Secrets by Laurence Lieblich
6th October 2023
If you have ever had the great privilege of working on a project with, or assigning a task to, a creative person capable of producing amazing art, you’ll know that the path to a result is seldom linear.
People who are highly creative will often ride waves of emotions throughout the course of a project, they might traverse different stages of motivation levels and productivity outcomes, and they can even endure several false starts before settling on a final direction from which to begin.
Yet, it is because of all this unpredictability and sometimes even self-doubt, that great outcomes are achieved.
We were reminded of this after reading page 175 in The Design Collective | Christmas, where Swiss designer Laurence Lieblich shares the creative journey she traversed to produce her design, Secrets.
While all the projects in The Design Collective | Christmas are like our children and it’s hard to have favourites, there is no doubt this project does hold a very special place in our hearts.
Secrets is an incredibly considered, exceptionally well designed and cleverly engineered needlework project, that embodies a host of rich and beautiful festive sentiments.
Whilst the description for this project is a good place to start, it truly is just the beginning:
A decorative box with shaped sides that tie at the top with silk ribbons to form a container for a Christmas surprise.
As you will read more about in the book itself, Laurence laboured for nearly three months to: flesh out all the details to bring to life the design of this small box, which was intended to be a receptacle for messages of happiness and health exchanged during the holiday season.
Every element that Laurence has used in this design and every decision made, be it materials, colours, size, finish – all of it has come about after a great deal of thought and intentionality to create what she describes as ‘a unique object, imbued with symbolism and aesthetics’.
So much can be said about this sublime celebration of Christmas in stitch, but with the little space we have left, Laurence herself says it best:
‘I am convinced that this unpretentious object will be a source of happiness for the person who has the chance to receive it, and also for all those who have the pleasure of creating it.’
Thank you, Laurence, for treating us to your wonderful gift to the entire needlework community. Secrets is a truly remarkable project.
Make Your Own Secrets
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions
Secrets by Laurence Lieblich is a pyramid box with surface embroidery in silk and metallic threads.
The Design Collective – Christmas
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit
The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Secrets includes everything* you need to re-create this decorative box: Fabrics (unprinted), interlining, waddings, card, cream sewing thread, embroidery thread, ribbon, beads and needles.
Secrets – TDCC Kit
*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the book.