How long has it been since you stopped to consider how valuable your time with needle and thread is?

Some of you will do it consciously each time you stitch, but for us at Inspirations HQ, we must admit that it had been some time since we intentionally considered the benefits of stitching.

However, we recently stumbled across an article that changed that.

The Guardian published a piece entitled ‘A Stitch in Time: The Benefits of Teaching Prisoners to Sew’. Well acquainted with the UK charity Fine Cell Work the article was referring to, we eagerly read on. The editorial went on to unpack the experience of Sebastian (not his real name) during his time in prison throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the pandemic first hit, and little was known about how the virus spread, additional restrictions were placed on the prisoners that kept them in their cells for at least 23 hours each day without access to any of the activities that had previously given them a sense of purpose and hope.

Anticipating what might happen, Fine Cell Work went above and beyond their usual mandate, sending out more than 2,000 products to prisons before the first lockdown was implemented, enabling stitchers to work in their cells throughout this time.

Sebastian first encountered Fine Cell Work advertised on a poster that captured his interest immediately. Compared to the other activities on offer at the facility such as kitchen work and recycling, neither seemed as ‘exciting as threading bright wool through a slender eye and making something beautiful’.

Since completing a turkey Christmas decoration when he first picked up needle and thread, Sebastian was one of the many prisoners who were engaged to fulfill a 500-piece order of penguins that were commissioned by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust for their remote gift shop at Port Lockroy in Antarctica. The prisoners worked tirelessly for six weeks to complete the order and although the penguins were difficult to make at times, the sense of accomplishment they all felt was something they hadn’t expected. Sebastian went to on to explain that, ‘the idea of a thing that you’ve made crossing the world gives you such pride’.

Not only does Fine Cell Work engage prisoners in an activity that helps pass the long hours in prison, they’re also paid for their efforts in the hope the funds they save and the skills they learn will serve them well upon their release.

Perhaps though, it’s the profound impact the time with needle and thread has on the prisoners’ sense of wellbeing where the value of Fine Cell Work’s efforts is most felt, ‘You can escape into your stitching, Sebastian muses, because it transports you somewhere else. It gives you focus; it keeps you occupied; it stops you dwelling on things.’

Sebastian’s comments made us appreciate once again that stitching is more than just a hobby. Amongst many other benefits, it has the ability to provide a distraction from the everyday whilst also allowing us to experience a sense of accomplishment as we lay stitch after tiny stitch. And for that, we’re incredibly grateful.

We all have a stitching ‘backpack’. This isn’t necessarily a physical backpack (although it may well be for some people). Rather, it is a metaphorical pack that is filled with all the important things we need to make our stitching journey easier. We wrote about this in All Stitched Up! issue #341, which garnered some wonderful responses from the community.

Deb Culbertson wrote that she likes to have all her important tools close to her when she stitches, even if she doesn’t use them every time. She’s even made special books to hold them all. She changes books every time she changes projects because she’s made 25 of them to date!

Included in her ‘backpack’ are a range of needles that she can use for all kinds of threads, including the beads and special threads she loves to embellish her work with. She always has sharp scissors, a lovely antique stiletto, and a silver seam ripper with her name etched on it. She never likes to rip out stitches, but the feel of this beautiful tool makes the process bearable.

Finally, she has a beautiful wooden container that holds her book, hoop and threads perfectly. It even has room for her hand lotion. Stitching heaven!

Ben is lucky enough to have plenty of room for stitching, with a 4 x 4 foot adjustable floor frame. Ben can work on large pieces or multiple pieces at once, with other tabletop and smaller floor frames to hand. With a clamped-on magnifier, light, thread holders and an easel for the pattern, it is a set-up that would be the envy of many.

Lydia Lyubashenko wrote to us from Russia to tell us about her ‘backpack’ and the comfort it brings her. Her family live in Ukraine, so she is currently facing worries and uncertainties about the people she loves and the future in general. When the difficulties began in February, Lydia turned to her stitching box. She started organising it, putting her needles in order or making a sheath for her scissors. Any time she felt like crying, she would go back to her box.

Lydia said that she is so grateful to have her box. It is sanity in her sewing backpack.

Now, whenever she needs some kind of meditation, she reorganises her box. It is probably the most organised sewing box in the Western Hemisphere now! That gives her the calm to carry on with her life.

In that same issue of All Stitched Up! we posed a question to our community that had been sent to us by Cristina from Italy. She was interested to know how to accurately join two pieces of printed fabric. Fortunately, we have people in our community with a wide range of skills and talents, so we received some fantastic replies.

Sandie Bero suggested folding the raw edges of the pieces of fabric over approximately 1/2” (13mm). The next step is to find where the pattern matches, then use lots of pins to secure it. Sandie then uses a blind stitch to join the pieces, also known as slip stitch or invisible stitch. She says that although it takes careful stitching, once it is pressed you can hardly see the join.

