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ISSUE 191, JUNE 21 2019
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INSPIRATIONS. ALL Stitched Up!
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Hi <<First Name>>,
It would seem the headline, ‘Farewells’, from last week’s issue of All Stitched Up! HERE created a little anxiety for some of you and for that we do apologise. We received numerous emails and phone calls from people worried that we were going somewhere - we’re sorry for any confusion we may have caused, but rest assured, we’re most definitely here to stay!

The confusion we created made us realise that with many things in life, we often sit at one end of the spectrum or the other and rarely find ourselves balanced somewhere in the middle. And so it is with headlines and fine print!

Some of us are skim readers who just take in the headlines, whilst others read every word in even the finest of prints to ensure we don’t miss a single element. Think written articles, assembly guidelines or even stitching instructions.

We certainly had no intention of creating any anxiety for the headline readers out there and we’ll definitely think twice before using headings like ‘Farewells’ in the future! Rather than worrying about us going anywhere, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
The fine print below the headline went on to explain that we were simply saying goodbye to the current issue of Inspirations Magazine as we eagerly await the arrival of Inspirations issue #103 which is now only weeks away.
While the reactions to the headline took us by surprise, we were touched by the level of concern everyone shared at the prospect of us saying farewell and were amazed by the level of enthusiasm everyone showed by reading a headline and then acting on it immediately.

This reaction reminded us of the approach we sometimes use when reading stitching instructions - you may have noticed the ‘Before you Begin’ note that’s printed with each project in Inspirations that reads ‘we recommend that you read the complete article and instructions’. However, most of us at some point or another have let our enthusiasm to begin stitching get in the way of reading the fine print and we haven’t measured twice and cut once and now the time we’ve poured into needle and thread needs unstitching, or worse still, starting over because we missed a crucial piece of information contained in that fine print!

Here’s to all of us finding the balance between the headlines and fine print… and us not using anymore misleading words in our headlines!
 
World of Needlework
Standing the Test of Time
We love embroidery books. Whether they are brand new publications with exquisite photography and inspiring projects or old favourites that we’ve had on our shelves for years, needlework books are indispensable. But recently we picked up a tiny, tattered copy of The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont. Resembling a small brick, the cover hanging on by a few threads, we realised that all of the wonderful books we enjoy now have this book and its few contemporaries to thank.
Encyclopedia of Needlework by Th. De Dillmont (source)
Ms. de Dillmont was born near Vienna in 1846. The daughter of privileged parents, she learnt embroidery at a specialised school and, upon completing her education, decided to open her very own embroidery school and shop with her sister. The shop stocked fabric and threads as well as patterns, some of which must have been designed by Thérèse, if her later career is anything to go by.

When she left the shop, she moved to France and began to compile what can still be regarded as one of the most definitive needlework references of all time. Although she was working at a time when copyright laws barely existed, and therefore benefitted from being able to freely borrow information from other periodicals and publications, this should in no way detract from the sheer volume of knowledge required to put this book together.
Thérèse caught the eye of Jean Dollfus, founder of a new French thread company now known as DMC.
Soon she was working with DMC who capitalised on her name to produce a series of guides, pamphlets and booklets on various types of embroidery and needlework. In fact, they were so invested in her name that when she married, DMC were terribly upset and expressed their disproval.

Tragically Thérèse died soon after her marriage, however her niece, who apparently carried the same name, continued to work with DMC and was required to sign a contract stating that she wouldn’t marry, and she wouldn’t change her name! Now that’s commitment to the cause.
Therese de Dillmont and one of the drawings from her extensive needlework guide (source)
Today, many embroiderers still refer to the original Encyclopedia. It has been reprinted, translated and reused more than almost any needlework book in history. Much of Thérèse’s work for DMC is also available online through the antique pattern library (www.antiquepatternlibrary.org) and although some of the designs are a little dated, we feel there is a timelessness about her work which continues to inspire and instruct today.

We’re sure Thérèse would be very happy to see her work being referred to generations after her death. In 2019, picking up that densely typewritten volume from which emanates a delicious smell of old book, and which might carry an ink written inscription harking back to the young lady who received this specific volume 50, 80 or even 100 years ago, we can’t help but derive inspiration and pleasure. And we send a little word of thanks to the woman who started it all.
Needlework News
New Digital Pattern | Stepping Out
When it comes to stepping out in style, any child in your life is going to love wearing this super playful dalmatian-themed swing coat from Inspirations issue #34, now available as a digital pattern.
‘Stepping Out’ by Cheryl Willenberg is a fabulous coat featuring adorable dalmatians stitched on the front and back.

The collar and cuffs are made from luxurious black and white faux fur velour with the stitched puppies wearing colourful collars while they frolic amidst bright flowers and garden creatures.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Stepping Out
 
Newsletters – Past Issues
Technology can be an amazing enhancement to our life when it works as it should, and when it doesn’t… well let’s just say it’s probably best we stitchers move all our sharp objects to safety, lest we damage something or someone out of frustration!

