Some of the team from Inspirations HQ have recently returned from photographing a book we currently have in production. Whilst we can’t share too much just yet, we can let you know that it’s the first of two books we’re going to publish for a designer that many of you will recognise not only from her particularly distinctive style, but also from her work that has featured on the pages of some of our previous publications.

The premise of the book is a year in the country through the eyes of an embroiderer, with the first of the two books focusing on winter and spring.

The book began with a particularly clear vision from the designer herself and carries with it an exceptionally strong storyline that we want to do justice to as we bring them to life on the pages of the publication.

With myriad images and the words we had to guide us through the design inspiration and process for each piece, the Inspirations team spent hours poring through them as we sought an appropriate location and gathered the props that would bring the vision to life.

The chosen location provided the perfect backdrop for what’s going to be an incredibly beautiful publication. With the designer’s original sketches and the props we sourced playing flawless supporting roles to each of the stitched pieces, we quickly came to realise how many small parts were coming together to create what will be a spectacular whole.

It reminded us of the time we spend creating with needle and thread - lots of small stitches all coming together to make something greater than the sums of their parts.

Whilst the book is a long way from complete, we love that we can see it coming together ‘stitch by stitch’ and can’t wait to share it with you!

It’s all been happening at the registration desk for the World Needlework Convention over the past few weeks, to the point we are starting to see several classes about to sell out.

With the number of participants attending this inaugural event growing by the week, for those who have been wondering, will I or won’t I register, today is the day to say yes!

Not only are there over 80 projects to choose from, the line up of presentations you will enjoy as part of attending the event is arguably worth it alone.

Hollywood costume embroiderer extraordinaire Michele Carragher talks all things garment design and embellishment from her creations seen in Game of Thrones, The Crown, Elizabeth 1 and more.

The Red Dress project captivated the needlework world and is something we’ve written about in this very newsletter here. Now you have the opportunity to hear firsthand from the powerhouse talent that is Kirstie Macleod, who started the movement.

Writer and historian Robert Ossant shares secrets about the monarchy and reveals answers to fascinating questions like, what can the embroidery from the coronation tell us about our new King?

This is just a taste of the wonders awaiting at the World Needlework Convention in England October 5-15 this year.

Don’t miss out on registering for those classes you’ve been eyeing off and attending all the events and presentations across the 11 days.

For more information about the convention click HERE, to browse all the projects on offer and to register click HERE.

This week we’re celebrating the arrival of our newest Corinne Lapierre kit, Folk Birds. This is an adorable collection of five sweet little birds finished as hanging ornaments.

For those who remember Ana Mallah’s ‘Little Birds’ from Inspirations magazine #116 and how beginner-friendly they were, Corinne’s Folk Birds are even more achievable.

This kit is perfect as a quick weekend project or, for any up-and-coming young stitching enthusiasts in your life, Folk Birds would make a great gift.

The kit includes everything needed to make five of your very own folk birds – high quality wool-mix felt, embroidery threads, toy filling, needle, ribbon, and step-by-step instructions.

Similar to Corinne’s other kits, we won’t be surprised if Folk Birds sell out, so grab yours now before they all fly away.

In ASU #378 we shared the exciting news that one of the exhibitors at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was going to be our very own Jo Butcher. Once the show was over for another year, we touched base with Jo to see how it all went.

As part of her application, Jo had to submit a design for her stand, which had to include plants of some description.

It took Jo, along with some very supportive friends, four days to set her stand up, but in the end, it looked just as she’d hoped. Each of the stands at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are judged, with Jo receiving three stars on her debut, which apparently can take some new arrivals years to achieve!

Throughout the week Jo met people from around the world, including Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and Uruguay, who were on bucket list trips to the show. Not only did needlework designer Nicola Jarvis pop by, but Jo even managed to catch a glimpse of King Charles III.

Jo was incredibly grateful for the all the sales she made throughout the show and was particularly excited that her original piece Chelsea Border found a new home across the ocean.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is open to the public for 12 hours each day, and although Jo, along with those incredibly supportive friends who made the three-hour trip to London from Somerset to help out on the stand were all still tired a week after the show had closed, they’re all up for it again next year if Jo’s application is once again successful!

Upon updating us on all things Chelsea Flower Show, Jo was about to jet off and lay on a beach to recover… oh and pick up needle and thread once again as her next stop just ten days later was going to be the Hampton Court Flower Show!

If, like us, you couldn’t make it to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, but would love to recreate some of Jo’s beautiful blooms, you can shop all things ‘Sew Jo Butcher’ using the links below.

A few weeks ago we gave everyone some tips and tricks on how to make finding your next project easier by using the search filters in our Digital Pattern category on the Inspirations website.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen smocking enjoy a new wave of popularity, with a younger generation of stitchers showing interest in the stunningly classic technique.

Our AS&E magazine series was a trail blazer at the time, and although no longer in production, it continues to be a prominent figure in the smocking community.

The Inspirations website features over 50 elegant and timeless projects from AS&E available as digital patterns, so whether you’re looking to create something for a little one in your life, or perhaps something for yourself (yes there are even smocked patterns for adults too!) our range of AS&E patterns is bound to have something that catches your eye.

Inspirations issue #118, Flight of Fancy, is a nature lover’s dream, featuring exquisite projects all taking inspiration from the nature around us.

The Ready-to-Stitch kits from this issue have been so popular that half of the projects are already sold out and there are only a few kits left for the projects that remain.

Now is the time to purchase your kits for any designs you’ve had your eye on before they all go, and if you are yet to get your copy of the magazine, printed copies of #118 are still available HERE with digital patterns from this issue available HERE.

