In light of the global events currently swirling around us the world over, many of us have taken to needle and thread to help take our minds off the ever-unfolding situation.

Usually our ‘safe’ place as we enjoy the meditative push and pull of needle and thread through fabric, we don’t know about you, but there are times we’ve found our mind wandering elsewhere rather than being lost in the pursuit of stitching as it normally is.

Whilst not surprising given the uncertain time we find ourselves in, we’re longing for the pure escape we usually experience, and we think we’ve found something that might just work… a little pause!

‘Eat Pray Love’ author Elizabeth Gilbert recently shared a little something she uses to refocus herself amidst life’s hustle and bustle.

In order to ground herself in the present moment and stop her mind wandering, Elizabeth uses the simple habit of being truly present by naming five things she can see, four things she can hear, three things she can feel, two things she can smell and one thing she can taste.

So next time you find your mind wandering elsewhere as you pull needle and thread through fabric, pause. Then focus on the details of your surroundings as Elizabeth has suggested and see if it doesn’t land you back in the peace of the present moment.

Just you and your needle and thread…

Written by Nancy Williams

We all love starting a new project, don’t we? Those pristine threads, the shiny needle, and that wonderful piece of crisp, new fabric, just crying out to be stitched upon.

In many embroidery projects, that fabric is linen.

Whether it is woven with distinct holes for counted work, or with a snugly tight warp and weft for crewelwork or surface embroidery, you can be sure that a project stitched on linen will be a pleasure to work.

But have you ever wondered where that linen came from? How was it made? And why is it often the most expensive element of your project?

Linen has been used as a textile for thousands of years. In fact, there is evidence that linen fabric was known to the Ancient Egyptians and even formed an important part of the mummifying process!

Linen thread or yarn comes from the flax plant – a grass which has been grown for millennia and thrives in many different environments. One of the benefits of the plant is that it will grow even where the soil is poor. It is also highly resilient and can survive with less water than cotton or other textile producing plants. This has made it an appealing crop for many, although making linen fabric is not straightforward.

One of the reasons your embroidery linen is so expensive is because of the laborious process involved in extracting the linen thread from the flax plant.

The linen thread which is woven into fabric comes from inside the woody stem of the grass. To produce high-quality long fibres the flax plant needs to be pulled from the ground, roots and all, then soaked to loosen the woody exterior. This exterior is then beaten and put through a mangle – a process known as ‘scutching’ – in order to remove all the woody matter.

The fibres that remain after scutching comprise the ‘line’, which are the long fibres for spinning, as well as ‘tow’ (very short fibres, sometimes used to make paper or rough fabric) and ‘boon’ (good for mulch).

In order to then separate these elements, the fibres are drawn through a comb in a process called ‘hackling’. During this process, it is vital to make sure the fibres don’t tangle. Tangles mean breakages which reduce the quality of the spun yarn.

Once the line is isolated, it is then spun into yarn which can be used for weaving linen fabric.

Like most embroiderers, you’re probably wondering why some of your linen seems to have big lumps in the threads while other linen doesn’t.

Although modern spinning processes nowadays can reduce slubbing, most good quality linens will have at least some slubs visible. In the past, slubs in fabric were seen as an indicator of poor quality. However nowadays they are sometimes artificially included to give the fabric a more ‘natural’ feel.

Flax and linen are produced around the world but for embroiderers, Belgian linen is known to be the gold standard due to the quality of the flax crops produced there. However, there are excellent linens available from other parts of the world, including Germany and Italy.

Stitching on linen is one of those pleasures which looks both forwards and backwards. Historically, you are carrying on a tradition practiced by generations of needleworkers from all over the world. But looking forward, your choice of fabric is also sustainable and, when not dyed, fully biodegradable unlike so many of the man-made textiles on the market today.

So, take extra pleasure when you open your next kit or gather up the materials for your next project, as your linen is one more thing that connects you with needleworkers past and future.

One of the things Inspirations is famous for is how we deconstruct, demystify and deliver each project to you step-by-step so you can re-create your own version.

But it doesn’t stop there… for the majority of the projects we publish, all the threads, fabric, accessories and components are sourced from suppliers around the world and assembled together in our Ready-to-Stitch kits.

Here is an update as to which kits are still available from recent issues of Inspirations Magazine:

Inspirations issue #103

Inspirations issue #104

Inspirations issue #105

While we’re all familiar with teddy bears and other generic soft toys, there is one Melbourne based textile artist who sees animals very differently. Cat Rabbit has spent years producing gorgeous yet fantastical felt animals by hand, each one unique.

Cat Rabbit makes her creatures using needle felting, stitching and hand embroidery, usually dressing them in dapper clothing and placing them in adorable domestic environments.

The artist has even recently created four unique koalas, the sale of which went to help with the Australian bushfire relief effort.

You can read more about Cat Rabbit at her website or follow her on Instagram to see all of her fabulous creations.

While we’re on the subject of Fantastic Creatures, there have been quite a collection of marvellous stitched characters appear in our publications over the years and this week we thought it might be fun to reminisce about a few of them:

Clive the Chameleon

This fabulous chameleon with opulent beaded camouflage was created by Hazel Blomkamp and featured in Inspirations issue #100.

The Frog Prince

Two fun, frog purses created with embellished needlelace, inspired by historical designs by Victoria Laine from Inspirations issue #98.

