As we ate what might just be the world’s most impeccable salted pecan and maple gelato at Bottega Gelateria in Henley Beach, South Australia, we read one of their simple, but considered signs and found ourselves thinking about our time with needle and thread.

‘Our philosophy recalls a lost art. Our ideology of ‘Crop to Cone’ or ‘Farm to Table’ is what drives us to preserve the true artisanship of old-world handcrafted gelato. Farm fresh, seasonal and locally grown are the hallmarks of our ingredients. Our mentor, Maestro James Coleridge always said that to make five-star gelato you must source five-star ingredients. Shortcuts don’t exist if you want to be the best.’

Can’t quite see the connection between gelato and needle and thread?! Stick with us.

One of the tasks on our To Do Lists at Inspirations HQ over recent weeks has been to gather the requirements for each of the projects for a publication that’s currently in production. From fabric, thread, needles, beads and paillettes right through to zips, feathers, paper covered wire and even PVC piping, the requirements were many and varied across the twelve projects.

For those of you familiar with the first volume in our ‘Design Collective’ series, The Design Collective | Pincushions, you may recall that alongside the requirements lists for each project, an image of the materials appeared. So, as we were putting the final touches on our second volume in the Design Collective series, the requirements for each project were gathered to replicate those images once again.

Throughout the process we found ourselves referring to the requirements as ‘ingredients’, and just like those at Bottega Gelateria, we appreciated how the inclusion and quality of each was integral to the final product.

As we sourced the countless ingredients, correlating them against the requirements list each of the designers submitted, organised them for photography, styled them within each of the images we took, then finally packed and/or unpacked them at the end of the process as required, we handled each element myriad times. And do you know what we discovered?

From the largest pieces of fabrics and the longest lengths of thread, right through to the tiniest seed beads and smallest paillettes, each ingredient is essential, and the quality of those ingredients is paramount to not just the final result, but also to the experience we have throughout the incredibly tactile experience of stitching.

And now in our own time with needle and thread, we’ve once again committed to always sourcing five-star ingredients to ensure the product we produce is five star, no shortcuts for us because we absolutely want the best of what our needle and thread have to offer!

The following is an extract from the article published in Inspirations magazine #109, written by Ansie van der Walt.

Sabine Kaner works in layers. Layers of fabric, stitches, and colour; but also, in layers of emotions, feelings, identities, and mindsets.

Sabine grew up in London in a mixed-race, immigrant family during the 1960s and ’70s. A difficult childhood as a result of racism, poverty and ill health forced Sabine to turn to art for survival and solace. She won her first award for art at the age of five and she has not stopped creating since.

Trained as a fine art printer, Sabine worked with hand and screen printing before being diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder that forced her to reassess the materials she used. She then started experimenting with textiles and stitching.

Sabine approaches her work through a variety of psychological lenses.

Symbolic references, both abstract and recognisable shapes, and a strong sense of colour co-exist in Sabine’s work. She builds her artworks in layers using paint, print, appliqué, deconstructed clothing, and stitching. ‘Texture is important, and I try to recreate it through a variety of threads including wool and recycled materials.’

Over time Sabine has become familiar with the qualities of different fabrics and the best ways to work with them. The art of hand sewing is slow and meditative but sometimes requires a bit of strength to pull through the layers of material. ‘Despite the challenges this poses, the whole process is part of the joy of creating. Hand sewing feels like my own personal handwriting in the style of the stitches that I choose.

I begin a piece of work with paint and print, which means I have to take into consideration the colours I want to use right from the start. I usually try to spend a day just printing, using bits and pieces to replicate various textured surfaces, often experimenting at this stage. I use a mixture of acrylic, watercolour paint, and printing for the background. On top of this, I assemble various fabrics, often a layer of felt or boiled wool. I experiment with the deconstructed clothing that I have chosen for the piece, referencing my drawings.’

For the next layer, Sabine transfers her drawing, outlining her stitch work, or attaching shapes and appliqués into which she wants to stitch.

As in her artwork, Sabine’s life has many layers – some visible and some hidden. Some are part of the structure and some are added to create texture, variety, and nuance. ‘Most people’s lives weave in and out of a variety of challenging experiences. My work tries to capture some of this story. Using collage enables me to put many ideas together in one piece. I would like to connect with the viewer through my work by expressing the whole range of emotions that we as humans can experience, from pain to joy!’

