After unpacking some ways to overcome perfectionism in the opening paragraphs of All Stitched Up! issue #301, we closed with an invitation that encouraged us to chase after our dreams, knowing that although our results may not be perfect, we’ll get better every time we try.

Since penning those words, we came across a term that fits this process, dare we say it… perfectly! Kaizen.

Whilst it is a term that’s usually used in relation to business, we love that it refers to improvement that is both gradual and methodical in nature.

Not only is this something most of us pursue in our time with needle and thread, but it is also something that runs through the core of what we do here at Inspirations HQ. We are constantly looking at what we produce as well as our systems and procedures, wondering if there’s room for improvement. If we’re honest though, when we find something that requires some ‘enhancement’, we’d usually rather the change is instant, but alas, it tends to be a steady process that’s brought about through a systematic approach.

All Stitched Up! is - and here comes that word again! - a perfect example of where we’ve applied Kaizen to what we produce. For the most part, the changes to the newsletter are gradual – a new segment here and there, a slightly different layout, a fresh approach to the graphic design, all as we look for ways to improve both the content and its delivery.

Interestingly, we came across the term Kaizen in an email from Hiut Denim where they answered questions about a term that had become commonplace to them but was unfamiliar to many of their customers – selvedge.

And that made us wonder, are there terms we routinely use in All Stitched Up! that, whilst familiar to us are anything but to you?! Have we assumed knowledge that may need unpacking for those who have only just recently joined the Inspirations family?

If so, we’d love to know what they are. Whether it’s in this newsletter or any of the ways we communicate with you via print, digital or social media platform, simply email news@inspirationsstudios.com and we’ll work toward ‘Kaizening’ how we converse with you.

Oh, and if you’ve now found yourself wondering about selvedge, you can read all about it HERE courtesy of Hiut Denim Co!

Our introductions over the past few weeks have ranged across a number of topics, including ideas on both creativity and productivity – two things that we stitchers can most certainly relate to! You wrote to us with your thoughts on both of these topics and in the process, gave us even more to consider in our own work.

In terms of creativity, Jodi Sprague enjoyed hearing that it was a process that can be learnt, rather than it being innate. She’s often noticed that the common definition of creativity is usually expressed using fine art as an example, specifically painting or drawing. But she points out that creativity is everywhere. Jodi is an electrical engineer by profession, and she says that in order to design good circuits, creativity is essential.

As a result, Jodi likes to challenge people to broaden their definition of creative. She observes that there is creativity in everything, from choosing which order to lay your stitches down to managing projects and stash.

Clare mentioned a TED talk she had seen that had been delivered by Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame. In that talk, the author had discussed the angst often felt by ‘creative’ people due to expectations, and the accompanying struggle, despondency and self-doubt that then arises.

Clare shared Elizabeth Gilbert’s description of the creative process as it had been understood by the Ancient Romans. Back then, it was believed to be a partnership between the creator and his (or her!) ‘genius.’ The genius was not within, but external, like a little homunculus sitting on your shoulder. You had to be open to the imagination, ideas and images that flow from the little genius, with meditation and receptiveness being essential for success.

Clare loved the idea that we don’t have to be a genius, rather we just have to listen to the genius whispering in our ear and prompting our creativity.

Once creativity is flowing, we are then faced with the question of productivity. Jodi sent us some excellent thoughts on that issue as well.

She shared how stitching has helped her through some difficult times with her mental health and commented on how much she gains from the ideas we share in each newsletter. In return, she found this really interesting article on the ‘productivity trap’ that she wanted to share. It is an excellent read and encourages all of us to slow down and recognise we are only able to do what we can. If we can learn to accept that, then we can hopefully free ourselves from stress.

Ann sent us a description of her productivity dilemma. During lockdown, she found herself getting all enthused about new projects, starting them left, right and centre! She realised she needed to read the article on prioritising her projects, so she downloaded it. However, before she read it, she spotted the write-up about Kay Dennis’s new project in Inspirations issue #111. She fell in love, purchased the digital pattern, and now there is another project in her queue! She still hasn’t quite got around to reading the article yet…

All we can say is, we empathise completely! So many projects, so many wonderful techniques to try – is it any wonder that we struggle to prioritise and our productivity ends up going out of the window?

Finally, Ann Baseden sent us a fabulous story about finding the perfect fabric. She saw that we had commented how you can never have too much fabric, but wanted to say that if you have a man in your life, you always have fabric. Intrigued? So were we! Luckily, she explained:

Ann saw a wonderful picture of a heron that had been painted by Basil Ede, and decided she wanted to stitch it. She looked everywhere for the perfect base fabric, then finally discovered it – hanging in her husband’s wardrobe.

If this wasn’t funny enough, it seems his taste in shirts was far too good, as Ann then did it a second time! We wonder whether she put the shirts, with pieces missing, back into the wardrobe? If so, did he notice?

