Izabela Brańska-Oleksy

‘My name is Izabela Brańska-Oleksy, I'm from Poland and I'm an embroiderer. I have been following embroidery on the Inspirations Newsletter for several years and I'm delighted with the sheer number of beautiful embroideries and the techniques used to create them.

I'd like to invite you into my world of embroidery. I've been embroidering for over a decade. I'm most passionate about gold embroidery from the Middle Ages and the 18th century, but I also create contemporary embroidery.’

‘This bird is made with cotton embroidery thread and metallic thread. I used an embroidery technique known from the medieval Bayeux Tapestry.’

‘These buttons are embroidered with historical and contemporary motifs. The embroidery is made with cotton embroidery thread.’

‘This is a maple leaf brooch made using a bullion thread technique and metallic thread. The back of the brooch is finished with a leather patch and a safety pin attached to it, allowing you to attach the brooch to your clothing.’

‘This project titled ‘In the Sea Depths’ is an experimental embroidery using various techniques to create individual elements of the project:

- Jellyfish: bead embroidery, using metal threads and ribbon - Seahorse: embroidered using bullion, metal threads, and silver leather elements - Corals: bead embroidery and a raised embroidery technique - Vegetation: I used chenille ribbons - Blue fish: created on pleated silk shibori ribbon. I also used beads - Orange and black fish: embroidered with sequins, and the decorative tail is made of feathers - Octopus: the head is filled with a balloon placed in stockings. I made the legs from pink leather - Anemone: the red, rigid element is made from cardboard decorated with needle-stitched lace. The antennae (arms) are made from tubes filled with beads. The design is housed in a glass case, resembling an aquarium’

‘This is a design for a pocket worn under an 18th-century lady's dress.’

‘This three-dimensional flower is made of three layers. The first was embroidered directly onto the fabric, while the second and third layers (the smallest) were embroidered on tulle and water-soluble foil. After removing the foil, I could freely arrange and shape the flower petals. I sewed the entire piece into the centre of the flower. The fabric was stretched over a flat, round wooden element. The technique is the same as for covering buttons with fabric.’

‘And lastly, a collection of birds I have embroidered. The bullfinch and hawfinch were embroidered with cotton floss, and the peacock was embroidered with cotton floss and metallic thread.’

Izabela, what an incredibly vast and impressive body of work you have created. Your designs are so creative and beautifully stitched - your decade of experience with embroidery is most definitely evident in the quality of your work. The backstory and techniques used for each piece is fascinating; we have no doubt our community will find great joy in perusing your work.

Julie Harvey

‘I recently finished a couple of projects from Inspirations publications that I would like to share. The first is Nature's Delight by Colleen Goy from Inspirations issue #119.

Immediately when I saw it, I loved this beautiful wreath with all its brightly coloured flowers!

And the many different stitches used created such wonderful textures, besides being fun to do! I also appreciated that I was able to purchase just the pre-printed fabric, since I had almost all the threads in my stash already.’

‘My second finish is the Milverton Mallard from Nicola Jarvis' book Life in Seasons 1 | Winter & Spring. I love all of the designs in this book and was lucky enough to take this as an in-person class from Nicola in England last June.

Nicola is such a fabulous teacher and her instructions are wonderfully clear and easy to follow! I had no problem completing Mr Mallard when I returned home after the retreat. He is currently in at the framers for his final finishing.’

‘I always love receiving your wonderful newsletter, magazine, and books! It's often hard to decide which of the beautiful projects I might have to start next, and I already have a plethora of Inspirations kits waiting in my stash for me to choose from. Thanks for all you do in keeping the art of the needle alive and well.’

What beautiful pieces, Julie, and what a terrific experience of completing your Mallard under the expert guidance of Nicola herself. The joy you find in embroidery shines through in your stitching. Part of the reason we’re able to continue sharing the wonderful art of needle and thread is thanks to readers like you, so thank you for being part of our community and contributing your wonderful work.

Chris Gardner

‘Here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, our stitching group was quite excited by Floe the Fairy Penguin from Inspirations issue #123, so we each decided to make one.

Our local quilt store Out of Hand ordered in the wool felt for us. We try to meet every Monday morning to share our applique, embroidery and quilt projects.

Pictured are the projects by Chris, Barb, Nan, Judy and Kathy.’

Oh, what a fun project for your stitching group, Chris! Your waddle of Floes all look adorable; full of love and stitched and constructed impeccably. Keep up the terrific work and we’d love to see your next group project - maybe next we’ll be seeing a flock of Harnie the Hens?!

Do you have a large catalogue of embroidered pieces? Were you able to complete an Inspirations project with help from the designer themselves? Or have you recently been part of a group project?

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