Eppie Thompson, founder of the Fabled Thread

Eppie Thompson, founder of the Fabled Thread

Eppie started her business back in the strange days of 2020, after seven years working in London’s financial centre. She discovered that her long-time love of stitching was also the greatest antidote to the stress of a job she was no longer enjoying, and this was brought home to her most clearly when she realised just how often she was checking her phone even when at home - if you are stitching, you can’t use your hands to fiddle with your phone.

This led her to recognise the extent to which she was relying on stitching for her wellbeing and eventually helped her decide to turn stitching and designing into her job. However, this didn’t happen overnight – Eppie planned for 18 months how to establish her business so that it could support her and used those 18 months to save all she could in order to make the transition easier.

Once the business was launched, Eppie discovered a whole new world of stress – deliveries not arriving as scheduled, the inability to make absolutely everything perfect – which led to her having to develop a very different and new skill set to manage a small business. The greatest skill she has learned so far? Resilience. The ability to bounce back when things do not go according to plan. Whether the issues are being let down on a website design, or the lack of a supplier’s reliability, Eppie had to manage the issues and outcomes, and has distilled this learning into a pithy: ‘Trust yourself a bit more’ – which she applied when let down by a website design company, and (very impressively) learned to build her own site.
Eppie is constantly moving forward – this year’s plans include a move to a new studio, as well as continuing teaching and helping others with their stitching journey. She is also releasing new tapestry designs later this year.

Visit her at www.thefabledthread.com to explore some of her beautiful designs.

The Elephants Child (original)

The Crab Who Played with the Sea (alternative)

The Crab Who Played with the Sea (alternative)

Remembrance Day 2021

With the memories of the world wars fading into history, the symbolic importance of the poppy is more relevant than ever to ensure that the lessons, sacrifices and tragedies are not forgotten.

To that end, Cleopatra’s Needle (https://www.cleopatrasneedle.co.uk/Poppies+Lavender+Heart) have this, and other, poppy themed kits which will provide a gentle reminder all year round.

However, it is also a time to remember how stitching played a part in the mental rehabilitation of many soldiers who returned from the Front in the First World War suffering from what we now recognise as PTSD, at a time where mental health concerns were virtually unrecognised. The Disabled Soldiers Embroidery Society, founded by Ernest Thesiger, provided employment for soldiers unable to return to work in previous trades, and thereby therapy at the same time. The ongoing use of handicrafts such as stitching and embroidery have had an important role to play in providing a focus for mindful, therapeutic activities ever since.

Our new Emily Peacock Kit – Jane Austen

Jane Austen Tapestry Kit

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every British author series must be in want of a Jane Austen. Well, we now have ours! She is absolutely stunning and on sale now on our website by clicking here.

Suitable for all ages and perfect for framing or turning into a cushion, Jane Austen evokes a calmer, more creative time where stitching was done by candlelight or firelight and social media was probably the town crier.

Jane Austen Tapestry Kit

The Great Tapestry of Scotland – now open in Galashiels

The Great Tapestry of Scotland – opening 26th August in Galashiels

With panels covering every aspect of Scottish history from the formation of the landscape itself, the finished article also draws on the lives of ordinary people as an ongoing backdrop against which the better known historical moments stand out.

We are so proud to have supplied the wool used – all 300 miles of it - to create this beautiful and awe-inspiring tapestry and wish everyone involved in it the best of luck for its opening on August 26th.

www.greattapestryofscotland.com

Mindful Threads launch new kits

Mindful Threads launch new kits

Take a look at these unique new kits from ‘Mindful Threads’

Mindful Threads produces beautiful, contemporary needlepoint kits, designed and made in the UK, that support mental wellbeing through the mindfulness of sewing and the power of positive affirmations.

‘Mindful Threads’ came about during lockdown, when founder Nicola, sent a positive affirmation to a friend who had just been made redundant. As she sent the affirmation she thought “that would make a beautiful needlepoint kit”, having been sewing herself since the age of eight.

Nicola, who is a functional medicine nutritionist specialising in mental health, believes needlepoint acts as a catalyst to incredible mindful positivity….and the threads part speaks for themselves whether physical or cognitive.

Each individual design encourages one of the following: hope for the future, encouraging focus, remind us not to forget, appreciate what we have or simply tells us today is a good day, all of which couldn’t be more appropriate for 2020.

Website: www.mindfulthreadscompany.com

Mindful Threads launch new kits
Mindful Threads launch new kits
Mindful Threads launch new kits

New Kits from The Quiltery

New Kits from The Quiltery

Hazel Winfield has realised her lifelong dream and has recently launched ‘The Quiltery’. Hazel has designed her first two collections of tapestry kits aimed at both beginners and more proficient crafters. In the first collection there are five kits to choose from including ‘Frenchie The Giraffe’, ‘Zig The Bumblebee’ and ‘Tyrone The Lobster’

The second collection features vintage pieces including Keys, Scissors and a Phone.

Take a look at Hazel’s beautiful kits:: www.thequiltery.co.uk

New Kits from The Quiltery
New Kits from The Quiltery
New Kits from The Quiltery
New Kits from The Quiltery
New Kits from The Quiltery
New Kits from The Quiltery

The Just So Cushions

The Just So Cushions

Eppie Thompson @thefabledthread has the perfect way to fill up those dark winter evenings, whilst creating a cushion to last a lifetime. Eppie’s Just So tapestry kits will launch at the end of November 2020 and start shipping at the beginning of December in time for some festive sewing!

As with all ‘The Fabled Thread’ kits, storytelling is at the heart of these stunning kits which depict the ridiculous and wonderful ‘Just So’ stories by Rudyard Kipling.

‘How The Leopard Got His Spots’ and ‘The Crab Who Played With The Sea’ will be available in two sizes and packaged beautifully in bespoke sewing bags.

Website: www.thefabledthread.com

The Just So Cushions
The Just So Cushions