What Are You Stitching?

On this date one month from now, Christmas preparations and celebrations will be approaching fever pitch. This week we’re having a dress-rehearsal for the big day as we present some wonderfully festive stitching from our What Are You Stitching? files, to help jingle and Ho! Ho! Ho! us into December.

‘Here are the ornaments I have just finished embroidering. Both are Jenny McWhinney designs. I have stitched many of Jenny’s designs and have loved every one.’

‘My love of stitching came from my mother, grandmother and aunties who taught me how to embroider when I was a little girl. Coming from a property in New Zealand, there were a lot of opportunities to learn the craft, so I have kept up with it over the years.’

Bev, what exquisite ornaments! We’re so glad you love Jenny’s designs and that you have continued embroidering over the years. The quality of your stitching and finishing is excellent.

‘I used to receive a catalogue from the needlework company The Stitchery. In the 1970s they offered kits for a beautiful, wool-embroidered manger scene. The design for each figure was printed on white wool felt. I purchased a kit when the budget would allow and in 1979, I began to work on them.’

‘I completed Mary and Jesus, one sheep and part of Joseph that year and put them in a cupboard to finish later. Over the years I ran across those kits and would think ‘I’ll get back to those someday’.’

‘Finally, in June of 2016, I got them out, worked on them all summer and finished them four months later. I wasn’t able to purchase the cow so she’s missing, but this is one of my favourite accomplishments.’

And what a wonderful accomplishment this is, Gail! We love your beautifully bright scene, perfectly stitched and joyously displayed. The characters themselves are all so endearing. Also, no doubt it was very satisfying for you to finish a WIP that was 37 years in the making! Well done.

Have you stitched any ornaments? Finished a Christmas WIP? 

Whatever you are stitching, we’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created with needle and thread along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com