Roberta Kenney once again sent us a fantastic set of step-by-step instructions. As both a seamstress and embroiderer, she put her two skills together to come up with a solution. Her answer is:

1. Determine the sizes of the patterns to be joined.
2. Determine the grain of the two pieces. Are the edges on grain or on the bias?
3. Measure the edges to be joined.
4. Choose the length of stitch to use based on the size of each pattern print. In the USA, she suggests 8-10 stitches per inch (2.5cm) whether stitching by hand or machine.
5. Choose an embroidery floss colour common to both patterns to top stitch the seam, visually blending the two fabrics.

Finally, Roxanna Hauschild noted that American Quilt Fabric, which she assumes means printed cotton, is printed with repeats of various sizes and lengths. The first thing she does is lay the fabric flat, then figure out where the repeat starts. She then cuts the selvage off, and lays the cut piece next to the fabric, moving it up and down till the pattern matches.

Once she has a match, she finger presses the piece she’s adding, then irons the line as accurately as possible. Lay the fabric with the ironed edge on the table, open the crease, pin close to the crease and then baste. Just make sure it doesn’t move! Roxanna says that she always checks for the first few pins to make sure things aren’t shifting, but she almost always gets an accurate match.

Hopefully this will give Cristina, and everyone else, some useful knowledge to take into their own projects. Aren’t we fortunate to have such a talented and generous community? We can’t help but be thankful every day that we get the pleasure of working for such an amazing group of people.

People who adore their pets will always want to find ways to celebrate and immortalise them. This is why embroidered pet portraits have been all the rage recently. You may have admired some of the stunning pet portraits you’ve seen on Instagram or Pinterest but never dreamed that you could create your own. Michelle Staub has just published a new book that shows you just how easy it is to stitch a special portrait of your favourite furry friend.

This book has projects for both beginner and experienced stitchers, so it is suitable whatever your skill level and whatever type of portrait you’d like to create. With detailed instructions for a series of projects featuring dogs and cats, you can try working a stitched outline portrait or get stuck into one of the incredibly detailed, photographically accurate threadpainted portraits.

The book also contains plenty of information on how you can successfully stitch your very own pet, with tips on photography, transferring outlines and choosing colours. Whether you stitch one of Michelle’s projects or create your very own, these pet portraits are breathtaking masterpieces in the making that will show the world how much you love your special friend in a beautifully personal way.

Stop worrying about whether you’re able to create an accurate likeness of your furry companion and start doing it with Pet Portrait Embroidery by Michelle Staub. You’ll be amazed at just what you can achieve.

Just in case you missed the announcement, we wanted to remind you that Carolyn Pearce’s stunning etui, Strawberry Fayre is finally back on the shelves!

Originally from Inspirations issue #95, this gorgeous project captured the hearts of our readers. It is so beautifully constructed and stitched, it rapidly became a ‘must-do’ project for hundreds of embroiderers all over the world.

Due to popular demand, we’ve spent many months sourcing every element (nearly 100 individual items!) required to put together our Strawberry Fayre Ready-to-Stitch kits. In it you’ll find everything you need to re-create this magnificent project.

We’ve also released the instructions as a printed pattern for the very first time, so you can purchase both the pattern and the kit and get started on this iconic project in no time.

Due to the number and quality of the materials, we have only a limited number of kits, so don’t miss out. You’ll love the entire process of stitching Strawberry Fayre and we’re sure you will take pride in the finished piece for years to come.

2022 is racing by! As referenced above, it’s almost September already. Now is just the right time to start getting organised for 2023 by ordering your Inspirations calendar so you’ll have it in time for the new year.

The Inspirations 2023 calendar is filled with gorgeous, full colour photographs of 12 of the most beautiful needlework projects in the world, carefully selected from past books and magazines. Each one will inspire and amaze you and see you itching to pick up your needles to stitch.

As well as monthly inspiration, you’ll also get a generously sized month-to-a-page calendar, with plenty of room to add in birthdays, appointments and important dates that projects need to be completed by!

The 2023 calendar is already flying off the shelves, so be sure to get yours ordered without delay and get ready to enjoy another year of needlework inspiration.

We’re pleased to announce that our screen time was down this last month! However, that may be because we’ve spent less time crushing candies. It certainly isn’t because we’ve spent less time looking at beautiful needlework from around the world! Here are a few of the artists we’ve been captivated by in August who have grabbed our attention more than colourful candies!

@jolly_hoops: Sila Gur creates fashion-inspired threadpainted masterpieces that are filled with atmosphere.

@copaceticcrocheter: If you’re looking for calorie-free sweet treats, then you’ll love the work of Normalynn Ablao. These crocheted pieces definitely look good enough to eat.

@emilyvanhoff: Emily uses bright fabrics in bold colours and shapes as the medium for her quilted art.

@mimi.o_o.r: This talented Japanese artist creates magical, fairy-tale-like embroidered scenes and jewellery.

