welovefrenchknots

Stitcher Profile: Helen Stubbings of Hugs 'n Kisses and Pattern Press

Celebrated stitcher, Helen Stubbings, has been teaching quilting and embroidery since completing a Certificate in Needlecraft in 1995. Her design business, Hugs 'n Kisses began in 2001. Her second business, Pattern Press (which publishes and distributes for other talented designers) began in 2008. Helen's work has appeared in publications including American Quilter, Australian Patchwork and Quilting, Quilters Companion and many others. Her work has won over 30 awards.

Today Helen shares her story with us as well as a gorgeous free pattern for We Love French Knots readers. Please stop by her blog and give her lots of 'Hugs n Kisses'.

Bari: Can you tell us how you got started stitching and designing patterns?

Helen: I have always stitched and embroidered – since I can remember in some small way, learning from a Grandmother who was just as addicted as I until the day she passed. After school I joined the Australian Army as a musician and my job gave me a lot of spare time – which I spent wisely doing many sewing and embroidery classes (being fortunate to live in the same city as Country Bumpkin!) with lots of time to practise and perfect them. The Designing came much later when I started teaching others and realised I wanted to teach them my own original designs.

Bari: How do you like to incorporate your embroidery into your projects?

Helen: I was first a ‘fine’ embroiderer but soon realised that this frightened many potential stitchers if I wasn’t there with them, so I simplified my designs to basic stitches and redworked styles of stitcheries. Right now, with a surge in interest in embroidery I am happily incorporating more challenging stitches into my designs. I have over 200 patterns available - many are simply just the drawing/design to be used as the stitcher wishes, others are incorporated into quilts, bags, little projects, cushions, sewing helpers and anything else you can think of.  I also love appliqué and Colourqué® so love to include all of these techniques into my designs.

 Bari: Do you have a favorite place/time of day to stitch?

Helen: I do all of my stitching at night when I go upstairs with the family. I have my ‘place’ on the lounge, with a good light over my shoulder – the kids know not to sit there – for fear of having a needle in their arm (or butt) that was hiding in the lounge chair arm!

 

Bari: Who are your favorite designers or mentors?

Helen: We have so many designers in Australia, we are all friends and help each other when we can. We have worked on projects together in our magazines and our Quiltaid™ program and each have our own space. My first Mentor was Roz of the original Chookshed label – you maybe wont know of her over there but they were one of the first successful pattern companies in Australia, I lived in the same town at the time and she was very sharing with advice and information on the business side of things. I love everything by Tone Finnanger of Tilda – her soft colours and style, and many others, too numerous to mention.

Bari: Do you have any suggestions for new stitchers?

Helen: I always say one stitch at a time, everything is possible. I haven’t had a student yet who couldn’t achieve a finished product to make them proud if they just made an attempt, read the instructions, practised and persisted.

Bari: What are your "can't do without" tools or materials?

Helen: My embroidery hoop – I cannot stitch successfully without one… I also swear by my Sewline ceramic pencil (of course if I don’t have one of my iron on transfers and need to trace), a good needle and a needlebook to keep them in… Im not really into gimmicky tools and things – I have many of them but can’t find them when I need them anyway. I don’t use a needlethreader, nor a thimble but a good sharp pair of embroidery scissors is a must. I also always attach a stabiliser of some type onto the back of my embroidery fabric before stitching.

Bari: It seems there are a lot of Australian stitchers… is it something you grow up with there?

Helen: I am not sure why there are so many of us in this area of embroidery and stitching? We have very good magazines and quality Editors to spread the word, the wonderful world leader Country Bumpkin publications to educate and inspire and perhaps a ‘smell the roses’ mentality of taking it easy and doing things that feel good for us and others. I think we are also very generous and caring in Australia and perhaps the therapy of making something with our own hands and gifting it comes from this upbringing. I know I grew up with it and had no choice but to be exposed to it. My grandmother, my mother, my sister and my brother are all very clever with their hands and we all spent a lot of time stitching, sewing, crafting etc in our childhood. My current challenge and passion is to introduce stitching to many of today’s kids who probably won’t be exposed now that it is not introduced or taught at our mainstream schools at all. If their grandmothers or mothers didn’t stitch – they will have no opportunity to learn and the skills will be lost.

Bari: What inspires your projects/how do you come up with fresh new ideas?

Helen: I have plenty of ideas, just not the time to design and complete them all. I have three beautiful daughters of varying ages who are my market research team, a small but lovely garden to inspire, a beautiful state I live in with constant eye candy and I am fortunate to be healthy with a nice roof over my head. My mind does not stop designing – ever! A year or so ago I discovered Zentangling - wow where had I been? I was also given a bundle of very old books on Hungarian embroidery from a friend when her mother passed – these two areas are possibly my strongest influences right now.

