In All Stitched Up! issue #275 we unpacked the idea of making the space we’ve set aside for needle and thread truly our own. We were encouraged to think about the space from the inside out and pondered the idea put forth by David Hieatt that beauty, light and air quality are paramount considerations when designing spaces, especially those that serve our wellbeing well.

In a later email, David went on to explain the inextricable link between wellbeing and creativity. Whilst he likens it to, ‘drinking a freshly brewed coffee while watching the sunrise’ in that ‘you can have one without the other, (but) life is so much sweeter when you have them both’, a study by the BBC in 2018 confirmed that a person’s wellbeing is positively affected by taking part in just a single creative activity. It therefore goes to reason that if we improve our creativity, we’ll also improve our wellbeing.

Not only will this serve our time with needle and thread well, but it will also help us to ensure our wellbeing is fed throughout the process.

Now before you think months of planning or contacting an interior designer to achieve what may seem a huge task, David went on to share three simple ideas that any of us can implement to help make our space more creative:

1. Include Sources of Inspiration. Creativity requires us to be inspired by things that speak not just to what we’re doing specifically, but also to things that might be unusual or seemingly unconnected. Think different disciplines, artists and makers. And the good news for the ‘not so tidy’ among us? Research has shown that messy environments can actually stimulate creative thinking!

2. Listen to Background Noise. Just like the idea of ‘Café Creativity’ that we explored in All Stitched Up! issue #274, moderate and low levels of ambient background noise can enhance our performance of creative tasks. Want to bring the noise of a café to your creative space, simply Google ‘Brown Noise’.

3. Surround Yourself with Creative Colours. Seeing certain colours before starting a creative task can enhance performance, with green in particular being highlighted in a study published by Sage Journals in 2012. The good news is that we don’t have to paint a whole wall, but rather just splash colour somewhere in our space will work just as well.

We’d love to hear about the ways you’ve found to improve your creativity. Simply email news@inspirationsstudios.com, we can’t wait to hear what it is about your space that inspires your time with needle and thread.

In All Stitched Up! issue #274, we asked you where your favourite stitching spot was. Although we mentioned how many creative people work well in cafés, the nature of our art means that it is not always practical to do it at a small table with a cup of coffee balanced precariously near our pristine linen!

That said, we received such a vast array of responses from our community, it proved to us that just about anywhere can be the perfect place to stitch.

Nadine Bond, like many of us, has a special chair with a special table in front of it. It means everything she needs is to hand, and she says she loves the time it affords her to reflect, choose and execute what she has in mind with her stitching.

In fact, having a designated special stitching spot located within the home, was a popular response. Mary Moore loves sitting on her sun porch, especially in cold weather, enjoying the sun shining in and listening to a favourite audiobook. Lois LaPointe also loves sitting in her favourite chair, rocking and stitching, with her husband nearby and her cocker spaniel puppy playing at her feet. It all sounds like bliss.

Lise Waring also enjoys being at home, but she prefers to stitch in front of her computer with YouTube videos of concerts or history documentaries playing. The videos are short enough that she remembers to get up and stretch between them (something we should all do, but probably a lot of us forget!). Lise enjoys the fact she doesn’t have to pay continuous attention to the videos, which means she gets plenty of stitching done.

Another fan of stitching at home is Roberta Kenney who likes classical music playing in the background. She recognises that she is easily distracted – especially by new designs and ideas! As such, being at home helps minimise the distractions and the music helps with Roberta’s concentration and rhythm.

Concentration is also something that Eunice finds challenging if she is out and about with her knitting/crochet/craft group. Although she loves being with the group, she often finds she has to reverse stitch when she gets home because all of the chatter disrupts her concentration. Because of that, she says she is definitely most effective at home, but we get the impression that she enjoys the social gatherings too.

There are plenty of other settings which also inspire us. Loree Clark states simply that her favourite place to stitch is in the mountains, near a river or lake. The proximity to nature is definitely something that can be both calming and inspirational.

Stacy Jenks would love to stitch with other stitchers, but with two teenage daughters, one of whom is a figure skater, she has had to settle for the ice rink as her stitching spot of choice.

Finally, Velia asked us hypothetically how she could possibly work at a café when she usually stitches with an enormous number of beads on a felt covered table. She also has to have a five-drawer chest nearby filled with all of her beads and equipment. Furthermore, as she observes, beads tend to flip off the needle sometimes and fly all over the place. Probably not ideal in a coffee shop!

