Carol Hughes

‘This project is from way back in Inspirations issue #58, Rosamund by Carolyn Pearce. I loved it so I went shopping and favoured a blue iris fabric for the outside. Carolyn’s design was inspired by the fabric she used to construct the bag, so I then designed an embroidery for mine from the iris fabric I used to construct mine.’

‘I put a few extra pockets inside and I crocheted over a button to close it. My favourite sewing bag ever, still in use and after taking the wooden dowels out it can even be popped in the washing machine.’

What a beautiful bag indeed Carol, we love it! Very clever how you took inspiration from Carolyn’s original concept and then made it your own by following the style of fabric you found. The colours are perfect, your finish and construction look excellent and it’s so good to hear that you are still actively using it.

Patricia Siwanowicz

‘I am sending a picture of current work, needlepoint and petit point canvas on my frame.’

This is a very striking design, Patricia, and wonderful to see your stitching process. Your needlework is terrific, and we’d love an update on this project once completed!

Vera Stoll

‘I was born in Hamburg, Germany, where I initially knitted a lot because children's clothing was needed, before I devoted more and more time to the fascinating Hardanger embroidery.’

‘When I moved to Bavaria in 1982, I began teaching courses there, and I taught for 20 years while also participating in trade fairs and embroidery demonstrations for DMC, Zweigart, and other companies.

This photo of me is a few years old and was taken during a creative exhibition in Switzerland.’

‘In 2004, I remarried and moved to Switzerland, where I focused on Hardanger embroidery. My husband became very ill, and I cared for him for 10 years. On the nights when I couldn't sleep, I wrote my book. This is the cover of my book.’

‘My husband died, I returned to Germany, and my work now takes two paths. I work as a freelance textile artist and have had the opportunity to show my work (also only in Hardanger technique) in several exhibitions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.’

‘I also teach courses in Switzerland and work for the handicraft magazine ANNA, creating new designs in my own handwriting. I've also worked for Gift of Stitching, Ant of Sweden, Maxxina, and other magazines in the past. This is my latest project that was published in ANNA.’

Vera, what an incredible story and body of work you have. The amount of time and dedication you have poured into your art is clear in the quality of your work and the intricacy of your designs. We’re so pleased to see your stunning work featured in ANNA and are thrilled to be able to feature it in All Stitched Up!

Have you re-created an Inspirations project with your own personal touch? Do you have a work in progress you’d like to share with us? Or have you honed in on one embroidery technique over the course of your stitching career?

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