Much more than a hobby
I first picked up embroidery during lockdown in 2020 as a way to keep my hands busy and my mind off other things. I quickly realised it was just the creative outlet my life had been missing, and I’ve barely put my embroidery hoop down since! By 2022, I had my first full range of embroidery patterns together, and I opened my Etsy shop. I’ve always got at least one project on the go, and about a dozen ideas to stitch up next.
~ My creative process ~
Each pattern starts with a simple sketch. Then, I digitise my drawing to tidy up the lines, and I pick out my thread colours. I’ll rearrange lots of different skeins on the table until I settle on a colour scheme that sings. And then it’s time to get stitching up a sample.
I test-stitch every pattern myself – invariably by burning the midnight oil at the kitchen table before creeping up to bed (did I mention embroidery is unputdownable?!). A tester pattern can take me up to a couple of weeks’ worth of evenings, stitching and tweaking until I’m 100% happy with it. Then, I’ll put all the instructions together, with full-colour diagrams and photos – every pattern is a real labour of love.
~ Three reasons to love embroidery ~
Let’s face it, the demands of modern life are stressful, relentless, and expensive. I guess I fell in love with embroidery because it’s the perfect antidote. Firstly, it’s a deeply meditative craft, and one of the oldest forms of mindfulness. Hand stitching is a slow process where rushing wins you no prizes – instead, it teaches you to be in the moment.
Secondly, embroidery is very forgiving – your stitching doesn’t have to be perfect for your work to be beautiful. And if you make mistakes, you can unpick them – no one will ever know. Lastly, it’s cheap! You only need a few basic materials to get started, and chances are you already have some lying around. An old tablecloth, cushion cover or tote bag can be the perfect upcycling project.
~ Thank you for reading ~
I love bringing an idea to life in stitches, and it’s a joy to be able to share that with other people by selling embroidery patterns. I’m truly grateful for every visit and purchase from my shop – it helps me fulfill a lifelong dream of running my own handmade business.
All patterns, images, videos, and text Copyright © The Hoop in Hand. All rights reserved.
The Hoop in Hand is a Registered Trademark.