Have you ever found yourself lost in the stitching before you? You know that moment when you realise the world around you ceases to exist and it’s just you, your needle, thread and fabric?

Whilst it’s a feeling common to many of us, I wonder how often we stop to consider what it is about our time with needle and thread that makes this possible.

After coming across this quote about reading: ‘A good book can transport you far from home and stay with you long after you have read the final page.’ - we found ourselves thinking on this a little more than usual.

What is it about stitching? Sure, there’s the meditative push and pull of needle and thread through fabric that allows us to focus solely on what’s before us, but then we realised, that just like a good book…

And the reasons for this are many and varied! It might be the historical context of a piece that transports us to another time, the origins of a technique that carries us to another place, the story that’s unfolding before us as we lay each new stitch that captures our attention, or perhaps it’s the reason we’ve taken up needle and thread on a particular occasion that allows our thoughts to wander to why we’re stitching or indeed to whom we’re stitching for.

What is it for you that allows your stitching to transport you far from home? We’d love to know, so email news@inspirationsstudios.com.

Whilst the reasons we find ourselves lost in needle and thread vary from person to person and piece to piece, we’re grateful we’re able to escape the world around us by simply plying our passion for needlework whenever and wherever the desire so takes us.

We were so pleased to hear from all of the left-handed stitchers out there. We did state in our original article back in All Stitched Up! issue #246 that none of us in the office were left-handed, so we were very relieved to hear we hadn’t got anything terribly wrong!

It seems that being left-handed has frequently posed a challenge, especially for those stitchers who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. Knitting was particularly problematic, particularly for anyone with a right-handed mother or grandmother trying to teach them. Mary Trounson experienced this acutely, stating:

‘My early knitting was fraught as I kept ending up with the yarn attached to the ball at the wrong end of the needle. Mum (being right-handed) couldn’t seem to help me sort it out no matter how hard we tried.

So, I now knit in the same direction as a right-handed person but put the yarn around the needle with my left hand.’

Avis also struggled with both knitting and crochet. She asked her mother to sit opposite her to learn crochet, but the struggle with knitting was so great that she ended up knitting right-handed instead.

Scissors have also posed difficulties, particularly before the advent of hand-neutral scissor designs. Rosemary Sookman remembers being chided in kindergarten because her cutting out left something to be desired. This was when scissors were well and truly designed for right-handers. Although Lila Pahl laments the fact that she still can’t seem to buy left-handed pinking shears. Does anyone know if they’re available?

In terms of stitching, left-handers seem to be endlessly resourceful. Nancy H., a left-handed reader, only discovered recently that she had overcome it by actually stitching in the same direction as a right-hander without even knowing it. She, Rosemary and Robyn Wright all have Yvette Stanton’s book with Rosemary calling it a ‘godsend’ and Robyn saying it is a bible which is always at hand.

We loved how Robyn explained how she responded after being told that left-handedness was ‘wrong’ as a child. She said:

‘One of the first, and possibly the least, valuable lessons I learnt at school was that my left hand was my bad hand and my right hand was my good hand. I did have a tendency, with pencil in hand, to start on the right and work backwards. I still find it easy to write backwards and found it a useful skill when I was learning ancient Egyptian and Arabic.’

Becoming ambidextrous was Robyn’s way of managing, although with Yvette’s book, a left-handed ruler and left-handed scissors, she says she can achieve any kind of stitching. Or as Rosemary Sookman wonderfully sums it up:

On a different subject, in All Stitched Up! issue #246 we also featured some historic smocking as well as a showcase of smocked dresses from our readers.

Jenny Whiteside loved seeing all of this work, stating:

‘I love, love, love the beautiful smocking from readers. I was transported back to being a young teenager when we had to make a smocked baby dress at school. I have no idea what happened to it in the intervening 55 years but thank you for the memories.’

Ann Frazier also sent us some photographs of a wonderful, traditional smock which she worked some 25 years ago. It is a beautiful piece and demonstrates the skill that Ann has gained over her 75 years of stitching.

Again, we thank you for all of your responses. Receiving them is like sitting down with a cup of tea and having a lovely conversation with each and every one of you. Please, keep the emails and stories coming.

There are some things in life that even the very best word smiths find hard to adequately describe. We had a moment like that recently here at Inspirations HQ when we received an advance copy of our new book ‘A Passion for Needlework 3 | Blakiston Creamery’.

First, there was the anticipation. Two years in the making with hours, days, weeks and months of work, and it all comes down to this. You hold the final product in your hands. Will it live up to expectations?

Then there is the euphoria. You pick up the book, feel the weight and quality of its manufacture, start turning the pages and then it begins…

And that is as good as the descriptions get! No words can adequately convey what this book is like, other than to say if you enjoy needlework this book will make your heart sing.