You can read the full version of this article HERE or follow Sabine on her Instagram account HERE and visit her website HERE.

At the Inspirations office this week, it’s been all about Gift Packs as we’ve been putting the finishing touches on four gorgeous new offerings, each with their own theme.

Inspirations Gift Packs include a range of different needlework goodies including such wonderments as books, printed patterns and magazines through to Ready-t0-Stitch kits, notions, accessories and more. Gift Packs represent amazing value for money and are ideal for either unwrapping yourself or re-wrapping to gift to someone else!

Here are our first two new gift packs on offer…

Heart’s Content Gift Pack

1 x Kit for the project Victorian Hearts by Kim Beamish
1 x Inspirations magazine issue #114 with instructions for ‘Victorian Hearts’
1 x Bohin Needlebook ‘Edwigee’ with an assortment of 40 premium quality embroidery needles.
1 x Tube of elegant Tulip Pins
1 x Pair of Klasse 60mm (2 ½”) super sharp stainless steel scissors

The Heart’s Content Gift Pack includes everything you need to stitch to your heart’s content! The value of the individual items totals more than AU$170 however the Hearts Content Pack is available for only AU$95.

Put a Pin In It Gift Pack

1 x Kit for the project Bargello & Blackwork by Betsy Morgan
1 x Bargello & Blackwork Printed Pattern instruction booklet
1 x Kit for the project Sweet Strawberry by Victoria Laine
1 x Sweet Strawberry Printed Pattern instruction booklet
1 x Kit for the project Fragments by Anna Scott
1 x Fragments Printed Pattern instruction booklet
1 x Pinwheel of 40 assorted glass-head pins
1 x Inspirations Needleguide

Firstly, wow! That is one jam-packed gift pack! Secondly, this is ideal for any pincushion collectors out there, or anyone with friends who would enjoy a pincushion or two. Special thanks to our Gift Pack team for organising printed patterns for the pincushion kits, which have never been available until now.

Normally valued at AU$515 and now available for only AU$285, this is such good value for money, it’s worth breaking open that piggy bank you’ve been keeping aside for a special occasion!

Click on the link below to begin your gift pack shopping frenzy and tune in next week for our second instalment of gift pack releases.

The Folk Birdhouse kit has all the hallmarks of a Corinne Lapierre felt project – it’s playful, adorable and easy to stitch. And it’s now back in stock!

Frequently selling out due to popularity, Corinne’s kits come straight from her design house in Yorkshire, England.

Corinne’s kits are perfect for stitchers of any age. This kit is a great, quick and easy weekend project for a more seasoned stitcher, or the perfect first project for those new to the world of needlework.

Including high quality wool-blend felt, threads, ribbon, stuffing, needles and instructions, everything you need to make your very own birdhouse is included.

Get in quick, before this super popular kit sell out… again!

With Inspirations issue #84 marking the magazine’s 21st birthday, it was all about the value and joy of having friends to share our love of stitching with. No matter the project, we believe our needlework is made just that little bit sweeter by the friends and community we’re able to share it with.

With this in mind, we bring you the first three projects from issue #84 to be released as new Digital Patterns:

The Bluebird of Happiness by Deborah Love is a charming pincushion featuring Deerfield embroidery. The dainty design adorning the pincushion is a small, exquisite bird with gorgeous florals, finished with a lovely beaded and tasselled edge.

Nicola Jarvis’ Wild Strawberry is a luxurious cushion featuring a sweet silk-embroidered strawberry. Adorned with florals, leaves, splendid gold thread and a bobble fringe, this project is simply exquisite.

Tuscan Treasure by Patricia Girolami utilises an intricate Italian technique to create this charming, knotted tassel, with instructions adaptable to feature any coloured thread of your choosing.

All three projects are now available exactly as they appeared in the magazine, to purchase and download as individual Digital Patterns.

Tune in next week for another instalment of digital patterns from Inspirations issue #84.

This is one for all the smocking fans… we’ve got a special treat this week with a rare selection of Australian Smocking & Embroidery magazine back issues just added to our website.

As we all know, this beloved world-renowned magazine finished after issue #100 and back issue copies are often worth their weight in gold.

In total we have added an extra 20 titles, however most only have 1, 2 or 3 copies available.

