It was with more than just a touch of sadness that we closed the door behind us as we left the location for A Passion for Needlework IV last week. We’d come to know the property so well as we placed the projects throughout, using Lynda’s myriad collectible curios alongside each to create the perfect vignette.

Whilst the space Lynda has so thoughtfully curated is beyond enchanting, to coin an oft used phrase, this wasn’t our first rodeo, so why the sadness?

As we took the time to contemplate how we felt, we realised that the almost eight hours we’d travelled to Daylesford meant we’d left the ‘real’ world behind. The only thing on our To Do List was to indulge our love of all things needle and thread as we placed, styled and captured images of each of the twelve projects.

The washing and ironing that had accumulated during our time away, the fridge and pantry that would need restocking on our return home, the emails waiting for responses, the paperwork we were now behind on at the office… the list went on and on!

We’d gone from being completely immersed in a pursuit of passion to the mundane of the everyday in almost an instant.

Whilst it took us a little while to regain our balance, the truth is, you don’t get one without the other. It’s the sometimes-tedious things we do day in and day out that make pursuing our passion possible.

Once we remembered this, the mundane, well it didn’t seem so mundane after all!

So, the next time we find ourselves transferring that all too intricate pattern, frogging the stitches laid for the umpteenth time or completing the binding on what feels like the world’s largest quilt, we’ll remind ourselves of the lesson we learnt as we left Daylesford. It’s the completion of what can sometimes feel menial that gives rise to pursuing the meaningful.

When we sent All Stitched Up! Issue #319 out into the world, we did not realise that there was an unintended error in it. We had featured a picture of a lovely ornament that one of our readers had created from what we mistakenly labelled as a piece of vintage crochet. It turns out that it wasn’t crochet at all. It was, in fact, a piece of bobbin lace.

We won’t list all of the eagle eyed and expert readers who wrote to inform us that what we were seeing was bobbin lace, as there were just too many. But we would like to thank all of them for bringing it to our attention so that we could rectify our error.

Without experienced knowledge, it may be very difficult for the layperson to distinguish between different kinds of lace. The term ‘lace’ is defined in dictionary.com as ‘a netlike ornamental fabric made of threads by hand or machine’. What we didn’t appreciate is that there are between 15 and 20 different types of recognised lace.

Bobbin lace refers to the lace making technique most people think of when they imagine this beautiful art. It is one of the original lacemaking techniques used for handmade fine lace. Bobbin lace is created through the braiding and twisting of threads which are wound on to bobbins. The work is done on a pillow, giving rise to the alternative name of ‘pillow lace’. The formation of the pattern is achieved through the placement of the pins in the pillow that the threads are twisted around.

Bobbin lace has been made since the 16th Century, although there is evidence that it had been practiced even before then. It is said to have evolved from braid making, which was famously undertaken in Genoa in Italy.

Women across Europe embraced the technique, as it soon became a way for them to earn a living. Lace fetched a much higher price than spinning or weaving, and working with bobbins was easier than cutwork, so the art was taught in convents and schools to provide girls with an income generating skill.

Although there was a period during the 18th Century when the art of bobbin lace fell out of favour, it has enjoyed a resurgence in modern times and remains a popular technique in many parts of the world. Despite the ubiquity of machine-made lace, many people still love the process of making bobbin lace.

If you are interested to learn more about bobbin lace or you would like to try it yourself, there are Lace Guilds in many countries, with an international body, The International Bobbin and Needle Lace Organisation that welcomes lace makers from all over the world.

As the name of the international organisation suggests, there is a second form of handmade lace that is also widely loved and practiced today, and that is needlelace. Unlike bobbin lace, which is made using multiple threads woven together, needlelace uses a single thread. It is said to originate from Italian reticella but it evolved into various techniques including Punto in Aria and Hollie Point among others.

Needlelace is generally formed by securing or couching heavier threads into a pattern on a stiff background – either card or thick paper. The lace is then created using a variety of different stitches with prominence given to detached blanket stitch. The result can be just as light and ethereal as bobbin lace and, although a slower process, it has enjoyed as much of a resurgence in modern times as its companion technique.

These forms of lace making are just two of the different ways that this beautiful fabric can be created. In the next article, we will return to crochet and take a look at Irish crochet lace, as well as the wonderful technique of tatting.

In the meantime, we are grateful for the opportunity to expand our own knowledge and feel very privileged that there are so many readers out there who are generous enough to share their experience and skills with us.