For example, from time to time you may find that our newsletter randomly gets treated as Spam or Junk mail by your computer or tablet and you miss out on enjoying your weekly fix of ‘All Stitched Up!’.
If this ever happens, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Did you know that every issue of our newsletter is now available to read on our website? To check you’re up-to-date with all your needlework news, or to find a past article you’d like to read again, simply click HERE.
The Queen Approves
It’s always nice to receive accolades for our needlework, but when the Queen of England herself gives you a nod of approval, that’s what you call taking feeling good about yourself to a whole new level!
UK based atelier Hand & Lock were recently awarded a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of the outstanding work they’ve been doing for the royal family over the past decade. The projects they have worked on include creating intricate needlework for items such as the uniforms of Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms.
You can see this amazing embroidery firsthand at ceremonial occasions where members of the Royal entourage are dressed in full regalia featuring elaborate golden epaulettes, waist sashes, pouches, collars, cuffs and back skirts, all of which have been hand embroidered by Hand & Lock.

Congratulations to all involved for both the recognition and for putting the art of the needle and thread on the world stage for everyone to admire. You can read more about the announcement on the Hand & Lock website HERE.
Learn from Those Who Stitch for Royalty…
The talented Hand & Lock embroiderers will be touring the USA in October this year and are inviting stitchers from far and wide to take up the amazing opportunity of learning from some of the best of the best.

Bring a bit of royalty to your needlework by learning Goldwork, Tambour Beading, Haute Couture or Monogramming, with numerous classes on offer suitable for both beginners and experts.
To find out more details and, most importantly, enrol before you miss out, visit the Hand & Lock website HERE.
 
Featured Project
Flower Pots by Ana Mallah
Every day at Inspirations HQ we have the great fortune to surround ourselves with some of the world’s most beautiful needlework by some of the world’s most talented designers and stitchers. Often the projects we get to work with evoke feelings of delight, joy, admiration and even awe.
And sometimes we are even completely smitten. That’s exactly what happened when we opened a parcel from Ana Mallah to reveal her enchanting project Flower Pots!
Flower Pots from the book A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII, consists of two designs with the hydrangea pot featuring exquisitely shaded petals arranged on the lid over an embroidered barrel, and the rose design showcasing a posy of vibrant, pink flowers enjoying a visit by a tiny ladybird.
The embroidered pot for the roses resembles neatly gathered stems as seen in an elegant bouquet. Together, they make the most charming pair of embroidered trinket pots we think we’ve ever seen.
What was Ana’s inspiration for these beauties? The starting point, Ana told us, was something considered by all needleworkers, or anyone who spends time making things, regardless of their area of passion. Storage! As many of us do, Ana has boxes of different shapes and sizes that hold her embroidery items. Often, we lose track of what’s in them.
‘Sometimes, I'll open one for something and it's like I'm discovering the contents of that box for the first time! I'll be excited anew at the treasures within, not unlike when I was a young girl and used to make believe that fairies had left me gifts in a most valued little trinket box I had.
One day, after opening a box and being inspired yet again by items I'd forgot I had, it got me to wondering what types of boxes fairy folk might keep their most precious items in.
I thought that, instead of straight lines and square angles, they might make their storage out of things much more whimsical such as within a bunch of roses or under a mop head of hydrangea, and so the flower pots were born from this little reverie.’
Ana’s passion for stumpwork embroidery really shines in this project, and the trinket pots are a delightful way to display the lovingly-stitched wired petals and leaves of the hydrangeas and roses. There are a lot of little petals to stitch but there’s a stitching hack for this! It’s also Ana’s main tip for working on the flowers.
‘Put together a pencil case of what you will need for the petals and keep it with you wherever you go. I started by cutting and shaping the wires and putting them in a ziplock bag. I put them into a pencil case along with a small hoop with fabric, scissors, a needle and whatever colour thread I needed for a particular petal and took this with me wherever I went.
When I was waiting for the kids to come out of school, I'd get a petal done, waiting at the kids’ basketball training I'd get another few done, and any moments I had like these, I'd pull out my pencil case and, before I knew it, I'd made them all up.’
After stitching your petals, it’s time for beauty to bloom. As Ana says, ‘Each part of a stumpwork piece may seem very simple on its own but it's when you assemble it that it comes alive. I love the magic of having all the components become something wonderful once put together.’
Cleverly handmade, the embroidered pots and stumpwork lids are a perfect match and make very special containers for holding cherished keepsakes or stitching treasures.
Make Your Own Flower Pots
Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Flower Pots by Ana Mallah from A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII is two gorgeous trinket pots embellished with exquisite stumpwork roses or hydrangeas.
 
PRINTED BOOK
A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII
 
Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kits for Flower Pots include everything you need to re-create these beautiful trinket pots: Fabrics (unprinted), felts, wadding, wire, template plastic, embroidery threads, needles, cord (rose pot), ribbon and beads (hydrangea pot).

