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ISSUE 341, 29 JULY, 2022
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi There,
A recent email from Hannah Brencher had us thinking about our ‘Stitching Backpacks’, but not in the way you might be thinking.

Hannah unpacked a scripture from the bible, that even if you don’t go to church or may never have opened a bible, will likely be familiar – ‘For my yolk is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:28).

Typically, burden is used to describe a ‘heavy, crushing load’ and has therefore become something we try to avoid. However, Hannah came to realise that the bible uses a second type of burden that translates from the Greek as ‘phortion’ (for-tee-on) and it’s this version that’s referred to in the passage of scripture above.

One of phortion’s translations is a soldier’s pack or backpack. Something we are fit to carry.

The truth is, just like a soldier we all have our own backpacks that are custom packed for what we need. Our packs contain what we require for the journey before us. Sometimes the items in our backpacks are physical items, whilst at others they’re character traits or lessons learned from experiences past that provide the ‘tools’ we need for success.
When it comes to our ‘Stitching Backpacks’, no two will look alike because we’re all on our own journey with needle and thread.
Although not identical in specifics, no doubt each of our backpacks contain the specific tools required for the stitching before us, or perhaps a reference book that will guide us through particular stitches we’re not yet familiar with. Our packs also hold our knowledge about specific stitches and techniques as well as virtues such as patience and perseverance that help us to succeed each time we take needle and thread in hand.

Whilst there are times we each need to check the contents of our packs to see if they need repacking, most of the time we already have what we need to flourish, sometimes we just need to dig a little deeper to find it in the bottom of our packs!

We’d love to hear what’s specific to your Stitching Backpack. Email us with the tools that are indispensable to you each time you take needle and thread in hand, and who knows maybe we’ll ‘borrow’ an item or two for our own backpacks?!
 
Have Your Say
Glass Ceilings, Good Works and Other Glorious Things
The concept of a self-imposed glass ceiling was one that we mused upon in All Stitched Up! issue #335. After reading an article by Peter Sage, we were interested to learn about how often we encounter barriers of our own making. Overcoming them requires a sometimes-frightening step into the unknown. Once we’ve taken the step, we can move on again, but it is so easy to hesitate, convinced we’ll never make it through that ceiling.
Janet Henry admitted that she read the article having just had that very experience. She had spent quite a few months finishing off several UFO quilt projects. During the process, she was looking forward to starting something new, but when the moment arrived it meant that she had to cut into fabric.

It had been some time since she’d done that. She stood there, looking at the fabric. She re-read the instructions. She hesitated. Finally, she said to herself ‘get going!’. With a deep breath, she began cutting and in no time, she was back in her comfort zone. Janet told us that she was so gratified to read the article and learn that we all go through these blocks. She said:
‘I love the way your newsletter so often coincides with my life.’
Ann Bernard also found the article interesting. She acknowledged the logic in the idea of the self-imposed glass ceiling and observed that it is scary to walk or wade into unknown waters or a new life. The article gave her something to think about in relation to so many aspects of her life.
Tatiana Popova
Also in that issue, we shared with you the story of Tatiana Popova who is now working in Australia after escaping her home country of Ukraine. Many people had asked about her and wished her well, so it was fabulous to be able to talk to her. She stated how she was so lucky, thanks to the generosity and support of the stitching community. So, when we received an email from Annie Webster from Wales, we wanted to share it as a further demonstration of how wonderful the stitching community is.

Annie said that she belongs to a group of needleworkers. An associate had come up with the idea of making up packages of stitching notions and tools to send to Ukrainian women now living in Poland. Annie commented how most needleworkers gain such solace from working with their needles. Through stitching,
‘…forgetfulness descends and transports us to a place where we can get away from our troubles for a while.’
With this in mind, Annie spent a satisfying afternoon digging through her stash and gathering as comprehensive an array of haberdashery as possible. She gathered wools, needles, hooks, buttons, beads, fabric, cottons, pins, snips and many other bits and pieces. She put them together and they are now on their way to a fellow stitcher in need.
Annie said that she can only hope her small contribution brings with it the gift of a little bit of peace and quiet for the recipient.