We’re sure that every single one of you could immediately bring to mind your favourite stitching spot, and probably many of you have more than one. Whether you like to stitch in a group, in public, on the bus, in your favourite chair at home or sitting in your back garden, the most important thing is that you are stitching. The location is just a small part of the pleasure. It is the practice of the craft itself which we love so much.

It feels like only yesterday that we released Inspirations issue #109 and all of a sudden, here we are announcing a final callout for kits so we can clear the shelves ready for issue #110.

Inspirations issue #109 is all about natural colour and filled with amazing designs that proved so popular, we struggled to keep up with demand for our kits. However, our kit team did so well we still have some stock available for most projects… but not for much longer.

If you admired any of the pieces from Inspirations issue #109 and are planning on stitching them, now would be a good time purchase your kit to ensure you don’t miss out.

As needlework enthusiasts, most of us are familiar with the usual brands of embroidery threads that are available almost everywhere. Indeed, almost every embroiderer will have used at least one of the major brands and will know their colours.

However, the major brands only represent one section of the overall range of threads available to us. There are in fact plenty of smaller manufacturers and dyers who produce glorious threads but aren’t as well known.

One such company is House of Embroidery. Based in South Africa, they have been producing stunning ranges of hand-dyed variegated threads since 1995. But beautiful threads are only a part of what makes this company unique.

Their entire production ethos is underpinned by their wish to help their local community.

This, of course, makes buying their threads even more satisfying, and this week we’re thrilled to announce the arrival of House of Embroidery threads to our online store.

Having featured in numerous designs published in both our magazine and books, we now have a range of House of Embroidery Thread Boxes for purchase including: Spring; Seven Seas; Sunset; Summer and Green.

Inside each box you will find 10 perfectly colour coordinated variegated stranded cotton threads, with 5m of thread per card.

These stunning hand-dyed cotton threads are colourfast, light-fast, gorgeous to work with and suitable for all types of embroidery projects. Click below to order your favourite colour thread box today.

A little while ago we talked about two gorgeous books filled with projects made from felt. Well, we just wanted to remind you about them as we still have a few copies on our shelves.

Felt Animal Families is filled with the cutest little families, each with a host of adorable felt accessories. Fabulous Felt introduced a range of felt-based projects for all occasions. Both books contain complete instructions, templates and more ideas than you could possibly want.

We have limited stocks of these two books remaining, so if you’ve been looking for something new to try, we’ve got the answer.

We love to bring you stories of unusual artists, in particular men who work with yarn. Recently, Kirk Dunn was brought to our attention and we simply fell in love. As well as Kirk’s amazing use of colour in his designs, we were completely captivated by his story and how he has brought knitting into so many aspects of his own and other’s lives.

As well as a designer, Kirk is also an actor and a writer. He shares his skills through workshops and demonstrations, but has also created a one-man show, entitled The Knitting Pilgrim which outlines his life and spiritual journey, all with a backdrop of three breathtaking knitted panels that look for all the world like stained glass.

It is definitely worthwhile taking a browse around Kirk’s website. You’ll be amazed by his skill and his designs. And for anyone in Canada lucky enough to have seen his show, we would love to know what you thought.

You can read all about Kirk Dunn, his life and his work at his website HERE.

From wares to kits and all kinds of tricks, if it has recently come back in stock, you’ll discover it below.

Often, when you see a project you simply have to stitch, after having worked it and completed it you may find yourself wishing that you could get the pleasure of doing it all over again. This is why discovering a companion piece can be such a joy and is also one of the reasons we began creating our Handpicked range of projects, with a new one released to accompany each issue of Inspirations magazine.

For Inspirations issue #109, we commissioned our very favourite Helen M. Stevens to design a second project to work harmoniously with her piece, Aetna’s Bouquet. The project she delivered took our breath away, and we’re sure you’ll agree with us that it is a stunner.

Seasons in the Sun utilises Helen’s trademark style. She has created a botanical masterpiece and worked it in smooth, shimmering silks so that it captures the light perfectly. Worked onto a black background, the texture and shine of the silk threads used in Seasons in the Sun are emphasised all the more in a rather incredible way.

One of the many striking features of this project is the circular shape. Helen has selected a range of meadow grasses, flowers and berries including blackberries, periwinkles and convolvulus, and arranged them to form a flowing mandala. Placed perfectly at the centre is a brilliant white butterfly, its wings tipped in gold and magenta.

The circle, or the mandala shape, has been used by many cultures as its symbolism is both powerful and universal. Specifically, the circle symbolises the idea that life is endless and that everything in life is connected.

With that in mind, Helen’s choice of the mandala shape is ideal. Each of the plants she depicts is connected in some way to all of the others in a smooth, endless line. The focal point of the piece, the butterfly, then appears to be an integral part of the botanical world surrounding it. If there was ever a design which personified the idea of connection, then this is it.

