What Are You Stitching?

After ‘touching gold’ in our featured project in this week’s All Stitched Up!  (HERE), we thought we’d continue to immerse ourselves in the sparkle as we highlight what’s been created from the needles and very glistening threads of the Inspirations Community!

‘This project is a ten-week online class from Jen Goodwin that I decided to follow along with as the lessons were released rather than just intending to do it when I found the time! It’s called Victorian Gold. I love Goldwork and the design of this particular kit appealed to me and needless to say I had a great time stitching it! Thank you to Jen for designing and sharing this kit with us.’

Bolivia, we love the individual elements you’ve been able to capture in Jen’s design. The piece is both texture and detail rich.

‘I am working on the Cabinet of Curiosities class by Tricia Wilson Nguyen. I am a bit slow but have finally finished the last of the class pieces! It is my Gold Fish Trinket box. It was designed so that we could practice all of the techniques we will need for the large needlework casket.’

‘I had some small pieces of a beautiful gold silk from an earlier project that I was able to use for the sides of the box. I needed to use colours of thread that would show up on the gold so I picked creams, pale blue and green. I set up the embroidery on a slate frame so that the work would be properly stretched.’

‘The threads were a combination of Soie de Paris and some Chinese silk that I purchased on a trip to China. To tie in with the gold silk, I used lots of gold metallic threads for the stitching plus spangles, bullion, pearls and other gold work threads. I was lucky enough to have some antique gold thread from China that I was able to couch down for the stems.’

‘The technique is mostly English Goldwork with some stitches that I learned in Japanese embroidery classes, so this is a box with many international elements! I designed the patterns and had an idea of what I wanted it to look like, but the embroidery grew and changed as I stitched. Finally, I used a handmade paper for the bottom and to line the lid.’

Carolyn, what an incredibly intricate and detailed trinket box. You have proven you’re well ready for the challenge of the large casket and we can’t wait to see the results!

‘I’m currently working on Japanese Landscape from Mary Brown’s book, Goldwork Embroidery.’

‘The plan is to finish it and frame it with two other Goldwork pieces – Alison Cole’s Pearl Butterfly and Lucy Barter’s Goldwork Flower.’

‘Goldwork has become a new obsession for me! Beading is another one and I’m currently stitching Hanabatake from Inspirations #95.’

Dima, each of your Goldwork pieces are rich with lustre and detail and have no doubt made a fabulous framed piece! We look forward to seeing the completion of Hanabatake.