What Are You Stitching?

‘I love a good challenge as it helps to keep me focused, so in 2017 I joined a Stitch a Day Challenge. Throughout the year I worked on a six-inch square each month. Each piece of cloth came from my fabric stash and it felt good to finally put them to use!’

‘Trees and kaleidoscopes were some of my favourite subject matter. One of the trees was done with French Knots which became rather tedious, so I won’t be doing something like that again! I now have a lovely collection of stitched squares and need to decide upon a way to put them all together.’

Angela, the individual squares you’ve created throughout the challenge are just gorgeous and we look forward to seeing how they come together as a whole piece.

‘I was educated as a graphic designer and began quilting in 1993 when I took my first quilt class at the local high school. I longed for a creative outlet that utilized the precision, color and measuring work I employed in my professional life and, since business moved to computer graphics, quilting provided that opportunity.’

‘I continued to study appliqué attending the Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy for eight years and in 2002 I joined the joined the EGA. Taking a class in wool appliqué at the national seminar, this technique immediately became my favorite medium! I began designing my own pieces in 2006 and authored my first pattern book in 2015 called Gorgeous Wool Appliqué, A Visual Guide to Adding Dimension and Unique Embroidery.’

‘I live in northeast Pennsylvania USA with my husband and son and enjoy all forms of applique, hand quilting, samplers, tatting and being creative with needlework.’

Deborah, we love that you were able to use needle and thread to indulge your love of precision, colour and measurement. Your work is incredibly vibrant and brings with it instant joy!

‘I’ve been embroidering since I was a child, some 40+ years now. Like others, I love a kit or designer pattern, but I recently starting using adult colouring books as a template and either copying the pattern directly onto my fabric or composing a piece incorporating elements from these books.’

‘I’ve been embroidering since I was a child, some 40+ years now. Like others, I love a kit or designer pattern, but I recently starting using adult colouring books as a template and either copying the pattern directly onto my fabric or composing a piece incorporating elements from these books.’

‘I then used a pattern from the same book for my Silk Stag. Using only silk threads, the stags nose is in the colours of spring, his shoulders in summer, the haunches in autumn and tail/heel in winter. I love him – he positively glows!’

‘The final piece is a seahorse which I made as a gift for a friend’s birthday. This time I used a combination of colouring book elements and some sketching of my own. It was worked in a wide combination of silks, cotton, metal threads and spangles.’

 Evelyn, we love the way you’ve combined flora and fauna with such success! It’s a joy to see your progression throughout the pieces and look forward to seeing what’s next from your needle and thread.

‘For a long time, I read Inspirations magazine learning from its numerous projects and articles. Finally, I’ve worked up the courage to share my own work! Once I came upon a wonderful kit where you only stitch some parts of the picture as the rest is already painted on the canvas. I just loved the idea. But I really wanted to make something unique and then it struck me, I can paint the background myself – not that I’m a very good painter, but still.’

‘It’s amazing what introducing paints into my work did to the result. It added depth and the embroidered elements really stood out. It’s funny though that the painting usually takes much longer than stitching! The inspiration for this piece came from Japan – the country I love with all my heart.’

Elena, just like Jo Butcher, you’ve mixed the mediums of paint and thread with ease and beauty! What a spectacular way to honour the country you love.

Have you created something from nature’s garden with your needle and thread? We’d love to see it! Email photos of what’s blooming in your needlework garden along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com