Bari: What are your favorite stitches?

Helen: Not sure that I have a favourite – there would be some I don’t prefer to stitch – but love the look of them so force myself to – but if the stitch fits the purpose then that’s my favourite at the time.

Bari: Are there any books that are must haves for an embroiderer's shelves that you can suggest?

Helen: I have many, both instructional and inspirational but if I had to recommend two to new stitchers it would be:

The first one I ever purchased:100 embroidery stitches –Anchor embroidery stitches published by Coats publications.

And Country Bumpkins’ A-Z of embroidery stitches – great step by step photos of each stitch.

Bari: Where can we purchase your patterns outside of Australia?

Helen: My patterns are sold world wide – I have a list of suppliers on my website or you can always order direct from www.hugsnkisses.net and we happily post worldwide for the best postage price we can do. Wholesale orders can be placed at www.patternpress.com.au

Bari: Do you have any upcoming events/are you teaching anywhere?

Helen: I am currently working on the third year of Quiltaid programs – this is now a worldwide charity event with programs being run in Australia, the USA and Europe – this is very exciting – and stressful trying to organise across three continents; and is due to launch 1^st November – lots of stitching designs there from 12 of our Wonderful Australian designers for people to do whilst making a difference to the women of Ethiopia – all details can be found at www.quiltaid.com.au, www.quiltaidusa.com and www.quiltaideurope.com – of course we also have a Facebook page www.facebook.com/quiltaid.

I will be back in the USA for Spring market next May and would love to teach anywhere suitable whilst I am there but haven’t yet started making plans as yet – so feel free to ask me over J

Bari: Please tell us a bit about Stitching Sundays.

Helen: ‘Stitching Sundays’ is a program of blog posts that I put up every Sunday. We are leading up to making a little sample stitch book and have been learning a new stitch each week with a free downloadable design for a page every week to perfect it. I include step by step photos of how to do the stitch for visual learners, lots of examples and inspiration on how to use them and the little practise design. We have nearly finished our stitches/pages for now and next week will be starting on making the book cover. But of course the blog posts and patterns will stay there on the blog for eternity – so anyone can join in at anytime.

Why? I have a lot of loyal blog friends and stitchers who have been happily stitching away with backstitch but are now ready to challenge themselves and change it up a bit. I would love to include more stitches in to my designs but many are scared by this so I thought if I taught them the stitches first they would happily try a more difficult design. I am always happy to share to make someone else’s stitching life more pleasant – and the many blog comments I have had have been testament to this – the pleasure they get from stitching, the satisfaction from finally perfecting a new stitch – or one they have tried and failed at before, and the joy of just sharing with me and the many who are stitching on Sundays – it’s a whole little community stitching every Sunday around the world.  

 

Thank you so very much, Helen.

Readers, please enjoy this wonderful free pattern from Helen! And again, be sure to stop by Hugs 'n kisses.

Click here to download the pattern:  Download Whimsydesignsheet

Stitcher Profile: Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill

I first became aware of Meg Hawkey's work years ago when I started regularly popping into quilt stores. She's always been a staple as far as I'm concerned. I recently had the pleasure of finally meeting her as we are both designers for Lecien Fabric. Her booth was right across from mine at quilt market and what a pleasure! Eye candy all day. And Meg is just as nice as you would suspect.

Please enjoy this interview and be sure to stop by Crabapple Hill for more about Meg Hawkey and her work.

Bari:When did you first start stitching and how did you learn? 

Meg: I don't remember learning... I was very little when I started....probably my mother. She would flit from one "great interest" to the next... rug hooking, painting, pottery, making natural dyes, soap making, quilting, upholstery, wood carving & printing..... I just kind of tagged along and picked things up as I went.

Bari:  How would you describe yourstyle?  

Meg: Hmmm..... I love so many different looks....some VERY girly, feminine....some quite primitive....graphic....realism.  I've always believed that you do best, what you love most.  My style is what I love most at any given time (fickle, huh?).... with the limitations of what my hands want to draw thrown in!  Does that make sense?

Bari: How do you incorporate stitching into your quilt and other pattern designs? 

Meg: I start with the idea for either a quilt or an object and create a stitching design for it................OR....just the opposite.  You never know where inspiration will come from or which direction it will take you.

Bari: Do you have a special place that you do your stitching? Time of day? 

Meg: Usually in front of the TV. Comfy chair...good lighting. In the evening, or if I'm REALLY lucky, all day and evening on a weekend! HEAVEN!!  

Bari: Do you have any favorite stitches? 

Meg: ALL of them!  Really, a fav would have to be the backstitch....so little work for such a nice outcome...really quickly!

