After writing about the idea of legacy in ASU #387, we came across Mourne Textiles whose rich history with loom and thread has passed from generation to generation since its founding in 1949. Established by textile pioneer, Gerd Hay-Edie, Mourne Textiles is now a third-generation family run business in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland.

Currently managed by her grandson, Mario Sierra, the company is continuing to produce hand-woven textiles from the same workshop established by his grandmother over seventy years ago.

Mourne Textiles has been a part of Mario’s life for as long as he can remember, with the workshop being his playground whilst growing up. He still fondly recalls the distinct smell of lanolin from the fleeces as well as the rhythmic sound the looms would make as they created the fabric.

Mario’s mother, Karen Hay-Edie also shared Gerd’s passion for weaving, becoming a Master Weaver herself. Over the years, Karen’s skill and expertise brought a fresh element to the business and was a vital component in breathing new life into Gerd’s designs. Today, Mourne Textiles ‘connect the designs of the past with modern influences, to create a collection of luxury home furnishing fabrics, cushions, blankets and scarves.’

Much of Gerd Hay-Edie’s lasting influence upon the world of weaving was brought about by her collaborations with iconic designers such as Robin Day, Hille Furniture and Conran. Today, Mario continues the story of Mourne Textiles in a similar way to that of his grandmother as he embraces opportunities to work alongside the designers of today.

Whilst it wasn’t stated if there is a fourth generation Hay-Edie ready to take the helm of Mourne Textiles, the company is committed to the people who work for them and know their success is built on the energy, craftsmanship and passion of all their team members. As a result, Mario continues ‘to champion native weaving talent, ensuring that these valuable skills are shared, learnt and transferred within their community.’

From that position, we know that whether the next generation to take on Gerd’s legacy is a direct descendant of the Hay-Edie family, or part of the Mourne Textiles team, the art of the loom will continue. And in a world where some of the skill of needle and thread is at risk of being lost as its founding generation passes, it’s heartening to hear that companies such as Mourne Textiles are ensuring it won’t occur in their hands.

If you are looking for maximum return for minimum effort when it comes to gardening (if there is such a thing!) a good option worth considering is planting hydrangeas.

These wonderfully lush and effervescent plants grow quickly, prodigiously and produce the prettiest, most vibrant flowers that are hardy and long lasting. Have some flowering in your garden or in pots when visitors come over and you’ll be amazed at how often they get mentioned, there is something truly enchanting about them.

Her penchant for this floral beauty was first demonstrated in the project Flower Pots | Hydrangea featured in A Passion for Needlework 2 | Factoria VII. This sweet little embroidered pot was adorned with exquisite stumpwork flowers consisting of over 80 detached petals across 7 different colours.

Today we’re taking a look at Ana’s latest project from Inspirations magazine issue #119 which is simply called Hydrangea.

Ana has gifted us with a single hydrangea flower in full bloom with softly shaded petals in classic hues of warm blues, dusky mauves and gentle pinks worked in surface embroidery accentuated with cleverly arranged stumpwork elements.

For anyone who was daunted by the task of stitching the 82 petals required in Ana’s hydrangea flower pot, relief is at hand as her newest creation, while equally as beautiful, is more economical calling for a mere 37 detached petals across 5 different colours.

Great advice Ana! As the detached petals are added to the piece last, you can be working on the surface embroidery at home, then when you’re out and about, keep your momentum going by stitching the detached petal elements on the go.

The final result is not only a dynamic life-like rendition of a real hydrangea that has even captured the sense of joy this flower emanates, it is also an absolute treat to stitch and a lovely addition to any home.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Hydrangea by Ana Mallah is a beautifully shaded stem of hydrangea featuring stumpwork petals and beads.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Hydrangea includes everything* you need to re-create this spectacular stem: Fabrics (inc. with pre-printed design), wires, embroidery thread, beads and needles.

Luminescence by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #53 is an exquisite thread cutter cover with buddleia and hydrangea flowers.

Sweet Hydrangeas by Kris Richards from Inspirations issue #52 is a stylish linen handbag featuring a central cluster of papery hydrangeas.

It’s no secret that choosing the correct type and quality of embroidery thread can help enhance the finish of any project.

Famous for their variegated range that change colour throughout the length of the skein, these subtle variants in shading as you stitch enhance any design by adding a depth you couldn’t achieve otherwise.

This week we have added a range of 14 individual colours along with a few sample packs to our website, offering an opportunity for you to try these threads for the first time, or add a little Gloriana stranded silk magic into your next project.

We’ve made shopping for new needles really, really easy.

Option 1 – Bohin Needlebook
Assortment of 40 premium quality needles from the French manufacturer available in three different needlebook designs.

Option 2 – Tulip Needles
Five different varieties of needles, in a range of sizes sold individually and presented beautifully, by this renowned Japanese manufacturer.

Option 3 – Tulip Gift Pack
Spoil somebody with this superb gift pack containing all five needle varieties plus a tube of patchwork pins.

Check out all three options by clicking below.