Moving from sharing to being careful what you share. Ann Sait wrote in with a story that made us laugh. She was busy stitching one afternoon, deep in concentration when her husband walked in.

‘Have you got any thread I could use?’ he asked. Ann, unwilling to take her eyes from her work, nodded towards her stash drawers. Later in the day, he husband proudly showed her what he had been doing. In his hand was a fishing rod with its rings whipped in a gorgeous coloured thread. Ann complimented him on his work. Her husband, handing back the remains of the reel commented, ‘that is great thread.’ Ann looked down and gasped. He had used her very best Mettler thread!

The lesson she learned? Never let her husband near her stash unsupervised!
Finally, Cristina Casoli is a reader from Italy who writes to us regularly. As English is not her native language, her emails arrive in Italian and we have to rely on the less-than-perfect translation that comes from Google. However, we always enjoy corresponding with her and we love getting to know our readers from all over the world.
Cristina has asked a question that we wanted to put out to the community.
We really hope that we’ve translated it accurately and that our wonderful readers can come back with ideas for her.

Cristina would like to know how to accurately join two pieces of embroidery in a manner similar to a Betsy Morgan project, but rather than using linen or counted fabric where you can line up the pieces accurately, knowing each stitch will be the same size, she is using printed fabric. Cristina told us the fabric is called ‘stoffine americane’ in Italian, which translates to ‘American cloth,’ and a search tells us is printed quilting fabric.

Her question is how can she calculate how many stitches she might need, or what length of stitch she should use in order to accurately join the fabrics together? Is there a method of measuring? Or is it just done by eye?
We’d love to hear how you go about accurately joining printed fabrics. We’re sure you’ll have ideas whether you’re a quilter or an embroiderer. And if you ever have any questions that you’d like help or advice on from our kind, generous and wonderful community, please write in.
 
Featured Project
Red Columbine by Trish Burr
Trish Burr is well known to stitchers the world over for her exquisite threadpainting, capturing fruit, flowers and birds with such accuracy that it is often difficult to tell whether the finished piece is stitched or painted.
She has an uncanny knack of recreating the texture and shading of her subject perfectly, and then she provides easy to follow instructions so that anyone can reproduce her design with near perfect accuracy.
It is the reason all of her projects are so beloved by so many people.
Every single one of Trish’s projects is a work of art, but in Inspirations issue #115 she has produced something really special. Red Columbine is the latest of her threadpainted designs, but this one has a wow-factor like no other.
It has been stitched on gossamer-fine silk organza, which results in the stunning red flower appearing to float above its translucent background. The red columbine is a stunningly unique flower that is native to eastern North America.
The distinct, double petalled bloom boasts a central, lighter coloured flower nestled in a brilliant, scarlet red outer flower, giving both shape and contrast that lends itself perfectly to stitch. Set off by the rich green leaves of the plant, the colours and shading of this project are beautiful and striking in equal measure.
Silk organza is a very delicate fabric, so stitching on it requires a slightly different technique to standard linen or cotton. Trish recommends that you don’t wash the fabric before you use it as it is a lot easier to work on when it is stiff. Because of the translucency, it may be difficult to see your design outline, but this can be overcome by placing a white cloth on your lap that will make the lines stand out.

The stitching itself is done in a hoop so that the organza is taut and the stitches sit neatly. It also allows you to manage your tension and ensures that the delicate ground fabric does not pucker.
Because of the transparency, any threads that trail across the back are going to be visible, so it is best not to carry threads from one section to another. By ending off each section of stitching before starting the next, you can ensure that the background of Red Columbine remains pristine. Similarly, loose threads at the back should be secured and any ends should be trimmed.
By doing so, your finished Red Columbine will appear to be floating on air.
We know you’re going to love this project as much as every other Trish Burr project we’ve published. It is certainly going to invite cries of amazement and delight when completed ensuring the pleasure of the stitching carries on well beyond the final reveal and the hanging on the wall.
Make Your Own Red Columbine
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Red Columbine by Trish Burr is a stunning presentation of a single, vibrant flower on translucent fabric.
 