Bari: Do you have any tools/materialsthat you think are indispensible? 

Meg: Yes!  My 5" spring tension hoop (cheap-y, easy to hold, easy to load-tighten-loosen up) and Cosmo embroidery floss...simply the best I've found.

Bari: Can you tell us a bit about your fabric line with Lecien? 

Meg: Whitewash was designed to be a line of backgrounds suitable for embroidering on (REALLY subtle prints). We also threw in a few other prints that would make the line useable on it's own for quilting etc... I love the French grays/taupes/creams/charcoals and wanted to incorporatethem in the line.  It's all very useable for contemporary home decorating looks, but you can also pull out separate pieces that can pair with other fabrics for a very traditional look...or primitive...or halloween....or Christmas.....Added bonus??? I can use it in MY HOUSE!! YAY!

Bari: Do you have any upcoming events? Are you teaching anywhere? 

Meg: I'm done teaching for this year, but I'm hosting two more Stitching Sojourn Retreats this year at my studio.  They're always alot of fun...I really look forward to them!

Bari: Where can we buy yourpatterns/fabric? 

Meg: You can buy both on my website at www.crabapplehillstudio.com, or at quilt or needlework shops.

Stitcher Profile: Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs

Shari Butler, the owner and designer behind Doohikey Designs, is a surface and pattern designer working with Riley Blake. Her latest fabric line, Fox Trails is sure to be as big a hit as her previous lines including Hoo's in the Forest. She is in the process of creating adorable embroidery patterns that go with her fabrics and has also introduced a group of applique pieces with Slice Fabrique from Making Memories. A great big welcome to We Love French Knots, Shari, and I hope you all enjoy getting to know her.

Bari: You’ve just started producing your embroidery patterns and we are all
very excited to get our hands on them. When did you start embroidering and
how did you learn?

Shari: I learned how to embroider when I was 8 years old from my mom. She taught me
how so when we went on family vacations I could keep busy in the car. I fell
in love with doing it, but life got in the way and I stopped until now when
I'm so inspired again by all the embroidery I see on Pinterest. It's like my
own little therapy after a busy day, I can put my creativity into such a
tiny canvas and bring it to life by my favorite, Cosmo Thread! Thanks to
Bari for introducing it to me!!!

Bari: Can you tell us a bit about your design background?

Shari: I have a illustration and graphic design degree. I've always been inspired
by the arts from such a young age. My mother would always encourage me to
draw, color, and involve me in crafts. I've worked with some national to
local companies, and helped grow their branding and corporate identities. I
decided I wanted to pursue my dreams, not knowing that when I walked into
Riley Blake's door I would be given the chance to pursue my dream job! I
love fabric design, I love how everything around me inspires me for each
collection that I've been designing. I know it's just the beginning, and
it's been Grand… so far!

Bari: What’s your design process? Do you draw your designs out first or do
you do “design improv”?

Shari: It's all a combination! I do start to sketch out some ideas, even brainstorm
by writing down what I want my line to say. Then I start to create my
objects, flowers, side pieces that I want to incorporate into my main piece.
Then that's when I start to also "design improv" after I have my general
idea of what that concept will be. I have to have my music on, or a really
good movie that will help start turning my design wheels and there I go
drawing away!!!


Bari:  Please tell us about your design work with making memories and riley
blake. How does that translate to embroidery?

Shari: Making Memories has crossover designs from my fabric collections that I
produced for Riley Blake. I have these little characters that are easy to
place into a cute embroidery patterns that can either be incorporated into a
quilt, wall hanging, hoop art, clothing, and more. It has a modern-yet retro
feel that I find myself inspired to produce fun embroidery patterns. I can
take each piece, create the line art, print or trace out and VOILA..you have
a cute embroidery pattern.

Bari: Do you have a favorite embroidery stitch or a favorite use for a
particular stitch?

Shari: I love several stitches, I can't pinpoint to one! I have to say I love
French Knots! Backstitching I find to add simple details to quotes and
shapes. Split Stitch is one of my favorites, it's another that add's such
unique look to your embroidery.

Shari: What inspires you?

Shari: Music, family, friends, everyday life, being outdoors, movies, and sometimes
things just hit me like a thunder bolt and a light bulb comes on and I'm
inspired to just draw, draw, draw!


Bari: Do you have any book recommendations for embroidery?

Shari: Sublime Stitches has remarkable books, plus I do recommend Cotton Floss by
Natalia Lymer. It's awesome and inspiring!

Bari:  Do you have any favorite flosses? Tools? Materials?

