Blomst by Fumi Suzuki

Many who are skilled in needlework do not consider themselves creative.

Instead, they rationalise their ability to re-create spectacular pieces of art as more of a utilitarian function telling themselves, ‘I’m not designing or creating the actual pattern itself therefore I’m not being creative.’

While someone else may have developed the design, the process of re-creating anything using needle and thread is still very much a creative pursuit.While someone else may have developed the design, the process of re-creating anything using needle and thread is still very much a creative pursuit.

In fact, science has now confirmed that creativity isn't something you're simply born with but rather a skill that anyone can grow through practise, education, and new experiences.

Studies by Scott, Leritz, and Mumford (2004) and Maddux and Galinsky (2009) confirm our brains adapt and thrive creatively when we actively engage with diverse environments and continuous learning.

Blomst is brand new project from the talented designer Fumie Suzuki appearing in Inspirations magazine issue #126.

This beautifully elegant, zippered linen pouch echoes embroidery from an earlier period, 1820-1840, in a style worked by women of the small farming communities in the Hedebo region and known as Hvidsøm.

Hedebo embroidery has a long history and has evolved through several distinctive styles to the current form that is characterised by very little surface embroidery and distinctive cutwork areas filled with needlelace.

Easily recognised by rows of chain stitch surrounding the main areas, it was used to decorate clothing and household items and utilised motifs including flowers, hearts and leaves.

When you consider the utilitarian heritage of Hedebo as a practical method for reinforcing household linens and clothing, at that time it would have been considered anything but a creative pursuit.

Yet over time creative elements were added to the pieces as a way of simultaneously adding beauty to repair work.

While our modern approach to enjoying needlework often involves re-creating someone else’s designs, the same is true in that when you do something often enough, creativity has a way of finding us and joining us along the journey.

Before we know it, we've improvised a little here, adapted a little there, added our own unique flourish or technical twist and suddenly, we've become creative!

Blomst, which simply means flower in Danish, is such a beautiful example of what can be achieved with a clever creative mind like Fumie Suzuki’s.

Yet when it comes to re-creating you own version, even though you are following instructions step-by-step, you are still applying creative know-how and adding little instances of your own creative decision points along the way.

In fact, once you’ve finished it, the very question of how you will use your Blomst is a creative pursuit in its own right! Will it be a hoop carrier, a jewellery pouch, or perhaps you’ll add a strap to use as a handbag?

Just remember, you are way more creative than you think!