Saving Grace by Barbara Kershaw

3rd August 2018

This week we’re starting a journey of stitching bliss as we begin featuring the new projects from Inspirations issue #99. Up first is the elegant linen cloth ‘Saving Grace’ by Barbara Kershaw.

We first met Barbara Kershaw back in issue #113 of our newsletter when, at the time, her debut project for Inspirations Magazine ‘Nöel’ had just been released. Her extensive knowledge and talent in whitework techniques such as Schwalm and Casaguidi are highly regarded and we were thrilled to discover Barbara for ourselves when she entered the stitching competition during her attendance at Beating Around the Bush in 2016.

At the time we became smitten with her work and promptly lined up some of her projects to feature in the magazine, the second of which is ‘Saving Grace’.

Featuring classic Italian style drawn thread techniques to create magnificent patterns, this piece achieves the perfect balance of simplicity and elegance.

Drawn thread refers to the process of cutting away and withdrawing selected threads within the weave to open up a pattern. In Saving Grace, Barbara uses surface embroidery for further embellishment as well as helping to stabilise the fabric. Arching threads, knotted in dainty lines, are then added to create a spectacular lace border.

The placement of the knots dictates how the patterns are formed and to help ensure the knots are held in place firmly, Cordonnet thread is best used as it provides better grip than perle thread.

Adding satin stitches with bullion knots gives some lovely raised elements to the design and the table cloth is finished off beautifully with Peahole hem stitch, another classic Italian technique.

It sounds like there is a lot going on, and there is, however the scale of this project means it’s quite easy to work, and the stitches used are more straight forward than you might think.

We know this first hand because our in-house stitching guru, Ellaine, has created over 30 step-by-step photographs to make re-creating this project as easy as possible and while some of it was new to her, once she got started it all came together very quickly.

Whether you decide to create a set of the world’s most beautiful placemats for your dining table, or just a single linen cloth to decorate your favourite piece of furniture, Saving Grace by Barbara Kershaw will bring sophistication and beauty to wherever and however it is used.

Make Your Own Saving Grace

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Saving Grace by Barbara Kershaw is an elegant linen cloth embellished with drawn thread techniques.

Printed Magazines

Inspirations Issue 99

Digital Patterns

Saving Grace

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Saving Grace includes everything you need to re-create this stunning linen cloth: Fabric (unprinted), embroidery threads and needles.

Kits

Saving Grace – i99 Kit

More from this designer

Barbara Kershaw

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