We all know that spending less time on our devices is a good thing, so our suggestion is we discard those things that aren’t inspiring and beautiful and make more time for those things that are.

If you want more inspiration, we post regularly on all of our social media accounts, so follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for your daily dose of beautiful and inspiring things.

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

One characteristic of Jacobean crewel embroidery is the inclusion of a huge variety of whimsical and fabulous animals. Early crewel designs often included birds, monkeys, stags, dogs and horses, each filled with character and delighting the viewer.

Phillipa Turnbull is famous for her traditional crewel designs including many reproductions of historic crewel embroideries. She’s a master at creating crewel animals, and Ophelia’s Fox from Inspirations issue #115 is a perfect example.

His front paw is up, his ears are cocked and his nose appears to have just caught a scent. He pauses, his beautiful bushy tail sweeping the ground, framed perfectly by the trailing branches of an oak tree. Worked in beautiful earthy greens and browns, Ophelia’s Fox includes bright splashes of colour from the meadow flowers beneath the fox’s feet.

The project is stitched using a combination of long and short stitch and a number of other traditional crewel stitches that form the leaves and foliage surrounding the main subject. The careful shading gives the fox a fabulously three-dimensional effect and the range of greens in the leaves and ground invite an atmosphere of autumnal beauty to the natural scene.

Ophelia’s Fox is one of the magical animals that Phillipa has designed for her Aesop’s Animals series. This series selects all the important animals from Aesop’s Fables, including hares, owls, frogs and other birds.

He teaches us that it is easy to despise what you cannot have; that you can’t find fault with someone who only pays you back with your own coin; and various other important moral lessons that run through all of Aesop’s stories. Children and adults alike have loved these stories for millennia, so you can now immortalise them with your needle and thread by stitching this wonderful project.

Ophelia’s Fox is perfect whether you are starting out with crewel embroidery or you’re an experienced stitcher. You can follow the step-by-step instructions to achieve the shading and the stitches that will really bring this creature to life.

When you next sit down with a child or grandchild to read about the sly fox who stole the cheese from the crow by crooning some flattering words to her, you can be watched over by Ophelia’s Fox as he pauses momentarily to listen to your words.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Ophelia's Fox by Phillipa Turnbull is a crewel embroidery panel of a red fox in his woodland territory.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Ophelia's Fox includes everything* you need to re-create this whimsical crewel panel: Fabric with pre-printed design, embroidery threads, bead and needles.

Jacobean Stag by Phillipa Turnbull from Inspirations issue #101 is an elegant crewel panel featuring a splendid stag overlooking leafy hillocks.

Autumn Gold by Phillipa Turnbull from Inspirations issue #40 is a charming crewel cushion worked in pastel colours and featuring a traditional design of leaves and flowers.

Garden of Earthly Delights by Margaret Light from Inspirations issue #62 is a stunning handbag or cushion, with a wonderful design featuring colourful parrots amidst stems of exotic foliage, flowers and berries.

Silver Threads by June Godwin from Inspirations issue #45 is an elegant needlecase with Jacobean style embroidery.

Smocking is an art form that will never go out of fashion. As long as there are little boys and girls who want to wear beautiful outfits and brand-new babies being born, there will be people who love to smock. Here are some more smocking projects for you to enjoy. Perhaps they will be enough to inspire you to pleat up some fabric and have a try at this wonderful technique yourself.

‘The jacket is lined in a navy fabric and the dress has a lace edged slip attached to the bodice lining.’

What a beautiful contribution, Anne. Whoever is lucky enough to win this stunning prize would have been absolutely thrilled.

These are lovely dresses, Judith. It’s clear how much you love smocking. There are sure to be some happy little princesses out there who are going to adore these beautiful garments.

She looks so happy, Kathryn! Not surprising at all, with such a wonderful grandmother who makes such gorgeous, smocked clothing for her.

Do you love smocking? Do you enjoy creating beautiful clothing for special little girls and boys? Do you smock just for the sake of it, without having any particular recipient in mind?

Whatever it is you like to stitch, we would 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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Three classic macrame kits with a ball of strong yarn as well as easy to follow instructions, bring you calm and contentment from beginning to end.

Primroses & Violets by Di van Niekerk is a sumptuous silk ribbon embroidery brought to life with dimensional silk ribbon and layering techniques.

Sunflowers and Daisies by Helen Eriksson from Inspirations issue #97 is a cosy woollen blanket adorned with a circlet and bouquet of sun-loving flowers.

Roses and Daisies by Cathy Gunn from Inspirations issue #35 is a charming knee blanket suitable for the beginner.

Poppies & Cornflowers by Jo Butcher from Where Meadows and Gardens Grow features papery, pink skirts of poppy flowers twirling amongst the cornflowers.

Nigella & Honesty by Margaret Light from A Passion for Needlework 3 | Blakiston Creamery features gorgeous blooms and seed pods worked using luxurious wool and silk threads.

~ Mark Lipinski ~

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