This week we have the privilege of sharing the work of Betsy Morgan as we launch her new book ‘Willing Hands | The Counted Thread Embroidery of Betsy Morgan.’

Betsy’s book opens with a verse from the Bible on plying the work of our hands, from which the name of both her business and the book are derived.

~ Proverbs 31:13 ~

Willing can be described as ready, eager or prepared to do something. It speaks of choice. Of wanting to do something rather than needing to do it.

The history of needle and thread speaks of both need and want. For many, there was a need to produce or repair textiles to clothe families and furnish homes, but there was also the desire to produce things of beauty that were embellished by the work of one’s own hands.

For many of us, the time we spend with needle and thread is a want, a pastime that’s become a passion or even an obsession. But beyond our willingness to ply our trade, there needs to be an element of doing as it’s not willingness or intent that gets something done, it’s the act of actually doing it!

While each of us have seasons where our stitching will have to give way to ‘life’ itself, sometimes it’s worth looking into where the time we once dedicated to needle and thread is now spent and see what else in our life has become a priority.

Thinking about whether our willingness and intent line up helps to ensure our willing hands remain productive hands…

One of the drivers of this movement in the UK is activist and dedicated crafter, Sarah Corbett. She founded The Craftivist Collective in 2008 and soon attracted a following of like-minded stitchers who were also interested in committing their needlework skills to the cause.

~ Sarah Corbett ~

Like any movement, Sarah set up a manifesto. It might be political, but in reality, it simply summarises what most embroiderers, knitters, stitchers and crafters already think. Take it slow; find comfort in contemplation; share with others without judgement; forget about imperfections; work with others; be beautiful, kind and just.

As good as this sounds, the question is – does it work? Can our stitching really make a difference in the world? Well, so far Sarah’s group has successfully campaigned to ensure 50,000 Marks and Spencer’s employees received a pay increase which exceeded the UK ‘Living Wage’ standards, protected migrating birds in Spain from dredging, and highlighted many other issues including voter apathy, and developed a strategy plan for a positive future. All this and more, simply by using needle and threads to engage in gentle protests.

If this sounds like something you would like to be involved in, you can start by finding a local craftivist organisation. They are popping up all over the world as the movement gains momentum. There are also several books on the market that give advice, examples of projects and lots of encouragement.

Or better still, why not form your own group of like-minded stitchers? You need only focus on one issue to start, something you all believe in passionately and something you know would make the world a better place. You can also watch the TED Talk by Sarah Corbett where she explains her approach to craftivism and shares some ideas that have helped her be affective in making positive change.

If you are wondering what all the fuss is about, Betsy Morgan has been wowing us since she first appeared in Inspirations Magazine back in issue #53.

Today we have the great privilege of releasing Betsy’s first ever book ‘Willing Hands | The Counted Thread Embroidery of Betsy Morgan’.

‘Willing Hands’ is a collection of eight never before published projects. These enchanting etuis, each with matching needlework accessories, are all created using a variety of counted thread embroidery techniques.

Embroidered with a graceful tracery of flowers and leaves surrounding a pair of songbirds in flight, timeless whitework techniques have been used to stitch this exquisite linen batiste cushion.

Social media is all about silly cat videos, right? Well, we have to admit, we did laugh out loud when we saw this.

These custom-made hats for cats have become increasingly intricate and even a little eccentric over the years – perhaps a little too much judging by the look on the cat’s face!

Unspeakably and undeniable cute, but we do wonder what is going through the minds of these furry creatures as they pose for their owners. Kitty fur couture, anyone?

You can read more about these fabulous felines and their furry hats on the Colossal website HERE.

19th century samplers from Virginia often featured a house set in a garden as the focal point. Betsy designed a motif in this style for the front panel of the etui to honour her connection to Virginia, the state that was her home for 24 years. The back panel, with a beautiful floral motif, references 17th century English sampler bands. One end panel showcases Assisi work and the other end panel, with an alphabet and band designs, represents Bristol orphanage samplers.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Elizabethan Casket by Betsy Morgan is a superb box etui inspired by a 17th century embroidered casket.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit *

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Elizabethan Casket includes everything you need to re-create this superb etui and accessories: Fabrics (unprinted), interfacing, interlining, mount board, felt embroidery threads, ribbon and needles.