Shari: Well, I've always loved Week's Dye, however I'm finding that Cosmo sews like
Butter!!! It doesn't shred and I can split the threads from each other so
easily.  You also have to have a trusty light table, transfer fabric ( if
you print them out), or a good tracing pen with fine point. I also love my
straw needles either 10 or 11. I feel they give a more consistent stitch.

Bari: Are there any helpful hints you can give to newbie stitchers?

Shari: Don't be afraid to stitch away, and you don't always have to be a
perfectionist. I do unpick at times, but then I don't and I love when it
sometimes comes out more rustic or vintage like. Don't be afraid to
experiment with colors and change them to match your decor even more. We are
all newbie's at some point, and I know it takes practice so enjoy the
process.

Bari: What’s your favorite way to transfer designs?

Shari: I love to use Sticky Fabri-Solvy to print from my inkjet printer. It's a
fast way to transfer designs to fabric and when I'm short on time it's a
breeze!!!  When I trace with my trusty light table I use my favorite
dissolvent pen Sulky Iron-on Transfer Pen or a small .005 brown Sakura
Micron Pen.

Thanks to Bari for letting me come on and debut of what's coming from
Doohikey Designs! I'm so excited for you to download the pattern and can't
wait to see what you create with it. Check out later this week, how I
finished and a simple tutorial on how to add fabric to the Thankful 4
dishtowel, yep it's a dishtowel that I embroidered on! I just have to pick
out my fabrics, and I didn't want to rush that, because I wanted to add a
fun tutorial on how to finish this fun project.

Happy Stitching Away!!!

 

To download Shari's pattern click here:  Download Thankful4byDoohikeyDesigns

Seems like I've known Melissa for years now. And I've never met her personally. Again. Twitter. And we might know each other from Etsy or blogs or somewhere before that too. At any rate, I adore her. I adore her work. It's not just the cuteness factor... which clearly it exudes. Melissa's stitching always looks so perfect. And so do her felt cuts. Melissa probably would attribute it to the awesome materials she uses... but I have a feeling she's also a perfectionist. Call me crazy. Melissa's finished goods can be found in her Etsy shop. And you can read more about her on her blog. Today, she has generously offered us an adorable pattern which you can find at the end of this post.

Have fun getting to know her. I had a blast reading her answers to my questions.

 

Bari: How long have you been stitching and how did you learn?

Melissa: My mom bought me a 1954 Kenmore sewing machine at a yard sale when I was little, and I've been using it ever since! I'm not very good at construction sewing, but I really found my passion about three years ago when I picked up a few sheets of craft felt and some cotton floss to experiment. I still haven't learned to reallyembroider yet! Someday I'd like to learn the fancy floral stitches, but until then I'm working on perfecting the simple ones.

Bari: Where is your favorite spot to stitch?

Melissa: I'd prefer to never leave my comfy bed, snuggled up to stitch with a pot of tea, a plate of cookies, and an audio book! But in reality, I'm usually getting orders done on the sofa with my four-year-old and a Disney movie.

Bari: Can you tell us a bit about how you got started selling your stitcheries on Etsy?

Melissa: A few years ago, I made a few flower-shaped felt hair clips for my daughter, and we got compliments wherever she wore them. I wanted to supplement my husbands income, so I thought I might be able to sell the hair clips online. After a few sales I was bored with the hair clips and began adding other items like coffee cup cozies, tissue holders, and felt jewelry.

Bari: I know you also work a full time job and are raising a child in addition to your Etsy shop. Can you tell us about how you balance it all?

Melissa: I don't! Returning to work full-time was never part of the plan, and I ache for a change in circumstances that will allow me to put the time and love into my Etsy shop that I'd like to. Since going back to work last year, I've shifted my product structure from one-of-a-kind pieces to items that I can remake to save time on photography and listing, which breaks my heart but keeps my head above water! Lunch breaks at work are spent editing photos, updating listings, and keeping my blog alive. Occasionally I'll find myself with an evening alone and I'm able to spend the time creating something new. By no means would I call it balanced, but I just do what I can to keep the shop going until we find a solution.

Bari: Do you have any favorite embroidery stitches?

Melissa: The truth is, I don't really know any fancy embroidery stitches! I love the plain running/straight stitch- It's so relaxing to make miles of careful, even stitches. I like to make a game of it, challenging myself to perfect the spacing and length as long as I can without tearing any back out. The only other stitches I know and use are the back stitch, lazy daisy, and chain stitch. French knots are something I just learned recently and have yet to perfect!

Bari: Do you have any favorite embroidery materials?

Melissa: When I first started embroidering, I used the cheap acrylic felt from the craft store. It's no wonder I never bothered to learn any fancy stitches, because this acrylic "felt" would not have done them justice. I was not proud of my finished products because of the quality. I tried several different kinds of  felt blends, and eventually found Felt On The Fly. You guys have to try this felt! It's 100% merino wool, andsooo luxurious! The amount of teeny tiny stitches you can get into this stuff is incredible. And the colors! I would never use anything else.

