Hurray! Volume 5 of Inspirations Studios The Handpicked Collection series is here at Last!
I love this series of books from Inspirations Studios. The projects in each book are exquisite, they cover a wide array of needlework techniques, they range from simpler to more complex, they’re beautifully photographed, the instructions are clear and precise, and there’s something in them for everyone.
If you started collecting these volumes from the beginning of their publication, then you’ll want to add Volume 5 to your library. There are some really fun and beautiful projects in here!
Let’s take a look at the book up close, shall we? And then, at the end of this article, there’s some exciting news about needlework stands!
If you’re not familiar with The Handpicked Collection series from Inspirations Studios, you can read more about the previous books in the series and see what’s in them through my close-up reviews here on Needle ‘n Thread.
You’ll find the review for Volume 4 here. This volume is still available (I have a few copies left in the shop).
You can read about volumes 1 – 3 here. These are not available at the moment. I imagine they will be reprinted, at which time I’ll bring a few more in for those just starting to build their collection.
In Volume 5, there are a total of 14 projects, if you take each makable item individually. Some of the projects are parts of sets. For example, there are two Christmas ornaments from Jenny McWhinney; there’s an adorable set of three needlework accessories; and there’s a beautiful blackwork biscornu and matching table linen in a set.
Like all the Handpicked Collection books, there’s a very nice variety of stitching techniques represented through the projects in the book.
You’ll find general surface embroidery, stumpwork, counted work, Richelieu (cutwork), Hardanger, appliqué, and more within this volume.
As is always the case with books from Inspirations, the photography throughout the book is fabulous – whether it’s photography of the finished items in lovely staging, or photography of the embroidery close up (which is always helpful), or photography of step-by-step instructions. Inspirations books are just so pretty that they’re a real pleasure to browse through – even if you aren’t planning to stitch a project at the moment!
The books are, in fact, inspiring. It’s an aptly named company!
Another aspect that I really like about The Handpicked Collection books is that they are not voluminous volumes. They’re quite a manageable size. They’re high quality soft bound books (paperback), they fit well on a bookshelf, they aren’t heavy to handle or tote about with you – they’re very work-able books.
Inspirations does publish many books that are heavier, hard-bound coffee-table type volumes. The Handpicked Collection books are, of course, worthy of a coffee table for their aesthetic appeal – like I said, they’re pretty! – but they are more like instructional workbooks. Sure, they’re great for the pleasure of browsing, but they’re also meant to be used.
Volume 5 follows the same format as all the other volumes:
Each project is introduced in beautiful photos, there’s some information about the project and its designer, then there’s a thorough materials list, followed by the process of creating the project step-by-step, including set-up, stitching, and finishing.
While some of the projects are intended as framable pieces, many are made into usable and ornamental things, so you can learn much about finishing processes in these books. That’s always a great boon, I think, because you can then apply what you learn to your own future projects.
For each project in the book, you’ll find very clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions for the techniques involved.
Most of the instructions are presented through photos, but sometimes, they’re presented with diagrams or artistic renderings. They are all accompanied by explanatory text.
At the end of the book, you’ll find a pull-out patterns section, with full-sized patterns for each of the projects within.
In a Nutshell
For aspiring beginners and beyond, The Handpicked Collection from Inspirations Studios is the genuine article when it comes to a thoroughly accessible series of embroidery project and instructional books. Volume 5 offers a new array of exciting project in the series – you won’t want to miss it, especially if you’ve started collecting the early volumes!
Where to Find It
You’ll find Volume 5 of The Handpicked Collection available here in the shop. I’ve moved it to the front page of the shop, along with Volume 4, for those who are looking for both.
The Potoky Modern is Available!
Woohoo! I have a few Potoky Modern needlework stands available right now!
You can read about this stand here.
Last week, I reached out to everyone on our waiting list for these stands, except for those who requested colors that we don’t currently have in stock. I have another shipment of those colors coming in – so if you haven’t heard from me, it’s because your color hasn’t arrived yet.
Since the stands we currently have were not all claimed, they’re now available on the website for anyone who wants one. These went through customs before the tariff laws went into effect, so at this point, the price has not changed.
If you are hoping for this stand before Christmas, now’s your best chance. While I have a very limited number still coming this fall, most of them are spoken for. Whether or not we can get any “last minute” for the holidays is chancy. The colors that are available now are found in the drop-down menu at the end of the product listing (which you’ll find here in the shop). If the color is not listed in the drop-down, it is not available at this time.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
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