So, after falling in love with our own book, this week we simply couldn’t contain our enthusiasm any longer and decided to make it available on our website for pre-order ahead of its official release on 18th September.

We’ve even significantly discounted the shipping costs for you, so that if you place an order for either 1 or 2 copies, our website will automatically calculate a special rate.

We can’t wait to share this labour of love with you and look forward to shipping you a copy of ‘A Passion for Needlework | Blakiston Creamery’ as soon as our stock arrives. Click below to order today.

Smocking is a timeless art and we are always thrilled when someone writes in to ask us about patterns from Australian Smocking & Embroidery Magazine (AS&E).

We know that issues of the magazine can be difficult to come by nowadays, so it is our pleasure to re-publish your requested patterns in digital format, and this week we have three that have just been released.

Baby Blue

‘Baby Blue’ by Robyn Beaver from AS&E issue #47 has always been a favourite. It is the perfect project for someone wanting to try out a bishop for the first time.

With short sleeves and a back opening, this little dress has delicate blue smocking around the neckline highlighted with yellow roses. The pattern is for ages 1, 2 and 3 years.

The Bee’s Knees

For the slightly older girl, ‘The Bee’s Knees’ by Louise Spriggs from AS&E issue #85 is ideal.

The gorgeous gingham shirt, featuring smocking in black, white and yellow and finished with cute bumble bees, would look fantastic with jeans, leggings or a skirt. The pattern includes sizes 4, 6 and 8 years.

Little Prince

Finally, it is often difficult to find a perfect smocked garment for a new baby boy. ‘Little Prince’ by Kris Richards from AS&E issue #76 fits the bill precisely.

The little romper, for newborn, 3 and 6 months, is made from white waffle with smart blue checked mini piping and a simple smocked design. The pattern also includes a simply adorable matching beret and shoes to complete the outfit.

All three patterns are now available on our website ready for you to purchase as a digital download.

With much fanfare and excitement, in November last year we announced plans for the inaugural World Needlework Convention to be held in Hawaii in 2021.

This special event created by Simon and Maureen Laughlin from Needlework Tours, with Inspirations Studios alongside as promotional partner, is set to be a truly remarkable convention unlike anything before it.

Just when everything was locked in and ready to go for April next year as planned, as with most international events at present, COVID-19 restrictions has meant that Needlework Tours had to make the difficult decision to re-schedule the World Needlework Convention until 2022.

You can still enjoy all the spoils of a tropical needlework getaway, but this time the convention has been extended to 12 days and now features 60 amazing projects to choose from!

Thank you to everyone who has already registered their interest in attending, Needlework Tours and Inspirations will continue to keep everyone updated via email and through this newsletter, so stay tuned for further information closer to time.

Imagine combining an artist, academic, marathon runner and embroiderer who is concerned about his environment. What would you get?

You’d get David Morrish. David, an academic from the north of England, was running a marathon around Lake Windermere in the Lake District last year. As he ran, he was horrified by the amount of rubbish he spotted along the route.

He channelled that outrage into his Masters project – a huge, embroidered tapestry containing 27 sections (a marathon is 26.2 miles long). Each section represented the environment at that particular mile marker and the rubbish he observed there.

Collaborating with the Sheffield branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, he asked each contributor to interpret the scene in whatever way they chose.

Some panels were returned to him unfinished due to the lockdown, but he decided to include them as they were to represent the strange times that 2020 represented.

He had plans to display the piece this year at the Nottingham Trent University’s graduate show, but due to the restrictions he hasn’t been able to yet. So, the piece is safely stored away until it can be properly put on display and really appreciated.

If you would like to read more about David and his fascinating work, you can go to the Yorkshire Post article or follow him on Instagram @kingflytailoring

Most people will agree that life in the 21st Century can at times feel stressful. The pace of life seems to increase every year as we are assailed by more and more technology, some of us are facing greater pressures at work, increased worries about the world and unending demands on our attention.

A by-product of all of this means that at times many can experience an underlying feeling of anxiety, wondering when or if we are ever going to get the opportunity to simply slow down and relax.

Relaxing might feel like a dream for many, but in fact rest and relaxation is vital for our health, both physical and mental. The human body is not tuned to deal with endless stress and it can protest loudly to its owner by manifesting in unpleasant outcomes such as high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia and a multitude of mental health issues including depression and anxiety.

In the midst of being all consumed by the whirlwind of life, it can seem impossible to find those few minutes to relax each day.

Relaxing in a chair or on the sofa, with a soft pillow supporting your back or head, and time to meditate, breathe or visualize without the distraction of any activity is often the best antidote to stress.

All of the experts seem to agree that the combination of mindfulness and relaxation are vital to our continued health and wellbeing. So perhaps it isn’t much of a stretch to say that if you can achieve the mindfulness stage through the creation of a project which will, when complete, encourage the relaxation stage, then you’ve succeeded on two fronts.