Elisabetta Sforza is an Italian designer who has been delighting stitchers the world over with her exquisitely embroidered alphabets. Drawing on the beauty of nature, Elisabetta develops a theme that she uses to decorate each letter in her alphabets with incredible detail. The letters can then be used as monograms or even to create complete words.

We have stocked two of her books in the past, but we’re now adding a third to our offering that you are simply not going to want to miss.

A Flower Alphabet represents Elisabetta’s style at its finest. Each sinuous letter is formed with a gorgeous variety of garden flowers in a stunning array of colours. From roses to lavender, daisies to forget-me-nots, you’ll get the opportunity to work a wide range of stitches within each letter.

But you are also encouraged to use this alphabet in different ways.

She indicates that the alphabet is merely the starting point. You should use it to create your own unique designs, which fit with her lovely floral style.

We also have back in stock Elisabetta’s other two books.

In a Wheat Field features an alphabet created in glorious autumnal tones and featuring poppies, daisies and sheaves of wheat to form each shape.

A Sea to Stitch brings a nautical feel to the alphabet, each letter decorated with shells, tiny sea creatures, birds and waves in a wide array of colours and stitches.

You can never have enough ideas for alphabets, so these three books are essential for your collection. Any time you need to add an initial or decorate something with a name, you’ll have all the inspiration you need in one of Elisabetta Sforza’s fantastic books.

Stitching with silk is an experience like no other, so discovering new stranded silks is always a joy. Cascade House is a thread manufacturer that prides itself on its lustrous silk and unique colour range, bringing endless pleasure to your stitching.

We have two different packs of Cascade House threads available that offer you the perfect opportunity to try this highly recommended silk thread. You can choose between a pack of soft pastel colours or one with richer tones and both would be perfect for all kinds of projects, from cross stitch to threadpainting and everything in between.

Each pack contains five full skeins of six-stranded silk with a generous 7.5metres per skein in a range of hand-dyed colours. We’re sure that once you take that first stitch with Cascade House silk, you won’t look back.

Inspirations issue #82, published back in 2014, was packed with birds, flowers and butterflies to embroider. With printed copies of this issue now sold out, we’ve just finished digitising the first batch of projects as digital patterns, with the second group to follow in the coming weeks, so you can still enjoy this fantastic collection.

Ruling the Roost by Louise Spriggs is a cheerful cushion featuring six gorgeous felt appliqué doves sleeping on the branches of a handstitched tree. Stitched on natural linen, this is a project that will fit perfectly in any home.

Rock a Bye by Nancy Lee is an adorable wool and cashmere baby blanket with satin stitch rocking horses galloping around the edge. Choose your colour to tailor your blanket to the new arrival.

Chosen One by Anna Scott is a tiny wooden pot with a stunning monogram stitched on natural linen on the lid. Included in the pattern is a full alphabet so you can select the exact letter you need to fully personalise your project.

These three projects are now available for purchase and immediate download in our extensive digital pattern library on the website.

Imagine being offered a commission to remake the embellishments of a stunning dress coat from the late 1700s. The original coat is trimmed with intricate goldwork that has to be designed and recreated using modern materials and techniques. This is precisely the dream project that Liz Tapper from Lenham Needlecraft in the UK is currently undertaking.

Liz has been commissioned by an Italian customer to carefully study and then redesign the extensive embroidery on a historic military coat. The measurements must be meticulous in order to get this reproduction exactly right.

It is a project of a lifetime, and one she has obviously embraced.

When this coat is complete, it will be brilliantly coloured and filled with eye watering detail. What an amazing project to be involved in!

You can read more about Liz’s project HERE.

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

Jo Butcher’s projects are always gorgeous to look at and a treat to stitch. Each one delights the eye with its subtle colouring and clever use of simple stitches to achieve a wonderfully lifelike effect. Jo can create a landscape on fabric so accurately, you can believe you’re looking through a tiny window onto a garden scene bursting with flowers and grasses.

In Inspirations issue #113 we bring you Allium Meadow. Inside this picture-perfect frame is an embroidery filled with wonderful details to enjoy including tall grass, purple salvia, pink cosmos and, standing above it all, pompom-like allium blooms.

Allium is a flower that is a close relative to the onion. It comes in a huge range of colours including blue, red and yellow, although the alliums in this study display the soft green of new blooms.