DMC is the favorite for floss, of course, but I'm learning to spin my own yarn so that I can use handspun and hand-dyed embroidery thread. I just love the idea of a completely handmade product, all the way down to the raw materials!

Bari: What advice can you give to new stitchers?

Melissa: Don't skimp on good materials! Your finished product will only be as good as the quality of your materials, and your time and talents are far too valuable to be wasted on cheap ones.

Ok, now. Don't faint. Squeal!!!

 

Melissa has put together this divine little tissue cover pattern for us! AND... Melissa's felt supplier, Felt on the Fly has put together a little kit so you can make it... just. like. this. 

You can download it here:

Download Matryoshka Embroidered Tissue Cozy

I had to giggle the other day, because it never occurred to me that I've been featuring all sorts of designers, yet some of you don't know what I do. You may have come to We Love French Knots, not from knowing me, but through another link. However, the other day I got a comment on my other blog that made me realize I ought to ... um... introduce myself. I realize links are on the sidebar here, but I thought I'd go ahead and formally say, hello and tell you a bit about what I do.

My name is Bari J. Ackerman. My core business is called Bari J. 

I'm a sewing pattern, embroidery and fabric/surface designer. I'm also the author of a sewing book called, Inspired to Sew. I started hand stitching about 14 years ago when I was on bedrest with my second pregnancy. It is still my favorite form of sewing/crafting/creating.

As my kids got older, I started making jewelry and collage art which I sold to local boutiques, and then later I developed a line of hand made handbags. 

 

 

 

Because my background was in graphic design and copy writing prior to children (I was in advertising), it was a natural transition into designing fabric. My current line of fabric from Lecien Japan is called Paris Apartment, and my 5th line is due out Spring 2012. 

My line of sewing patterns now includes three hand embroidery patterns as well as handbags, quilts, pin cushions, an apron and more.

We Love French Knots came about from my love of stitching just about 2 months ago. Got a question for me? Did I forget to mention anything? Let me know. Thanks for reading We Love French Knots and please visit me on my blog, Facebook, Flickr or twitter.

 

 

 

I first fell in love with Alyssa's adorable embroidery designs several years ago. It's easy to see why. Her charming animal illustrations are really hard to resist. Alyssa is an accomplished illustrator and designer. Her designs can be found on fabric and she even has her own children's book, No Monsters Here. Alyssa also designs whimsical plushies which you'll love shopping for on her website.

Enjoy reading more about her in her own words. Also, be sure to visit her blog and thank her for the adorable free pattern you'll find at the end of this post.

Bari: When did you first start embroidering? Are you self taught or did someone teach you?

 

Alyssa: I started embroidering, actually cross stitching, when I was about 6 years old. I had a babysitter who came over with a cross stitch she was working on. I was at her side like a magnet while she worked, and after that evening of watching her I was hooked. I went with my mom to the craft store and started buying cross stitch kits. I only ever really finished a few small Christmas ornaments, but I attempted some bigger pieces. They're probably stored away somewhere, half finished, at my parent's house. For me cross stitching led to embroidery, knitting, crochet and all sorts of other crafts.

Bari: When did you start your embroidery business? Can you tell us the story behind how you got started?

Alyssa: After a childhood of making art, I went to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and graduated with a graphic design degree. A few years later I ended up as an illustrator for the greeting card and stationery industry. It was there that I fell back in love with drawing and painting after "pushing pixels" on the computer. I loved getting to come to work and paint little characters all day long. I also made my first children's book, No Monster Here during that time. On the side I started sewing plush toys which kicked off the start of Penguin & Fish. To me it's exciting to figure out how to construct a 3 dimensional toy object from 2 dimensional fabric. It's a fun challenge that never gets old.

I slowly adding embroidery patterns to my product line in 2009. I wasn't drawing as much as I wanted to by making toys. Then I remembered how much I loved to embroider when I was younger. Making embroidery patterns allowed me to draw more while still being crafty and hands-on. Another reason I'm really excited to be making embroidery patterns is that I think it's a great beginning craft for people. I love when the self-proclaimed "non-creative" person attempts to embroider. After they get through a few stitches it's like a lightbulb goes off in their head. They CAN make things and they CAN be creative. I believe that everyone is creative, and if embroidery can help someone realize that, then it's a business I'm happy to be in.

Bari: What inspires your designs?

Alyssa: Animals. I can't stop drawing animals!

Bari: Do you have a favorite stitch?