These are likely to sell out before you can say smocking but keep your eye out as we have it on good authority there are more issues to be added in the coming weeks.

PS – It’s also worth checking our stock of Inspirations back issues, as a little birdy informed us that 5 or 6 titles, previously sold out, have also been added to the website.

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

It’s always a pleasure when someone starts a conversation with ‘this will brighten up your day’ as it means something good is to follow.

The very concept of being able to add brightness into someone’s day is a fabulous metaphor that can mean a great many things. From giving someone a smile, offering a word of encouragement or the delivery of good news, this list is long and varied. Brightness, however, can also be delivered through artistic expression.

Today we’re going to brighten up your day by having a chat about the project Burst of Colour by Swiss designer Laurence Lieblich, which appears in Inspirations magazine issue #118.

This piece is a petite, rectangular cushion that exudes everything needed to brighten up any day.

From a technical perspective, it is also a joy to stitch. Comprising eleven familiar and popular stitches and worked in forty shades of the luxurious Au Ver à Soie, soie d’Alger stranded silks, the cushion, when finished, measures 22cm x 29.5cm wide (8 ¾” x 11 ¾”), making it a small to medium sized project.

From a design perspective, there are a couple of techniques Laurence has used that are specifically worth mentioning. Whilst the colour palette itself is bold and striking, the complexity Laurence has achieved comes from the frequency and approach to how she changes colours.

Gradients are replaced with hard lines, flower petals are more playful and shift hues suddenly, leaves are patchwork and chequered.

Then there is that bold zig zag running right down the middle reinforcing a mood of zany playfulness and giving us the feeling that Laurence was really enjoying herself when she created this piece.

Next time you’re looking for a little something to brighten up your day, bust out your Burst of Colour project and stitch your way to joy and happiness.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Burst of Colour by Laurence Lieblich is a small cushion with butterflies and dragonflies in a delightful celebration of colour.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Burst of Colour includes everything* you need to re-create this beautiful, rectangular cushion: Fabrics (inc. with pre-printed design), piping, sewing thread, embroidery threads and needles.

Paradise by Laurence Lieblich from Inspirations issue #110 features brightly coloured flowers and birds in surface embroidery.

Mandala Magic by Laurence Lieblich from the Handpicked Collection is a spectacular, floral mandala in gentle shades of green and blue.

Floral Symphony by Laurence Lieblich from Inspirations issue #115 is a small linen cushion adorned with pretty flowers worked with lustrous silk threads.

Breath of Spring by Laurence Lieblich and Béatrice Andreae from Inspirations issue #56 is a sumptuously embroidered bag with large pockets.

Recipe for an embroidered box: You will need 1/. A passion for needle and thread, 2/. A dash of creativity and 3/. A dollop of construction wizardry. When you mix these all together you get today’s ‘What Are You Stitching?’ segment featuring immaculate boxes our incredibly talented needlework community have whipped up. Serves: All Stitched Up! readers.

Wow! What a spectacular finish, Janet. We love that Susan’s project inspired such a clever alternative to making the blanket and clearly you were ahead of your time, as this is the sort of creativity Susan expands upon in her new version of the book. You’ve created a beautifully shaped box that we’re sure you will enjoy using for many years to come.

‘I drilled a hole in the lid before padding the top to make a roof, then used a threaded bolt to fasten a wooden cotton reel on the top for a chimney. I had fun raiding my button and sewing box for all sorts of embellishments that had lurked in dark corners waiting for the day they would find a use. I now use it to store large reels of thread.’

You’ve created such a beautiful and practical item, Jane. This is a wonderfully creative way to display your stitching and give the Panettone tin a second life!

A truly breath-taking piece, Maureen. What a beautiful way to showcase your newly learned stitches. The colour and design is stunning, and the finishing is just perfect.

Do you enjoy making boxes? Have you used a tin to mount a stitched project? How do you practise new stitches?

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

Become part of the Inspirations family by subscribing to the magazine... we'd love to have you join us!

Some new charms have been added to our wonderful collection from Susan Clarke Originals.

Secret Garden by Margaret Light is two large cushions featuring bold red geraniums and sunny orange and yellow nasturtiums.

Moorish Necessaire by Margaret Light is a necessaire with storage for threads and needlework tools embroidered with scrolling stems and stylised flowers.

~ William A Foster ~

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