You may be familiar with Sashiko, but probably not in the form we’re referencing today!

Recently more than 100 countries from all over the world took part in the annual ‘Global Game Jam’. Whilst officially based out of Melbourne, Australia, the world’s largest game creation event takes place simultaneously around the world at various physical locations.

The structure of the jam is that everyone gathers on Friday afternoon, at a location local to them, and watches a short video over the internet where a secret theme is announced for that year’s jam. All sites worldwide are then challenged to make a game that must be completed by Sunday afternoon based on that theme.

The theme for 2020 was ‘repair’ and journalist, Michael Mackenzie, from the Australian Broadcasting Commission discovered some of the games created were genuinely therapeutic, but one in particular caught his attention - Helen Kwok and Tabitha Leimonis’ game, ‘Sashiko | A Japanese Sewing Game.’

‘Sashiko is a meditative sewing game based on the Japanese form of decorative stitching of the same name. Sashiko is used to reinforce or repair worn clothing with patches, making the piece of clothing stronger and warmer. Players physically sew using a needle on a custom-made sewing circuit board, following the geometric pattern displayed on the screen. There is no time limit, there is no right or wrong. Just sew to your heart's content!’

Upon trying the game Michael declared that he felt a sense of achievement as soon as he’d completed his first stitch and then went on to state that ‘I could’ve continued but I was seriously worried I’d lose the power of speech and fall into a meditative haze’ before moving on to trial the next of the Global Game Jam’s creations.

Although Michael’s stitching was all but virtual for the most part, we love that he discovered in an instant what we all know to be true – the simple act of pushing needle and thread through fabric is a truly meditative experience where we sometimes find ourselves lost for words and in somewhat of a stitching induced haze!

We just hope that those who try Sashiko | A Japanese Sewing Game will move from the virtual to the real and find themselves genuinely lost in the pursuit of tangible needle and thread…

You would be forgiven for thinking that the calendar project for April had just cheekily emerged from a meadow of spring flowers. Clive is Hazel Blomkamp’s chameleon, featured in Inspirations issue #100, festooned with beaded flowers and bursting with character. His expression speaks of mischief while his colouring and floral camouflage are pure opulence.

Clive’s skin is worked with subtle surface embroidery in shades of chartreuse, soft blue, peach and strawberry pinks. His sinuous shape is highlighted with curving lines and he’s covered from head to tail in spectacular flowers created entirely from beads.

Using Hazel’s signature style, filled with exquisite detail and unique stitch combinations, Clive the Chameleon is one of those projects that is simply crying out to be completed.

You can admire this month’s photograph, but you’re sure to adore the actual project which sparkles and shines in a way that no camera can truly capture.

The third and final release in our collection of new books grouping some of our most popular projects from the magazine by technique, is now available.

Whitework Inspirations, is all about… yep you guessed it, nothing more and nothing less than the complete purity and elegance of whitework.

Refined designs, monochromatic patterns, intricate stitches – whitework is a technique that is as spectacular as it is timeless.

Without the addition of colour, the textures and complexity of the stitches are amplified through light playing across the surface and creating contrast.

Whitework Inspirations will teach you the origins, the stitches and the techniques that are unique to whitework as well as take you step-by-step through 8 remarkable designs from some of the world’s most talented needlework artisans. Click below to order your copy today.

At last, the wait is almost over! We are thrilled to announce the launch of the stunning new book by Margaret Lee entitled ‘The Art of Chinese Embroidery 2 - Intermediate Level’.

After the success and global recognition of Margaret’s ground-breaking work in her first book ‘The Art of Chinese Embroidery 1 - Foundation Level’, which documented and translated into English the remarkable secrets of this ancient technique, Margaret is now back with more.

This innovative and exciting embroidery technique helps you achieve photographic results once thought unachievable with needle and thread.

The Art of Chinese Embroidery 2 contains 9 breathtaking projects, from the beginner’s tutorial through to complex portraits and still life designs, all with the expert guidance for which Margaret Lee is famous.

This book also helps you understand all of the concepts that Margaret is teaching, allowing you to use the techniques on your own choice of subjects.

Margaret is one of the most talented needlework artists of our time and together with the amazing support of her husband David, they work tirelessly to serve the needlework community by teaching and demonstrating the power of stitching everywhere they go.

The Art of Chinese Embroidery 2 is yet another milestone achievement in Margaret’s remarkable career and is now available for pre-order.

Here at Inspirations we’re always striving to bring you the world’s most beautiful needlework projects. Readers of our magazine will also know that we bring you the world’s most beautiful articles about needlework each and every issue as well.

It is with this idea in mind that we are now beginning to publish selected articles from past magazines for the whole world to read and discover at any time, right on our website.

The first article we’re re-publishing is Ansie van der Walt’s great piece on the film Black Panther from Inspirations issue #103, which showcases the stunning work of Hollywood costume designer Ruth Carter.

To read the article click HERE.

Feel free to share it with your friends and on social media if you enjoy reading it and be sure to watch the Inspirations website for more great articles from our archives that will be appearing in the near future.

Prior to 1695, the deliciously scented and vibrantly coloured flowering pea plant, or sweet pea as you may know it, only existed on the edge of country laneways and hedgerows in Sicily.

Academic and botanist, Father Cupani simply had to share his discovery with his green fingered correspondents across Europe.

One of his colleagues in England was an enthusiastic gardener by the name of Dr Robert Uvedale. This gentleman shared the seeds received from the good Father with many of his gardening friends, and by the mid 1700s, the Sweet Pea was being sold commercially.

