We recently came across a new documentary series on Apple TV entitled ‘Dear…’. Intrigued by its name, we looked deeper.

Apple TV’s Press Statement explains the show as ‘an inventive and cinematic approach to biographies of the most iconic figures in society today by using letters written by those whose lives have been changed through their work’.

One of the quotes from the series that remained with us was from Lin-Manuel Miranda, an American composer, lyricist, singer, actor, producer and playwright.

The beautiful thing about the series is that through the simple act of letter writing, you get to witness not only the ripples that have gone out from one person’s life work and the difference they’ve made to others, but also how the receipt of those letters profoundly affects the person they’re written to.

It reminded us of both the power of the written word to express appreciation and gratitude, and as Oprah so beautifully articulated, that ‘your legacy is every life you touch’.

And it got us thinking… is there someone whose needlework or life’s work in general has touched us in such a profound way that we should take the time to write and share with them how we’ve been changed? Also, have we stopped to think about the positive impact the ripples we’re creating in our own stitching ‘pond’ might be having on others?

We’d love to hear how the idea behind this innovative TV Series inspires your own ‘Dear…’ or how it’s helped you appreciate the ripples that are being created from the rocks you’re throwing into your pond. Email news@inspirationsstudios.com.

Over the past weeks and months, our newsletter has touched on many ideas which relate not just to needlework, but to our life and well-being in general. This week we’re sharing some of the wonderful stories and thoughtful comments we’ve received in response:

Linda responded to our article in All Stitched Up! issue #236 encouraging people to share their love of needlework by taking their stitching with them when they ventured out. She said that the article:

‘…reminds me of when I left Melbourne and went to live in London for a couple of years. While there, I joined the London Branch of The Embroiderers’ Guild which started me off on this wonderful passion.

My family lived in Manchester and I would sometimes travel up by train. I always had a bit of something to do on the journey but on one trip home to London, I sat next to a younger lady, took out my work and started.

As you can imagine, the return journey took no time at all with chatting and stitching. My only regret is that we didn’t exchange contact info.

Our stitching life is made up of such lovely encounters, isn’t it?’

It is all too common nowadays for people to spend their time in public places, eyes glued to their phones or digital devices. Yet your story is clear evidence of the serendipity that comes from taking out your stitching and opening yourself up to engage with the world.

It reminds us of the William Butler Yeats quote: ‘There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.’ Thankfully, stitching is one of the ways we can meet them.

We also received several responses in relation to our discussion of stewardship in All Stitched Up! issue #237. Elizabeth, of Blackwork Journey fame, wrote:

‘Looking after the skills that we have worked so hard for is not enough as far as I am concerned. Children rarely learn embroidery skills from grandparents and schools have extreme pressures on their time.

I taught in schools and college for many years and now run a needlework website. It is a privilege to be able to pass on the knowledge that I have gained and to see the photographs of work completed, whether it is from someone new to needlework or an experienced embroiderer.

Needlework brings people together and in very difficult times it can be a lifeline. The internet and publications such as 'Inspirations' play a big part in uniting that community, but the role of the teachers and designers who work so hard should never be underestimated.’

Liz your skill and generosity when it comes to sharing your knowledge is immense – thank you for all you do.

Luckily, Liz is not the only one as there are many people out there like Liz who regard embroidery as a common good, to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. We learn through sharing and through sharing, we protect our skills for future generations.

‘I steward my love of needle and thread by teaching classes whenever and wherever I can. I teach Brazilian Embroidery as well as having a small shop in my home so I can provide my students with the supplies they need.

I tell everyone about this dream in the hope someone will know someone who can help on the financial front! The thought of our needle art ending up in charity stores or thrift shops breaks my heart. I would love to tell people to send me whatever is not wanted so I can put it on display. Perhaps one day…’

Yours is a wonderful dream Mendie, and one we have heard frequently. There is nothing so sad as seeing a piece of embroidery, stacked in a second-hand shop with a price tag on it so low it hurts. The hours of love and care which went into the piece, not to mention the pride in its completion, are lost in the undervalued price.

If only there were a way to protect that small act of creation and the human effort which went into it. We might not be able build an enormous museum and archive, but what we can do is protect the love, the care and the pride by ensuring it continues for generations to come.

Thank you for all your responses as always. We love hearing from you. It is thanks to all of you that we can gather together and continue to share our passion. Every single one of you is part of the process, each time you thread that needle.

