracting from the finished piece. On the other hand, I felt that some of the elements which Nicola hadn’t embellished on her original would benefit from a little more, and that was perfectly fine also.

As a person who constantly starts ridiculously large projects in the blind belief that I will live to 550 years old in order to finish them all, I was so pleasantly surprised at how achievable this exquisite piece was. With enough carefully placed stitches, and the glorious addition of beads and sequins, our printed silks came to life before our eyes.

But stitching this piece aside, I must comment on what a delight it was to have Nicola as a tutor. Her patience, her humour and her truly beautiful personality made the three days just fly.

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure and privilege of doing a class with Nicola, then I cannot recommend it enough. However, if that opportunity isn’t available, her personality is undoubtedly infused in her designs. Stitch one, and it is almost like you’re stitching with Nicola by your side.

There are lots of different reasons an issue of Inspirations Magazine sells out. Be it a commemorative issue like #100, the inclusion of a new or unusual technique, through to featuring a popular project – especially if that project appears on the front cover. And that’s exactly what happened with issue #94 when Sue Spargo’s project ‘Bright Bouquet’ adorned the magazine cover, it sold out very quickly!

This gorgeous sewing roll combines vibrantly coloured fabrics with fun embroidery stitches to fabulous effect.

With the project now available to purchase as a digital pattern, why not brighten up your March with some Sue Spargo magic?!

This elegant crewelwork cushion is designed by Di Kirchner and first appeared in Inspirations issue #78. In Good Time is worked using the extremely popular technique of crewel work but features a simplified yet stunning Jacobean design, making it a perfect starting point for anyone who is yet to try this style of needlework.

When our friends Needle Art House from South Korea contacted us to purchase stock of ‘More Beautiful Embroidered Blankets’ and found it was no longer in print, they came up with a creative solution.

After offering to help pay to re-print it we gladly accepted, and now ‘More Beautiful Embroidered Blankets’ is back in print for us all to enjoy!

If you love embroidered blankets, this book simply must be in your library. 9 gorgeous projects showcased with spectacular photography all with step-by-step instructions and full-size pattern sheets. Yet again needlework is making the world more beautiful, only this time thanks to our South Korean friends, one re-print at a time!

You may not realise it, but scientists have estimated that there are between 9,000 and 10,000 different species of bird in the world. From the largest ostriches to the tiniest hummingbirds, the diversity is phenomenal in terms of colour, size and characteristics.

Perhaps that is why we never tire of using birds in our embroidery, and Nicola Jarvis is one designer who captures the beauty and variety of our feathered friends perfectly.

‘Primavera’ from Inspirations issue #101 is a study of the Parus major, or Great Tit, a small but elegant bird that loves to visit Nicola’s garden in middle England.

Primavera first appeared as part of a larger piece by Nicola, entitled Peonies and Pear Tree, but its regal bearing and exquisite colouring singled it out as the perfect subject for its very own project.

We asked Nicola where her inspiration came from and she emphasised the importance of her garden for much of her subject matter. But she said she was also fascinated by the 18th Century Chinese-style paintings that adorn the walls of the Brighton Pavilion in Sussex and Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.

She was taken by the bird’s smart little ‘waistcoat,’ which became all the more ornate in this design with yellow silk and gold filament. Nicola said she just had to include the Great Tit into her ongoing narrative tales from the ‘Loveday Garden’ – a reference to the garden she inherited when she moved to Loveday Drive.

Stitchers may feel intimidated by the mix of beads, goldwork and silk embroidery that comes together to create Primavera, but Nicola did offer a few hints. In particular, she recommended switching to a no. 7 needle when working with the metallic filament. Although the needle may seem large, it creates a big enough hole that the delicate but ‘scratchy’ thread can glide through easily.

