Hi <<First Name>>, With Valentine’s Day coming up shortly, we have the perfect suggestion for you on this international day of LOVE. Why not take a copy of the new issue of Inspirations Magazine out on a date? That’s right – just you and Inspirations issue #93 out on a little romantic dinner together for some quality one on one time. Indulge yourself in eight of the world’s most beautiful needlework projects as they whisper sweet nothings in your ear ‘stitch me… go on, stitch me!’ The best part is, at the end of the date you get to take it home, kiss it good night, and in the morning start your fabulous needlework life together! Share your needlework journey with us at news@inspirationsstudios.com

INSPIRATIONS ISSUE #93 - OUT NOW!

This week we are celebrating the release of Inspirations issues #93 ‘Birds Of A Feather’.  A collection of 8 outstanding projects hand selected from those taught at Beating Around The Bush 2016, many of which feature birds.  

Subscribers who have already received issue #93 are raving about the mix of contemporary designs and diverse techniques featured.  With so many spectacular projects, the quality of the needlework continues to amazes even the editorial team, who have yet again put together another outstanding issue.

The roll call of contributors for issue #93 includes some of the leading needlework artisans of the day, including Jenny Adin-Christie; Betsy Morgan; Nicola Jarvis; Deborah Love; Catherine Laurençon; Hazel Blomkamp Jenny McWhinney and Gary Clarke.

Already a classic in the making, issue #93 will have all the needlework birds flocking to stitch together, so don’t miss out on the gaggle.

SINGLE COPIES OF INSPIRATIONS ISSUE #93
NOW AVAILABLE

Inspirations issue #93 has now been added to our website so you can purchase printed copies from us direct and have it delivered to your door anywhere in the world.

> To order your copy, click HERE.

ISSUE #93 READY TO STITCH KITS NOW AVAILABLE

The projects featured in Inspirations issue #93 are now available as Ready-To-Stitch Kits. 

> Browse our complete range of issue #93 kits HERE.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT BY NICOLA JARVIS

There is something enticing about the term ‘Forbidden Fruit’.  Maybe it’s that instinctive curiosity we all have when told we can’t have something… suddenly it becomes of great interest to us!

The project ‘Forbidden Fruit’ by Nicola Jarvis from issue #93 tells the story of a splendid Song Thrush who has been out on an adventure and along the way scores himself a red juicy prize.

Nicola’s design was inspired by the William Morris fabric ‘Strawberry Thief’ from 1883 and as you can see, our magnificent embroidered Song Thrush has re-enacted this scene beautifully.  With his cheeky stare he knows he’s got something he shouldn’t have and is ready to fly off at any moment to avoid getting caught.

This project is more of the brilliant Nicola Jarvis at her best – clever choice of colours, perfect balance of modern and traditional elements, exquisite selection of threads and beads, what more could you want in a William Morris’esque design?

Easily scalable and very much a durable embroidery, this piece also lends itself to being stitched onto high use applications such as jeans, skirts, pockets, bags, or other practical items.

Whether you are a strawberry fan, a bird lover, into William Morris or just appreciate the story of a little bird who jagged some forbidden fruit, this project is a must stitch.

MAKE YOUR OWN ‘FORBIDDEN FRUIT’

‘Forbidden Fruit’ by Nicola Jarvis from Inspirations #93 is a vibrant ‘Song Thrush’ with floral plumage created using crewel techniques.

Step 1 – Purchase Inspirations Issue #93

Issue #93 includes all the instructions you need, along with requirements list and full size pattern sheet.

> Inspirations #93 - Available In Print HERE

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The ‘Forbidden Fruit’ Ready-To-Stitch Inspirations Kit includes everything you need to make your own gorgeous colourful crewel bird – fabric; beads; sequins; paillettes; embroidery threads and needles.

> Forbidden Fruit - Ready To Stitch Kit Available HERE

GETTING YOUR NICOLA JARVIS FIX

Looking for more Nicola Jarvis?  Check out these other spectacular NJ Studios projects:

‘BIJOU’ by Nicola Jarvis from Inspirations #91 is a dashing bullfinch given sparkling style with silk and metal threads.

> Bijou – Inspirations #91 In Print Available HERE

Wild Strawberry by Nicola Jarvis from Inspirations #84 is a luxurious cushion worked onto sumptuous fabrics with surface embroidery and metal threads.

> Wild Strawberry – Inspirations #84 In Print Available HERE

For even more Nicola Jarvis, check out her website HERE

THE ‘LEARN’ BOOKLET SERIES - #3

Over the past few weeks we’ve been re-visiting the Inspirations ‘Learn’ booklet series which have just been re-released as Digital Downloads.

This week we’re exploring the third booklet in the series which features a very popular technique: ‘Learn Crewel Embroidery’

Why is Crewel Embroidery so popular?  We believe there are two aspects to answering this question – the first is the technique itself and the second the design.

