Kumi

‘I am Japanese and currently living in Japan. I lived in England for 8 years, which is where I learned traditional embroidery; I studied at the Royal School of Needlework.’

‘I currently teach traditional British embroidery in Japan, and I love stumpwork, blackwork and crewel work.’

You are very fortunate to have studied at the RSN Kumi, the team there are highly skilled and knowledgeable and without doubt it is one of the most fabulous places you can learn about embroidery. We love the piece you have created, it’s very creative and beautifully stitched. Well done.

Cristina Casoli

‘I would like to share some of my projects with you.

Felicità is my creation based on a poem by Trilussa: There is a bee that lands / on a rosebud: / it sucks it and goes away... / All things considered, happiness / is a small thing’

‘Pietra e Dintorni, also my creation, is inspired by the large stone that dominates Castelnovo ne’ Monti, the town where I live. It reminds me of the beautiful film Picnic at Hanging Rock.’

‘Buone Feste is an opening box, also designed by me.’

‘These Christmas tree ornaments were born from the drawings of a talented Italian author, Cassandra Cavalca, who publishes under the name of Fairy Wool in the Wood; with them I created the front of 12 candlesticks, on the back of which I embroidered the letters that make up Christmas. I accompanied them with a base and a tea light holder.’

Cristina, your body of work is so varied and artistic, and your sources of inspiration are fascinating to read about. The use of different techniques and the variety of finishes are so creative. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us.

Mary Visciglio

‘My stitching journey started when I saw Trish Burr’s work online. I had never heard of needle painting but was so fascinated with it, and I decided I must do it. Though I did the basics as a kid, I’m a novice stitcher and get frustrated and go off course a lot.’

‘I find her work so beautiful and I love flowers, so I decided I would do each flower from her book, Redoute’s Finest Flowers. I’m determined to do every flower in that book. I use DMC thread and I try to follow her colours as much as possible.’

What a gorgeous first project, Mary; Trish Burr’s work is indeed beautiful, and we are so thrilled her designs inspired you to rediscover the joy of needlework. All of us in the needlework community, no matter how experienced, can relate to getting frustrated and going off course! Good on you for continuing on and pushing through though - keep up the great work.

Have you studied embroidery at an esteemed institution? Do you find inspiration from poems, movies or your hometown? Or are you working your way through an embroidery book?

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