Another tip was in relation to the beads and sequins on the trellis. Nicola suggested putting an actual pin through each bead as you are stitching them onto the sequin to ensure they don’t ‘flip’ and expose the hole. Once you’ve stitched the bead and sequin down together, place a pin stitch just under the sequin to make sure they’re absolutely secure. Pin stitches are important for the crystals as well. They help secure each crystal and prevent them from becoming loose.

To achieve the brilliant colour of this piece, the design is printed in full colour on the fabric. However, if you prefer to trace the design yourself, you’re able to emulate the colour in whatever way you choose. Perhaps it is time to get the paints out?

When completed, the Great Tit, accompanied by Nicola’s signature ladybird and beloved butterfly, will bring the scent of the English countryside to any house.

When it was time to select a project from Inspirations issue #101 to create as our next enamel pin, we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use one of Nicola’s famous bird designs.

Named after the project itself, Primavera is the most intricate pin we have created to date. Incorporating all the signature elements of Nicola’s original design, this beautiful pin features a golden crown, geometric and lattice motifs, finished in soft pastel colouring. Could this be the world’s most beautiful enamel pin? Decide for yourself and purchase yours today…

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Primavera by Nicola Jarvis features a noble little bird in a pear tree embellished with beads, silk and metal threads.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Primavera includes everything you need to re-create this delightful bird: Pre-printed cotton fabric, embroidery threads, beads, sequins and needles.

We love hearing the inspiration behind the work of your needles and threads, and this week we share just that – the why behind the what of the stitching of the Inspirations Community!

‘I became enchanted with the Tudor Rose and after teaching myself how to do Blackwork using books that once belonged to my mother, I chose to stitch a miniature sampler. All the ‘samples’ in my work are historical reproductions or adaptations of antique designs that I found online.’

‘The Tudor Rose and its vines, however, are my design. I used black silk thread and a bit - just a tiny bit - of gold metal thread for the rose. The linen is Anne Boleyn linen from the Primitive Hare. I mounted the finished piece on an old board that I distressed and painted black.’

Nancy, we love that your enchantment with the Tudor Rose became your inspiration to stitch an historically inspired piece. We also love that you added your own design within it as well - and to think it’s all on such a small scale!

‘Thank you for your lovely and beautiful magazine. I am sending you an embroidered poem. The poem is by Hazel Hall. She was a very interesting and, I get the feeling, sad person. She wrote beautiful poems and within them you hear her longing to be out in the world, although she was handicapped and worked as an embroiderer at home. I embroidered this inspired poem on a piece of fabric from an old pair of jeans.’

‘It was a very restful activity. I hope you love the poem as much as I do. Thank you for all your inspiration!’

The Long Day | Hazel Hall

I am sewing out my sorrow,
Like a thread, wearing it thin;
It will be old and frayed to-morrow.
Needle, turn out; needle, turn in.

Sorrow’s thread is a long thread
Needle, one stitch; needle, two.
And sorrow’s thread is a strong thread,
But I will wear it through.

Then not only will sorrow
Be old and thin and frayed;
But I shall have to-morrow
Something sorrow has made.

Marjolein, we think the way you’ve captured Hazel’s poem is truly inspiring. What a lovely way to commit such poignant words, and in such a fitting manner to their subject!

‘Looking for ideas for my Goddaughter’s newborn twins, I sought inspiration from illustrated children’s picture book characters and decided on pictures for their bedroom walls.’

‘I hope you like them much as I enjoyed stitching them!’

Pam, we think being inspired to stitch for your Goddaughter’s twins pointed you in the right direction for the perfect inspiration! Their bedrooms will be all the richer for the time and talent you’ve poured into stitching some much loved characters from children’s literature.

Have you stitched something inspired? We’d love to share in your inspiration! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Sollerösöm by Christine P. Bishop is a pretty pincushion and pouch worked in a Swedish counted technique.

Edinburgh Etui by Betsy Morgan is a charming etui and accessories with counted work and surface embroidery.

~ H Jackson Brown Jr ~

Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our new What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.