Alyssa: I think my favorite stitch may be the good ole backstitch. I love the sweet little string of "beads" it makes. It gives that extra embroidered feel to an outline.

Bari: Do you have favorite materials/tools to work with?

Alyssa: I'm a big fan of my "The Fine Line" Water Erasable Marking Pen by Collins. I like that I can update a pattern or sketch directly onto fabric and when I'm finished stitching I can just dab some water on the fabric to get rid of all my lines.

Bari: Do you recommend any embroidery books?

Alyssa: "The Embroidery Stitch Bible" comes in handy from time to time. I also really love searching for vintage embroidery books.

Bari: Where do you do your embroidery work? Do you have a certain time of day for stitching?

Alyssa: Mostly I embroider at my small work desk so I can watch TV shows on the computer. Snippets of thread get all over my keyboard and there's not really room to spread out all my skeins, spools, needles, scissors, patterns, etc. I wouldn't recommend it. But alas, that's the life of a Netflix and Hulu addict.

Bari: Do you teach embroidery anywhere?

Alyssa: I may be teaching a class or two before the end of the year. Everything is still in the works right now. I definitely want to teach a lot more. It's one of my goals for 2012. 

Bari: Can you tell us about your new fabric line or any other upcoming projects you are involved in?

Alyssa: My first fabric line, Safari Sweet will be in stores in September. I'm super excited! It's 100% GOTS certified organic cotton by Clothworks Textiles and includes quilting weight and flannel fabrics. There is also a group of organic solids that coordinate with the collection. I can't wait until I get the bolts in the mail and can start playing with all the fabric! My second fabric line is in production and I'm currently working on my third. I also have some new products in store for the new year and a secret project or two that I can't share quite yet. I'm so happy to be making things!

 

Alyssa has been kind enough to provide readers with this adorable free squirrel pattern...

Thank you SO much, Alyssa!

HAPPY STITCHING, ALL!

Download the pattern by clicking here:  Download Baby squirrel_embroidery_copyright penguin and fish_lowres

Verna Mosquera, is a fabric and sewing/quilt pattern designer, a business owner and a busy soccer coach for her kids. Verna is well-known for her incredible hand appliqued quilts and has a large and very loyal following. Several times a year Verna hosts a retreat for her fans here in Northern California, and if you can get a spot, consider yourself incredibly lucky. Verna's work is incredibly detailed and incorporates bits of embroidery into almost every piece.

I feel lucky to call Verna a friend. She is as kind and giving as she is talented. The sewing machine embroidery above, "Sew Pink", is a free download from Verna for We Love French Knots readers. You can find the link at the end of this post. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

Bari: You are well known for your gorgeous applique quilts. How did you get started designing them? Has it always been part of your life? 

Verna: I have drawn and been an artist since childhood. I have also sewn since I was 9. Quilting is something I discovered 15 years ago. I was hooked from the very first class and just couldn't get enough. Before I knew it I was working in a quilt shop and teaching classes. The logical next step seemed to be designing. Never in a million years did I dream that my quilt designs would reach such a broad audience. Once I focused on doing what I LOVED everything else started falling into place. It seemed as though I was able to merge my art background and love for sewing. I created a wonderful niche for my designs in the quilt world.

Bari: How do you incorporate embroidery into your quilt designs? 

Verna: Often times my applique designs have very fine details. Some that are too difficult to create in fabric. These spots are perfect for embroidery. The embroidery finishes off the applique blocks beautifully. The wonderful array of threads available also add to the color palette and give additional dimension to the quilts.

Bari: Do you have any suggestions for readers who want to encorporate embroidery with applique? 

Verna: Yes, GO FOR IT! Having worked as a mixed media artist for years you realize that great work incorporates many mediums. What goes better together than fabric and thread? Find areas to use embroidery that will enhance your applique by adding just a bit more detail to each block.

Bari: Which of your patterns features some embroidery? 

Verna: Sugar Kisses, Princess Tea Party, Faded Glory, Happy Hauntings and many more. If you look closely almost all of my applique designs have embroidered touches.

Bari: Do you have a stitch that you think works best with your applique work?

Verna: I just love the stem stitch. When done well nothing is prettier. I use it often to add words and other fine details to my designs. I also enjoy making French knots.

Bari: Can you tell us a little bit about your fabric lines? 

Verna: I am really enjoying designing fabric. It is so fun to create a project from start to finish. My fabric, my design, my stitches. It truly gives a great sense of accomplishment. I am currently about to debut my fifth line for FreeSpirit, it is called October Skies and I can hardly wait to share it. I think it might just be my favorite to date. It combines all the wonderful autumn colors with beautiful romantic floral prints. It is traditional but unique and has so many possibilities. I can see it in quilts, home dec, garments etc. It will debut at Fall market, it will be wonderful to see what people do with it.