PRINTED MAGZINE
Inspirations Issue 115
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Red Columbine
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Red Columbine includes everything* you need to re-create this ethereal study: Fabric (unprinted), felt, embroidery threads, felt and needle.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Red Columbine
 
*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.
Looking for More Trish Burr?
Hummingbird & Flower
Hummingbird & Flower by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue #105 is a jewel-coloured hummingbird resting on a floral sprig captured in threadpainting.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 105
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Hummingbird & Flower
 
Royal Blue
Royal Blue by Trish Burr from Inspirations issue #77 is a sublime, threadpainted splendid fairy wren.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 77
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Royal Blue
 
Needlework News
Silk Ribbon Gift Boxes
We’ve made the announcement several times here in All Stitched Up! that silk ribbon embroidery is making a comeback! We’re so excited to see more ribbon embroidery projects being done. We’ve been publishing more and we’re even bringing back a few favourites from the past. With the explosion of silk ribbon embroidery projects available, the next task is to source the finest silk ribbon on the market.
Di van Niekerk is famous for her beautiful silk ribbon designs. As a designer, she knows that stitching with gorgeous silk ribbon makes all the difference, so she has created her own range of buttery soft, hand-dyed silk ribbons. Di has put together an exclusive range of her ribbons just for the Inspirations community so that you can enjoy discovering this gorgeous technique in style.
Each box contains 16 skeins of ribbon in a range of colours and sizes. All of the ribbons are hand painted in Cape Town, South Africa, on the best quality silk ribbon from Japan. The ribbons are colourfast, washable and a sheer joy to stitch with. Best of all, they come in a beautiful gift box that offers the perfect storage solution.
It’s time to discover what all the noise is about, and try your hand at silk ribbon embroidery using this gorgeous range of exclusive ribbons from Di van Niekerk.
Corinne Lapierre | Lavender Houses
We are usually pretty good at knowing what kits, books and notions our readers are going to love, but even we were taken aback at just how popular Corinne Lapierre’s Lavender Houses has been. We shouldn’t have been surprised. We couldn’t resist this gorgeous felt craft kit when we saw it so it is little wonder you couldn’t either.
Lavender Houses is a kit containing everything you need to create three adorable lavender-filled houses. Using lovely pastel-coloured wool felt decorated with bold, simple stitching, these little houses can be hung in your wardrobe, your car or anywhere you want to fill the air with the gentle scent of lavender.
Easy to stitch and as cute as anything, the kits are running out so be sure to order yours today.
Inspirations Calendar | August Project
August is almost here and this month’s calendar project is Mushroom Magic by Ana Mallah. Mushroom Magic is a jolly little mushroom shaped pot with a handy pincushion on the top set off by a tiny butterfly. It originally appeared as one of our exclusive Handpicked projects.
Our Handpicked range really is something special. For each magazine, we commission a designer to create an additional project. The design and all of the instructions for making it are then made available to our readers as either a printed pattern booklet or as a digital download to purchase from our website.
Sometimes the projects complement another from that issue of the magazine. Sometimes they are completely unique, giving everyone something extra-special on top of the already fabulous magazine projects.
The best thing about the Handpicked projects is that they are always available even after the next issue of the magazine has hit the stores. So, you can fall in love with Mushroom Magic or any other Handpicked project at any time, and you can be assured you’ll be able to get started on it in no time at all.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Mushroom Magic
 
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Mushroom Magic
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Mushroom Magic
 
World Embroidery Day
It’s tomorrow!!! We thought we’d add a reminder, but frankly, who needs to be reminded of the embroiderer’s favourite day of the year?
If you are having a special celebration, we would love to hear about it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re getting together with a group of stitching friends or planning on celebrating quietly on your own with a needle and thread, please share your World Embroidery Day stories with us.