‘Needle Nook’ by Barbara Jackson – Inspirations #70

Let’s start with the technique – strictly speaking the definition of Crewel Embroidery is the use of woollen thread, a wonderful fibre to work with. Projects worked in wool seem to progress quickly thanks to its voluminous gauge, plus it’s very user friendly in hiding imperfections thanks to its matte finish making it far more forgiving than other finer threads.

‘Heraldic Gold’ by Avril Ambrose-De Havilland - A-Z Crewel Embroidery

When it comes to design, traditional Crewel Embroidery often features Jacobean inspired motifs, yet it’s actually the beautifully rich colour palette and clever shading combinations that draw many stitches into Crewel Work. 

‘Learn Crewel Embroidery’ features the gorgeous project ‘Tiny Tote’ by Barbara Jackson which is a terrific beginning project using 7 different stitches to get your Crewel Embroidery journey started.

With detailed step-by-step photographs and instructions for Fishbone Stitch; Fly Stitch; French Knot and Padded Satin Stitch included, the booklet covers off everything you need to learn to make your own ‘Tiny Tote’

In summary Crewel Embroidery is one of the great all-rounder  techniques to enjoy, thanks to the use of interesting stitches, lush fibres, fun textures and enticing colour blends that look spectacular on either a traditional Jacobean design or any pattern that lends itself to the magic of wool. 

‘LEARN CREWEL EMBROIDERY’ – DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

Learn the basics of Crewel Embroidery with this step-by-step guide, which is perfect for beginners and includes the project ‘Tiny Tote’ by Barbara Jackson.

> ‘Learn Crewel Embroidery’ - Digital Booklet Available HERE

> Browse Complete ‘Learn’ Collection HERE

LOOKING FOR MORE CREWEL EMBROIDERY?

‘Modern Crewel’ by Susan Porter from Inspirations #90

Traditional design stitched with contemporary colours.

> Modern Crewel - Inspirations #90 Available In Print HERE
> Modern Crewel - Ready To Stitch Kit Available HERE

‘Woodland Berries’ by Barbara Jackson Inspirations #67

Charming crewel needlework accessories.

> Woodland Berries – Digital Pattern Available HERE

‘Circa 1756’ by Barbara Jackson Inspirations #92

Traditional crewel design worked in beautiful wool threads.

> Circa 1756 – Ready To Stitch Kit Available HERE
> Circa 1756 – Inspirations #92 In Print Available HERE

A-Z Crewel Embroidery

The ultimate how-to guide for crewel embroidery with over 500 step by step photographs, 45 stitches and techniques, 124 pages and full size patterns included.

> A-Z Crewel Embroidery – Available in Print HERE

In response to Valentine’s Day, some of us may find ourselves pondering the question How do I love thee?

 . . . let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach . . . I love thee to the level of every day’s most quiet need . . . I love thee with the breath, smiles and tears of all my life. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Whilst we’re sure Elizabeth wasn’t referring to needlework when she penned these words in 1850, there’s many a stitcher who’d be willing to declare them applicable to their love of all things needle and thread! As always, this week’s ‘What Are You Stitching?’ celebrates this most passionate love of ours.

We begin the celebration with the embroidery of Ellen Schellekens, originally from the Netherlands:

‘I have been a knitter and stitcher all my life, but my interests changed in the early nineties when I saw pictures and charts of antique samplers in a magazine called ‘Ariadne’.

‘Ariadne’ magazine from 1962

It was love at first sight! I bought the magazine, a piece of antique linen, collected parts of different charts and started this big project….

I started with the roses at the top, after that the Greek motives at the sides to celebrate our love of Greece. At the top left is my name, birthdate and a sewing basket in honour of my hobby. At the right side, my husband’s name and a sailing boat that represents his pastime. The dates 1996 - 2003 were the years it took me to stitch this sampler.

Amongst other things, I have also included the initials of our children - Sebastiaan, Sarah and Julia. The little swan is my friend Ellen whose last name is really Zwaan and the mouse is my friend Anneke whose last name is Muis. This project took a long time and may be the most precious one I have.’

Ellen, the symbolism and meaning that you’ve stitched into your intricate sampler has allowed your needle and thread to mark a moment in time for your family and is sure to become the most precious of heirlooms for future generations. 

But wait! That’s not all from Ellen . . .

‘My new love is Crewel Embroidery and last year I followed a class with Jessica Grimm in Germany which was just lovely! This is my first crewel project, taking me six months to complete. We are temporarily living in Memphis in the USA and as I left my job as a teacher in October, I am looking for a new project as I can now stitch full time!
Thank you, Ellen Schellekens’

Your crewel work is thoughtfully coloured and meticulously stitched Ellen and there will be many a stitcher who envies your position of being able to dedicate yourself to needle and thread full time. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Now to Fran from the UK who’s just discovered her passion for hand embroidery . . .

‘I have been taking part in ‘One Year of Stitches 2017’ and have discovered that I absolutely love hand embroidery. I find myself staying up late every night stitching, stitching, stitching!

