Over recent weeks, we’ve found ourselves doing a little reminiscing at Inspirations HQ.

Firstly, ASU #385 saw us taking a walk down memory lane as we highlighted some of the projects that were published in Inspirations Magazine issue #114. Then, as we displayed the projects from Inspirations issue #119 at our retail store, The Bobbin Tree, we once again found ourselves recalling the pieces before us.

The way in which our production schedules are structured for each issue of the magazine, almost ten months pass from the time the projects arrive at Inspirations HQ before they find their way onto display. Now sure, we get to see them throughout that time as they’re photographed and then appear on the pages of our advance copies of the magazine, but there’s something about picking up each of the original pieces again as they’re displayed that evokes memories of the journey we go on with each project.

As we placed each piece, we thought about the excitement of unpacking the project when it first arrived, the discussions we had with our photographer and stylist as we decided upon the best props, angles and lighting for each piece, the location we found ourselves at for photography… the list went on! Amongst all those thoughts, we also found ourselves pondering a similar question to that posed in ASU #385.

As we placed each project, it really did seem like it was just yesterday that the piece arrived at our office, but as the volume of memories each piece held came flooding back, we realised just how long ten months actually is! Such is the dichotomy of time.

More so than that though, we appreciated afresh the memories needle and thread can capture. Then, when we thought about looking back on the work of our own needle and thread, we realised that each stitch holds with it a moment in time. Whether that be a particular season in life that we laid some or all of the threads, a location where the stitching was completed or a specific person we had on our mind while putting thread to fabric, each piece tells a story, not just in and of itself, but also of the fragments of our life while it was being created.

After realising the incredible stories the work of our own needle and thread capture, we’d encourage you to take your own walk down memory lane as you reminisce about the memories captured within the stitches you’ve laid over time’s past.

After just doing a little reminiscing about the memories the work of our needle and thread can hold, we’re doing a little more reminiscing in this week’s Have Your Say as we take a walk down memory lane and share the conversations that have been continued from All Stitched Up! over recent weeks.

In ASU #376, Ruth was hoping someone would be able to point her in the direction of a company that sells all things needle and thread through printed catalogues as she found herself missing the one Nordic Needle published prior to their closing some years ago.

Judy emailed in solidarity with Ruth as she too misses the catalogues from Nordic Needle.

‘I can assure Ruth that she isn’t the only one who misses Nordic Needle! To compound the loss, our local needlework store in Reno, Nevada closed a year ago. My nearest store is now 50 miles away over the mountains in California, but now that I’m in my early 80s that is no longer a feasible option.

I do, however, find your Friday newsletter an excellent solution as it is full of ideas, tips and inspiration, and it arrives once a week! I also find that my 40-year-old stash and some online shopping helps fill the gaps.’

Judy also shared her ponderings about the quip we shared from Karen in that same issue of ASU, #376.

‘Karen’s question about the time involved in stitching the magnificent pieces seen in All Stitched Up! really rang my bell. I look at the pictures and imagine myself making something similar only to say to myself, ‘Yeah, right!’.

I’ve lived alone since my husband died in 1994 and do all my own house and garden work. There are many days when I am lucky if I get two stitches completed by the end of the day. I’d wager that the more stitching one does, the faster it gets. Looking at the extensive palette of fibres used in some pieces, I can’t help but wonder at the preparatory organization and workspace required!

And that Judy, is exactly what All Stitched Up! is all about – uniting people of similar mind! We appreciate you taking the time to connect with us directly and hope this newsletter continues to be a welcome weekly ‘friend’.

Expanding on Alice’s search ‘for a hoop stand that does not tip when set on a table’, also found in ASU #376, Marjan wants to know ‘How do you stop any tabletop stand from falling over?!’

Whilst she is currently using a 1-kilogram dive pouch from her time as a scuba diver, she’s thinking someone in the Inspirations Community might have a more ‘suitable’ way to keep her stand upright. If you have an idea that would point Marjan in the right direction, we know she’d love to hear from you.

Also joining in on the conversation about stands, after a lengthy journey of her own in search of the ‘perfect’ frame, Roberta shared the two frames she’s found that best suit her time with needle and thread.

‘The Lap-Stitch Frame has a base that is adjustable for the width of your project, and although I have also used the type that can be mounted on a table’s edge, have found the height of the table or its edge are not always compatible.’

Roberta closed her email with a further tip about her current frame of choice, ‘as I am dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, a floor frame is now my solution for managing projects along with the current state of my hands.’