Bari: Do you have any favorite embroidery artists? 

Verna: I don't have a particular artist per say just a love for the art form. I love to find vintage pieces and rescue them from the bottom of a musty box in an antique store. I think of the maker and all the time they put into their work and feel it should be enjoyed. I often make things out of old bits of embroidered work.

Bari: Do you have any favorite embroidery books? 

Verna: I love the A-Z of Embroidery Stitches by Country Bumpkin Publications. It has step by step photos for so many beautiful stitches. A wonderful book for stitchers of all skill levels. It makes you want to learn every stitch. One of these days I'll finally get to make that crazy quilt that has been on my list for so many years and I hope to incorporate them all.

Bari: Please tell us about any news or upcoming events. 

Verna: Oh my so much to tell! I have a busy, busy Fall season coming. I am thrilled to be this year's guest artist at Quilting in the Garden in Livermore, CA in September. I'm totally looking forward to my next retreat, The Haunted Harvest in Alamo, CA. I still have spots open so we'd love to have you if you'd like to come and spend 3 wonderful days stitching with us. I will also be vending in October at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, CA which is always so fun because it is like old home week. I get to see so many artists, friends and past students. I also look forward to spending time at Fall Market in Houston, TX this October. October Skies will make its formal debut and that is always a great moment when you get to share your creativity with the quilting world.

 

Click here to download Verna's adorable "Sew Pink" pattern: Download Verna_sewpink 

Sarah Jane is an illustrator of children's books, an artist, an embroidery pattern designer, a fabric designer and mom to three young children.

She opened her Etsy Shop in October 2007 and has been going gangbusters ever since. She is one of Etsy's top sellers of art. She's also an all-round kind and gracious person.

 

Enjoy this peek into her life...

Bari:     Can you tell us a little bit about your design background? Are you trained as an illustrator? Did you go to school or are you self-taught? 

Sarah Jane: Well, like most artists and designers, I was born with a pencil in my hand. My first memories as a baby are of color and spacial relationships!  I was a very observant child, and can remember studying the human face and teaching myself how to draw eyes and hands as early as 3rd grade.

I’d stay up way past my bedtime with a notebook and a pencil sketching out stories and characters. My parents were so supportive, and at the age of 10, I stated taking priveat art lessons from a 70 year old lady on Saturday mornings. She’d paint in her studio, and I’d paint next to her. Once in a while, she’s show me her work, and critique mine. Mostly, it was the exposure to painting in a professional setting at such a young age, that instilled in me a great passion for fine art. By 13 my parents started having to constantly buy me new pillowcases because I’d sleep with pencils and charcoal in my bed at night after falling asleep drawing. 

Later on, my parents even gave into my nigh-time habit of creating, and even let me oil paint in my bedroom at the age of 15. When I was 16, I knew that I wanted to have a career in art, so I spent a summer at Interlochen Arts Academy where I spent 3 months wearing knickerbockers in the middle of the woods in Michigan with 500 other passionate teenage artists. I studied figure drawing and painting, but also vocal performance, another love of mine. After my studies there, I learned that if I ever wanted to have a career on the stage, it would be before marriage and family. So, I decided to get my BFA in Musical Theater, knowing full well that when I had my children, I’d be ready to spend the rest of my adult life as an artist. Interestingly enough, studying another art form, actually ended up enhancing my own artistic maturity in general, and have since considered my ‘non-studies’ in art to have been a great asset to my now artistic career. 

Bari: Which came first the embroidery or the illustration? 

Sarah Jane: The illustration always comes first. But once I have the illustration in my head, I have to format it for stitching. There are still some illustrations that I’d love to use as embroidery, but haven’t figured out how to use them for stitching...not all images translate over! So a lot of time is spent deciding how to make the stitching design standout in it’s own right, so it doesn’t just look like a stitched version of a pretty picture. 


Bari: What inspires your designs? 

Sarah Jane: Well, what inspires my designs are the same things that inspire me: I love vintage storybooks, Scandinavian and Dutch illustration and design, rosy cheeks and baby curls, poetry, twirling skirts, being with my children every day, rainstorms, picnics, beaches, wind, family dinner, lullaby’s, Children’s book illustrators: Marc Simont, Maurice Sendak, Jean-Jaque Sempe, Toni Ungerer, William Steig, and so many others. 


Bari: Can you tell us a bit about your new fabric line?

Sarah Jane: Children at Play is a dream collection for me. I took some star pieces from some already created illustrations of mine, and created a story out of them. Pinwheels, Playing dolls, Afternoon Parades, Making Paper Hats, Rocket Launch Clubs...all these designs were meant to reflect simple childhood play. 


