Hi <<First Name>>, Welcome to Embroidery News, issue #93.  It’s been all go here at the Inspirations office lately, with our editorial team hard at work on the upcoming Christmas issue of the magazine (which is looking particularly sumptuous BTW!), as well as putting the finishing touches on our new 2018 wall calendar, and refreshing ‘The Embroiderer’s Handbook’ which is finally coming back in print (due out October). All the while the rest of the team is getting everything ready for the release of Inspirations #95 which is shipping to subscribers in the very near future and will be released to the general public July 27. Then there is the EN crew, who have put together another wonderful issue of the newsletter just for you, this week celebrating some classic needlework techniques and projects such as bullion roses, sachets and teddy bears. Plus, we provide an update on the Zimbabwe thread bank appeal. As always ‘What Are You Stitching?’ remains the most popular segment, where we share projects sent in by you, our awesomely talented and creative needlework community – and it seems everyone can’t get enough!  So, whatever it is you’re stitching, send us a photo and a little about yourself to news@inspirationsstudios.com we’d love you to join in!

ZIMBABWE THREAD BANK UPDATE

After sharing the idea of a ‘Thread Bank’ for Zimbabwe in EN #91, our Embroidery News Community have sorted through the left-over or unopened and unused threads they had lying around in their baskets and cupboards and have donated many of them to the cause. 

We’ve been overwhelmed by the response and Hazel Blomkamp assures us that whatever ‘needleworkish’ items we collect will be put to good use: ‘By the way, if you end up with what you might think is too much, it won’t be. I’m aware that some of the ladies from Zimbabwe are also involved in self-help projects, teaching local women to make things that can be marketed and thereby enabling them to make some sort of income to feed and support their families.’

We love, love, love the personal notes and/or photos that have been included with many of the threads and know it will touch the hearts of those who receive the donations as it connects them in a very personal way to the global needlework community who have stood with them and supported them in their stitching endeavours. Together we really do have the power to change the world one stitch at a time!

If you’d like to contribute to our ever-growing Thread Bank for Zimbabwe, donations can be mailed to:

Inspirations Studios
PO Box 10177
Adelaide Business Hub  SA  5000
Australia

LOSING TRACK OF TIME!

At the beginning of each month we’ve been including a reminder to change the page of your Inspirations calendar… and then May came along and next, June and suddenly we realised we hadn’t remembered about the reminders! Doh!

Well, during May we hope you enjoyed ‘Butterfly’ by Catherine Laurençon, and as promised this gorgeous project has been released as a Digital Download project.

> Butterfly in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

If like us, you too have forgotten a few things, now would be a great time to turn your calendar to June - just in time to enjoy the delightful project ‘Summer Dancer’ by Jane Nicholas from issue #80.

‘Summer Dancer’ has now been released as a Digital Download project as well.

> Summer Dancer in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Summer Dancer in Print - Inspirations #80 Available in Print HERE

SWEET SACHETS BY
MONIQUE JOHNSTON

Whoever created the bullion rose has a lot to answer for… if it’s you and you’re reading this, don’t worry though – it’s only good things you’re in trouble for!

Sometime during the 1980’s the bullion rose appeared on the general needlework landscape and things haven’t quite been the same since.  For those of us who were all about enjoying a touch of needlework by stitching motifs to our everyday items such as towels, blankets, dressing gowns, kids’ singlets and socks etc, the introduction of the bullion rose added an extra layer of sophistication and elegance, and before you knew it, they were everywhere!

Many in our needlework community today credit the allure of these delicate rose buds as the reason they took up stitching in the first place – the idea that you can create a gorgeous floral motif that is petite, lifelike and yet hardy enough for everyday wear and tear, fascinated many and before they knew it, they were hooked.

A bullion rose is often one of the first projects you are introduced to when entering the world of hand stitching, and yet it can be a complex technique to learn. Once mastered however, it lends itself to endless possibilities. 

‘Sweet Sachets’ by Monique Johnston from Inspirations #94 is a marvellous example of using the bullion rose in the classic setting of a delicate sachet. 

Monique has selected three different colour ways to present these delightful sachets, each with a bespoke palette of threads to best complement the hue of the ground fabric.

Quick and very enjoyable to stitch, these sachets are wonderful as personalised gifts or just to use yourself, filled with aromatic scents to make drawers and cupboards fragrant. They also make a great gift for anyone travelling as one popped into a suitcase will keep it smelling sweet.

If you are yet to master the bullion rose, give it a whirl – but be warned you may become hooked!

MAKE YOUR OWN SWEET SACHETS
BY MONIQUE JOHNSTON

Step 1 – Purchase Inspirations #94

‘Sweet Sachets’ by Monique Johnston are dainty silk dupion and organza sachets with classic bullion embroidery.