And just like that, 2023 is halfway done!

With Christmas in July just around the corner and Christmas itself just a bit further down the road, we’ve collated a few of our favourite Christmas kits for your stitching delight.

The First Nöel by Wendy Innes from Inspirations #116 is an embroidered rendition of the traditional Christmas carol. Vibrant and intricate, this goldwork and stumpwork panel is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Ana Mallah’s Season’s Greetings is a stunning Christmas tree ornament. Embellished with metallic thread and a beaded loop, add some sparkle to your Christmas tree with this gorgeous tree decoration.

Corinne Lapierre’s 12 Days of Christmas is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit. Featuring 13 easy-to-stitch felt hanging decorations taking inspirations from the 12 Days of Christmas carol, these ornaments are guaranteed to be cherished Christmas decorations for years to come.

Whether you’re looking to get stitching in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season, or want the perfect winter embroidery project, look no further than our range of Christmas kits.

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

Handsome. Regal. Adorable. Resplendent. The list of superlatives goes on. However you choose to describe The Penguin King by Georgina Bellamy, we can assure you that this is a show stopping piece of embroidery.

If you have never heard of Georgina Bellamy before, today may just be a game changer for you. Her three-dimensional stitched art is exceptional, highly regarded and hugely popular.

Georgina is a professional embroidery designer based in the UK who has a remarkable talent for creating sculptured animals that exude personality.

One of the first projects to steal our hearts was her spectacular ‘Jewel of the Sea’ turtle from A Passion for Needlework 3.

Let’s take a closer look at how the penguin is constructed and what makes him so special.

The process of creating your own penguin begins with the feet. Two pieces of web shaped felt are fashioned into flippers using armature wire and covered in purl thread which, once attached, will form a stable platform for the body.

Layers of white felt are worked and sculptured to form the shape of the body and head, with the eyelids and eyes created next.

The feet are then secured to the body along with the wings before adding final layers of padding to bulk out and shape the head and body. Now it’s time to form the skin.

Glistening metal threads of various types and colours of purl are couched in place, cleverly intersecting with one another at strategic points to create a magnificent coat he wears proudly as his head looks up with huge puppy dog eyes that steal your heart. The rest of his body and chin are lined with felt and velvet with his beak and arms finished in leather.

If you are worried about how complex this type of project is to attempt, we have good news. As an overview, this design only uses five different stitches; chipping, couching, French knot, stab stitch and straight stitch.

That is once you get an understanding for the process, it’s all about just taking it one step at a time and creating one element at a time.

With over 60 how-to diagrams and extensive close-up photos, Georgina has done a superb job of providing all the work in progress snap shots for you to follow every step of the way.

Sourcing all the materials including the 11 different metallic purl threads has been made easy as well with The Penguin King Ready-to-Stitch kit. Simply open the box and follow the instructions from the book A Passion for Needlework 4 | The Whitehouse Daylesford (sold separately) and you’re ready to begin.

Three-dimensional embroidery is a wonderfully creative and satisfying process and once complete, you have the thrill of welcoming this delightful penguin into your family.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

The Penguin King by Georgina Bellamy is a three-dimensional penguin using goldwork embroidery techniques.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for The Penguin King includes everything* you need to re-create this stately king penguin: Fabrics (unprinted), wool felts, leather, wire, fibre-fill, string, sewing thread, embroidery threads, beads and needles.

Jewel of the Sea by Georgina Bellamy from A Passion for Needlework 3 | Blakiston Creamery is a stunning three-dimensional goldwork turtle.

In a Flutter by Georgina Bellamy from Inspirations issue #105 is a lively lorikeet brooch with metal thread embroidery and organdie feathers.

Balthazar by Tania Cohen from Inspirations issue #116 is an irresistible goldwork Christmas beetle brooch with superb details.

There is a certain uniqueness and creativity when sewing together fabrics to create one large design. An endeavour that may use up scraps from old projects or fabrics saved for just the perfect occasion.

We’ve found some stitchers in our What Are You Stitching? files who have created their own patchwork designs that perfectly showcase the superb results this process can achieve.

‘It was amazingly simple to make by just cutting out the coat pattern in a very fine wadding and laying that onto fine muslin. The patches were then added to the wadding and all the embellishment, embroidery and quilting stitches worked. Edges were turned in and then small, folded triangles added before the lining was sewn in. It was sewn completely by hand, except the seams of the coat and lining.’

You were right, Jacquie, we did want to see it! The coat is a beautiful labour of love, as is passing on your passion for needle and thread to your granddaughter. The folded triangles are splendid, your eye for detail has really made this coat one in a million.

‘It took three days to piece and coordinate the pattern pieces to have a measure of balance. The lining cost more than the samples. I used beautiful brass buttons I bought at a market for $5 about three years earlier and was saving for a special garment.’

Lucky you walked past the shop when you did, Jillian, talk about a bargain! Your coat is lovely. The colours and patterns have been positioned marvellously. We’re sure you’ll get many compliments and lots of people asking, where can I get one?

Recycling, cleaning, and a wonderful result? We think you’re on to something here, Mattie!

Have you stitched a coat? Do you like creating patchwork pieces? Have you found any bargain materials for your projects?

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

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This thimble-shaped pencil sharpener is a super fun idea and the perfect addition to your needlework kit, or a great gift for fellow stitchers.

Strawberry Still Life by Margaret Light is an embellished blue and white bowl overflowing with strawberries worked with needlelace.

Pomegranate Needlefold by Margaret Light is a delightful depiction of a pomegranate from flower to ripe fruit for needle storage.

~ Vincent van Gogh ~

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