There are two lines: Boy and Girl, and each have 2 colorways. This collection was a bit of a learning curve to say the least. Not only was it my first collection, but my intentions were to have the boy and the girl prints to all coordinate together. I have 3 children, and my boy and girl share a room...like many children I imagine. I wanted to create a collection where the boy and girl prints would all compliment each other...which was a monumental task with 52 prints! But, I did it, and am really happy with how it came together. 

Bari: How do you incorporate embroidery in your projects? 

Sarah Jane: I love seeing how the embroidery designs have made some wonderful Children at Play projects come alive. These pillows for instance are such stand out pieces, and it’s because the hand stitching adds such an element of color to the work.  And  adding aprons for instance to an already made dress pattern, can be just the right touch. 

Bari: Do you have a favorite stitch?

Sarah Jane:  I just really love the split stitch. It’s so simple, but when done nice and tight, it just looks so darn good! But I do have a favorite new stitch that I use in my MAKE IT DO and 3 LITTLE BIRDS patterns: The bullion circle stitch. It’s basically the bullion stitch used for wrapped circles to make a flower shape. It’s just so fun! 

Bari: Are there any books on embroidery you recommend? 

Sarah Jane: I really like Jenny Hart’s Sublime Stitching book. It’s simple and neatly laid out. But I really love the old, out of print embroidery books that give nice tutorials on the traditional methods.

Bari: Do you have any favorite materials/tools you like to use? 

Sarah Jane: I absolutely love my pink sheers. They make me so happy!

Bari: Where can we get your embroidery patterns? 

Sarah Jane: On my website. I have both PDF’s and Iron-ons available. And I also sell wholesale.

 

One of the first designer's work I came into contact with when I started embroidery was that of Sue Spargo. I would say her work was extremely influential in igniting my imagination and starting my process of creating.

I had the opportunity to hear her speak last year at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, but not the chance to meet her. This year, I had sent her an email about We Love French Knots ahead of the show, and did end up meeting her. She is as lovely as you would imagine she is. I hope you enjoy "meeting" her as much as I did.

Bari: Your designs seems tell a story. Can you tell us a little bit about your design process? What inspires you?

Sue: I grew up in South Africa so I definitely think my childhood experiences influence the style and color of  my quilts. Many of my quilts do tell a story of my life. I hope to leave a legacy for my 4 children.

Bari: You are extremely well known for your work with beautiful wools, can you tell us how embroidery and handstitching with wool is different than stitching on cotton or other fabrics? 

Sue: What I love about hand dyed wool is the texture you get from all the layering and stitching. You can not  achieve the same results on cotton. The more layers the more stitching the more depth! I teach many  creative classes now and I love to see how the same project can look so different with each students own creative influence. 

Bari: How do you incorporate embroidery in your designs?

Sue: I use them around my applique as well as filler stitches often enhancing most of the edges.

Bari: Can you tell us how you think your work has evolved over the years?

Sue: It has definitely become more textural as I add many textural fabrics like velvet, silk, cottons as well as all  sorts of fibers from yarns to hand dyed chenilles, perle cottons and beads.

Bari: One of my most favorite quilts of yours is Magnolia. I love the stitching, the quilting and especially the use of color. Can you tell us the story of this quilt, and a bit about the stitching in it?

Sue: There is a wonderful town here in Ohio called Magnolia which I drive through when visiting my friend  Cathy. There is a wonderful old house on a hill which inspired the center block then I surrounded it with  all the flowers that i observed in the gardens in the town. I included many stitches and layering to this  quilt. Once I started it was hard to finish as I get so involve in each piece. I used yarns, ribbons, perle  cottons, chenilles, seagrass and beads to embellish with. The backgrounds of this quilt include wool,  Japanese fabrics, corduroy and taffeta silk.

Bari: What are some of your favorite embroidery stitches?

 

Sue: Bullion Knots, Fly Stitch, Pekinese Stitch, Couching, French Knots and Pistil Stitches.

I do about 50 different stitches on my quilts.

Bari:  Do you have any favorite embroidery books?

Sue:

The Embroidery Stitch Bible by Betty Barnden

Left and Right Handed Embroidery books by Yvette Stanton

Bari: Do you have any favorite tools or materials to work with?

Sue: Yes I love hand dyed fibers they add great depth to my quilts. I seldom use commercially dyed threads as  I find them quiet flat. They threads and yarns I use are more bulky as the finer threads do not stand out enough on wool. My favorite perle cotton is Size 8 Valdani and my hand dyer is The Thread Gatherer. We sell many different fibers and threads on my website.

I had so many lovely photos from Sarah Fielke, I couldn't share them all in one post... here are several more for your viewing pleasure!