Cats cuddling teddy bears, kittens falling out of boxes - who hasn’t been charmed by videos of adventurous felines, getting up to mischief and breaking the cuteness scale? Well, we can top that cuteness scale and then some with this latest book from talented Japanese embroiderer, Hiroko Kubota.

Kubota charmed the internet with her tiny, perfectly formed, embroidered cats peeking out of the pockets or button bands of otherwise plain shirts. Now, you too can create these magical creatures, decorating any item of clothing you choose with bright eyes, whiskers and a sense of fun.

Each project has step by step instructions, taking you through the intricate colour changes and blending required to complete each threadpainted masterpiece. Every stitch you place will slowly animate your furry companion, until you’ve achieved such realism, people will think there really is an inquisitive kitty peeking out of your pocket.

It’s fair to say we all fell in love with the trio of vintage thread cards from L’uccello we showcased back in All Stitched Up! issue #232. After all, what’s not to love about these high quality, elegant cards which put those handmade, cornflake box thread cards we often use to shame!

So this week we’re bringing you even more love with not just one more, not even two, but three more unique sets, bringing our total to 4 packs or 12 gorgeous thread cards to collect. Featuring prints borrowed from vintage French ephemera, you couldn’t find a more chic way of storing your silks, threads and ribbons.

All four design packs are available now. Très magnifique!

Imagine the joy of a tropical aquarium, without ever having to clean it, manage the water temperature or remember to feed the inhabitants. Linda Di Martino has just the solution - a crocheted aquarium!

Fans and enthusiasts have had the pleasure of watching Linda’s creation grow over the past months. Drawing on multiple sources, patterns and ideas, she created a unique homage in yarn to her late husband.

And best of all? There’s not a pinch of fish food in sight!

You can view all of the great pictures of her masterpiece HERE or follow her on Instagram @lindadi_creations

If you had ever thought about planning an international needlework convention during a global health pandemic, we would probably advise against it… as you can imagine, it has been extremely challenging!

This week we had to make the difficult decision to re-schedule Beating Around the Bush 2020 due to numerous COVID-19 factors that are outside our control and which, at any moment and without notice, could jeopardise our ability to proceed with the event in October as planned.

However… all is not lost!

BATB 2020 has now been re-scheduled and will become Beating Around the Bush 2021 and take place 29 Sep to 6 Oct next year.

Beating Around the Bush 2022 has also been confirmed and is scheduled for 5 to 12 Oct 2022.

To find out which tutors are coming when, visit our website HERE.

In the meantime, stay tuned to All Stitched Up! for further updates including the release date for the BATB 2021 catalogue which is due out soon!

Every now and then, a project will come along which jumps out at you. It might be because of its completely unexpected colour scheme. It might be because of its unique and creative shape and form. It even might be because it requires you to stop and think about how exactly it is made.

Or it might be all of these things, as in the case of Betsy Morgan’s Helix Etui, featured in the book, Willing Hands.

Most of us will be familiar with the term ‘helix’ due to its association with DNA. A strand of DNA actually appears as a naturally formed double helix. But the term itself relates to any spiral form, whether created in nature or by hand.

It has been determined that there is a reason the helix is so ubiquitous in nature. In fact, it is the optimum shape to offer the greatest surface area in the smallest place.

This is why nature tends towards it, but also why humans have adopted the form for a multitude of items. But, because the shape originates in nature, the organic feel of it offers a pleasing harmony unattainable by many other shapes.

Betsy Morgan has embraced the shape of the helix in this unusual etui. The shape of the container is mirrored by the pincushion and tool pouch which fit snugly inside, all consisting of an infinite twist which delights at every turn.

Betsy has chosen a brilliant palette of jewel-like colours for this etui, to really project its uniqueness in every way. However, nature’s understanding of how to fit a large area into a small space is demonstrated when you see how the etui is created.

The body of the container, opened out, seems impossibly large, packed as it is with an array of different stitches.

Working the body is akin to working a full-sized sampler, with woven double cross stitch, half Rhodes stitch and a fascinating twist on rice stitch to master.

The piece is highlighted with bold, satin stitch hearts, straight stitch fans and a traditional alphabet in a delicious array of colours. But completing the stitching is only half the fun. It’s the construction which makes this etui unlike any other you’ve worked.

