Tabla de contenidos para Issue 112 en Inspirations

A Sea to Stitch Elisabetta Sforza | Self-published 2020 | Soft Cover 88 pg ISBN 978-88-943526-2-7 | RRP $54.95 In this book, Elisabetta Sforza extends a lyrical invitation to become immersed in a contemplative experience while stitching from her newly designed alphabet inspired by one of her greatest loves, the sea. Each letter in A Sea to Stitch is embroidered to resemble waves breaking on a beach, with a section framing an ocean view with sea gulls flying above an ocean dotted with whitecaps. A selection of seashells and a starfish stand out from the shoreline with raised embroidery, representing treasured memories. Marine ropes, carried aloft by sea breezes, curl around each letter like meandering thoughts. The book is presented as a comprehensive travel guide offering a choice of seven…

Arching stems of sky-blue cornflowers and pale pink jasmine flowers are interspersed with Queen Anne’s lace and daisies, stitched with a combination of silk and cotton threads, beads and sequins. Branches of pink blossom, unfurling in the sunlight, form a perfect resting place for a small bird and her nest, containing three, beautifully speckled, pale blue eggs. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the embroidery design and templates All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Back stitch | Blanket stitch | Colonial knot | Fly stitch Herringbone stitch | Long and short stitch | Overcasting Padded satin stitch | Raised stem stitch variation | Running stitch Satin stitch | Seed stitch | Stem stitch…

Equally as appealing now, they have been used to decorate this charming duo of biscornu pincushion and drawstring bag. Utilising cotton threads and winter white linen, the counted thread design incorporates some unusual stitches and is enhanced with tiny gold beads. this design uses Antique hem stitch Back stitch | Breton stitch Cross stitch Double running stitch Four-sided stitch Queen stitch before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the chart All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified requirements Fabric 15cm x 70cm wide (6" x 27 ½") piece of 30-count winter white linen Supplies Pale blue sewing thread Ruler Needles Beading No. 7 crewel No. 22 tapestry Threads & Beads DMC no. 12 perlé cotton A = 712…

Q: Your respect and appreciation for the tradition, history, and craftsmanship of lacemaking are evident, and you are dedicated to both preserving the past and teaching the future generations. Where does this appreciation of the craft come from? Why do you feel so strongly about preserving and promoting it? A: I just had this same discussion with a lacemaker friend, and we concluded that we pity anyone who does not have something as engaging, inventive, enjoyable, immersive, challenging, and rewarding as bobbin lace! To borrow someone else's phrase: ‘Like most junkies, I eventually became a dealer’ – albeit a dealer in skills in my case. The lace community, for too long isolated in little pockets all over the world, has grown connected in incredible ways, and as soon as someone…

This enchanting Christmas ornament is stitched onto crisp white linen with cotton threads and is a perfect introduction to this superb style of embroidery. Highlighted with silver metallic thread, the diamond shape is edged with a looped twisted cord and finished at the base with a tassel and pearl collar. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Back stitch | Blanket stitch Detached blanket stitch Double running stitch Four-sided stitch | Interlacing Needlewoven bar Satin stitch | Wrapping requirements Fabric 18cm x 32cm wide (7" x 12 ½") piece of 28-count optical white linen Supplies 12.5cm (5") embroidery hoop with inner ring bound Pale blue sewing thread Fine sharp embroidery scissors 6cm…

The needlebook includes a central rose motif surrounded by four golden bee skeps and foliage, all contained within an arched medallion and finished with a dainty flower on each edge. A beaded bee sits at each corner and in the centre of the rose, echoing the smaller scissor fob design. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article and instructions in the pattern download this design uses Beading requirements Fabric 10cm x 25cm wide (4" x 10") piece of Moda parchment ‘Bee Joyful’ print cotton with three medallion motifs 10cm x 25cm wide (4" x 10") piece of mottled cream cotton 35cm (14") square of calico (muslin) Supplies 25cm (10") embroidery hoop 10cm x 21cm wide (4" x 8 ¼") piece of thin fusible wadding 10cm x…

This delightful sweetbag, a favoured accessory, borrows from the blackwork tradition and the motifs popular at this time but uses rich garnet rather than black. Worked onto antique white linen, the drawstring bag is stitched with stranded silk and trimmed with two-colour cords and tassels made with lustrous perlée silk. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article and instructions in the pattern download See the pattern download for the alphabet and number chart All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Back stitch | Blanket stitch Detached blanket stitch Double running stitch Two-colour twisted cord Up and down blanket stitch loop Whipping requirements Fabric 30cm x 45cm wide (12" x 18") piece of 32-count antique white linen 20cm x 40cm wide…

The central design consists of nine motifs: three repeated stars and two red flowers plus four larger motifs including flowering and fruiting holly and flowering ivy. Traditional symbols of Christmas, each motif is surrounded with a ring of glittering golden braid, couched in place with red silk thread and can be easily adapted to create a longer runner. before you begin We recommend that you read the complete article See the pattern download for the embroidery design All embroidery is worked with ONE strand of thread unless specified this design uses Back stitch | Blanket stitch | Chain stitch | Couching Ghiordes knot | Pin stitch | Roumanian stitch | Satin stitch Stem stitch | Split back stitch | Whipping requirements Fabric 40cm x 72cm wide (16" x 28½") piece of…

IF YOU ASKED ME AS A TEENAGER, “Would you ever work with a needle and thread?” I probably would have said no, which you could say was rather unusual. Growing up in rural South Australia, I was surrounded by many creative influences. Dad was always in the farm shed inventing something new and Mum was often attending local community activities, learning new skills and experimenting at home. My mother, who was really my first influence in needlework, was a wonderful seamstress, cook, artist, decorator and organiser. My sister became a professional dressmaker. In my younger years I was an active, ‘outdoorsy’ type of girl. During my secondary schooling I attended dressmaking classes but unfortunately the apron and nightie we were instructed to make didn’t really hold my attention. After school…

Inspired by kogin embroidery from Japan, a form of sashiko that employs short, horizontal running stitches to create geometric patterns, this pretty little bag features a stylised butterfly design interpreted with couched goldwork. Stitched onto an unusual white linen woven with silver foil, the design is worked with silver-plated twist and stranded cotton, and the bag is lined with dark grey silk dupion and has matching fabric handles. before you begin See the pattern download for the chart We recommend that you read the complete article and instructions in the pattern download All embroidery is worked with TWO strands of thread requirements Fabric 55cm x 50cm wide (22" x 20") piece of white mineral linen with silver foil 40cm x 60cm wide (16" x 24") piece of calico (muslin) 22cm x…

ONE OF THE PLEASURES WE DERIVE FROM STITCHING is that while our hands are busy, our minds are free to wander, to ponder, to fantasise, to travel, and to roam. The repetitiveness of stitching – needle in, needle out – seems to be the latch that opens the door of the mind, setting it free. We are unaware that our bodies are stationary. We don’t mind sitting for hours, as we are not really sitting – we are travelling across time, reliving old memories or imagining idyllic futures. Even though I love allowing my mind to mind her own business, I have recently become more aware of being mindful. Instead of letting my mind roam free while stitching, I reign it in and focus it only on what my body…