Happy World Embroidery Day everyone!
Stitching on Social | July
July has been a busy month on social media! We’ve discovered more talented artists, been amazed by more innovative designs and added more accounts to our follow list. We know that we shouldn’t succumb to the endless scrolling, but when the work is this good, it almost seems a crime not to. Here are our favourites for you to follow.
@pantovola.petit: Labelled the ‘Curious Cabinet of Childhood’, this talented artist creates hauntingly beautiful fabric figurines.
@stitching_with_tilly: Lucy-Kate is an embroidery artist from Bristol, UK, whose stunning combination of fine stitching, beads and sequins in brilliant colour produces some seriously eye-catching work.
@pieces_of_tomorrow: Jolanda Drukker Murray is a Dutch sculptor whose textile art is personal, striking and filled with memories. She experiments with a variety of techniques to achieve her vision.
@johnelliotknits: John Elliot creates bold, colourful artworks predominantly using knitting in truly spectacular ways.

If you ever come across a needlework artist you’d like us to see, please let us know. In the meantime, for daily inspiration you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest where we discover more talented needleworkers every single day.
 
Featured Project
Centre Stage by Marlize Meyer
For regular readers of All Stitched Up!, you will know that we have pledged to start bringing back kits for some of our most popular projects over the years. Making the decision about which projects to select is always difficult because there are just so many beautiful designs to choose from. But with the realisation that silk ribbon embroidery is enjoying a resurgence, it didn’t take us long to decide that Centre Stage by Marlize Meyer simply had to return.
This stunning project first appeared in Inspirations issue #77. It was designed by Marlize Meyer from Pretoria, South Africa. Marlize started out as a wedding dress designer. Her passion for beautiful things, and her particular love of silk ribbon embroidery led her to create this iconic project, which we are so thrilled to be able to make available again.
Centre Stage is a stitched on a simply stunning silk print of a gorgeous ballerina by our very own Di van Niekerk.
The soft light and pastel colouring create an atmosphere of calm beauty as the wistful dancer sits on a closed piano, attending to her shoes.
She’s surrounded by a cornucopia of flowers and is dressed in a stunning beaded tutu and headdress, all masterfully stitched in beads, tulle, and silk ribbon.
The beauty of this type of project is that you can stitch as much or as little as you choose. Marlize has provided clear directions on how to select and embellish certain elements, explaining the stitches you need to master and the types of ribbons you should use. This results in a gorgeous, three-dimensional effect made all the more striking because of the exquisitely painted background. But if you see other areas on the print that you feel would look beautiful stitched, then you are free to do so.
Using different widths and colours of silk ribbon, you can create the beautiful range of different flowers that cascade from the bouquet on the top of the piano. You will then use delicately shaded pink ribbon to create the ballerina’s tutu, as well as the unlaced ribbons on her ballet shoes that fall elegantly across the piano stool. Centre Stage seems to capture a moment in time.
The dancer is poised, perhaps thinking over her routine before she ties up her shoes and steps out onto the stage.
Embellished embroidery was incredibly popular throughout the 1980s and 1990s and we’re so excited that stitchers are rediscovering how enjoyable it is to do today. You are going to fall in love when you open your kit and see the stunning printed silk background. Although it is lovely just as is, as soon as you thread your needle, you know you are going to create something truly unique.
We can almost guarantee you’ll be looking for more printed silk ribbon embroidery projects to complete once you’ve experienced the joy of stitching Centre Stage. This wonderful project will take pride of place on your wall, ready to be admired by all who see it.
Make Your Own Centre Stage
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Centre Stage by Marlize Meyer is a wistful silk print with dainty ribbon embroidered ballerina and romantic bouquets.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 77
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Centre Stage
 
 
PRINTED PATTERN
Centre Stage
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Centre Stage includes everything* you need to re-create this dainty ballerina: Fabrics (inc. with pre-printed background), tulle, sewing thread, beading thread, craft paper, stamens, fibre fill, ribbons, embroidery threads, beads and needles.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Centre Stage
 
*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/pattern.
Looking for More Silk Ribbon Embroidery?
Wildflowers
Wildflowers by Di van Niekerk from Inspirations issue #113 features pretty wildflowers worked with hand-painted silk ribbon for a contemporary display.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 113
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Wildflowers
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Wildflowers
 
April Flowers
April Flowers by Di van Niekerk from the Handpicked Collection is a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers worked over a printed background using hand-painted silk ribbons.
 