The plant is incredibly resistant to dry conditions and offers a dramatic contrast to any garden or meadow with the spherical flowers growing well above the rest of the foliage. Different species will bloom at different times of the year, so it is possible to have alliums flowering in your garden in spring and summer and even through to autumn.

Each allium is formed using a subtle gradation of colour with the darker green underneath through to light green at the top where the flowers would get the most sunlight. The blooms are formed using a cluster of French knots that creates the perfect texture for the fluffy flower.

Jo’s designs require you to be free and relaxed with your stitch placement. Although you are provided with a diagram guiding you as to the placement of the allium flowers and the framing salvia stalks, for much of the rest of the embroidery you are given free rein. Jo suggests where each of the smaller flowers should be placed to ensure you get the right balance, but you are encouraged to just let yourself stitch without feeling constrained.

Allium Meadow is stitched on a gently painted background to give the appearance of a pale blue, early morning sky. The combination of layered stitches, striking alliums and painted sky creates a sense of perspective that helps you feel like you’re sitting by the window and looking out on to this whimsical meadow. Watch carefully, and you may see the grasses swaying in the breeze.

Allium Meadow is another addition to Jo’s already extensive collection of beautiful designs. You’re sure to enjoy stitching it and we are confident it will leave you looking for more projects by this talented stitch artist. Her designs are certainly addictive, bringing beautiful and colourful landscapes and gardens into your home, no matter what your living circumstances.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Allium Meadow by Jo Butcher is a sun-kissed meadow filled with alliums and salvias growing above grasses sprinkled with cornflowers and cosmos.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Allium Meadow includes everything* you need to re-create this tranquil meadow: Fabric with pre-printed background , fabric stabiliser, embroidery threads and needles.

In Flanders Fields by Jo Butcher from Inspirations issue #99 is a beckoning meadow scene filled with red poppies and golden wheat.

Sea View by Jo Butcher from Inspirations issue #107 is a peaceful meadow scene of grasses and flowers overlooking the ocean.

Summer Days by Jo Butcher from Inspirations issue #101 is a delightful garden in full bloom with busy bees flying to and fro their wooden hive.

Cottage Garden by Jo Butcher from Where Meadows & Gardens Grow is a garden scene with swathes of flowers, large and small, melding together in perfect harmony.

In years past, artists would take their paints and easels and head outside to re-create gardens or landscapes. Although we may not carry acrylics and brushes, needleworkers love to stitch landscape designs as well, using their needle and thread as their chosen medium. Here are a few stitched landscapes for you to enjoy.

‘I hand painted the fabric (inspired by Jo Butcher) and embroidered the flora, rocks, and trees. Many of the plants, including flowering cactus, bougainvillea, palmetto, and palm tree, were based on actual plants in my yard here in Florida.’

This is a wonderful, original embroidery, Mary. It is a perfect example of how you can take your needlework skills and use them to create a personal memory. Such a serene and relaxing view you have captured – we love it!

‘He was thrilled with it and even rang me the next day to tell me he couldn’t stop looking at it.’

We can understand his excitement, Robyn. What a spectacular finish. It is truly a masterpiece that we’re sure your son will never tire of looking at.

Jo’s designs do make you feel you are looking out on a summer garden, don’t they Monika? It's wonderful that you can enjoy the memory of summer thanks to your beautiful embroidery. Well done!

Do you love stitching landscapes? Are you inspired by the view when you look out of your window or are out walking? Or do you prefer to stitch other designs and keep the view as a visual pleasure only?

Whatever it is you like to stitch, we’d like to see it. Send us a picture of your work with a bit of information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

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These Sudberry House boxes with aperture lids are designed specifically for needlework projects and are available in two different sizes.

Mountain Oak by Anna Scott is a stunning crewel cushion with a tree of life set among mountain peaks, worked in alpine colours.

Persian Bounty by Anna Scott from Inspirations issue #108 is a beautiful pomegranate study using a variety of stumpwork techniques.

Pomegranate & Rose by Anna Scott from Inspirations issue #100 is a superb silk and goldwork design of flowing stems laden with fruit and flowers.

Perfect Pansies by Carolyn Pearce is a vibrant set of needlework accessories.

Viola Tricolor by Wendy Innes from Inspirations issue #46 is an exquisite botanical study in stumpwork.

Tranquil Thoughts by Fiona Hibbett from Inspirations issue #107 is a floral heart design using foundational stumpwork techniques.

~ Alan Watts ~

Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.