I have also developed a burgeoning addiction to buying hand dyed variegated thread. I thought you might like to see some of my work, all are my own designs.’ Regards, Fran Harkes

Fran, your colourful, whimsical and truly original pieces clearly convey the joy you’ve found in immersing yourself in hand embroidery. We look forward to seeing what else your ‘One Year of Stitches’ brings forth – may the stitches be many and varied!

We close this week’s ‘What Are You Stitching?’ with a piece we’re sure you’ll recognise…

Manuela Antelo from Portugal had finished her own Forbidden Fruit before we’d even finished publishing it in the magazine!  Manuela explains…

‘This is my embroidery of ‘Forbidden Fruit’ which I saw in Embroidery News issue #57 from the Beating Around The Bush 2016 catalogue.  It is so beautiful!

Manuela, we love that you found a common thread in Embroidery News with what you were stitching and we also love your ‘Strawberry Thief’, he’s wonderful.

The threads that connect each of us to Embroidery News vary – sometimes they’re an exact project such as Manuela found in Forbidden Fruit, sometimes they’re a technique, a designer or even someone else’s story that we’re able to see ourselves in. The one thing that connects each of us, however, is the love for that which is created by our own hands using needle and thread - and that is something worth celebrating!

Do you have some stitching we can add to the celebration?! We’d love you to email photos of your work and details of your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com.

A special THANK YOU to all our Inspirations subscribers.  Without doing what you do and supporting us financially, we couldn’t do what we do, and that would make us all very sad!

If you are not yet a subscriber, or your subscription is no longer current, we’d love to have you join us.

SUBSCRIBE TO INSPIRATIONS MAGAZINE

PRINT | For a print subscription fill in our secure online form with your details HERE.

DIGITAL | Digital subscriptions can be purchase through Zinio direct HERE or through the Inspirations APP which can be downloaded via the iTunes and Google Play stores, by searching ‘Inspirations Magazine’.

CALL US - If you have any questions regarding an Inspirations subscription or just want to have a chat, we’d love to hear from you.  You can call us from anywhere in the world on +61 8 8293 8600 anytime and if we’re not in, leave a message and we’ll get back to you.  For anyone within Australia, call us on 08 8293 8600.

Otherwise email us anytime at subs@inspirationsstudios.com

‘The Embroidered Village Bag’ Digital Book Out Now!

Very few workbags are decorated as exquisitely as this magnificent ‘Embroidered Village Bag’ by Carolyn Pearce. Lose yourself in the secret delights of this whimsical tote bag which provides the perfect opportunity to make good use of all those precious fabrics, buttons and beads most of us collect over time.

For the first time ‘The Embroidered Village Bag’ has now been released as a digital book.

> To purchase click HERE

‘Love Letters’ Digital Pattern Now Available!

‘Love Letters’ by Elisabetta Sforza from Inspirations #89 is the perfect project to personalise a special gift by adding a beautiful monogrammed floral initial.

> Purchase Digital Pattern HERE

Popular Insect Projects!

Insects have been creeping, crawling and flying their way onto the pages of Inspirations since the very beginning.   Here are some stunning insect projects to inspire you…

‘Butterfly’ by Catherine Laurençon from Inspirations #85 is a fabulous butterfly, thread-painted with vibrant stranded cotton threads.

> Purchase Digital Pattern HERE

‘Papillion’ by Rosemary Frezza from Inspirations #26 is a collection of six butterflies, elegantly recreated to mimic the popular decoupage paper butterflies of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

> Purchase Digital Pattern HERE

‘Beetlemania’ by Jane Nicholas from Inspirations #88 is a stunning goldwork diving beetle.

> Purchase Printed Copies Of Issue #88 HERE

What: Undressed | A Brief History of Underwear
Where: Room 40 | Victoria & Albert Museum
When: to 12 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: 2017 Scarf Festival | Galaxies – A Textile Journey to Infinity & Beyond
Where: The National Wool Museum | 26 Moorabool Street Geelong, Victoria
When: Entries Close 30 Apr
Details: Click HERE & Click HERE

What: Jeanie Baker’s Circle Exhibition
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens | Domain House | Dallas Brooks Drive South Yarra Victoria
When: to 14 May
Details: edserve@rbg.vic.gov.au

What: RSN | Stories in Stitch Exhibition
Where: Hampton Court Palace
When: to Aug
Details: Click HERE

What: The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show
Where: Olympia London | Hammersmith Road, London
When: 2 to 5 Mar
Details: Click HERE

What: The Embroiderers’ Guild of Victoria, South Western Branch | Seasons of Stitching Exhibition
Where: Masonic Centre | Kepler Street Warrnambool, Victoria
When: 3 to 5 Mar | 10:00 to 4:00
Details: egvsouthwestern@gmail.com

What: London Calling – Quilts at the Library | An Exhibition by London Quilters
Where: Swiss Cottage Library | 88 Avenue Road London
When : 6 Mar to 15 Apr
Details: Click HERE

Send us details about events, exhibitions and celebrations happening in your place of stitch and we’ll include them in Embroidery News. Contact us at
news@inspirationsstudios.com

Happy Stitching
The Embroidery News Team