Hello everyone
I hope this finds you well and happily stitching? Apologies for my lack of posts in the last few months, it has been a busy time here with family visiting and I have been working on a new book. My online shop is still open with lots of PDF patterns to inspire your next project.
As you are all aware the U.S. import tariffs that were implemented in August 2025 have negatively impacted many small businesses and sadly this is the reason that many are having to close their doors. Today I am sad to share with you that Dicraft here in Cape town, South Africa is preparing to close. You can read her newsletter and get more information on her clearance sale here. (keep scrolling down to read the newsletter).
Di Van Niekerk, has been a close friend and colleague of mine in the embroidery world for many years. She is one of the founders of embroidery in South Africa and for the last few decades has generously shared her knowledge and expertise with students and fellow embroiderers all over the world. We will all miss her but she has promised to continue designing and producing digital patterns and instructions in the future and I am personally excited to see what she comes up with in this new chapter of her life.
Our embroidery tends to take us into a realm of peace and calm as we focus on the beauty and enjoyment of the task at hand and leave all our problems behind. It gets us through the tough times. So until next time happy stitching and keep smiling.
Trish
Nailed my gaming fix with this site! Side Eye Emoji
Nailed my retro fix with this platform! Side Eye Emoji
Love her creativity and creations!
So beautiful!
Love receiving notices from you,
please continue!!
So sad to hear this news Trish – do hope all this will not affect you too much? Take good care Val x
i am from Belgium, and i have always enjoyed reading your mails and admired the art with which you stitch – i’ve been trying to do the same, but my stitching is not to my entire satisfaction – i know ‘practice makes perfect’, but age comes in as well -i’m sorry to read that Di is also obliged to stop but i don’t seem to find the link you mentioned – tell her i will miss her and you.
This is so sad to read, the peace ,beauty,being able to share special skills, IN our own world.of creation .Really heart breaking.Must strive for a better future. I have completed several wonderful creations of her excellent works .its a great loss to the world of Embroidery. RITA Willis.
Thanks for getting in touch Trish! I received the notice from Di Van Niekerk with sadness. I hate the impact that politics has on something so beautiful and benign as embroidery. For myself, an American, I’m happy to pay extra to have access to such incredible artistry. Don’t give up! This too shall pass.
Mary Lou McKenney
Thank You Trish, indeed these are very sad times. Hoping we can stitch together a better future.
Carmel.
Good to know that you are doing well Trish, and yes it is sad what has caused that sad news about your gifted friend.
I live in the USA, and it has impacted our lives in so many ways, beyond ordering things from abroad. Hoping things change for the better in the years to come.
Best wishes to all artists in South Africa.
Dana
Trish thanks so much for sharing this information. While I’ve never bought from Di – she taught me ribbon embroidery years ago when her first book came out. I had no idea this was happening and I am so sad to hear it. As an American it’s another injustice of what is an awful situation on so many fronts. I can only apologize and hope that someday soon we will find ourselves out of this mess. But I recognize that something things that are broken can’t be repaired 😢
Good afternoon Trish from the UK, let us hope and pray that all things will improve soon.
Dear Trish,
I have been a fan of yours for many years and have several of your books. As an American I can only say how sorry and embarrassed most Americans are about this hideous president. I am particularly sorry about the pain and anguished it is brought the rest of the world. I pray every day that God will help us find a way out of this nightmare.
My sincerest apologies, Nancy
Absolutely love all your books and patterns. Your books inspired me to try Thread Painting and White Work. Just finished your Pretty in Pink bird 💗💗💗
A sad day. Such a shame that small businesses are affected by politics.
Sadly one small pebble dropped into water causes ripples to spread much further than expected. Unfortunately it is then too late to stop the ripples regardless of any problems they cause.
Beautifully put. You, Di and Trish are all so talented and have kept the embroidery world alive.
Love
Beautifully put. You, Di and Trish have kept the embroidery world alive.
Love you for that.
Karen
This comment said it all. Very nicely stated. Thank you fro Trish and Di, the love of embroidery is going strong.
Marnie (from Canada)