If one begins with the stitching, it is clear how this exquisite project will encourage that heavenly state of mindfulness. Worked on soft ivory linen, the greens, pinks and yellows are wonderfully relaxing on the eye.

The Jacobean-style spray of flowers is worked in crewel wool and employs a range of crewel stitches, none of which are so complicated they add further stress, but all of which require gentle, focused concentration to get just right.

Once you have worked Anna’s glorious design, the project can then be made up into a cushion using complimentary fabric that highlights the soft combination of pink and green and is beautifully finished with green piping.

Completed, it then serves to encourage the second phase of the process – relaxation. Sweet Repose is the perfect size for resting on, with the perfect colour combination and perfect, soft, tactility to ensure you take those important moments just for yourself.

As much as we wish we could, we are unable to take away all of the stress of the modern world. However, what we can do is offer you one way to navigate and take control of it yourself.

Anna’s wonderful crewel cushion provides the double gift of mindfulness and relaxation. Let the cacophony of 2020 fade into the background, even if just for a few minutes, and give your mind and body the care they deserve.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Sweet Repose by Anna Scott is a beautiful crewel cushion with coordinating print cotton panels.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Sweet Repose includes everything* you need to re-create this gorgeous cushion: Fabrics (unprinted), zip, piping cord, 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.

Fantasia by Hazel Blomkamp from Inspirations issue #98 is a delightful cushion adorned with ornate Jacobean embroidery.

The Little Nut Tree by Susan O'Connor from Inspirations issue #11 is a superb silk cushion reminiscent of medieval embroideries.

Twitter by Sue Spargo from Inspirations issue #102 is a cheerful cushion with bright, appliquéd birds embellished with a great range of embroidery stitches.

April Showers by Beverley Sheldrick from Inspirations Issue #9 is a magnificent cream cushion embroidered with silk ribbons.

Cushions are not only a fabulous way to display your stitching, they are also a fabulous way of aiding your relaxation, making a room feel warmer and cosier and acting as a wonderfully tactile addition to a favourite sofa or chair. It is little wonder that so many of our readers love making cushions out of their finished embroidery pieces. If you need any inspiration, just take a look at some of these:

‘In my meanderings through second-hand stores, I am always on the lookout for unwanted needlework. Not long ago, I found a piece of crewel done on linen that seemed ready to be made into a pillow. The pattern was interesting but the yarn was dulled. Since I had recently become interested in beading, I decided to make this my practice piece.’

‘What started off as a casual trial became a very absorbing project. My bead stash grew as did my skill. In the spirit of Kintsugi, I left my first leaf unchanged even though it is a little crooked. I like seeing the path my beading journey took.’

This is a magnificent project on so many fronts, Colleen. As well as rescuing a previously worked piece, you’ve added your own touch and improved your skills. What a gorgeous result!

‘I’m writing in from New Delhi, India. I have been passionate about needlework in some form or other for most of my life, be it appliqué, patchwork, cross stitch, threadpainting or surface embroidery.’

‘Amongst many other techniques, I have also learnt some of the traditional embroidery of my country.’

Your skill and versatility show out so beautifully in this Kantha cushion. Thank you for sharing it with us Anu.

‘After working on another crewel project, I decided that I had enough confidence to tackle Phillipa Turnbull’s ‘Autumn Gold’, originally published in Inspirations issue #40.’

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent stitching it and was so pleased that I’d decided to do it, as I was so happy with how it turned out.’

It has turned out incredibly well, Joan, and we hope it brings you many relaxed hours of pleasure now that it can sit proudly on your sofa.

‘In terms of inspiring designers, I’d like to mention Carolyn Barani from tapistree.com. Some of her kits, like the two pictured - Snazzy Dog and Koquette Kitty - are stitch samplers and give clear directions for dozens of different stitches.’

And they’re super cute as well! Thank you for sharing Carolyn’s designs and your finished pieces too, Susan.

Is your sofa piled high with embroidered cushions and do you dive into bed at night beneath a mountain of handmade pillows? Or does your relaxation come from minimalist surroundings, with your gorgeous finished pieces hung strategically on the wall?

Whatever your favourite décor style, if you’ve stitched it, we’d love to see it. Send in pictures of your work and a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Stylish Succulents by Renette Kumm is a roomy tote bag with a threadpainted arrangement of colourful succulents using wool threads.

Breath of Spring by Béatrice Andreae from Inspirations issue #56 is a sumptuously embroidered bag with large pockets, adorned with vibrant wildflowers and insects.

Flora by Kris Richards from Inspirations issue #65 is a charming tote bag with elegant floral embroidery.

Gone Shopping by Sharon Venhoek from Inspirations issue #70 is a summery cotton tote featuring fresh blue and white stripes and lush pink bullion roses.

~ Norman Vincent Peale ~

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.