This month our featured project in the 2023 Inspirations Wall Calendar is Anna Scott’s Mountain Oak from Inspirations issue #113.

A Tree of Life bursting forth with fanciful leaves and fruit towers atop rolling hillocks, while a hungry goat eyes off the low hanging berries that are just out of reach.

Worked onto linen twill with crewel wool, this is a great project to liven up any bedroom or living room space. Both the digital pattern and printed copies of issue #113 are available to purchase using the links below.

One of our favourite celebrations of the year is just a few days away as we prepare our needles and threads for World Embroidery Day.

Over the years, we’ve absolutely loved hearing how our community celebrates, so whatever you choose to do, send in your photos; we'd love to hear all about it!

Time now to spruce up our social media feeds. One thing we like to do to mix things up is find some new accounts! Why not try some of the following on for size…

@sprawlingpuppy: Ever wanted to visit a magical forest? Katie Corrigan creates whimsical needle felted animals, replicating the texture and appearance of them superbly. So much so, they look like they have just stepped off the set of a Disney movie!

@poncocron: A Hardanger and embroidery teacher from Japan sharing a glimpse into the classroom with some of the stunning work by her students.

@jessica_rosestitch: Jessica Grady, based in Yorkshire UK, creates these mixed media works with recycled goods and all things bright!

@howlalndmii: Follow this artist for adorable teddy bears, who are on a journey tasting gourmet food.

Don’t forget to follow Inspirations on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to receive your daily dose of the world’s most beautiful needlework from all over the world wide web.

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

You know the feeling. It’s about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, you’ve enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, you’re sitting next to a window with the sun’s warmth gently caressing your back and your body starts calling for it. ‘Yes…’ it says, ‘come on… it’s that time.’

A snooze, siesta, nana nap, disco nap, cat nap, forty winks, it doesn’t matter what you call it, there is nothing as wonderful as an afternoon nap.

Forty Winks by Anna Scott is a fabulously cosy blanket featured in the book A Passion for Needlework 4 | The Whitehouse Daylesford.

Just before we jump into the embroidery, we want to liberate any readers who are yet to be convinced that an afternoon nap is a heavenly pleasure worth your participation.

In his 1821 self-help guide ‘The Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life’ Dr. Kitchiner observed the following:

‘Is it not better economy of time to go to sleep for half an hour, than to go on noodling all day in a nerveless and semi-superannuated state – if not asleep, certainly not effectively awake – for any purpose requiring the energy of either the body or the mind?

Now that we have an expert’s tick of approval that an afternoon nap is both productive and regenerative, let’s get on with making it as luxe as possible by re-creating Anna’s gorgeous blanket Forty Winks.

Measuring 140cm (55”) square, this sky-blue wool and cashmere blanket is adorned with a bouquet of flowers from the Proteaceae family with a waratah in each corner, a wreath of grevilleas in the centre and a protea in full bloom surrounded by scrolling stems as the focal point.

Worked across a range of 21 different Appletons crewel wool colours, primarily in two strands of thread for each element, this design is a lovely balance of bold red floral highlights placed symmetrically, mixed with the calming hues of blues and greens.

A stem stitched border in Appletons light dull China blue frames the inner perimeter of the blanket and cleverly links the four waratah flowers together while a wine red print cotton creates a striking edge.

Is there anything more tranquil than an afternoon nap snuggled under Anna’s Forty Winks blanket? The only think we can think of is sneaking in a few precious hours of stitching before or after!

PS – if you’re thinking about creating your own Forty Winks blanket, we currently have thread packs available for this project that give you the flexibility of choosing your own colour blanketing and backing.

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Forty Winks by Anna Scott is a large, cosy blanket featuring flowers from the Proteaceae family.

Step 2 – Purchase Thread Pack

The Thread Pack for Forty Winks includes all the embroidery threads you need to re-create this dazzling blanket.

Fragments by Anna Scott from The Design Collective | Pincushions is a pretty pincushion with Jacobean-style flower and buds in vibrant reds and blues.

Little Brown Hen by Anna Scott from Inspirations issue #114 features a sweet hen and chicks in two projects utilising raised embroidery techniques.

Today’s What Are You Stitching? features a selection of beautiful blooms that have been perfectly captured in stitch.

Fabulous, Mavis! You’ve captured the beauty of the magnolias superbly along with another wonderfully stitched bird. Well done.

Susannah, we love that you made the creative decision to change the colour of your ‘full bloom’! Your red rose is stitched beautifully and looks as though it was just cut fresh from the garden.

You are indeed a beautiful stitcher, Elza, we’re sure Karen appreciates how much love and work you have put into this gift. The bouquet looks so divine, maybe the bride will ask for one too!

Have you been inspired by the blooms in season? Do you have a favourite colour to stitch flowers? Do you like to stitch bouquets, or do you prefer single flower studies?

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!

New release: ‘Sashiko Stencils 2: Crests, Borders and Classic Motifs’. Containing nine 3” x 5” designs across three 5” x 9” durable plastic stencils for easy reuse.

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

~ Margaret Fuller ~

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