If you have any thoughts about creativity, productivity, or if you’ve been guilty of sacrificing perfectly good clothing for the sake of your needlework, then write in and let us know. You make us think, you make us wonder, but best of all, you constantly make us smile.

When we hear the name Corinne Lapierre, we think of felt. But that’s not all - we also think of Christmas! It’s time to Deck the Halls! Corinne is well known for her adorable felt ornaments, all of which would be perfect for this years’ Christmas tree.

If you love Corinne’s work as much as we do, you’re in for a treat. That’s because right now, we have in stock her book, ‘12 Days of Christmas Felt Decorations’, as well as a fabulous kit to make three additional ornaments, separate to those in the book.

‘12 Days of Christmas Felt Decorations’ contains patterns for a felt ornament for each of the traditional characters from the well-known Christmas carol. You can make a leaping lord, a turtledove, a French hen or, our personal favourite, a pair of purple ballet shoes to represent the ladies dancing.

The book is beautifully laid out, with simple instructions for each project accompanied by a large photograph so you can see all the details. Templates are in the back and instructions for all of the stitches you need are also included.

While you’re gathering together your materials to make the ornaments featured in the book, you can get started on one of Corinne’s little angels that we have available as a kit. The kit includes all of the felt and materials to make three angels, as well as all of the instructions you’ll need.

Just imagine trimming the tree this year with this series of felt ornaments, all lovingly handmade and as cute as can be. About the only problem we can see is that everyone who comes to your house is going to love them so much that they are all going to want you to make them a set too. Best get stitching then!

…and more pins! We’re surrounded by pins! We thought we should remind you of the amazing range of different, high-quality pins that we have in stock.

We have some Cohana Pins that we talked about in All Stitched Up! #295. We still have packs of the Millefiori glass-head pins with their beautiful flower designs; and the Ohajiki glass head pins that look for all the world like lollypops. Each pack contains three assorted colours.

We also have Tulip marking pins, which have strong cellulose, tulip shaped heads that are easy to pick up and slip into the fabric. These come in an elegant glass tube in two colours; pink and yellow.

Finally, the Clover pin packs include 20 solid steel pins with flat heads. All three of the brands are made in Japan and benefit from the highest craftsmanship imaginable. Just beware though, they are all super sharp. Just what you need for sliding through fabric with ease, but be sure to keep your fingers clear!

Order your new pins and transform your sewing and quilting experience, today.

Here at Inspirations Studios we love to ensure our readers are spoiled for choice. For those who missed out on stitching any of the projects from the now out of print Inspirations issue #50, you’re in for a treat.

This week, we’re starting by releasing the first four projects as digital patterns. For lovers of Carolyn Pearce’s work, Quiet Times is a beautifully subtle blanket featuring a floral heart at its centre, worked in a gorgeous combination of soft yellow, cream and pale blue.

Fleur by Heather Sterling carries the floral theme further, with a stunning beaded glasses case displaying a pair of opulent orchids on a cream background.

Two by Two by Jan Waugh is a rich blue baby blanket with the cutest ever Noah’s Ark design stitched on it. It would be perfect for a new baby and is sure to be treasured as they grow.

Finally, Isabelle by Kris Richards is a sumptuous cushion made from silk damask and decorated all over with bullion roses and sparkling gold curlicues. It would not be out of place in a sixteenth century French drawing room.

Stayed tuned as next week, we’ll be bringing you even more digital patterns from issue #50. Until then, happy downloading…

As the world around us has changed in recent times, we’ve all discovered ways to adapt. One of the many challenges artists face, is the restrictions in staging public exhibitions.

One of our favourite designers, Helen M. Stevens, has embraced this new technology wholeheartedly, to unbelievable effect.

This month, Helen is holding a virtual exhibition entitled ‘Seasons in the Sun’. This allows needlework lovers from all over the world to view over 85 pieces of her art in one place from the comfort of their own home.

When you log on to the exhibition, you can either take a guided tour around her collection, or you can simply browse through just as you would if you had actually attended a bricks and mortar gallery.

Although it isn’t exactly the same as seeing these beautiful silk embroidered works in real life, there are benefits to the virtual experience. You can spend as much time looking at each piece as you like, you can visit any time, day or night, at your convenience without fighting your way through crowds, and you can get up close to the pieces on your screen to really appreciate Helen’s level of stitched detail.

The exhibition is open until the end of October and many of the pieces you see are for sale. Of course, after you’ve spent a number of glorious hours looking through Helen’s work, you can’t exactly sit in the gallery café and enjoy a cappuccino and slice of cake. But why not put the kettle on, open a packet of biscuits and recreate the experience in a new and different way. Click HERE to begin your visit.

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

A Fine Tradition by Margaret Light is a book filled with stunning projects with each and every one offering a delightful challenge to any stitcher.

The Blackbird Cushion & Needlebook are characteristic of Margaret’s style and offer the stitcher a glorious scene stitched in two very different ways.