> Inspirations issue #94 - Available in Print HERE

Step 2 – Purchase one of three Ready-To-Stitch Kits
Blue, Green or Pink

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for ‘Sweet Sachets’ include everything you need to re-create your own sachet: fabrics, ribbon, embroidery threads and needles.

> BLUE Sweet Sachets Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> GREEN Sweet Sachets Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE
> PINK Sweet Sachets Ready-To-Stitch Kit Available HERE

MORE MONIQUE JOHNSTON

Monique Johnston has been part of the Inspirations family in numerous ways over many years; as a brilliant designer/contributor for the magazine, working in the business itself at times, and even recently at our needlework convention Beating Around The Bush translating for French tutor Catherine Laurençon.

	Monique (right) with Catherine at BATB 2016

A celebrated and extremely popular teacher in her own right, Monique currently holds classes at Jenny McWhinney’s new store ‘The Bobbin Tree’ in Adelaide, Australia.

Here are some other projects from Inspirations by Monique:

MINUTIAE – INSPIRATIONS #65

‘Minutiae’ by Monique Johnston are two dainty porcelain pots, each one topped with an embroidered gold lid; the first a beaded circlet of blue forget-me-nots and the other a red stumpwork ladybird resting on a leaf.

> Minutiae in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Minutiae in Print – Inspirations #65 Available HERE

PUPPY LOVE - INSPIRATIONS #71

Treat your best friend to something extra special with this fabulous dog blanket by Monique Johnston, stitched onto navy blue polar fleece with woollen threads.

> Puppy Love in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Puppy Love in Print – Inspirations #71 Available HERE

INTERESTED IN MORE SACHETS….

LAVENDER DELIGHT – INSPIRATIONS #62

‘Lavender Delight’ by Marie Suarez is an embellished sachet with a lustrous satin stitch letter and bullion knot flowers.

> Lavender Delight in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Lavender Delight in Print – Inspirations #62 Available HERE

> Browse our range of sachet projects available in digital HERE

CAN’T GET ENOUGH BULLIONS…

UNDERCOVER ANGELS – INSPIRATIONS #75

‘Undercover Angels’ by Kathy Barac is a collection of five irresistible motifs that are cleverly stitched using a combination of bullion knots and surface embroidery stitches. 

> Undercover Angels in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Undercover Angels in Print – Inspirations #75 Available HERE

Usually What Are You Stitching follows a theme, but taking inspiration from last week’s EN that explored crazy patchwork - a technique that makes excellent use of left-over fabric, threads, ribbons, buttons, beads and notions, and converts them into unique pieces - this week’s WAYS is an eclectic mix of stitching techniques and styles that’s sure to provide a unique showcase.

Sit back and enjoy our ‘crazy patchwork’ of WAYS projects . . .

‘Greetings! Here is a little crazy quilt project I finished last autumn. I call it Create. I have enjoyed embroidery since I taught myself when I was eight years old. Handwork gives me peace of mind, excitement to stretch my creativity and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Thank you for creating such a lovely magazine, I have enjoyed Inspirations since the beginning. Peace, Betty Fikes Pillsbury.’

Betty, ‘Create’ is a beautiful piece that displays your creativity and is absolutely worthy to be considered an accomplishment!

The Smocking Guild of New South Wales have been busy stitching for the upcoming Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair…

‘The Smocking Guild has a booth along with the other guilds and we have some lovely items to sell as well as a beautiful raffle prize – a cot quilt with 12 tiny smocked dresses. We are also selling tiny dresses in white frames and there is a cushion with a tiny dress. Plus, we have smocked baby and children’s clothing, lingerie bags, Christmas balls, scissor keepers and much more. Regards, Sandra Tedesco (President – Smocking Guild of NSW).’ 

Sandra, we always appreciate you keeping us up to date with What’s On for the Smocking Guild of NSW and it’s been a delight to see what you’ve been stitching! We wish you much success at the upcoming fair with your intricately stitched and creatively presented smocked dresses.

Now to Brenda who’s created an endearing bear chatelaine from Inspirations #57…

‘Coming from a big family, embroidery was meditative and provided something quiet to do when there was a lot of chaos around me - there is a lot to be said for enjoying the silence while stitching!

‘I have always wanted to learn how do bullion knots, flowers and roses, but never thought I could get the hang of them. Now living on a small island off the coast of British Columbia, with a sewing loft surrounded by tall cedars that looks out to the ocean, what better place could you find to relieve the stress of the day but to take the plunge and try the Dear Heart Bear?

Thank you for providing the magazine, it is wonderful and really is full of inspiration! Brenda Winter.’

