Fanciful Story, Chapter One, In the beginning

Fanciful Story is one of a series of limited-edition Heirloom Embroidered Ornaments designed and sold by Rachael Kinnison of Diamond K Folk Art.

I first heard of Rachael through the Cabinet of Curiosities. Rachael is an incredibly talented artist who creates awe-inspiring historically based embroidered items. She generously shares her knowledge and designs through kits and courses. Rachael began producing the Christmas ornaments kits in 2016. I think I first became aware of them in 2018 when Rachael offered an amazing ornament called Peaceful Kingdom. Which I did not purchase at the time (why?) and is now sold out.

Fanciful Story was produced in 2020 and is the first that I purchased. I purchased the 2021 and 2022 ornaments when they were released and was able to obtain the 2017 and 2019 ornaments before they sold out. I would dearly like to add the 2016 Flemish Fantasy and 2018 Peaceful Kingdom ornaments to my collection.

Rachael designed Fanciful Story as a combination of an embroidered book cover and studies of her favourite embroidered jacket at the V&A museum. Because Rachael was curious to know how this jacket might have looked when new, how heavy it must have been, and how the fabric moved when covered with gold, I and a few other lucky embroiderers get to go on that journey with her.

© Rachael Kinnison/Carol-Anne Conway

When finished, this miniature book will be encrusted with 1260 real gold spangles, each attached with an antique opal glass bead, surrounding bows and swags stitched with gilt smooth passing thread and a stunning central Tudor rose.

© Rachael Kinnison/Carol-Anne Conway

I prepped and began stitching Fanciful Story in October 2020 soon after I received the kit but it went into hibernation when I began Kusudama. When I completed Kusudama in April, I brought Fanciful Story out of hibernation with the intention of resuming work straight away but, as often happens, I went into a post-project slump lasting over a month. Last week I could hear Fanciful Story calling to me from my sewing room and we have now enjoyed several mornings together. The passing thread felt unwieldy after 30 months of stitching with silk, but I am beginning to get my hand in and already feel my Ceylon stitch on the swags and bows is improving.

© Rachael Kinnison/Carol-Anne Conway

I think I have a great many more mornings to work on this before it is complete but I think I am going to enjoy them!

Happy Stitching