PRINTED PATTERN
April Flowers
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
April Flowers
 
 
WARES
Printed Fabric Panel | April Flowers
 
What Are You Stitching?
Crewel embroidery has long been a favourite among our community. Sometimes crewel designs show a decidedly Jacobean flavour as the technique originated in that era. However, crewel embroidery works beautifully with so many other styles. From the Arts and Crafts movement to modern designs, crewel is one of those delightfully versatile techniques that looks fabulous no matter what you stitch. Here are some examples to prove it.
Trudy Pohawpatchoko
‘I was reading through All Stitched Up! a little while back and came across the project, Briar Rose & Honeysuckle. I just stopped. My good friend, Joanna Lord, stitched this for me as a gift when I finished my term as Director of the Rocky Mountain Region of the EGA!’
‘I absolutely love it - and her! I have it in my office where I can gaze at the exquisite stitching. Joanna even had her husband make the box she mounted it in.’

How lucky you are to have such a generous and talented friend, Trudy. What a beautiful project. You must gain endless pleasure from seeing it on your wall every day.
Yolande Maynard
‘This is my first attempt at crewel embroidery. I buy every new issue of Inspirations magazine when it comes out. My Mum gave me all of her past magazines as well, right back to issue #1.’
‘As I’ve gotten older and free of children, I’ve started enjoying different kinds of hand embroidery having been a machinist all my life.’

What a beautiful way to start your crewel embroidery journey, Yolande, with Brenda Sortwell’s design Arcadia from Inspirations #109. We’re so glad you’re enjoying discovering this wonderful technique.
Sonja Sanguinetti
‘This is a quilt that I made for a recent workshop. My granddaughter decided she wants it for a bag, so I created the other side with two patterns from the book A to Z of Crewel Embroidery. I am using the instructions for the Stylish Succulents bag from Inspirations issue #107.’
‘Thanks to your talented artists, I am able to put my quilting and handwork together in a satisfying way.’

How wonderful that you can combine two of your passions, Sonja. We hope your granddaughter loves the bag and that you continue to get pleasure out of both your quilting and your embroidery.

Do you love doing crewel embroidery? Do you prefer to stitch using fine wools? Or are you more of a lover of silk or stranded cotton? Perhaps it is the designs characteristic of crewel that you love?
Whatever it is you like to stitch, we’d like to see it. Send us a picture of your work with some information about the project and your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
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You May Have Missed
Giftpacks Galore!
Three new gorgeous gift packs to make it easy to find that special something for that special someone, or simply to treat yourself.
Sweet Stitches
Sweet Stitches by Fumie Suzuki is a dainty drawstring pouch featuring exquisite Hedebo embroidery.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 115
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Sweet Stitches
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Sweet Stitches
 
Tulip
Tulip by Christine P. Bishop from Inspirations issue #90 is a divine needlelace design on a beautiful Hedebo sachet.
 
PRINTED MAGAZINE
Inspirations Issue 90
 
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Tulip
 
Simplicity
Simplicity by Christine P. Bishop from Inspirations issue #88 is a linen table mat in elegant Hedebo embroidery.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Simplicity
 
Tulipan
Tulipan by Christine P. Bishop from A Passion for Needlework 3 | Blakiston Creamery is a superb table mat worked using Hedebo cutwork and needlelace techniques.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Tulipan
 
 
PRINTED BOOK
A Passion for Needlework 3 | Blakiston Creamery
 
This Week on Social
 
⁠Fiber artist Agnes Hansella's giant macramé installations hanging from a ceiling in Bali.
 
Abby Raisz's exceptional hand embroidered Waxwing.
 
Quote
‘We all have a bag. We all pack differently.’

~ Hannah Brencher ~

What's On
Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.
If you’re holding an event or would like to suggest one to be added, we’d love to hear about it. Email us the details at news@inspirationsstudios.com
INSPIRATIONS
© 2022 Inspirations Studios

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