Working on black fabric can prove challenging for some people. In order to transfer the design, the best product to use is light coloured dressmaker’s carbon that will produce lines that are visible on the fabric. You may need to go over the design with the stylus a couple of times to ensure that the lines have transferred.

Then, of course, the stitching process requires good light. This isn’t a project to undertake on a dark evening with poor lighting! Ensure that you either have good day light or an excellent lamp that will help you maintain accuracy and be able to see clearly, despite the dark background.

The end result is incredibly rewarding and most definitely worth your efforts. Seasons in the Sun is a dramatic and striking project that will garner admiring comments from anyone who sees it.

For the many Helen M. Stevens fans out there, this is one project from her not to miss, and if you are yet to try one of her designs, Seasons in the Sun is a beautiful place to start.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Seasons in the Sun by Helen M. Stevens from our Handpicked Range is a magical circlet of seasonal blooms and berries.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Seasons in the Sun includes everything* you need to re-create this delightful wreath: Fabric (unprinted), dressmaker’s carbon, embroidery threads, beads 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 digital/printed pattern.

A Kingfisher Christmas by Helen M. Stevens from Inspirations issue #104 is a vibrant kingfisher in silk embroidery amongst foliage featuring holly, ivy and mistletoe.

Woodland Floor by Helen M. Stevens from the book A Passion for Needlework | Blakiston Creamery is an enchanting woodland scene captured using lustrous filament silk threads.

Ulysses by Helen M. Stevens from Inspirations issue #72 is beautiful study capturing the fragile delicacy of this superb butterfly and the blooms of the Christmas bush.

Sweet Nigella by Helen M. Stevens from Inspirations issue #48 is a stunning scene of lacy foliage and flowers stitched in lustrous silks.

Creating an image in two dimensions is one thing, but when you start creating three-dimensional embroidered objects, things really begin looking impressive. Suddenly, there is no limit to what you can create with needle and thread with the only restriction being your own imagination. The week we’re taking a look at some three-dimensional projects that our talented community have sent in:

‘I recently finished stitching Tillie Turtle, named for my Great Aunt Tillie.’

‘Tillie Turtle was planning to travel to Beating Around the Bush last fall. Because it was postponed, she was a little sad, but happy to stay home and be safe. She will be ready next time with her silk shell with a little bling and Swarovski crystals on her toes.’

Tillie is simply fabulous Denise, what a delightful design you have created using an impressive array of different techniques. We’ll be so looking forward to meeting her ‘in the flesh’ (so to speak!) hopefully next year.

‘Here is a stumpwork rose I’ve finished up in the last few weeks.’

Nina, your work always impresses us, and this particular piece really is remarkable. We love how you’ve captured not just the colour of the petals, but the shape of the rose itself. It is a masterpiece.

‘This is the lemon meringue pie that I embroidered for the dining table in the green room at The Johnston Collection for the exhibition ‘Jubilation | Diamonds and Pearls’ which exhibited recently.’

‘The above photo is of some of the stitched food on display in the kitchen. I designed the pieces and stitched a sample of each and then the members of the Victorian Embroiderer’s Guild state-wide made them.’

Firstly, it’s an honour to have Alison Cole join us for ‘What Are You Stitching?’ this week, almost like having the Queen pop in for a cup of tea!

Secondly, wow, Alison! These designs are absolutely amazing – dare we say, good enough to eat? Thank you so much for sending them in... we hope to maybe even see them in an upcoming publication one day?! For anyone interested the exhibition these incredible pieces appeared in, you can watch a video clip HERE.

Do you see a three-dimensional object and immediately wonder how you can stitch it? Or do you prefer two-dimensional art? Do you experiment with stumpwork and raised elements? Or are you happier working across a flat plain? Whatever you like to stitch, we’d love to see it. Send us a picture of your work and a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Hello Possum! by Jenny McWhinney is a cuddly blanket with a cute possum amongst gum blossoms and a matching carry bag.

Purity by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #40 is a gorgeous baby blanket featuring two plump little bunnies nestled among flowers.

The Magic Carousel by Kris Richards from Inspirations issue #54 is a delightful ivory and pastel baby blanket.

Showtime by Louise Spriggs from the book More Beautiful Embroidered Blankets features a cheeky elephant carefully balancing a ball on his long trunk under a line of colourful bunting.

Rock a Bye Baby by Kris Richards from Inspirations issue #29 is a nostalgic baby blanket featuring a charming rocking horse.

~ Winston Churchill ~

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.