Brenda, your stitching shows how well you have mastered the technique of bullion knots and we look forward to seeing the next stitching challenge you’ve set yourself – ‘Fido’ from Inspirations Issue #18!

Now to someone we usually see in the pages of Inspirations magazine itself, Alison Cole…

‘I’ve just spent the most delightful day (and evening) repairing the stitching on a chasuble - an ornate sleeveless outer vestment worn by a Catholic or High Anglican priest when celebrating Mass.’ 

Alison, what a beautiful way to spend your time – repairing a piece that would have been admired by many at the recent Holy Stitches exhibition that was held by The Embroiderers’ Guild of Victoria.

What have you got to add to our ‘crazy patchwork’ of WAYS projects? We’d love to feature them in an upcoming issue of EN! Email photos of your needlework and a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com

Looking to stitch a quilt similar to that of the Smocking Guild of NSW or create a replica of Brenda’s bear chatelaine? Check out the links below:

SWEET MEMORIES – QUILT AND ACCESSORIES

The book ‘Sweet Memories’ by Brenda Karon Shade is an adorable girls quilt, cushion and matching doll featuring pretty pastels and dainty details, accentuated by the miniature dresses that embellish each square of the quilt.

> ‘Sweet Memories’ – Book Available in Print HERE

DEAR HEART – INSPIRATIONS #57

‘Dear Heart’ by Beth Allen from Inspirations #57 is an endearing bear chatelaine.

> Dear Heart in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

JOIN THE FAMILY…

Become part of the Inspirations family by subscribing to the magazine... 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

Last week, EN was all about ribbons, rainbows and a little bit of crazy added for good measure! Here are some highlights in case you missed it…

MAKE YOUR OWN RIBBONS AND RAINBOWS PURSE
BY JENNIFER CLOUSTON

Purchase Inspirations #94

‘Ribbons and Rainbows’ by Jennifer Clouston is a crazy patch evening purse worked on a rainbow of silk fabrics.

> Inspirations issue #94 - Available in Print HERE

MORE JENNIFER CLOUSTON

FEELING CRAZY! – INSPIRATIONS #86

If you’re a quilter who loves to stitch or a stitcher who loves to quilt, ‘Feeling Crazy!’ by Jennifer Clouston from Inspirations #86 is sure to please.

> Feeling Crazy! in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Feeling Crazy! in Print – Inspirations #86 Available HERE

MORE CRAZY PATCHWORK

HAND STITCHED CRAZY PATCHWORK
BY HAZEL BLOMKAMP

If you are interested in taking your crazy patchwork to a whole new level, then Hazel Blomkamp’s book ‘Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork’ is for you.

> Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork - Book Available HERE

NEW DIGITAL PATTERNS RECENTLY ADDED

PAPERCHASE – INSPIRATIONS #65

‘Paperchase’ by Susan O’Connor features four enchanting embroidered glass paperweights.

> Paperchase in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE

UNDER THE SEA – INSPIRATIONS #63

‘Under the Sea’ by Jenny McWhinney is a unique and stylish evening bag featuring two beautiful sea horses stitched in silk and metallic threads.

> Under the Sea in Digital – Pattern Download Available HERE
> Under the Sea in Print – Inspirations #63 Available HERE

INSPIRATIONS #94 KITS STILL AVAILABLE

Don’t forget to order your Ready-To-Stitch kits for projects from Inspirations #94 – before you know it, they’ll all be sold out!

> Browse Issue #94 Kits HERE

What: Fibre Yarns | An Exhibition by The Hardway Textile Group
Where: The Exchange | Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, UK
When: to 24 Jun
Venue Details: Click HERE

What: The Language of Flowers | The Embroiderers’ Guild of SA Museum Team Exhibition
Where: 16 Hughes Street Mile End, South Australia
When: to 30 Jun
Details: Click HERE

What: Inspired by Gardens & Landscapes of Tatton | Altrincham, Chelford, Manchester & Warrington Branches of the Embroiderers’ Guild
Where: Steward’s Room, Tatton Park| Knutsford, Cheshire UK
When: to 30 Jul
Details:  Click HERE

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

What: Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award Exhibition
Where: Wangaratta Art Gallery | 56 Oven Street Wangaratta, Victoria
When: to 6 Aug
Details: Click HERE & exhibitionsofficer@wangaratta.vic.gov.au

What: Stitch at Home Challenge | Summer of Love
Where: San Francisco School of Design & Needlework
When: Deadline 15 Aug
Details: Click HERE

What: Quilt & Craft Fair | Sydney
Where: International Convention Centre | Darling Harbour, Sydney (Halls 5 & 6)
When: 22 to 25 Jun
Details: Click HERE

What: 2017 Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Where: Araluen Arts Centre
When: 23 to 26 Jun
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