Elysium by Ana Mallah
26th May 2023
It would be easy to think that Ana Mallah’s latest project from Inspirations magazine issue #118 has something to do with flowers.
That could be due to the fact that almost every project we’ve published from Ana to date features a flower of some kind. Or it may be because the name of the project, Elysium, is very similar to the name alyssum, which is a genus of over a hundred species of flowering plants.
Elysium is in fact a term to describe a place or a state of perfect happiness; a paradise if you will.
This is indeed a beautifully apt description for Ana’s new piece, a stunning whitework embroidered panel.
Oh, and yes, as it turns out the project Elysium does also feature flowers!
Over the past several years it’s been a great joy for the Inspirations community to be part of Ana’s needlework journey with her first project appearing in the magazine back in issue #96.
Now, 22 issues later, we see Ana branch out into a new technique with Elysium being Ana’s first project stitched in whitework, and what a whitework debut she has given us.
Gently stylised flowers and leaves are worked using a variety of classic whitework techniques, including eyelets, blanket stitch, satin and seed stitch, just to name a few.
21 different stitches in total are worked in only two different threads – DMC 12 perlé cotton and DMC stranded cotton. Perlé is a thicker thread, not divisible or used in multiple strands, and is given the name perlé due to it resembling a line of pearls. In fact, you might even hear it referred to as pearl cotton.
Perlé has robust characteristics, it doesn’t flatten out but rather holds its form nicely making it the perfect choice for giving elements such as stems and edges additional depth and dimension, both of which Ana has demonstrated beautifully in this design.
The whimsical free flowing nature of the flowers adorning Elysium are framed beautifully using two lines of ladder hem stitch variation, a withdrawn thread technique for which a step-by-step guide is included in the instructions.
And just when you thought surely Ana has done enough to impress us all on her first outing using whitework, she then goes one step further.
Elysium is presented in two different finishes, a sumptuous cushion, or the option of taking the design out and about by placing it on a super functional, generous tote bag.
We can’t wait to see what this girl comes up with next!
Make Your Own Elysium
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions
Elysium by Ana Mallah is a beautiful whitework design.
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit
The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for Elysium includes everything* you need to re-create the delicate beauty of whitework onto a handy tote or chic cushion: Fabrics (unprinted), water-soluble stabiliser, embroidery threads and needles.
*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern. Kits do not include print cotton or cushion insert.