Welcome
Welcome to the first blog, of I hope many, that will dive into all that is In Stitches by Sara. The medium I work in most is called cross stitch, and it’s when I take thread and make little “x’s” on fabric to create an image. It looks like a pixelated image, so if you’ve ever played video games from the early 90’s, you’ll know exactly what I am talking about. I love when an empty canvas starts to take shape and I can see the image forming, one little X at a time.
This original pattern is an example of a simple cross stitch. In the lettering, you can see the “X’s” really well.
I have been cross stitching since I was 8, when my mom taught me. She was an avid cross stitcher as well and I remember having handmade cross stitch everywhere in our home growing up. A lot of it still hangs in my parent’s home now. Needless to say, I was not stitching penises and swear words when I was 8, that came much later. I have always been a creative type, and I found cross stitch to be meditative, calming, and it eases that space in me that needs to feel productive.
I started creating my own patterns and exploring my own style about 5 years ago and I was pleasantly surprised that other stitchers and collectors connected with my art. From there, this business was born and I continue to explore new techniques, subject matters, and styles.
Last summer, my art took its shape. Due to Coronavirus, I had to close my massage therapy business and I turned to my art to express my anxiety, frustration, and all my feels. It also had to become my only source of income, for the first time. During the BLM protests, once again I turned to my art. I didn’t have a huge platform, I wanted to do something for actual change but didn’t always know what to do. What I always had, was my art. This is when I connected with the group, Makers Against Racism, and within a few months, we raised over $9,000 for local charities that benefit underserved communities. It felt so good to use art for change and to also connect with such supportive and creative artists. I have continued to donate each month, and it makes me feel so good knowing that each piece I make will potentially help my community.
Handmade art with rainbows and hearts?!? Oh wait, a political statement too? Count me in.
I have recently tried my hands at embroidery, and it has been a learning curve. To me, embroidery is more like painting with thread instead of creating pixelated images. I also really like to incorporate embroidery and cross stitch to get more detail and texture. I have recently been playing around with 3D art, so the sky is the limit. With each piece that gets finished, the better artist I become and the better art you receive. The cross stitch and embroidery that is created will continue to evolve and grow and some days its rainbows and other days it’s a lot of fuck off. That is the beauty of art and feeling your feels. I look forward to having you here to watch it evolve and grow as well 💜