What Are You Stitching?

Since our last parade of floral beauties shown in What Are You Stitching? a few months ago, we’ve been steadily receiving more emails of floral wonders from our needlework community and getting them ready for our next showcase starting this week. 

Flowers will always be a favourite subject for needlework, due to their colour, shape and endless variety. And there isn’t a technique we can think of that doesn’t use flowers, whether realistic or stylised, as a focus. We hope you enjoy this week’s display of stitched floral art. 

‘Here is a photo of my Dancing Iris – it’s an original design of mine taken from a watercolour painting I did some years ago. I challenged myself to use only reds and greens which are complementary colours. And oh what a range of reds and greens I discovered! I am now working on another piece of the same Iris design, only this time in violets and blues.”

Amazing design, amazing colours and amazing stitching, Mary. You’ve amazed us in triplicate! We can’t wait to see the next Dancing Iris.

‘I love lobelias and enjoy seeing their bright colours dotted throughout my garden. I enjoyed stitching this L’ucello Needle Keep project using Pipers silks and Silk Mill silks. Now I have bright lobelia flowers all year round.’

Janet, these colours really are glorious. So bright and vivid, this needle keep really is a wonderful addition to your embroidery kit. We love it.

‘Here are two embroidery pieces I designed for the neckline of a top, worked with different stitches.’

‘When I was a child, I used to do craft work. Later in my twenties I started with small embroidery patterns. At that time I was busy trying to find my passion, so I attempted many different jobs. But while I did enjoy my work, I felt there was always something missing.’

‘I discussed this all with my aunt. I would look at what she was doing and feel very inspired. With her support, I finally set up my own small craft business where I create everything from folk painting and jewellery to embroidery. I love what I do, but the credit goes to my aunt. Her name is Santosh Dudha and I am proud to be her student forever.’

‘In early 1980, my aunt completed this cross-stitch piece, which she still has. Her zeal, enthusiasm, gentleness and patience have made her a marvellous teacher, a wonderful embroiderer and inspiration for many of us. I believe that:

The story of your stitching journey and your aunt’s important role in it is incredibly inspiring, Vani. You’re lucky to have such a wonderful mentor and friend. We’re thrilled to hear you started your own business and we wish you every success.

‘Here is a picture of the piece I just finished. The motif is borrowed from the bottom of a plate on display at the Gulbekian Museum in Lisbon, in a collection dedicated to Turkish pottery from the city of Iznik. It dates from the 16th century.’

‘I only started embroidery when I retired. I have discovered a wonderful world with so many traditions and so many techniques to learn. Needlework is a path to creativity and a perfect way to find peace of mind.’

This is a lovely finish in a gorgeous colour scheme, Evelyne. It doesn’t matter what stage of life you come to embroidery; the fact it gives you so much pleasure is all that counts and we’re so pleased to have you part of the Inspirations family.