We always appreciate hearing from those in the Inspirations Community who have any ideas that make our time with needle and thread a little easier, as even if they’re not applicable to us at present, become a wealth of stored information for future reference.

Sashiko embroidery is a Japanese stitching technique that uses running stitch to create intricate and ornate patterns.

Typically, stitchers purchase pre-printed fabric to stitch on, however this week we’re releasing ‘Sashiko Stencils 2: Crests, Borders and Classic Motifs’.

This is the second in the collection and allows stitchers to provide their own fabric to transfer the designs onto. The pack contains nine 3” x 5” designs across three 5” x 9” durable plastic stencils for easy reuse, and a detailed instruction booklet to guide you through the process of using them.

The simplicity of the technique means it can be enjoyed by stitchers of all ages and abilities, and the Sashiko stencils are a great way to guarantee accurate stitches and spacing every time.

To create your very own Sashiko designed piece, Sashiko Stencils 2 is now available for purchase on our website.

We’re back with more Tales from The Bobbin Tree! You may remember that recently we’ve been expanding our range of products available online, courtesy of our retail store The Bobbin Tree.

This week, we’ve added a whole selection of fun and playful patterned fabrics that are available for purchase.

Our range of patterned fabrics are all 100% cotton, and perfect for your next sewing project, whether it be quilting, lining, or incorporating it into your embroidery.

With 19 new fabrics available, 18 of which are sold by the half metre, you’re bound to find some inspiration for your next creation.

PS – If you’re looking for something that you can’t find on our website, we also have a huge range of printed fabrics at The Bobbin Tree.

Simply call (08) 8123 8062 (or from outside Australia dial +61 8 8123 8062) alternatively you can email the shop by clicking HERE.

Good lighting is essential for any needlework project, whether hand-sewn or machine-stitched.

Most sewing machines with built-in lights and the regular overhead lights in our houses just aren’t bright enough for needlework. As a result, we’re stuck trying to find or build a suitable alternate light source – often to little or no avail! Luckily, we have a solution to solve this problem.

With a strong clip and a bracket, it can be mounted directly onto your sewing machine, or easily clipped onto the edge of your needlework to light up your project.

Versatile, lightweight and easy to use, it can be transported between various projects, your sewing machine and back again with no trouble. It charges using a universal USB power cable and has the option for AAA batteries as well.

Regardless of whether you’re hand stitching or machine sewing a project, the OttLight LED Sewing Machine Light is a great illumination solution.

Did you know that we have a range of cozy blanket projects available as Digital Patterns on our website?

From fish to florals, polka dots to dogs with spots, our collection of over 60 blankets, available as Digital Patterns, is sure to have something for everyone.

Perfect for making during, or in preparation for, the winter season, blanketing is a great way to create something for kids and loved ones that they can use and cherish forever.

All Digital Patterns are available for instant download as PDF files from our website, so your next cozy project is just a click away.

PS – if you need help printing your PDF pattern at home so it’s full size, click HERE.

Looking for fabrics for blankets?

Check out our range of Wool/Cashmere and Doctor’s Flannel fabric available to order on our website HERE.

We have a variety of colours in pre-cut lengths ready to ship straight to your home anywhere in the world.

As many of you will be aware, our Ready-to-Stitch kits are typically available in limited quantities and frequently sell out. Digital Patterns are available on our website, but we do appreciate some projects have hard-to-source materials that may not be readily available at your nearest craft or stitching store.

To make re-creating the hundreds of beautiful designs we have as easy as possible, we’re introducing a Personalised Project Requirement Service through our retail store, The Bobbin Tree.

Whether it’s one of your favourite Inspirations projects, or another project from one of your beloved designers, we can put the requirements together for you so you’ll never be stuck without the necessary supplies to recreate your favourite designs.

Not located in Adelaide? Not a problem! Our friendly team can take your project requirements over the phone or email and, once sourced, have them delivered straight to your door.

You can contact the shop by phone from within Australia on (08) 8123 8062 or from outside Australia dial +61 8 8123 8062. Alternatively, email us at thebobbintree@inspirationsstudios.com

Maria Elide Melani is one of the world’s experts on Deruta Sfilato, or Deruta Drawn Thread Work, having written several books about it and worked hard to ensure this wonderful Italian technique survives.

Her project Fiori, featured in Inspirations issue #119, is in fact the final instalment of what has become a three-part series unfolding in the magazine over the past five years.

It all began back in issue #97 when we introduced the technique Deruta Sfilato for the very first time with the project Stitches from the Heart.

This was Maria’s charming little sachet in shades of blue and white that was the perfect introduction to this technique.