The colourful scene adorning both the cushion and needlebook is based on the hunting and pastoral scenes that were often stitched on various home furnishings in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Rather than choosing traditional animals and birds, Margaret decided to work a scene but bring it up to date by including her own dogs, frolicking after butterflies and placing New Zealand blackbirds in the sky to ensure the scene is unique.

Each hillock employs a different stitch, from trellis couching to herringbone, wave stitch to Florentine stitch. All of the additional features of the landscape – trees, flowers and insects – are then worked in further stitch combinations resulting in a sampler of incredible techniques, guaranteed to keep even the most experienced stitcher busy.

When Margaret first conceived this design, she sat down with her basket of silks and indulged herself, playing with colour, texture and stitches. But there was no way she was able to keep this mini masterpiece to herself. She turned it into a needlebook, but very soon, friends discovered it and insisted that she teach the design. However, the request was made to enlarge it and put it on a cushion, so Margaret had to put away her silks and get her basket of wools out instead.

The result is the same design but worked in two very different ways. Worked in crewel wool, silk and cotton, the colours of the cushion are slightly more subtle while still being vibrant enough to complement the red sawtooth fringe which surrounds it.

The needlebook is worked in a combination of silk and cotton so has a higher sheen while allowing for smaller stitches to fit with the reduced size of the design.

Naturally, the book includes full instructions on how to construct both the cushion and the needlebook, including how to lace, line and finish each one as required.

When you complete the Blackbird Cushion and Needlebook, not only will you have added a whole range of new stitches to your repertoire, you will have also added an enviable cushion to your sofa or easy chair with a matching needlebook you can be proud to take out every time you sit down to stitch.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Blackbird Cushion & Needlebook by Margaret Light from the book A Fine Tradition features a delightful pastoral scene, complete with all the colourful, naïve charm of 18th century embroideries.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for Blackbird Cushion & Needlebook include everything* you need to re-create these charming scenes: Fabric (unprinted), wool felts, canvas (cushion), fringe edging (cushion), zip, (cushion), template plastic (needlebook), fusible webbing, wadding (needlebook) sewing thread, 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 book.

Violets & Strawberries by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #110 is two gorgeous needlerolls to keep your essential tools at your fingertips.

Spring Delight by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #91 is a beautiful dogwood wreath stitched with crewel wools on linen twill.

Forget-me-not by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #38 is a dainty rug with pretty sprays of forget-me-nots.

Strawberry Fields by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #42 is a charming needlecase featuring strawberry stems that softly entwine to form a delicate heart.

It has been a little while since we’ve seen some of Hazel Blomkamp’s designs in our What Are You Stitching? cupboard. This could be due to the fact Hazel’s projects are often so detailed they aren’t what you might describe as ‘quick to stitch’!

We suspect that there are quite a few embroiderers out there working on Hazel’s designs right now, so this week we’re showcasing projects fellow stitchers have completed to help inspire you to keep going and prove the results are definitely worth the hours you put in.

It sounds like it is the perfect place for it to be mounted, Robyn. It really is a masterpiece that you’ve obviously spent a long time on, so it should remain somewhere you can see it every day. Congratulations on finishing a project so long it in the making, you’ve done a beautiful job.

What a magnificent finish, Karin. It’s wonderful how you have made it your own, yet still remained true to Hazel’s original design. We love it.

Many areas were unpicked and restitched - some as many as six times. Thankfully Hazel is very generous with her kits and I didn’t run out of threads or beads. It was very challenging and at times frustrating, but I loved every minute and every single stitch that I finally mastered.

Once lockdowns are over, I’ll be taking it to the framers for the final step in this amazing project.’

What a project and what a story, Kerry. Maureen has truly been a labour of love and deserves to be mounted somewhere that everyone can admire her. Well done on completing this magnificent project.

Have you worked your way through one of Hazel Blomkamp’s amazing projects? Do you love her style and all of the different kinds of stitches? Or is there another designer you keep going back to? Whatever designer you favour and whatever you like to stitch, we’d like to see it. Send us a picture of your work and a story about your stitching journey and the project itself to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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Home Sweet Home | 10th Anniversary Edition by Carolyn Pearce is a remarkably ornate and intricate project, consisting of a charming two-story English cottage, beautifully decorated with a garden of stitches, that opens to reveal a lift-out tray and 12 gorgeous, coordinated needlework accessories neatly stored inside.

The Embroidered Village Bag by Carolyn Pearce is a whimsical tote bag decorated with charming country garden scenes.

Home Sweet Home Cottages by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #35 is two delightful accessories to house your thimble and tape measure.

Perfect Pansies by Carolyn Pearce from the book A Passion for Needlework | Blakiston Creamery is a vibrant set of needlework accessories.

English Rose | Thimble Holder by Carolyn Pearce from Inspirations issue #76 is an exquisite thimble holder richly embroidered with a bouquet of roses.

~ Brian Tracy ~

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.