*Please note: This kit is currently available for pre-order as we await the arrival of the final threads to complete the kit.

The Tooth Fairy by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #99 is two adorable counted work boxes for special tooth fairy deliveries.

Tall Year Square by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #93 is a superbly detailed counted work etui that will take you through the four seasons.

As we were looking through ‘Willing Hands | The Counted Thread Embroidery of Betsy Morgan’ we realised that it’s one of the few books we’ve published that doesn’t contain anything framed! That got us searching our What Are You Stitching? files to see how many other things created by the needles and threads from the Inspirations Community have been fashioned with the same end mind – to sit outside a frame.

‘It has a little bit of everything - machine embroidery, hand embroidery, beading, appliqué, metal tassels, and book making. The purse itself is made from silk hunter green velvet lined in ultra-suede.’

Your purse really does have a little bit of everything – colour, charm, dimension and a little touch of whimsy! What a lovely way to pour your time and talent into such a thoughtful gift.

‘I live in the Southern Peloponnesus area of Greece near Kalamata which is famous for its olives, and a place of outstanding beauty where the Tayegatos Mountains come down to the sea.’

‘I took a step away from my more traditional embroidery when my granddaughters were born and decided to make a doll. It wasn’t easy as I didn’t have a pattern so with trial and error and attempting to draw heads that weren’t too big or legs too skinny, I finally managed to create a pattern that I was happy with!’

‘I hand stitch each face and love that every one is different and seems to have an expression all of its own. My daughter was so pleased with her daughter’s doll that she shared a photograph with her friends and suddenly they all wanted one.’

‘In fact, one of her friends who has two sons asked if I could make the Lost Boy from Peter Pan, I said I would give it a go and she was very happy with the one I created.

Susan, what an enchanting collection of dolls you’ve created with needle and thread! We can only imagine the hours of friendship and magic they’ve provided each child who they’ve been gifted to.

‘This photo is of the Wanaka Embroidery Guild’s latest group project. Our Guild members chose to stitch ‘Red Currants’ from the book ‘Botanica | The Three-Dimensional Embroidery of Julie Kniedl’ to work on together.’

‘We all loved them, and we had 15 members participate, although some have not yet competed them. Our Guild now receives your fabulous magazine and many items and kits have been made so far. I purchased the book ‘A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII’ and have spent many hours admiring the contents – the book is so beautiful! We all love receiving the weekly newsletter as well. Jane.’

Jane, we appreciate your kinds words about our publications and love the Guild’s abundant supply of Red Currants – red currant jelly anyone?! It’s amazing how each bunch of currants differs slightly depending on the branch they’ve been affixed to.

‘I thought I would share with you a couple of my tassels. They have knotted crowns which is a technique I developed in the mid 1990s. I have taught classes to show others the various steps in making these tassels.’

‘As you can see, they are multi-colored, made of floss and decorated with various sized beads. I developed the technique in order to have the tassels match exactly to my needlework. These tassels were also featured in the American Needlepoint Guild’s magazine Needlepointers.’

‘Please, please, please keep up the good work of your magazine and weekly newsletter. I look forward to both and plan to keep receiving them in the years to come. It is still the best needlework magazine ever published!’

Jeanne, we love that you developed your own technique to make such gorgeous tassels - they say when there’s a will, there’s a way and when colour-matching became your will, the knotted crown became your way!

Have you created something with needle and thread that’s been designed to sit outside the frame?! We’d love to see it. Email photos of your work along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Yes it’s true – last week we had to make a confession that the Beating Around the Bush 2020 Catalogue is running a tad late!

The good news however is we’re just putting the finishing touches on it now so make sure you read next week’s edition of All Stitched Up! when all will be revealed….

An exclusive range of Ready-To-Stitch kits from the talented Trish Burr is now available through Inspirations.

Prancer by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue #88 is a contemporary whitework portrait of a stylish reindeer.

From My Garden by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue #84 is a scene of delightful threadpainted sweet peas.

Forest Kingfisher by Trish Burr from A Passion for Needlework features a noble, native kingfisher perched high above the ground on a slender branch of flowering gum.

Magnolia by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue #68 is a gracious botanical study that captures the fragile, transient beauty of this stunning flower.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ~

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.