As we were putting together this issue of All Stitched Up! the idea of stitching seeds and harvests came to mind. An obscure analogy perhaps but stick with us!

As we shared how some of the Inspirations Community took to the streets with needle and thread on World Embroidery Day, we realized that the idea of the day is to plant a seed of interest in those who may not be as familiar with the push and pull of needle and thread through fabric as we are.

It’s rare that a farmer would plant a seed without expecting to reap a harvest from their efforts, but whilst some seeds bear fruit in a relatively short period, some require the benefit of time and patience before a harvest is enjoyed. While planting to harvest usually follows a linear path, what about those times when something springs forth from the ground that no one can account for? You know, that random tomato plant that you occasionally find amongst your roses?!

And so it is with stitching ‘seeds’ - sometimes we introduce someone to our passion and they take hold of it instantly, whilst at other times we hear of someone who picks up needle and thread after being introduced to it many years ago. Sometimes the stitcher can pinpoint the exact seed of interest that was planted, whilst at other times there are fragments of seed, water and fertilizer that have been offered over time and suddenly they find themselves with a passion for needle and thread they can’t account for – much like the tomato amongst the roses!

Whatever the timeframe or path each stitcher takes to their harvest season, the common thread is that a seed was planted. So why not find someone you can plant the seed of stitching with today?! You never know the harvest they’ll one day reap…

Inspirations Printed Patterns are premium quality booklets with a laminated cover, pull-out pattern sheet and comprehensive step-by-step instructions for the featured design, exactly as they appear in Inspirations magazine.

Printed Patterns are perfect as gifts for friends or family members and also offer a lighter and more portable way of carrying around instructions for a project you’re working on. Plus, they are now available for some projects previously out of print.

Browse our ever-growing range of Printed Patterns today.

Hoops are an essential piece of kit in any embroiderer’s toolbox, and to ensure you have what you need to create the world’s most beautiful needlework, we’ve got some serious hoops for doing some serious stitching!

Nurge hoops are manufactured to the highest standards using laminated beech timber with brass clasps featuring slotted and hexagonal tightening heads to enable maximum tension. Nothing but the best, so you can stitch your best.

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a brand-new book that’s just been released by Chloe Giordano which is pretty special. You can read Mary Corbet’s very thorough and very positive review about it HERE.

Just type Chloe Giordano into any search engine or social app and you’ll be flooded with images of this wonderous new publication.

‘For needle-painting that will astound you with its lifelike, delicate beauty pick up this book and get lost in the magical woodland art of Chloe Giordano.’

All you really need to know is that if everyone in the needlework world is gushing about something this much, there’s a very good chance you’re going to feel the same way!

Copies of ‘The Embroidered Art of Chloe Giordano’ are now available on our website.

We’ve talked about knots before. We’ve talked about whether they should be on the back of the work or not, and we’ve talked about knotted stitches. And what about those knots that seem to form, no matter what you do, halfway through your stitching?

You can knot away to your heart’s content knowing they’ll all be put to good use to create fabulous textures in ‘Tied in Knots’ by Maria Rita Faleri from Inspirations issue #103.

Tied in Knots offers three projects to choose from. The Onion knot tassel is formed with simple overhand knots snuggled together to create seed-like bunches. Then you have the Turk’s head knot tassel – a project requiring a little more skill as the knots are worked over a piece of dowel. Through a combination of knotting and turning you produce berry-like clusters which are sewn together and adorned with a magnificent bead.

You’ll never look at knots the same again after completing one or all of these wonderful tassels. Even that pesky loop knot on the back of your work will carry its own special charm.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Tied in Knots by Maria Rita Faleri is three highly-textured Italian tassels made with linen threads.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for the Capuchin and Turk’s Head Knot Tassels include everything you need to re-create these fabulous tassels: Felt balls (Capuchin Knot Tassel), ceramic bead (Turk’s Head Knot Tassel), thread and needles.

Please Note: To cater for flexibility in purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step details on how to create this project, please refer to our magazine or printed/digital patterns.

Step 3 – Expand your collection

If you love ‘Tied in Knots’ why (k)not expand your collection of knotted tassels with the project ‘Fruit of the Vine’, another design by Maria Rita Faleri from her family of knotted tassels.

This pair of charming tassels captures the appeal of a luscious bunch of grapes using a range of knotting techniques.

Fruit of the Vine is part of our Handpicked collection with instructions available to purchase in print or digital.

Ready-to-Stitch kits are available for both the red and white varietals.

Tuscan Treasure by Patricia Girolami from Inspirations issue #84 is a unique knotted tassel with Italian origins.

Magnifique by Hazel Blomkamp from Inspirations issue #77 is an opulent tassel with superb stumpwork and beaded needlelace.

Private Collection by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #49 is a beautiful fob and tassel enhanced with beads and crystals.

Allegro by Susan Dickens from Inspirations issue #18 is a regal tassel of rich luxurious colours.

As much as we all love a framed embroidery, there’s only so many pieces our walls can hold! So, this week we’re sharing the stitching of the Inspirations Community who have thought outside the frame…

‘The brides colours were white and rose gold and because I could not find the braiding for the edge which included rose gold thread, I had to hand sew the rose gold thread into the braiding! I was very pleased with the end result.’

Biddy, we think you’ve well underestimated your ability as an embroiderer! You’ve done a beautiful job of designing and stitching the ring cushion which would have been a most welcome addition to the couple’s special day.

‘After focusing on Japanese Embroidery for eight years, I decided to kick off my Western Embroidery experience again by attending the needlework convention ‘Beating Around the Bush’ for the first time in 2018. I did a class with Jenny McWhinney and one with Hazel Blomkamp and finished both pieces. I’ve included a photo of the crazy patchwork sampler book I did with Hazel.’

I like to try new types of embroidery to improve my skills. The internet provides access to so many types of embroidery and embroiderers. There are many talented embroiderers in the world and how lucky are we to be able to see their work and admire it without necessarily having to travel!’

‘Keep up the great work with Inspirations magazine - it is full of wonderful ideas and projects to think about and try in the future.’

Gina, it was a pleasure to host you at Beating Around the Bush and we love the idea of a Sampler Book! Not only is it a great way to try myriad new techniques, but it becomes a fabulous resource to refer to for future projects.

‘This is my first attempt at drawn thread work and I’m not sure the photo has done it justice as it does look better in real life than in the photo!’

Kelvin, photos very rarely do our needlework justice! We love the natural tones of your stitching and think you’ve done a fabulous job of your drawn thread work. We look forward to seeing what your needle and thread attempt next.

Have you stitched something outside the frame? 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

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Maria Katarin's Reticule by Betsy Morgan is a counted work pouch with matching scissor fob, thread winder and ruler stitched with gorgeous colours and motifs.

Curtain Call by Susan O'Connor from Inspirations issue #89 is a pretty cross stitch lavender sachet in classic white thread on natural linen.

Sollerösöm by Christine P. Bishop from Inspirations issue #101 is a pretty pincushion and pouch worked in a Swedish counted technique

Fallahi by Deborah Love from Inspirations issue #72 is tasselled pincushion inspired by the embroidered cover of a Palestinian kohl container from the mid nineteenth century.

Edinburgh Etui by Betsy Morgan from A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII is a charming etui and accessories with counted work and surface embroidery.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~

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.