Special Note: Instructions are not included with these kits. Please refer to the book for detailed information on how to create the projects.
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Flower Pots | Rose Pot
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
Flower Pots | Hydrangea Pot
 
 
Looking for More Trinket Pots?
Gilly Flower
Gilly Flower by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #79 is a delightful hexagonal trinket box.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Gilly Flower
 
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair by Di Kirchner from Inspirations issue #33 is two irresistible little boxes.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Vanity Fair
 
Minutiae
Minutiae by Monique Johnston from Inspirations issue #65 is two dainty pots with embroidered lids.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
Minutiae
 
A Scottish Thimble
A Scottish Thistle by Jane Nicholas from Inspirations issue #22 is a stunning trinket pot emblazoned with a stumpwork thistle.
 
DIGITAL PATTERN
A Scottish Thistle
 
What Are You Stitching?
Needlework that’s equal parts form and function, who could ask for more?! This week we’re sharing needlework that fits this description perfectly – pieces that not only look the part, but also do a fabulous job of holding whatever’s kept inside…
Biddy Eccles
‘I have never considered myself a great embroiderer, but when asked to stitch for a family member’s wedding that was to be held in Scotland, I put my best into it.’
‘This is the box I made to put her garter in which was also stitched by hand. I embellished the box with crystals and lace. Many thanks for your beautiful magazine.’
Biddy, it would seem you’ve well underestimated your skills as a stitcher! The garter and box will remain treasured keepsakes of a special day for years to come.
Janet Granger
‘This was supposed to be a practical drawstring bag to keep my MP3 player in, but it ended up being rather too embellished to be practical, so I just keep it in my display cabinet of embroidered smalls now instead!’
‘It was designed to feature Islamic architectural motifs, on yellow silk, lined with deep red silk. The wording along the bottom says shlama, which means peace in Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke). I am Universal Sufi and the MP3 player that I keep in the bag stores only teachings and music relevant to my faith, so the phrase is very relevant.’
‘I made the fringe and beaded tassels from beads leftover from other projects. The embroidery itself was stitched using Anchor stranded cotton, and Ophir gold thread from my stash.’
Janet, your project may have ended up leaning a little more toward form rather than function, but the intent was there to create something that was both functional and beautiful - if only everything we used was so thoughtfully designed and created our lives would be so much the richer for it!
Julie Harvey
‘I have recently finished Betsy Morgan's Gloriana and Edinburgh Etui. Whilst I have taken several classes with Betsy, I was never able to coordinate getting to these classes, so was overjoyed when I saw them published in Inspirations Magazine issue #98 and A Passion for Needlework | Factoria VII! I was especially happy when I was able to buy both kits for the projects from Inspirations as well.’
‘I had a wonderful time stitching them and although the finishing was challenging, I was able to accomplish it with no major mishaps. I absolutely love Inspirations’ publications as there are always so many beautiful projects to choose from. I think my next challenge will be the Reticella Sampler from Factoria VII.’
Julie, you’ve done a beautiful job of recreating Betsy’s etuis and you’ve absolutely mastered the art of finishing! Your needlework tools and accessories couldn’t be housed in a more fitting way. We look forward to seeing the next challenge you’ve set for your needles and threads to complete.
Toody Cassidy
‘I am a founding member of Cape Embroiderers' Guild (Est 1984) and for a recent AGM competition, we were invited to submit entries for the theme ‘Under the Archway’. I designed this myself and made it up from bits and pieces I found around the house and in my embroidery den.’
‘I awoke one night from a dream and set about making this rather delightful tool kit, with an arch for the handle. I am happy to say that I was awarded third prize in the competition! The skeins of thread come from a collection of my own hand-dyed threads.’
Toody, we love that you interpreted the theme of the competition in such a unique way! Your piece is not only incredibly functional, but also has a lovely sense of colour and whimsy about it.

Have you put your needles and threads to something that is equal parts form and function? We’d love to see it! Email photos of what you’ve created along with a few details about your stitching journey to news@inspirationsstudios.com
 
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DIGITAL PATTERN
Bellissimo
 
 
READY-TO-STITCH KIT
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Cauliflower
A cute little cauliflower, stitched with wool threads to create a perfect pincushion, by Julie Kniedl from Botanica.
 
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READY-TO-STITCH KIT
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Nero Fiore
Nero Fiore by Carol J. Young from Inspirations issue #76 is a beautiful pin cushion embroidered with classic blackwork motifs.
 
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Sweet Treats
Sweet Treats by Betsy Morgan from Inspirations issue #92 is a set of cute little pincushions showcasing a variety of counted thread designs.
 
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This Week on Social
 
Just how fabulous is the detail in this Protea?
 
Victorian Lace from Inspirations issue #58
 
Quote
'Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't.'
~ Pete Seeger ~
What's On
Stay informed of upcoming needlework events taking place all around the world in our new What’s On page on the Inspirations Studios Website HERE.
If you’re holding an event or would like to suggest one to be added, we’d love to hear about it. Email us the details at news@inspirationsstudios.com
INSPIRATIONS
© 2019 Inspirations Studios

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