Next came the hugely popular piece Tuscan Lace in issue #103 that began to really demonstrate just what this technique is capable of. Finished as a delightful cushion, the open, linen grid design added an almost magical quality to the embroidery.

Now, Maria has elevated the appeal of Deruta Sfilato even more with her latest design.

Part of the secret to this mesmerising embroidery is the fabric. Traditionally Deruta Sfilato is worked on Bissone linen with a thread count of 9 threads per centimetre. While most of us will be unfamiliar with that unit of measure, it translates to roughly 22.5 threads per inch, or put another way, this is a very open weave fabric.

Working on very low-count linen, threads are clipped and withdrawn, leaving an open grid that is embellished with stitches using three weights of crochet cotton.

With the fabric threads being so spacious, Deruta Sfilato is a wonderful technique to introduce anyone to withdrawn thread as you can be very confident that you are correctly counting which threads to cut and are then only cutting one thread at a time.

There is so much about Fiori to fall in love with, some of our wonder points including the stylised floral motifs, the dainty crocheted picot edging, the enchanting lace-like effect and the fact Maria has finished this piece as a mat, giving us the choice of also finishing it as a cover for a cushion.

A quick note about the fabric… this has been a hot topic of discussion at Inspirations HQ this week as we heard news that supply of Bissone 9 threads per cm linen is very limited. The first question that comes to mind is, how important is this linen to the technique and the second, how will a different linen affect Maria’s designs?

It may be the grid in the design is not quite as open, the fabric threads may not be as fine, and the motifs may be smaller or change shape slightly.

Here's the good news – we do have genuine Bissone 9 threads per cm linen available in our Ready-to-Stitch kits, so if you plan on re-creating this magnificent design exactly as it appears in the magazine, secure your kit today while they are still in stock. Otherwise, we’d love to hear how you go customising the piece based on using an alternative fabric.

Thank you, Maria, for yet another stunning design and for your commitment to keeping regional techniques like Deruta Sfilato part of our modern day embroidery repertoire.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Fiori by Maria Elide Melani is a flower meadow captured on a table mat or cushion topper worked in Deruta Sfilato.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Fiori includes everything* you need to re-create this delicate mat: Fabrics (unprinted), crochet hook, embroidery threads and needles.

Perfect Match by Fumie Suzuki from A Passion for Needlework 4 | The Whitehouse Daylesford is a beautiful design featuring a combination of Schwalm and Reticella embroidery.

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.

Mind Games by Kim Beamish from Inspirations issue #109 is a whitework table mat worked with Hardanger embroidery.

Saving Grace by Barbara Kershaw from Inspirations issue #99 is an elegant linen cloth embellished with drawn thread techniques.

Today we are looking at the many ways embroidery can take form. Much like in chemistry how energy is neither created nor destroyed only converted from one form to another, we’re looking at how our threads are converted into stunning finished pieces.

‘I thought you might also enjoy seeing this, the ‘flower smocking’ pennant by Ingrid Chan. Isn’t it lovely? I can’t wait to see the work of many hands proudly displayed at our upcoming fair, and for many years to come.’

Stitching together all the pennants with different techniques for your banners is such a wonderful way to display them, Sara. Congratulations on all the hours your chapter has spent on what we are sure will be a very dynamic and engaging banner to capture the attention of the crowds and draw them over to visit your booth.

‘Jenny uses so many interesting techniques and materials, I learned so much working this project! I can't wait to try my hand at another of Jenny's designs!’

Your Parham Owl Etui is divine, Julie! Jenny’s designs are absolutely stunning, aren’t they? Part of the appeal is indeed the intricacy of the needlework, but as you’ve beautifully demonstrated her easy to follow instructions and superb teaching style is such that your Parham Owl Etui was always going to be destined for the skies. Well done.

‘My next UFO is a queen size crazy quilt that is 7/8 of the way finished. Why do I get to 7/8 of the way through projects and then leave them and move on to something else?!’

An incredibly special project, Vivienne, incredibly detailed and well executed. We love the clasps you have used to keep the book sturdy, ensuring its longevity. We are so glad to hear your stitching helped you through your treatment and wish you all the best with finishing your UFOs! Oh... and you’re certainly not the only one who asks such questions that no-one seems to know the answer to!

Have you been a part of any community stitching projects? Do you like to take a class when trying a new technique? Or have you finished a recent UFO?

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!

Access Commodities have developed a Needle ID Card Pack with six laminated cards, each with a different needle family and their associated sizes.

Charisma by Susan O’Connor is a silk evening bag with fruits and flowers in glorious colours.

~ Unknown ~

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