The craze for this flower, looking so much like a child’s bonnet and smelling like the sweetest of perfumes, built slowly. However, by the twentieth century there were high stakes competitions being run in Britain, searching for the best bunch of sweet peas one could grow.

By that point the plant appeared in myriad colours, from whites to pinks to delicate purples. One can only imagine the heady scent which must have filled the judging area during that inaugural competition.

However, the riot of colour which would have resulted when the judges received the 2500 plus entries could not have come close to the delicate beauty that Cynthia Jackson has achieved with her stunning silk and goldwork project from Inspirations issue #105.

Demonstrating in magnificent glory how this plant is more than just it’s flower, the aptly named ‘Simply Irresistible’ is an elegant study of a plant still wildly popular among gardeners the world over.

Cynthia, who is making her debut appearance in Inspirations magazine (welcome to the family Cynthia!) has utilised her expert knowledge about a unique silk and goldwork technique to design a striking and accurate botanical study. The magnificent juxtaposition of shimmering gold and metal threads with soft silk emphasises each curve, bump and detail of this flowering pea plant.

In keeping with all good botanical studies, Cynthia displays the plant in all of its stages, from the early, smooth pod on the right, through to the open pod, bursting with swirling golden peas on the left.

Her violet-coloured blooms display hints of stripes and flecking, elements which took many a devoted gardener years to achieve. You, however, can achieve it with your well-placed stitches, picked out in sparkling gold and guaranteed never to fade.

The wonderful effect of this project is achieved through careful placement of the stitches, particularly the silk. It is stitch direction which gives the mature leaves such body, and stitch direction which provides the indicator as to what stage the pod is at.

Being mindful of where you are laying your stitches will also help when it comes to later couching the gold thread, the element which, we’re sure you’ll agree, sets this project apart.

Interestingly, it seems that in recent years, as sweet peas have grown in predominantly urban areas, their rich scent has faded. Victims of air pollution and reduced numbers of pollinators, we can only imagine what the sweet smell must have been like when Father Cupani was strolling the lanes.

Fortunately, Cynthia’s flowering pea plant is designed to dazzle other senses, ensuring that you can record this historical plant for generations to come.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Simply Irresistible by Cynthia Jackson raises the humble pea plant to glorious heights, with a stunning combination of silk embroidery and goldwork.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Simply Irresistible includes everything you need to re-create this superb study: Fabrics (unprinted) wool felt, silk and metal embroidery threads and needles.

Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern.

Peas & English Daisies by Susan O’Connor is an embroidered pinwheel with Elizabethan inspired botanicals.

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

Redouté's Sweet Peas by Trish Burr is a captivating study of sweet peas reproduced from a 17th century painting by PJ Redouté.

We all know how wonderful and therapeutic stitching can be, and most of us have experienced how encouraging and supportive the stitching community is. It’s all part of the reason we love what we do and can’t seem to get enough of our passion.

So today, we wanted to bring you three inspiring stories from readers who have made connections and helped fellow stitchers through their work.

‘All of us wrote a bit about ourselves and it accompanied the little quilt. My swap partner, Lynn and I still write to each other and have become friends over the years, even though we have never met in person. So, we ended up with so much more than just a mini quilt.’

‘She was the perfect match for me, my son has autism and she was an occupational therapist in special needs. She understood our life and challenges without us having to explain it to her. We both quilt and both love the colour blue, and our regular letters to each other were filled with chat.

It was the start of a journey and a friendship which has lasted 20 years.’

‘Here is a photograph of the quilt I received from Lynne, as well as my quilt I ‘swapped’ (I created an identical copy of the quilt I had sent).’

‘I then stopped stitching for about 35 years. On becoming a widow, a lot of help was needed.

I often find denim jeans in second-hand shops. Loads of blossoms are added, sometimes over foliage, some getting stems and leaves after stitching the flowers.’

‘A friend with a fine arts degree has suggested some modifications. Other friends find threads at estate sales. Over a year can be spent stitching one pair of jeans as I do most of it in waiting rooms.

I give the jeans to the poor, my theory being that having a pair of pants that fit might be appreciated. The bright blossoms are meant to offer a bit of cheerfulness in less than ideal situations. Each flower helped me smile.

The price is right. The therapy is positive and easy to generate with minimal effort.

Without using patterns, anything goes. If something looks wrong, I stitch next to or over the ‘error’. Lazy daisies are quick, easy, and cover a lot of ground. Loads of stitches get added into the mix, but the lazy daisy keeps winning my favour.’

‘I’ve just started as an Embroidery Therapist and while I don’t have much experience with needle and thread yet, I want to grow with the customers as I do my work.’

‘I hope that my embroidery therapy makes world peace come true.’

We hope so too, Rion, and we’re sure that if anything can, it will be the healing and connecting power of needlework.

Do you have any stories of how you have used your needlework to help others? Or how needlework has brought you together with someone else? Or any other needlework stories at all – all are welcome! Just email us at news@inspirationsstudios.com with your story and pictures of your work.

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In a Flutter by Georgina Bellamy is a lively lorikeet brooch with metal thread embroidery and organdie feathers.

Triple Treat by Hazel Blomkamp from Inspirations issue #101 is three sparkling brooches created with three-dimensional beaded flowers and leaves.

Victoriana by Anne Davies from Inspirations issue #94 is two enchanting silk ribbon brooches edged with delicate beading.

Prism by Natalie Dupuis from Inspirations issue #103 is a sparkling brooch with a burst of coloured silks worked in Italian shading over silver passing thread.

White Rose by Jenny Adin-Christie from Inspirations issue #100 is an exquisite rose button brooch using timeless whitework techniques.

~ Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati ~

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.