The Embroidered Patchwork Bear

Combining the crafts of embroidery, patchwork and bear making, Patchwork Bear is a gorgeous project by Carolyn Pearce.

Katarina the Cat

Contemporary design by Trish Burr of a cat with attitude stitched in whitework with colour.

Lovable Bears

To finish off our selection, who can go past an entire collection of twelve unique and irresistible embroidered character bears by renowned Australian artist Jenny McWhinney?!

Technology is amazing when it works, but when it doesn’t… well let’s just say it’s probably best we stitchers move all our sharp objects to safety, lest we damage something or someone out of frustration!

Then, without even realising it, you’ve missed your weekly fix of ‘All Stitched Up!’.

If this ever happens, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Did you know that every issue of our newsletter is available to read on our website? To check you’re up to date with all your needlework news, or to find a past article you’d like to read again, simply click HERE.

When it comes to stitching projects for children, there are several design themes that are guaranteed winners. Fairies is one of them and for any of you who re-created ‘Fairy Dreams’ by designer Yvonne McMillan Betts from Inspirations issue #98, we are confident the lucky recipient would have been spinning cartwheels in delight!

Another hugely popular theme for kids, is anything to do with outer space, rockets and astronauts and so for Yvonne’s follow up project, she has created another stunning blanket this time called ‘Rocket Man’ in Inspirations issue #105.

Rocket Man is a delightfully modern project worked in appliqué and embroidery on a rich navy-blue piece of wool and cashmere velour.

Surrounded by pinprick stars worked in simple straight stitches, and captured here, halfway between the blue-green earth and the mysterious silver moon, Glen is an adventurer that any child can relate to.

But the real delight comes from the fact that Glen isn’t confined to his rocket. This cute little fellow can leave his vessel at any time to explore, knowing he’s safely tethered and can return to his rocket when he’s ready to move on.

Although the blanket size is perfect for a cot, Rocket Man could be just as useful in a play tent, as a car blanket or even as a TV blanket for the bigger kids out there. We’re sure that once they see Glen peeping out of his rocket window, he’ll become a firm favourite for all children, whether aged 8 or 80!

Blankets are a wonderful way to start out with embroidery as they can be worked quickly, with simple stitches.

The other fabulous thing about blankets is the fact that once the embroidery is finished, they are backed, usually with a cotton fabric so that the blanket is smooth against the skin. Because the backing also covers the rear of your needlework, you don’t need to worry about keeping it perfectly neat so you can just relax and enjoy the stitching.

It is advisable to complete the surface embroidery – namely the moon, earth and stars, before you attach any of the felt elements.

Perhaps once he’s been constructed, he can oversee your progress before you install him in his rocket and allow him to head for the stars.

Thank you, Yvonne, for once again creating an irresistible design both for kids to enjoy and us to stitch! We have no doubt Rocket Man is set to become an instant hit and a classic favourite for years to come.

Once Glen has been sent on his way, you might find yourself making Glenda the astronaut, or even Glennis, Gavin, Gary and Gretchen. We’ll be surprised if your family allows you to stop at making just one!

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Rocket Man by Yvonne McMillan Betts is a cosy blanket for those with a sense of adventure and exploration.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Rocket Man includes everything* you need to re-create this gorgeous blanket: Fabrics (unprinted), wool felts, piping, fusible webbing, wadding, fibre-fill, hook & loop tape, plastic sheet, stabiliser, 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.

Fairy Dreams by Yvonne McMillan Betts from Inspirations issue #98 is an enchanting blanket for cosy days shared with a fairy friend at her toadstool house.

Elephant Walk by Jenny McWhinney from Inspirations issue #58 features a delightful family of elephants wandering across a soft blue wool and cashmere blanket and matching white pillowcase.

Cupcake by Annette Drysdale from Inspirations issue #64 is a gorgeous blanket, bordered with twelve delicious cupcakes.

Blissful Beginnings features seven blankets and three bonus gift projects with each design presented with beautiful photography, clear and concise instructions for the embroidery and construction, and detailed diagrams.

Soft furnishings come in all shapes and sizes and can be quilted, crocheted, embroidered, woven or even turned into wall hangings. They are such a versatile item, and so necessary, that we thought we would bring you a showcase of some lovely ones the Inspirations community has been making.

‘When my husband and I moved from Perth, Australia to a small surfing village on the opposite side of the country on the New South Wales coast some 14 years ago, I did not know anyone at the time. I’ve always been a lover of embroidery in its various forms and hoped to join an embroidery group, but the closest was a 3½ hour drive away, however there was a local quilting group.’

‘Not being a quilter at the time, I made a few quilts that incorporated simple hand stitching. One that I enjoyed designing and making was stitched in backstitch in blue Madeira silk outlining white fabric paint that I stamped onto small white squares.’

‘This one is my latest piece which was inspired by an old tractor my uncle, now nearly 90, has made look new again. He drives it in most of the local parades. Mine isn't driveable, but hopefully it reflects the original!’

‘In response to your call for photos of works completed or in progress, here is my latest, still in the hoop. It is destined for my baby great grandson’s bedroom and will be a cushion cover.’

Thank you, Norma. It’s always great to see what people are stitching for the boys in their lives!

If you’ve been stitching a quilt or a blanket, or you’ve made something for a little boy or a big boy, we’d love to see it. Send your pictures, with a story about your stitching journey, to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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

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.

~ Roma Downey ~

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.