Accompanied by Betsy’s characteristic accessories – the pincushion and tool pouch, as well as a scissor sheath, fob and needlebook, the Helix Etui is a practical and beautiful project which will invite no end of comments.

We’ve no doubt that anyone who sees it won’t be able to stop themselves from picking it up and turning it in their hands, appreciating not just the stitching, but the flowing, organic helix design taken straight from the clever hands of nature itself.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Helix Etui by Betsy Morgan is a vibrant etui pouch with unique spiral construction and matching accessories.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Helix Etui includes everything* you need to re-create this unique etui: Fabrics (unprinted), interfacings, interlining, felt, beads, embroidery threads, ribbon 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 book.

Christmas Spirit by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #104 is a delightful counted thread etui with festive motifs in the colours of Christmas.

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.

Maria Katarin's Reticule by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #103 is a gorgeous counted work pouch with matching scissor fob, thread winder and ruler.

Gloriana by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #98 is an elegant counted work reticule with needlebook and scissor fob inspired by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Whenever we have the pleasure of including a Betsy Morgan design in our newsletter, as we have this week, it reminds us just how much we love counted needlework. It seems we never tire of enjoying this form of stitching and we’re not alone… here are some counted creations from our talented community for us all to enjoy:

‘Over the years I have attended many of Christine P. Bishop’s classes. One class I enjoyed in particular was for her No-Fail Linen Bag.’

‘The first bag has a cross stitch design which I had to quickly stitch in one night. The second bag has Russian drawn thread embroidery, designed by Carol Stacey. The pink bag is my own design.’

‘All in all, I’m very pleased with them all. The construction of the bag is straightforward but time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort.’

‘Christine is a patient teacher who encourages you to persist because she believes you will be successful. It’s always a pleasure to be one of her students.’

These bags are fantastic and you definitely should be pleased, Mary. Christine’s belief in you is well founded as these gorgeous and varied no-fail bags attest.

‘I took a slightly different approach with the Jane Marshall sampler which was featured in All Stitched Up! issue #235 and commemorated a significant event in my lifetime.’

It’s fantastic to see different interpretations of the same pattern, Kate. I’m sure you’ll look upon this piece as a fitting memory for such a strange time.

‘These two miniature carpets are from ‘Oriental Carpets in Miniature’ by Frank M. Cooper, 1994. Unfortunately, the book is now out of print.’

‘The original patterns were stitched on needlepoint canvas using Paternayan wool yarn. However, I stitched these using 18 count Aida and DMC cotton floss, matching the colours as best I could. Each one took about a year to stitch.’

These are very elegant pieces, Nola. We love your variation on the original – they have a crispness and fineness all of their own.

‘Last year I resumed needlepointing after many years absence and have attached a picture of the completed project that got me started.’

‘The evening clutch was made as a Christmas present for my daughter.’

Your daughter must have been thrilled, Trudy. This is such an elegant and beautifully finished gift. We’re already looking forward to seeing photos of your next needlepoint project.

‘This picture shows a charity shop find - these beautifully stitched pieces were squashed in a bag and sold for £10. I have asked in our local crafters group to see if anyone recognises them, but have not yet discovered who stitched them.’

‘They are all slightly grubby but I plan to clean and use them. Two of the tapestry pieces are earmarked for tote bags to gift to my mum and mother in law.’

This story takes us back to Mendie’s dream at the beginning of this newsletter, Kirsty. We love to see your discovery and rescue of these pieces, as well as your intention to make them into something which others can treasure.

Cross stitch, needlepoint, tapestry, blackwork – whatever the counted technique, we want to see it. Send us pictures of your projects along with a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Begin your random stitch embroidery journey with the project ‘A Pair of Random Apples’ from the book 'The Art of Chinese Embroidery 2 | Intermediate Level' which is a tutorial design featuring an enticing pair of random stitched apples.

Ready-To Stitch Kits for the projects featured in 'The Art of Chinese Embroidery 2' are now available for purchase. Click below to browse the range.

Margaret Lee is among the world leaders in the art of Chinese ‘Su’ embroidery, one of the world’s oldest and most admired embroidery styles. Her first book 'The Art of Chinese Embroidery | Foundation Level' is an immaculate ‘how to’ study and introduction into this unique embroidery style.

~ Agnes Repplier ~

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.